Its not new and nobody says its perfect, but I needed a fast 50mm and least expected to end up ordering this lens. I felt I was taking a bit of a chance, considering various adverse comments on the web, but wow...I am enormously impressed. I wrote an initial review here (http://thephotofundamentalist.com/?p=1605) and will follow it up, but I have seen enough to realise that this is one of the few modern character lenses. It is far from perfect. It is not an ideal all-rounder IMHO, due to weight, size and cost (as well as some optical compromises), but as a 'people lens' it is absolutely phenomenal.
Looks like a lot of the harshest criticism is down to user issues like focus calibration, focus accuracy and movement (its f1.2) as well as some design compromises, but oh boy am I glad this lens is NOT one of the many perfect lenses we see nowadays. That would kill it as a portraits lens IMHO. So glad I bought one before there is a risk of a new Mk II version with 'improvements' LOL.
I am itching to use this lens for serious work. Alongside the 85 f1.2 L II... for portraits...well, what more could you want?
I will admit that I have been very frustrated by Canon's inability to produce bodies with more dynamic range, but lenses like this remind me of why I have not left the Canon stable.
Looks like a lot of the harshest criticism is down to user issues like focus calibration, focus accuracy and movement (its f1.2) as well as some design compromises, but oh boy am I glad this lens is NOT one of the many perfect lenses we see nowadays. That would kill it as a portraits lens IMHO. So glad I bought one before there is a risk of a new Mk II version with 'improvements' LOL.
I am itching to use this lens for serious work. Alongside the 85 f1.2 L II... for portraits...well, what more could you want?
I will admit that I have been very frustrated by Canon's inability to produce bodies with more dynamic range, but lenses like this remind me of why I have not left the Canon stable.
