Review - Canon EF 50 f/1.2L
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GMCPhotographics
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iso79 said:
In your opinion.
Some users find it's output very simular to the vastly more expensive (and manual focus only) Lecia noctilux 50mm. Some lenses are more that their sharpness charts.
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I couldn't agree more. Once you dial in the AF Microadjustment, this is a killer lens, CA, corner softness, close focus issues and all. I've recently been using it for panoramics (@ f/11-16) and the low distortion is a huge plus over my 24-70 II. But the real joy of this lens is the f/1.2-2 range, where it's color, contrast, and DOF are amazing. I liked my 50 f/1.4, but I LOVE my f/1.2.GMCPhotographics said:
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vscd said:
It's hard to justify, that's the whole point I think - but build, and optics are *there* just not worth it for everyone. Read: People who aren't rich.
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JVLphoto
You're right, but at f1.2 we would see even more CA's or LA's and less sharpness. Something which Canon made right with the 85L 1.2, but missed on the 50mm. I hope there will be a better Version somehow... but anyway, I'm over the 50mm perspective. After all those years I really don't like it anymore. Maybe the pictures are just to boring for me, I don't know. I'm totally confirmed to 35mm now and never regreted it. I guess the Nikon Guys are also gone to 35mm 1.4. The new standardprime
You're right, but at f1.2 we would see even more CA's or LA's and less sharpness. Something which Canon made right with the 85L 1.2, but missed on the 50mm. I hope there will be a better Version somehow... but anyway, I'm over the 50mm perspective. After all those years I really don't like it anymore. Maybe the pictures are just to boring for me, I don't know. I'm totally confirmed to 35mm now and never regreted it. I guess the Nikon Guys are also gone to 35mm 1.4. The new standardprime
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To each his own...but some of us love the lens.vscd said:JVLphoto
You're right, but at f1.2 we would see even more CA's or LA's and less sharpness. Something which Canon made right with the 85L 1.2, but missed on the 50mm. I hope there will be a better Version somehow... but anyway, I'm over the 50mm perspective. After all those years I really don't like it anymore. Maybe the pictures are just to boring for me, I don't know. I'm totally confirmed to 35mm now and never regreted it. I guess the Nikon Guys are also gone to 35mm 1.4. The new standardprime
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vscd said:
...and you should learn tact.
I don't remember saying "according to his ability" but thanks for the insult. I don't remember saying it was worth it's price, either, but whatever. If you love your 85, find a thread to tell everybody about how much you love it instead of wasting your time "hating" this lens. It has flaws, but so does the 85 f/1.2 and EVERY other lens. There is no perfect lens.
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I've used quite a few 50's, including the Canon ones (excluding the f/2.5 macro), the "Sigmalux", Oly OM 3.5 macro, Zeiss f/2 ZM, Rokkor, and every single one of them has been very different both in output and in use. The Sigma is really very great when it hits, but AF is so utterly unreliable that you can never rely on it at large apertures, even after proper calibration. That is a shame because the optics are very good. Even so, I still prefer the 50L even if it is not necessarily sharper than the Sigma at 1.4. Not everything can be easily quantified. The Zeiss was excellent, but I simply did not like the way it rendered. It was too "clinical". I find the 50L is amazing in every way: bokeh, color, contrast, build, weather sealing, reliable af, and most importantly, I really love its overall dreamy yet punchy signature. If you measure the value of lenses in sharpness only, then no, it is not worth it's asking price. However it's plenty sharp for my use, even wide open (in the centre).
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To put a more positive spin on this review - and justify my re-purchase of this lens, I wanted to post the link below that demonstrates the advantages of the 50 f/1.2L that don't necessarily show up in test charts:
http://www.astrosurf.com/buil/50mm/test_us.htm
To my eyes, the 1.2 has superior contrast at all apertures.
http://www.astrosurf.com/buil/50mm/test_us.htm
To my eyes, the 1.2 has superior contrast at all apertures.
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GMCPhotographics
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mackguyver said:
It's a curious lens...you have re-bought one and I'm about to sell mine...lol.
It kind of reminds me how many times i've bought and sold and re-bought fisheye lenses....
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LOL - yes, it was the one lens I regretted selling. I began to realize that even if I don't shoot events much anymore, there are still plenty of times when f/2.8 just doesn't cut it for me in terms of letting in enough light or giving me shallow enough DOF. I also think it's about the perfect travel lens - well maybe it and my 24 f/1.4 II. They're both small and allow me to shoot anywhere with natural light.GMCPhotographics said:
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