Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 Review - KenRockwell

he adds the below photo as a bokeh test, it's not bad, but I like portrait photos more for bokeh, I saw the dpreview photos, but I dunno why I feel something is missing.

EOSR3444-bokeh-12.jpg
 
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BeenThere

CR Pro
Sep 4, 2012
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Eastern Shore
Ken mentions using the 50mm for Astro. f1.2 and (as he states) no coma should make this lens a good choice for Astro when Shooting at 50mm. The lack of a focus scale and the lack of ability to lock down focus, however is a negative. I will frequently tape down the focus ring at infinity focus before going out due to the difficulty of achieving perfect infinity focus in the dark. That’s not possible with this lens. Maybe the R can focus well enough in dark conditions that it will be okay. Will have to wait for more testing/reviews.

I too like Ken’s honest and frank reviews. (y)
 
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Jan 29, 2011
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he adds the below photo as a bokeh test, it's not bad, but I like portrait photos more for bokeh, I saw the dpreview photos, but I dunno why I feel something is missing.

EOSR3444-bokeh-12.jpg
Because people have moaned about the aberrations and slow AF in the EF 50 f1.2 L for years, some call it "character" Canon called it "the perfect portrait lens" but either way you look at it they have made a technically 'better' lens by removing most of those aberrations/character. This leaves us with a technically better lens but some people, those that liked the 'character', feel there is something missing...

I have said here for years sharpness is not the primary characteristic I look for in lenses and is overrated as a measure.
 
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Ken mentions using the 50mm for Astro. f1.2 and (as he states) no coma should make this lens a good choice for Astro when Shooting at 50mm. The lack of a focus scale and the lack of ability to lock down focus, however is a negative. I will frequently tape down the focus ring at infinity focus before going out due to the difficulty of achieving perfect infinity focus in the dark. That’s not possible with this lens. Maybe the R can focus well enough in dark conditions that it will be okay. Will have to wait for more testing/reviews.

I too like Ken’s honest and frank reviews. (y)

I usually focus on the stars or faraway lights using live view and 10x zoom, maybe the R can focus better in dark with the -6 EV and the EVF, the nifty fifty is good for astro as well, but you need a tracker, and there isn't one in my country and its hard to ship it with high costs and customs.

 
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Because people have moaned about the aberrations and slow AF in the EF 50 f1.2 L for years, some call it "character" Canon called it "the perfect portrait lens" but either way you look at it they have made a technically 'better' lens by removing most of those aberrations/character. This leaves us with a technically better lens but some people, those that liked the 'character', feel there is something missing...

I have said here for years sharpness is not the primary characteristic I look for in lenses and is overrated as a measure.

I agree with that, the same happened with the Sigma 85mm f1.4, it's very sharp, but the 85mm f/1.2L II has the better photos, at least for me
 
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Talys

Canon R5
CR Pro
Feb 16, 2017
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Encouraging:
" Manual focus is by wire and works great."

"Just move the focus ring at any time that the AF system is active for instant manual-focus override, or move the switch to MF to have it respond to the ring any time the camera is on."

This is one of my greatest criticisms on the Sony mirrorless system. I use manual focus a lot, and I really dislike Sony's implementation, where you can't just grab the MF ring and change focus, even when the camera is powered on. Or, you can, but only under certain circumstances.

One thing I wonder is, if there is some kind of tactile feedback when you're at mfd or infinity.

I wonder how this compares to ring USM or practical usage purposes.
 
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