The 1.2 is basically a very expensive tool for shooting in the F1.2-2.0 range, where it's the sharpest Canon 50mm and where the quality of the out-of-focus parts of the photo (bokeh) is critical. At F2.8, the 1.8 lenses is a bit sharper, but the 1.2 still has *much* better bokeh.The bokeh of the 1.8 at F2.8+ is very poor (looks like pentagons).
So do you think i should go for this lens? I need a very sharp and fast lens for everyday photography but i also need it to shoot video so i need the best manual focus i can get. is this worth it or should i go for some other lens?
I am not a pro photographer by any means, but doesn't adding a lens hood reduces the incoming light, in which case it defeats the purpose? In daylight, I could only imagine a single use for fast lenses, the blurring effect, or am I mistaken?
@MrKnnknn Lens hood reduces stray light (this is a good thing) which causes flaring and low contrast. In daylight you can still benefit from very fast shutter speeds which increases the chances for razor sharp in focus areas.
I think the pouch is useful if you want to keep your lens in some bag if you don't have anymore space in your camera bag or you want to keep it usage at some time
@MsDreamingLife (Ok, warning I'm about to sound rude) You shouldn't ever buy any lens that is expensive with a statement like that.
Image stabilization is pointless on non-telephoto lenses. Especially on this lens! it's already fast because it has a WIDE aperture of f1.2. "IS" isn't what makes or defines a lens. Sure, it's a great feature on medium tele lens or great on ultra tele's but learn more about IS and lenses first and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Good vid, Just got my 50 1.2L for almost a week, my copy is the early Dec 06 version, UU12XX, been shooting and testing it in both Day and low light with it wide open @1.2 at low light it does take a lil more to get it focus spot on, in day light it is sharp at wide open and fast, no real focus issues here, loving it!
@gorann1953 Thanks. Do weigh carefully whether you want to get this lens of the f1.4 version. I prefer the L personally but you might not need all that it offers.
very expensive, I wonder why it cost so much more than bigger L glass lenses like the 70-200L. What material is in there that makes it so much more expensive?
@keldererik It gets pricey as soon as you venture below f2.8. The lens has an aspherical element which further complicates the production and raises the cost. There are lots of examples of photos taken with it on my site (link in the review)
Thanks for the reply. That makes sense, let's hope someday they will be able to cut down on the cost of production :) It seems that will not happen anytime soon. Atleast L glass keeps it's value and thus is a great investment.
@keldererik L lenses are built rugged, they use fluorite, strong materials which aren't cheap and it has an aspherical element, thats why L lenses are expensive, some L lenses use UD, Super UD and SWC coating,
i will much rather get the 35 mm f1,4 samyang fully manual lense and use the rest of the money for beer
VIDARMATHISEN 2 months ago
how is this "tons" better than the f1.8 other than the bigger aperture?
eeeallan 11 months ago
@eeeallan Build quality. WAY BETTER. 100000000000x better. My 50/1.8 had its front element popped out.
JohnHFilms 10 months ago
@eeeallan
Much better build quality, weather sealing (w/ filter), 8 bladed aperture (better blur elements, ie. "bokeh"), ultrasonic focus (quieter).
The 1.2 is basically a very expensive tool for shooting in the F1.2-2.0 range, where it's the sharpest Canon 50mm and where the quality of the out-of-focus parts of the photo (bokeh) is critical. At F2.8, the 1.8 lenses is a bit sharper, but the 1.2 still has *much* better bokeh.The bokeh of the 1.8 at F2.8+ is very poor (looks like pentagons).
balios1 10 months ago
@balios1 oh ic thx :)
eeeeallan 10 months ago
So do you think i should go for this lens? I need a very sharp and fast lens for everyday photography but i also need it to shoot video so i need the best manual focus i can get. is this worth it or should i go for some other lens?
simon1234simon 1 year ago
I am not a pro photographer by any means, but doesn't adding a lens hood reduces the incoming light, in which case it defeats the purpose? In daylight, I could only imagine a single use for fast lenses, the blurring effect, or am I mistaken?
MrKnnknn 1 year ago
@MrKnnknn Lens hood reduces stray light (this is a good thing) which causes flaring and low contrast. In daylight you can still benefit from very fast shutter speeds which increases the chances for razor sharp in focus areas.
ignphotography 1 year ago
I think the pouch is useful if you want to keep your lens in some bag if you don't have anymore space in your camera bag or you want to keep it usage at some time
cubeproduktion 1 year ago
what type of bamboo tablet is that next to the keyboard?
NeighborThunder 1 year ago
if there was IS on this lense, I would definitely buy~ ^^
MsDreamingLife 1 year ago
@MsDreamingLife (Ok, warning I'm about to sound rude) You shouldn't ever buy any lens that is expensive with a statement like that.
Image stabilization is pointless on non-telephoto lenses. Especially on this lens! it's already fast because it has a WIDE aperture of f1.2. "IS" isn't what makes or defines a lens. Sure, it's a great feature on medium tele lens or great on ultra tele's but learn more about IS and lenses first and you'll see what I'm talking about.
liquidSpin 1 year ago
@MsDreamingLife Nope, you don't need IS on these very fast lenses..
JohnHFilms 1 year ago
good review. any back focus issues with this copy?
nickwelsh 1 year ago
ahhh i see the dust particles flying around... cover that lens. cover that lens quick!!
heavenguy 1 year ago
Your review was very good!
fleetingdays 1 year ago
Good vid, Just got my 50 1.2L for almost a week, my copy is the early Dec 06 version, UU12XX, been shooting and testing it in both Day and low light with it wide open @1.2 at low light it does take a lil more to get it focus spot on, in day light it is sharp at wide open and fast, no real focus issues here, loving it!
yenzlife 1 year ago
Finally a review of the 50mm f1.2! Great work.
Is that a 5d mkI or mkII that you are using it with?
mmnovakovic 2 years ago
@mmnovakovic Hi, I am using mkI still. Don't fancy doubling the file size and all that goes with it.
ignphotography 2 years ago
Great short review. I've had a look at the review on your site too and am seriously considering getting this lens.
Thanks!
gorann1953 2 years ago
@gorann1953 Thanks. Do weigh carefully whether you want to get this lens of the f1.4 version. I prefer the L personally but you might not need all that it offers.
ignphotography 2 years ago
very expensive, I wonder why it cost so much more than bigger L glass lenses like the 70-200L. What material is in there that makes it so much more expensive?
keldererik 2 years ago
@keldererik It gets pricey as soon as you venture below f2.8. The lens has an aspherical element which further complicates the production and raises the cost. There are lots of examples of photos taken with it on my site (link in the review)
ignphotography 2 years ago
Thanks for the reply. That makes sense, let's hope someday they will be able to cut down on the cost of production :) It seems that will not happen anytime soon. Atleast L glass keeps it's value and thus is a great investment.
keldererik 2 years ago
@keldererik L lenses are built rugged, they use fluorite, strong materials which aren't cheap and it has an aspherical element, thats why L lenses are expensive, some L lenses use UD, Super UD and SWC coating,
cubeproduktion 1 year ago