I miss this lens but I am not buying another one. It is a lot like an unpredictable lover. You can never trust it to perform when you need it most; and that is its real weakness. If you are a professional photographer, you need lenses that are dependable, at least, most of the time. I have owned two copies over the years and used both of them extensively for a long time, on many assignments across Africa. If Canon ever updates this lens, I will be first in line to buy a copy because I really do miss it.
When it was first announced and released, I think many of us thought/expected it to be a 50mm version of the 85L. I'll be honest I was a bit disappointed with it initially because it was not up to the same technical standards of sharpness across the frame, and exhibited focus shift. But, it has a certain 'thickness' to its image quality that I found somewhat unique compared to the other Canon lenses I was using and grew to like it a lot, on APS-H, where it's about a 65mm crop. Whereas the 85L obliterates the background wide open, the 50/1.2 retains some definition that can give context to the composition, which I like.
I haven't tried the Sigma, so can't say how it compares. About the only fast 50 I've found to be better/sharper wide open and more consistent across the frame, without focus shift, is the M-series Leica 50/1.4 ASPH., though it's probably eclipsed by the 50/2 APO ASPH and the upcoming Zeiss 55/1.4.
I love this picture! Excellent color palette and complementary colors. Cute, but knowing, sort of a modern Mona Lisa. Great example of the graphic nature of the 50L with multiple textures and surfaces.
Gunzorro wrote:
I love this picture! Excellent color palette and complementary colors. Cute, but knowing, sort of a modern Mona Lisa. Great example of the graphic nature of the 50L with multiple textures and surfaces.
Thanks Gunzorro! I found shooting this lens with focal plane parallel to the object with wide open is fun to use, you can see it is not sharp in wide open but it still have plenty of details that make the picture looks comfortable. Great lens!
Really wanted to like my 50L but my 5DII prevented it. Almost got rid of it but then I upgraded to the 5DIII and 1DX and now it performs as I wanted it to. Its one of my favorites and always regret when I don't have it.
In one kit I keep my 16-35 L II, 724-70 L II, and 70-200 L II and my 50L.
In my other is the 35L, 85L and 135L but wish I had another 50L to keep with that one as well.
The 50L and 85L are just different. For portraits its the 85L for events it the 50L.
From a week ago. Took 4 shots to get one in focus with an off centre point on a 5D3 but it was low light (iso 3200 f1.2 1/320) and a low contrast subject (the pillar on the right). I find the off centre points (I only use the cross point ones) still somewhat hit and miss in low light or fluorescent light like this at f1.2. At least you get there though, my 5Dc never did with off centre in any light and fast or slower lenses.
