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nelvayut
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Registered: Apr 26, 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 104
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Review Date: Jun 13, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Built, bokeh, f/1.2, sharp, color quality
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Cons:
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Weight, sometimes I experienced shift focus
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 Jun 13, 2013
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Nektario K
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Registered: Jan 5, 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 243
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Review Date: Jun 8, 2013
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Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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not many..
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Cons:
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see original review
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Can't seem to correct a review..in my Pros area..I meant to just write good Bokeh -
Cons is that it does not focus fast..at least not as fast as a 1.4.. So if your shooting kids in ambient light..you will need a faster focus - I can foresee how OOF my shots will be when I will be shooting baptisms and trying to catch baby in mom's arms as she walking with him/her etc.. This 1.2 is set for a real steady subject at least to shoot in the 1.2 1.4 range
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Jun 8, 2013
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Nektario K
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Registered: Jan 5, 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 243
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Review Date: Jun 8, 2013
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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slower than the 1.4 and I can see why..
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Cons:
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way over priced for this lens' purpose..
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Got this lens this week..been shooting non stop with it..before I use it on my contract.. I'm not really impressed for the price I paid.. Sharpness pre-post is not amazing.. Good bokeh, good build but nothing that the 50 1.4 EF can't do at a fraction of the price.. $1600.00 for a red ring?? Not this one anyway...Its going back...Better spend your money (1500.00) on a 70-300 4L..now that is WOW glass...
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Jun 8, 2013
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barnwellh
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Registered: Apr 26, 2013
Location: United States
Posts: 4
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Review Date: May 29, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,450.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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image rendering, bokeh, color reproduction
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Cons:
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chromatic aberration
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I specifically wanted to write this review for crop frame users who prefer the 50mm focal length that produces a compressed 80mm perspective on your sensor. I believe the key to using this tool is pre-visualization; and having an intricate understanding of where the “curved” plane of focus falls at apertures 1.2 – 3.2. (at various distances).
If you plan / reliant on using autofocus then this lens will present a challenge to you with missed / out of focus shots. Single point AF is your friend, if you’re shooting portraiture without a tripod then I recommend AI-Servo to compensate for subject & shooter movement.
The build quality of this tool, balances well on my Canon 60D. On a Rebel body it may be slightly imbalanced; but I recommend simply using your index fingers to prop up the lens at the end of the barrel / lens hood…Whitehouse principal photographer Pete Souza has a good technique that I’ve been emulating with my longer lens (eg. Canon 135mm L).
I was concerned that my lack of AF microadjustment would be an issue, alas that is not the case sharp at 1.2 and crisp at 1.8 – if you do encounter this issue your local servicing dealer and or Canon is available to adjust your lens to your body (i.e Rebel series and Canon 60D).
What about image quality and color rending?
Compared to my previous 50mm 1.8, 50mm 1.4 and even mechanically poor Sigma 35mm 1.4 this lens is on another level; am confused on why so many reviewers and posters believe there’s some type of parity with consumer glass?!? It’s simply not there – no comparison except for focal length…from my perspective this tool produces a superior image rendering that is de-mon-stra-tive of professional image output.
Conclusion & Negatives
Don’t let the “L” designation, your crop-body, or the price tag scare you off!! If you demand the best image output for your photography this is the lens for you. For me this is a great companion lens with my Canon 135mm f2 L and Canon 16-35mm f2.8 L II. My only gripe is the by-product of: chromatic aberration which is easily removed with your photography editing software. The lens I received was produced in 2013 (UB 0310), and it came with the new snazzy pinch cap – get this tool while the rebate is still available.
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May 29, 2013
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Yudhi
Offline
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Apr 7, 2013
Location: Indonesia
Posts: 119
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Review Date: May 9, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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f1.2, creamy bokeh, sharp, color
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Cons:
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none
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best 50mm from canon ...f1.2 is magic
this lens make me smile all the time.....^^
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May 9, 2013
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rater
Offline
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Registered: Mar 26, 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 22
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Review Date: Apr 26, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,200.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Build, F/1.2.
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Cons:
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Slow autofocus, expensive.
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I love doing photos with a 50mm, and this lens have been always on my wish list. Coming from an EF 1.4, this lens for sure feels better build and glass looks nicer. Having said that, it will be harder to master this lens than the EF 1.4. Also, I have the sensation that autofocus is faster and better on the EF 1.4 version. I guess that the lower AF performance of the 1.2L is related to huge pieces of glass that needs to be moved in the lens.
So is it worth getting this lens over the 1.4? I guess that if I have to apply logical thinking my answer would be no. It is way more expensive, AF is not as good and you only get a half stop advantage. I am going to exchange back my 1.2 for an 1.4? No way, it feels too good having this lens and once you understand its limitations, is a top performer.
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Apr 26, 2013
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kyerthenomad
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Registered: Nov 29, 2012
Location: N/A
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Feb 16, 2013
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Recommend? |
Price paid: $1,450.00
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Pros:
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1.2 f stop
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Cons:
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inconsistent focus on the mark ii
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On my mark ii it was hard to focus it sharp under 1.8
With the mark iii (perhaps I should be reviewing the camera?!), it's brilliant. I have the 35L, 85, 135L and the 24-105L. The 50 1.2 is on my camera 50 percent of the time.
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Feb 16, 2013
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lucas lumiere
Online
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Registered: Feb 10, 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 211
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Review Date: Feb 7, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Colour, Bokeh, Build, Size, Sharpness, Rendering
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Cons:
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Needs a good AF System, Good firmware installed between the ears.
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I've owned the 50 1.8 II, then the metal mount 1.8, then the 50 1.4 and finally found a good deal on the 1.2L. I used to find it frustrating to use on my old 5dc, however, that could be said for a lot of lenses. When they worked, the images were amazing, but there were lots of out of focus frames.
You need a Full Frame camera with a top notch AF system to get the most out of this lens. It absolutely SINGS on the 5dIII.
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Feb 7, 2013
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fingerling69
Offline
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Registered: Jan 25, 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 8
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Review Date: Jan 26, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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F1.2, Bokeh, Sharp.
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Cons:
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Price.
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Wow, what a lense. Superb @ F1.2, Sharp @ F1.2 and the Bokeh, brilliant. Worth every cent.
Either it's user error or there is a variation in quality between copies, mine has no such issues. My new favourite lense.
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Jan 26, 2013
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mttran
Offline
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Registered: Nov 3, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 5578
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Review Date: Jan 1, 2013
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Just one knock behinds the legendary 50f1.0
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Cons:
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none
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Jan 1, 2013
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Peter Kotsa
Offline
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Registered: Nov 1, 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 265
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Review Date: Dec 15, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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1.2, bright viewfinder and fast focus, excellent build.
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Cons:
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$$
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You get what you pay for, this is a specialised lens for low light situations.
I use it mainly between f1.2 to f2, outstanding bokeh and colours.
Pricey lens but well worth it.
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Dec 15, 2012
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kyerthenomad
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Registered: Nov 29, 2012
Location: N/A
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Nov 29, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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It's the lens that spends the most time on my camera. It's sharp. It's a great all around focal length.
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Cons:
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It's doesn't focus well in low light sometimes with my mark ii.
I look forward to using it with a mark iii down the road.
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Even though I've calibrated this lens, I've never seen it sharp at 1.2 or 1.4.
I also love the 35m mm 1.4 and it focuses well and it's consistently sharp even full open.
But the 50mm is a better all around focal length for photographing people (horizontal shots or vertical).
The 35mm 1.4 and 135mm 2.0 make a solid combination for shooting events.. but solo.. my 50mm 1.2 wins for me.
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Nov 29, 2012
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Rob Holloway
Offline
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Registered: Oct 28, 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Oct 28, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Glorious color, depth of field and bokeh to die for
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Cons:
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Takes time to learn how to get the best out of this lens. it's not Point and shoot at f1.2. Focus is not super fast.
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This is a specialist lens that takes time to master. It's completely different to the f1.4.
I purchased this lens to shoot our rescue dogs for our website. It's been amazing how many people have commented about the shots. They can't explain why they like the shots but i repeatedly hear that it's like 3D
I started with the 50mm f1.8 which is great for $100. Then moved to the 50mm f1.4 which is great for $350. I had about focussing issues but simply love L primes.
Every time I review a set of shots I am in awe of 3 things. The color, blacks and bokeh. It's surreal. I am not sure I have taken a shot beyond f4.
All that said, there is a learning curve with this lens as the temptation is to immediately shoot at f1.2 - because it's there. You'll be frustrated at first.
If you're looking for lightning fast AF, this lens is again not the one for you. It's not slow, but it's no speed demon.
Every time I clip this lens onto my 5D2 I am as excited as hell. Every time I fire up Lightroom, I just smile.
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Oct 28, 2012
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davidmarsh
Offline
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Registered: Oct 26, 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 133
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Review Date: Oct 28, 2012
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Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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Clarity, quality, robust
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Cons:
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A lack of understanding of this product, but that is not the products fault!
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I have posted this before but any Canon service agent will tell that the so called 'back focus' issue is not down to the lens, but the setup of the sensors within the camera. With lenses over f/1.8 you do not really notice this issue suntil you hit the f/1.2 range. The camera sensors are aimed towards the centre of the frame but will need adjusting for lenses with such a tiny depth of field. The principle is the same as the famous 'bouncing bomp' used in WW2. Many cameras are setup for the main lens product range but if you plan to use a low f/ stop on a regular basis, you need to visit a Canon service centre to have the sensors re-aligned. Alternatively you can run a series of tests to acertain where the camera sensors tend to focus and make the adjustments when shooting.
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Oct 28, 2012
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David45
Offline
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Registered: Oct 27, 2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Oct 28, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Beautiful bokeh, sharp in centre at 1.2
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Cons:
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Can miss focus (probably due to user error)
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I bought this as a mint condition 2012 model and have used it for several weeks. I have been using it with my 5d Mark iii. I am using it mainly to take photos of my children wide open. The lens is sharp enough in the centre at f1.2. There is a little vignetting at f1.2, which is not a problem when taking portraits. Contrast increases when stopped down a little.
I was concerned when reading about problems with back focusing. I do have some focusing errors, but believe this is down to user error and subject movement rather than a problem with the lens itself. I have not found a problem with back focusing at close distances when using between f1.2 and f2. When I have stopped the lens down to f5.6, the lens is very sharp across the frame. The colours are very attractive.
I was not sure whether to get this or the 35 1.4l but I am now very pleased with my choice. I would thoroughly recommend this lens as a portrait lens or for general use.
There are some excellent portraits on the flickr canon 50 1.2l site by a photographer taking a series of photos of people that work in Soho (whose name I forget) which shows what can be achieved by this lens in the hands of a skilled photographer.
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Oct 28, 2012
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Gunzorro
Online
Buy and Sell: On
Registered: Aug 27, 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 4572
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Review Date: Sep 26, 2012
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Amazing bokeh, IQ is incredible from soft wide open to sharp smaller apertures. Size is manageable, not too big or heavy. Impressive build quality.
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Cons:
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Price? It's been out of my reach for a long time.
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Amazing lens! Beautiful bokeh (and I'm not a bokeh fanatic) and smooth tonal transitions up to 2.8. From there it is as sharp as you could hope for from a 50mm.
I've only used it through the CPS program to shoot a wedding and do some prep shots and personal stuff afterward, but I absolutely fell in love with this lens and its images, especially from f/1.2 to 1.8 on a 1Ds2 -- such lovely transitions between tones, but also super sharp at f/4!
I've got to buy this lens, even though I'm usually an f/8 kind of guy, this won me over.
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Sep 26, 2012
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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171
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309973
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Jun 13, 2013
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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81% of reviewers
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$1,420.40
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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9.39
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7.00
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8.7
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