Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

[Bosman]

A typical question to ask in regards to this lens...
Is the 50 f/1.2 softer than the 50 f/1.4? I currently own the 1.4 and love it, but I am curious if the IQ from the 1.2 is worth the upgrade. I am currently shooting with a 5D mk ll.
Thanks!

I have both the 50 f1.2 and the 50 f1.4.  My use is mainly portrait and I usually shoot at apperture between f1.2 and f5.6 with my 50 f1.2.  I have not made the test at aperture smaller like f6.3 or f8, but i can say from my own experience (again I am just a smaple of one) I concure with an earlier comment that the 50 f1.2 for my application has much better color, contrast and is very sharp. 

Everytime I put back the 50 1.4 on my camera (5D mkII) I cant beleive how washed out and boring the image look compared with the 50 1.2 and the images requires more software processing afterward.  I dont usually do landscape but I actually did a few golf course shot with both lens a few weeks ago and the 50 1.2 won hands down - again I was shooting below f8.

I am not a pro photographer, I am just an amateur, but for me the 50 1.2 has proven a very good investment and dont regret ever buying it.  I know it gets mix review sometime but for me it works.

I am actually putting my 50 1.4 for sell cause I never use it...

For an "amateur" you sure have lust worthy gear and a large pile of cash! Im mad now lol.

[RLPhoto]

Heres How I Feel About the canon 50's

1. The 50mm 1.4 is A Superb Lens. Its Fast, Its Cheap and Its AF is sweet. I've used it for many, many portraits and LOW LIGHT Situations. Know its limitations also, Its not sharp wide open and is best from F2.8 and UP. Its Stupendously sharp at F/8 and Resolves alot of details that you might have to do alot of photoshop to your clients faces.

2. Unfortunately, I needed a FAST Lens but Also, Sharpness Wide Open. Enter the 50mm 1.2L...The Monster, The Beastly, The Manly, Hunk Of glass that makes other 50mm's Tremble at seeing its bold Red Ring. Its a AWESOME LENS! Its really sharp wide open and only gets to its best by 2.8. After that the 50mm 1.4 is actually alittle sharper but thats not the point.

The Point is that At Wide apertures is where the 50mm 1.2L Stands alone in SPEED and Sharpness and COLOR! Color is great on this lens!

Anyway, I Ditched the 50mm 1.4 for a USED 50 1.2L I saw on Craiglist. Best Decision EVERRRRRRRRR!!!!

Heres an Example at small apertures since none were really posted.

[Bosman]

I just sent these to my friend because it is his daughter and i just love the images. These are straight out of the camera no sharpening that i recall. If i had worked on them they would have much more punch but its dreamy licious and i dont miss my 85f1.2.
F1.4

F4

[Bosman]

Since these aren't people shots. I dont care what you do with them they aren't meant to be art just to be samples of the 50 F1.2 and just how sick the Bokeh is.

All F1.2

[wickidwombat]

bosman if you like bokeh you need to try out the lensbaby sweet 35
12 circular blades its a bit soft wide open at f2.5 but stop it down to f3.5 or f4
and wow, the DoF is very different but talk about epic blur. manual only but its a fun little lens

[Bosman]

bosman if you like bokeh you need to try out the lensbaby sweet 35
12 circular blades its a bit soft wide open at f2.5 but stop it down to f3.5 or f4
and wow, the DoF is very different but talk about epic blur. manual only but its a fun little lens

Wickid, I do have a lensbaby but its kinda older and a pain to use. The new ones are finally designed well. Do you have images on a lensbaby thread?

[dr croubie]

bosman if you like bokeh you need to try out the lensbaby sweet 35
12 circular blades its a bit soft wide open at f2.5 but stop it down to f3.5 or f4
and wow, the DoF is very different but talk about epic blur. manual only but its a fun little lens

Wickid, I do have a lensbaby but its kinda older and a pain to use. The new ones are finally designed well. Do you have images on a lensbaby thread?

Lensbaby thread is here, although it's kinda empty, i'd love to see more shots of the newer optics like the 35 and 80mm (those and the fisheye and soft-fcus are literally the only lensbaby accessories I don't have).

[wickidwombat]

i'll dig out some shots, the sweet 35 is sooo much nicer to use and the 35mm focal length is handy too
it has the manual aperture ring at the front which is better than those silly drop in aperture discs.
only annoying thing about it is no AF confirm chip so exif reports 50mm it would be nice if it just had an AF confirm chip like the edmika adaptors for FD lenses that at least report correct focal length max aperture and gave AF confirmation.

[Bosman]

i'll dig out some shots, the sweet 35 is sooo much nicer to use and the 35mm focal length is handy too
it has the manual aperture ring at the front which is better than those silly drop in aperture discs.
only annoying thing about it is no AF confirm chip so exif reports 50mm it would be nice if it just had an AF confirm chip like the edmika adaptors for FD lenses that at least report correct focal length max aperture and gave AF confirmation.

I did own the 35 1.4 but sold it. Id prob like it again but on my 1dm3 i still get close to 35 if i want it.

[keithinmelbourne]

My 50L is my most used lens. It's fast and accurate and, of course, the most useful focal length.

[Bosman]

My 50L is my most used lens. It's fast and accurate and, of course, the most useful focal length.

Excellent expression, makes me smile. Nice dof.

[Mencho(22)]

This was taken with a ring flash and the 50mm F1.2L

[Bosman]

5DM3 + 50L @ F2.8
Low res, no edits

[untitled10]

50mm 1.2L + 40D

Love this, great shot!
How much was in post?

[Bosman]

Color fringing at its absolute worst with the 50mm 1.2L.  The sky was very bright and the lens wide open.  Most of the time, I don't see it too much, but this one was bad.

Being over exposed does not help, FYI.