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Archive 2010Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
p.2 #1Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
I think you guys may be right about the front-focus. It seems to be more pronounced with longer distances. It's really weird. At close distances on a test chart at 45 degrees I don't see any front/back focus, just blurry shot. I would think I should see the front focus on a test chart. However after I reviewed some of my long distance shots, it seems that the further I am from the subject, the more it front focuses. Maybe it's a combination of both front focus and lower sharpness in general. That would probably also explain why I'm not seeing the focus-shift problem - the front focus is compensating for it 
I did try manual focus and at close distance couldn't make any improvement over AF. At longer distance I couldn't really manually focus due to the subject distance. I wish I had 5D II so that I could try liveview and micro adjustments.
I'm going to exchange this for another copy and hope for better result. I never had to return any lens, but I guess it had to happen some day. The last lens I got, 24mm f/1.4 II, is magnificent wide open. I knew 50L won't be able to match it wide open, hopefully the next copy will be different.
I did try manual focus and at close distance couldn't make any improvement over AF. At longer distance I couldn't really manually focus due to the subject distance. I wish I had 5D II so that I could try liveview and micro adjustments.
I'm going to exchange this for another copy and hope for better result. I never had to return any lens, but I guess it had to happen some day. The last lens I got, 24mm f/1.4 II, is magnificent wide open. I knew 50L won't be able to match it wide open, hopefully the next copy will be different.
Feb 26, 2010 at 06:19 PM
p.2 #2Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
Nick Nishizaka wrote:
Trying to get this lens to act perfectly is an excercise in futility. You learn to deal with its quirks.
wonderful statement; I like your philosophy, I think the same, never sent a Canon lens or a body to a service, althought several of them show minor issues
Trying to get this lens to act perfectly is an excercise in futility. You learn to deal with its quirks.
wonderful statement; I like your philosophy, I think the same, never sent a Canon lens or a body to a service, althought several of them show minor issues
Feb 26, 2010 at 06:25 PM
p.2 #3Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
If you're going to exchange, why not just buy the 85/1.2L II instead. Now that is some serious glass.
Feb 26, 2010 at 06:29 PM
p.2 #4Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
I think this shot explains it. Shot from about 5 meters at f/1.2 on a tripod. The focus point is exactly in the middle of this shot and look what is in focus instead. Like I said the further the distance, the worse it gets.
http://photo.kupcik.com/Public/50L/IMG1528crop/797748163_aeoZY-O.jpg
http://photo.kupcik.com/Public/50L/IMG1528crop/797748163_aeoZY-O.jpg
Feb 26, 2010 at 06:32 PM
p.2 #5Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
wickerprints wrote:
If you're going to exchange, why not just buy the 85/1.2L II instead. Now that is some serious glass.
+1...assuming of course 1) the OP doesn't already own it and 2) the OP doesn't need/prefer a 50mm lens.
If you're going to exchange, why not just buy the 85/1.2L II instead. Now that is some serious glass.
+1...assuming of course 1) the OP doesn't already own it and 2) the OP doesn't need/prefer a 50mm lens.
Feb 26, 2010 at 06:39 PM
p.2 #6Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
M Vers wrote:
+1...assuming of course 1) the OP doesn't already own it and 2) the OP doesn't need/prefer a 50mm lens.
Correct, super sharp 85mm would do me no good if I need 50mm. Btw. I do have a great 85mm f/1.8 - great value and performance.
wickerprints wrote
If you're going to exchange, why not just buy the 85/1.2L II instead. Now that is some serious glass.Correct, super sharp 85mm would do me no good if I need 50mm. Btw. I do have a great 85mm f/1.8 - great value and performance.
Feb 26, 2010 at 06:42 PM
p.2 #7Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
pkupcik wrote:
Btw. I do have a great 85mm f/1.8 - great value and performance.
Can't argue with that
Btw. I do have a great 85mm f/1.8 - great value and performance.
Can't argue with that
Feb 26, 2010 at 06:44 PM
p.2 #8Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
And here's another one at f/1.2 - again focus point is in the middle. I think this case is closed. Thank you everyone for your feedback. Hopefully I'll be able to post more positive stuff next time.
http://photo.kupcik.com/Public/50L/IMG1464Crop/797763465_xuqCX-O.jpg
Edited on Feb 26, 2010 at 08:21 PM · View previous versions
http://photo.kupcik.com/Public/50L/IMG1464Crop/797763465_xuqCX-O.jpg
Edited on Feb 26, 2010 at 08:21 PM · View previous versions
Feb 26, 2010 at 07:00 PM
p.2 #9Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
Seem like 5D AF issue - not the lens - try manual focus
Feb 26, 2010 at 07:23 PM
p.2 #10Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
I hate to say it, but exchanging it probably won't help much unless you got a copy with serious calibration issues. I've owned 5 copies of this lens in 3 years...and EVERY one of them had the same focus shift issue to about the same degree. Like has been mentioned...it is the way this lens was designed. You cannot get around it and I expect you will be frustrated by it. That being said... if you learn to work around the limitations of this lens, it can deliver nice shots. I finally got frustrated enough with the 50L/f1.2 to buy an older design 50L/f1.0.
Feb 26, 2010 at 07:57 PM
p.2 #11Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
gpop wrote:
can someone explain the 'focus shift' ? I hear reference to it with the 50L all the time, any hints for a beginner?
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/751700/0
can someone explain the 'focus shift' ? I hear reference to it with the 50L all the time, any hints for a beginner?
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/751700/0
Feb 26, 2010 at 08:00 PM
p.2 #12Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
ghuff wrote:
I hate to say it, but exchanging it probably won't help much unless you got a copy with serious calibration issues. I've owned 5 copies of this lens in 3 years...and EVERY one of them had the same focus shift issue to about the same degree. Like has been mentioned...it is the way this lens was designed. You cannot get around it and I expect you will be frustrated by it. That being said... if you learn to work around the limitations of this lens, it can deliver nice shots. I finally got frustrated enough with the 50L/f1.2 to buy...Show more →
From what I understand the focus shift does not happen at f/1.2, but above it and it shows as a back focus. My problem is front focus at f/1.2.
I hate to say it, but exchanging it probably won't help much unless you got a copy with serious calibration issues. I've owned 5 copies of this lens in 3 years...and EVERY one of them had the same focus shift issue to about the same degree. Like has been mentioned...it is the way this lens was designed. You cannot get around it and I expect you will be frustrated by it. That being said... if you learn to work around the limitations of this lens, it can deliver nice shots. I finally got frustrated enough with the 50L/f1.2 to buy...Show more →
From what I understand the focus shift does not happen at f/1.2, but above it and it shows as a back focus. My problem is front focus at f/1.2.
Feb 26, 2010 at 08:06 PM
p.2 #13Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
The bottom line is this: If you don't like the performance it is giving you, then send
it back. Don't agonize over it too long. Despite it's AF flaws, one thing about the Sigma:
it is sharp. So, you have the Sigma as an alternative, if you don't want to play
Canon's "copy lottery." Of course, Sigma has a lottery of its own.
Regardless of the reason, if you can't get sharp shots, you won't use the 50L.
Edited on Feb 26, 2010 at 10:42 PM · View previous versions
it back. Don't agonize over it too long. Despite it's AF flaws, one thing about the Sigma:
it is sharp. So, you have the Sigma as an alternative, if you don't want to play
Canon's "copy lottery." Of course, Sigma has a lottery of its own.
Regardless of the reason, if you can't get sharp shots, you won't use the 50L.
Edited on Feb 26, 2010 at 10:42 PM · View previous versions
Feb 26, 2010 at 09:29 PM
p.2 #14Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
if you focused on the sign in the first pic, then there is some front focus that is present, you can see the railing is sharper toward the bottom of the picture, where it is plenty sharp for 1.2. if anything that is impressive, most really fast lenses miss focus a little some just notice it some dont, some dont care?
as someone has mentioned, if you dont like the lens, return it
as someone has mentioned, if you dont like the lens, return it
Feb 26, 2010 at 10:06 PM
p.2 #15Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
well, i had a 50L for a while, but it seems like your copy isn't quite up to snuff...here is my testing i did with it initially:
it's f1.2, f2.8, f5.6 from left to right
it was a little soft at 1.2, but not as soft as seen in your samples
it's f1.2, f2.8, f5.6 from left to right
it was a little soft at 1.2, but not as soft as seen in your samples
Feb 26, 2010 at 11:07 PM
p.2 #16Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
Your results seem about right for this lens. I've owned four copies and they all performed like this...
Feb 26, 2010 at 11:16 PM
p.2 #17Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
I might add that the 50L is not going to please you if you pixel peep... Just use it and take photos.
Feb 26, 2010 at 11:17 PM
p.2 #18Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
pkupcik wrote:
Yes and there is none. Tried ton of chart tests at 45 degrees from various distances and no front/back focus. The sharpness and contrast are just lacking at 1.2-1.8. I feel lucky about not having the famous focus-shift problem for sure.
for kupcik really looks like missed focus
just because it does fine with a close chart means nothing about a real shooting distance
and many canon 50mm have had notoriously miss prone AF under f/2
pcvrz22g wrote
Have you checked for front/back focus?for kupcik really looks like missed focus
just because it does fine with a close chart means nothing about a real shooting distance
and many canon 50mm have had notoriously miss prone AF under f/2
Feb 26, 2010 at 11:20 PM
p.2 #19Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
Get a human test subject. Focus on one eye (head tilted away from lens). You will be able to clearly see how well your 50L copy is performing. We all know what a human's eyelash looks like so this will clearly show sharpness/contrast etc.
Tweeking your current 50L copy with MA will help the front focus. f/2.8 to f/4 aprox 5 feet away will really indicate if you have a severe/not so severe focus shifting 50L (typical back focus aprox 1 inch or so).
Tweeking your current 50L copy with MA will help the front focus. f/2.8 to f/4 aprox 5 feet away will really indicate if you have a severe/not so severe focus shifting 50L (typical back focus aprox 1 inch or so).
Feb 27, 2010 at 12:50 AM
p.2 #20Just got 50L - mixed feelings.
the 50L isn't a clear win. there are sharper lenses out there. there are ones with less focus shift. there aren't many out there that do autofocus and f1.2...
[ewan mcgregor voice]you must do what you think is right, of course.[/ewan mcgregor voice]
[ewan mcgregor voice]you must do what you think is right, of course.[/ewan mcgregor voice]
Feb 27, 2010 at 01:52 AM