Please post your hands-on experiences with the recently-released Canon EF 50/1.2L lens here. Now that the lens is nearly shipping, I figure it's a good time to start a hands-on thread to compile relevant information in one place.

Please folks, try to keep this thread on topic and the idle 'chatter' to a minimum, so that the thread can hopefully become a valuable resource for those looking for real-world info on this new lens, provided by those that actually own it. Feel free to provide image examples, 100% crops, and any relevant details about the lens, especially in relation to the either the EF 50/1.0L and EF 50/1.4 lenses.

Thanks!

Jeff
FM.com Moderator

Edited by Jeff on Oct 28, 2006 at 03:44 PM GMT

So where are the samples This lens is on my short list.

Don't think anyone's received it yet.

At the Photography Show in Toronto Sandie and I had the opportunity to play with the 50mm 1.2 L lens.

From my breif encounter with it I can safely say it is very very similar to the 85mm 1.2 II L as far as features and quality go. It is sharp wide open with a medium speed focus but is prone to chromatic abberations wide open much like the 85mm. It is worth the price tag considering it is several hundred cheaper than the 85mm 1.2. Well built and weather sealed.

It had excellent flare control as well as incredible colour and contrast out of the box. Very well built and simply one of the nicest primes I have tried.

A sample of the Bokeh it produces. These samples are straight out of the camera with no processing (only sized)

Stepen,
What was the camera used ?

1D mark II

i am interested in knowing how the AF fares relative to the say the 50 1.4 and perhaps the 85 1.2 which i love but is slow ...if this lens is sharp wide open and fast focusing i would have interest..idl ove to hear from those who have been able to play with it

OK people, considering no one's yet received this lens (that I know of), how 'bout we reserve this thread for people who actually own the lens? We've already been through all this with the 'announcement' thread, and we're just re-creating the wheel re-discussing the potential performance of the lens.

Thanks,

Jeff
FM.com Moderator

Maybe we should rename the thread: "*Hands-Off* EF 50/1.2L"

First review:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=305

Yakim Peled wrote:
First review:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=305

Who did this review, Nikon?

Yes it's more money than 50 1.4 but mine keeps breaking down all the time. As such I would say that the 50 1.2 is 1000 times more than a moderately sized Idaho Potato.

Jeff wrote:
OK people, considering no one's yet received this lens (that I know of), how 'bout we reserve this thread for people who actually own the lens? We've already been through all this with the 'announcement' thread, and we're just re-creating the wheel re-discussing the potential performance of the lens.

Thanks,

Jeff
FM.com Moderator


I am very eager to hear hands on reports from people who actually see it and handle it and shoot with it at shows or other places it surfaces. That will be the only true info we can receive is from people who actually have a hands-on experience with it. So I hope you don't limit this thread to people who only own the lens, as they don't exist yet.

I agree that opinions and speculations should not be in here.

Peter

Just got back from PhotoExpo in NY. Here's my take:
Very similar to the 85/1.2, Vers.2 in look and feel, just a bit more compact.

Front lens again very similar to the 85, just a bit smaller, great balance on the 1DS, not as top heavy as the 85.

As for focus speed, seems fine, definitely quicker than the 85 (less glass=weight).

And the out of focus/select focus feels literally the same than with the 85.

They go great together, same kind of quality feel in regards of color, crispness in the images (judged from the rather lousy lcd on the 1DS).

I can see this being the (portrait) lens to get for 1.6 and 1.3 crop factor camera shooters.

I'm getting one asap

Ever since i heard about the lens this summer i'm exited about finally having a L lineup from 35-50-85 (and the 24-70 as backup, all I need, well maybe…TS lenses next).

best
M

Mark,
Did the reps give any indication as to availability?

Thanks Mark. Looking forward to finally having a nice 50mm


Josef

Re: Availability
This week i picked up a new 85/1.2 (don't ask) at Fotocare and they're expecting it soon. Which seems to be on time as Canon states November 06 in the US and A.
m

marks. wrote:
Re: Availability
This week i picked up a new 85/1.2 (don't ask) at Fotocare and they're expecting it soon. Which seems to be on time as Canon states November 06 in the US and A.
m

Borat?

Tried 50/1.2L on photoplusexpo with their 1dsII. Got images on CF card but there is nothing to show. Lens back focused badly. It is so Canon's way ...

olegkin wrote:
Tried 50/1.2L on photoplusexpo with their 1dsII. Got images on CF card but there is nothing to show. Lens back focused badly. It is so Canon's way ...

I tried it on the same camera. I haven't had a chance to view the images yet, but I don't think it was a fully functioning lens because I kept wondering "is this thing focusing or is it me"?

I didn't question it because it was only a show and I'm sure there are lots of pre-production prototypes floating around.

I like the size, the look, the feel, but not the price.....