Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L II Mention [CR2]

[Canon Rumors]

<p>A redesign of the EF 50mm f/1.2L is under way we’re told. The new design will include a floating element like the EF 85 f/1.2L II and get rid of the focus shift problem that many experience with the current version of the lens. The aim is also to make the lens lighter and speed up autofocus performance as well. You could also expect the latest and greatest lens coatings.</p>
<p>We’re told this lens will come after Canon’s next prime L, which is looking like a 35mm f/1.4 replacement. So we may not see this until very late in 2015 or next year.</p>
<p><em>image credit //  the-digital-picture</em></p>

 

[RLPhoto]

I'd buy a 50LII if they can make it decently sharp and fix the focus shift.

 

[Viggo]

Oh my! This is fantastic news! Any word on the design itself? Fingers crossed for a retro focal with 50 Art image quality !

 

[Memdroid]

I just pooped my pants! The 50L is my favorite lens, and if this new version can improve the wide open sharpness and retains its predecessors color, contrast and bokeh Canon will have a clear winner!

 

[jebrady03]

I'd buy a 50LII if they can make it decently sharp and fix the focus shift.

I'll second that!

I just pooped my pants! The 50L is my favorite lens, and if this new version can improve the wide open sharpness and retains its predecessors color, contrast and bokeh Canon will have a clear winner!

And that!

If the size/weight stays similar to it's predecessor, and the above is tackled, it'll be a hell of a lens! I'd probably drop the extra $1000+ on it vs a stabilized 50.

 

[ahsanford]

A 50 f/1.2L II would be nice, but a smaller/lighter non-L 50 f/1.4 IS USM for half the price would be soooooo much better. Half this forum would give their liver for such a lens.

- A

 

[mb66energy]

Oh my! This is fantastic news! Any word on the design itself? Fingers crossed for a retro focal with 50 Art image quality !

I thought the same: Hopefully some improved design with a retrofocus construction but at a more compact size compared to OTUS and Sigma Art. Perhaps there is a chance to make it a little bit retrofocus but use refined glass to get great IQ -- IQ should be a GOOD compromise between bokeh/image look and the more technical parameters like resolution, contrast, color aberrations, distortion, vignetting, flare resistance, etc. pp.

After using a 2nd hand 5D classic with 2.0 100 and 2.8 100 I fell in love with FF and I need a 50 mm (for ME a sort of wide angle lens!).

 

[Pixel]

I sure would love to hear their reasoning for the lenses they pick for updating when they've got subpar primes that have been allowed to languish for far too long without updates i.e. 20 2.8 (1992), 85 1.8 (1992) and 100 2 (1991). Two of these three lenses I need critically right now but since having used them in the past they're not worth the money spent for their performance issues.

 

[JRPhotos]

Very interesting. I wonder how much it'll cost and how much better the focusing/sharpness will be.

 

[Mitch.Conner]

YES! I really hope this is true. I would ABSOLUTELY buy this. Get rid of the issues with the current 50mm f/1.2L and I'm in!

 

[Deleted member 7828]

The 85 1.8 and 100 2.0 sub-par? I beg to differ...

They may not be as stunning as the newer lenses like the 70-200 or 100 Macro IS, but they are still very good in their own right. In fact, I'm fairly confident they'll hold up even on the 50 MP 5DS (if the crop performance is any indication).

Not to say an upgrade would be entirely unwelcomed - but I'm getting by with the current version of the 100 f2 just fine - and I'm quite picky about high performance too. Although admittedly its small size is its biggest asset (i.e., it gets used whenever the 70-200 or 135 is impractical)

 

[Deleted member 7828]

As for the new 50, that'll be great - I gave up on waiting and just got the existing version, since vaporware is useless - and the copy I picked up thankfully doesn't seem to be quite as bad with the back focusing issue (it can be worked around for the most part)

 

[Cory]

Just got this with the 85 1.8 and I'm in for the 50 II:

 

[ahsanford]

I sure would love to hear their reasoning for the lenses they pick for updating when they've got subpar primes that have been allowed to languish for far too long without updates i.e. 20 2.8 (1992), 85 1.8 (1992) and 100 2 (1991). Two of these three lenses I need critically right now but since having used them in the past they're not worth the money spent for their performance issues.

Easy. The 85 and 100 have excellent L versions that will cover the need if you pay Canon's ransom for them. There's also the 100mm f/2.8 (non-L) macro that's pretty strong as well.

I expect with the strong success of the 100L IS macro being used as a short tele (i.e. not just for macro) as well as Canon's push to sell 70-200 f/2.8 lenses for portrait work that I would not expect Canon to offer a 100 f/2 lens again -- that lens has to be a distant 3rd runner in 100mm sales behind the two macro lenses. I know the 100L Macro is a stop slower than the old 100mm f/2, but there are plenty of large aperture 100-ish options out there (85 1.8, Sigma 85 f/1.4, Zeiss 100 f/2, 135 f/2L, etc.) if that is what you are looking for.

As for the 20mm prime, you are dead-on. That FL needs to be refreshed, IMHO. Either grab an UWA zoom, grab a 17mm T/S (pricey), or make due with the recent 24mm F/2.8 IS.

I still think we need a 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/1.8 non-L IS refresh the most, but I think the 20mm non-L should not be forgotten. The need is apparently not just with Canon -- Nikon just recently offered a decent mid-range 20mm f/1.8 themselves.

- A

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

I sure would love to hear their reasoning for the lenses they pick for updating when they've got subpar primes that have been allowed to languish for far too long without updates i.e. 20 2.8 (1992), 85 1.8 (1992) and 100 2 (1991). Two of these three lenses I need critically right now but since having used them in the past they're not worth the money spent for their performance issues.

Canon 100mm F2 has performance issues, and not worth the money spent?

I have one, and I know it is not perfect in F2. : But what F2 lens model has better performance wide open, costing less than $800. 8)

I'm sure this lens of 1991 can create wonderful images in the new 5DS / 5DSR, when used in F2.5.

 

[AshtonNekolah]

I'm in, im getting it regardless of price, and i bet it will be a winner and will kick that sigmas ass a 4th time over again.

 

[zim]

What was the intro price of the current 1.2L, was it around $1600 ?

 

[RGF]

I have not had a 50mm lens in years, so I am interested the benefits of the very large aperture.

Why is ana F1.2 lens better than an F1.4 or F1.8/F2.0 lens.

Is the lens that much sharper? is the DOF difference noticeable? how often is the lens shoot wide open and a slower lens would not work? for what type of images? If you had better high ISO camera would you get a slower lens and up the ISO on the camera?

Please no flames. I am genuinely interested in how this lens is used differently than slower 50mm lenses.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

I have not had a 50mm lens in years, so I am interested the benefits of the very large aperture.

Why is ana F1.2 lens better than an F1.4 or F1.8/F2.0 lens.

Is the lens that much sharper? is the DOF difference noticeable? how often is the lens shoot wide open and a slower lens would not work? for what type of images? If you had better high ISO camera would you get a slower lens and up the ISO on the camera?

It's all about shallow DOF, with weight and reasonable price. 8)
I do not think 50mm is a magical focal length, but with 85mm, is the only one who has aperture F1.2.

If there were any lens 135mm F1.2, some people would prefer that instead of ISO 51000 without noise.

 

[steliosk]

i'm in for a 50L II too