Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
by Canon
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: CanonRelease Date: 2006-12-05
Model: 1236B004
Product features:
- High-performance, weather-resistant standard lens
- AF with full-time manual focus
- 50mm focal length
- f1.2 Maximum aperture; 72mm filter size
- UltraSonic Motor (USM)
- The focal length is 50mm
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Stellar lens
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a really beautiful piece of kit. I read the reviews here and on the various web fora and was obviously worried about the oft mentioned "back focusing" issue, but went ahead and bought one back in October 2009. My thinking was that I simply loved my Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM and, as it was the lens that was most often on my camera, I really wanted the best possible in this class, especially as I do like to shoot wide open around the home and indoors using natural light rather than flash.
Needless to say, the lens is a bit of a beast in terms of size and weight when compared to the other 50mm lenses Canon makes (I have owned the 1.8, 2.5 and 1.4 at some stage over the last few years). But I love the stability that weight gives to you when you hold it in your hands. Shooting wide open does take a lot of getting used to given the razor thin DoF, and I have made sure to use the centre point on my 5DMkII and 50D for best results. The results in portraits can be beautiful though with a slightly soft dreamy effect wide open (which has been improved with practice). The lens gets nicely sharp around 2.0 and tack sharp at 2.8. However, the whole deal with sharpness to me is second to the ability to be able to get the shot in the first place. That's where the 1.2 excels.
Regarding the "back focus issue" I went through the process of microadjusting all my lenses using this relatively easy yet effective method explained here: [...]. It turned out my 50mm 1.4 was focusing much more than my 1.2. I think the 50mm 1.4 was something like -15 and the 50mm 1.2 was -3. It seemed to be a consistent issue with my primes (though to varying degrees). My zooms were all pretty much spot-on. Simply must be to do with the wide apertures of the primes as DoF becomes thinner and thinner. 1.2 is as wide as it gets these days.
For sample images, please feel free to check out these pics: h[...]
The biggest caveat with this lens is, of course, the price. For that reason, I would say the best deal in terms of picture quality, low light ability, etc. is the Canon EF 50mm 1.4 USM. I still love that lens and have kept it for back-up and for whenever I need to travel. It really is a great piece of glass for the price. The 1.2 L is just that bit better though and, for my business, that's what I need to have.
Pros:
Great low-light ability at lower ISOs
Fast focus
Amazing build quality
Contrast and colours are beautiful
Bokeh is gorgeous even when stopped down (with nicely rounded aperture blades)
Feels nice and solid in your hands when shooting in low light without tripod
1/2 stop faster than the Canon EF 50mm 1.4 USM
Cons:
Heavy
Expensive
Takes some time to master using wide open
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM offers comparable image quality (though half a stop slower and less well built).
Description of Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a peerless new standard lens featuring an ultra-large aperture for a narrow depth of field and soft background blur so loved by photographers everywhere. The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is suitable for any shooting situation; its lens coating and construction are optimized to minimize the ghosting and flare that frequently occurs when lenses are used with digital cameras. This high-performance, weather-resistant lens delivers all the superb image resolution and contrast you expect in a Canon L Series Lens.The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens is a peerless standard lens for Canon digital SLR cameras. The lens is suitable for any shooting situation, with a lens coating and construction type that are optimized to minimize the ghosting and flare that frequently occurs when lenses are used with digital cameras. The lens also offers an ultra-large aperture that produces a narrow depth of field and the type of soft background blur so loved by photographers everywhere. The high-performance, weather-resistant lens delivers all the superb image resolution and contrast you expect in a Canon L Series lens.
Specifications
- Focal length: 50mm
- Maximum aperture: f/1.2
- Lens construction: 8 elements in 6 groups
- Diagonal angle of view: 46 degrees (with full-frame cameras)
- Focus adjustment: AF with full-time manual
- Closest focusing distance: 1.48 feet
- Filter size: 72mm
- Dimensions: 3.4 inches in diameter and 2.6 inches long
- Weight: 19.2 ounces
- Warranty: 1 year
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