Review: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L

[Canon Rumors]

Sometimes it’s nice to get a new perspective on an older lens. The EF 50mm f/1.2L might be one of the most polarizing lenses in the Canon lineup, some can’t live without it, while others wish it never existed. The contrasting opinions of the lens are usually because of the focus shift that some photographers experience with it. Certain shooting styles make the issue more prevalent for some.</p>
<p>Friend of the site Dustin Abbott has completed his thorough review of one of my favourite lenses in the Canon lineup. I love the EF 50mm f/1.2L as well as the EF 50mm f/1.0L. I think I just have a fetish for fast 50’s!</p>
<p>Dustin has this to say about the 50L when compared to the competition:</p>
<blockquote><p>The biggest threat to the Canon 50L has been the release of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens. TheZeiss Otus 55 f/1.4 (review coming next week) remains the class leader since its introduction, but its dizzying price (nearly $4000) and lack of AF means that it will stay off most photographer’s radar. The Sigma, however, has image quality that charts much better than the 50L’s along with autofocus, although it can struggle with focus accuracy and consistency. It also retails for about a third less than the 50L (which retails for $1450 when not on sale). You can read my review of the Sigma here. Is it the better lens? It is certainly sharper and has better contrast, but I’m not convinced that it has as “magical” a drawing/look as the 50L.</p></blockquote>
<p>I agree with most of what Dustin says in his review and I’d recommend the EF 50mm f/1.2L to anyone.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://dustinabbott.net/2015/05/canon-ef-50mm-f1-2l-usm-review/" target="_blank">Read the full review</a> | <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457680-USA/Canon_1257B002AA_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_2L.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L at B&H Photo</a></strong></p>

 

[YuengLinger]

Dustin, nice images for the review, images which add much to your already strong credibility as a photographer; however, most of what I read is a rehash of the controversy that has surrounded this lens for years.

I don't own the lens. I've never tried it. I don't need to buy a car that has bad reviews from reliable sources. With the 50 L, from the preponderance of published evidence, and especially the mostly disappointing images available on Flickr, I decided not to get it. I'm happy with the 135 and the 85L. Furthermore, I am friends with a hard working wedding photographer who works on high-end projects, generally in the $10k per event range, and I trust her opinion: The 50mm L is not reliable enough for her business, and so she owns instead the 50mm 1.4, which she puts to great use for detail shots and storytelling shots between key moments of weddings. Anecdotal? Absolutely, but from someone I know personally, somebody whose work and business approach is outstanding.

As you say, ironically, "Opinions are cheap on the internet..." Oh, yeah.

If I'm coming across as a bit aggravated, you are correct, and that is because your essay seems less a review than a critique, in fact, a put down, of those who have complained about problems with the lens, clearly implying that they don't have taste, craft, or vision. Why do the other Canon primes not generate so many complaints?

I'm patiently and eagerly waiting for a new version of this lens. Hopefully it will address the focus shift issue which eluded you. While the current 50L can produce "dreamy" images, its flaws, for many competent and creative photographers, outweigh its few advantages over its peers.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

<p>I agree with most of what Dustin says in his review and I’d recommend the EF 50mm f/1.2L to anyone.</p>

If I'm coming across as a bit aggravated, you are correct, and that is because your essay seems less a review than a critique, in fact, a put down, of those who have complained about problems with the lens, clearly implying that they don't have taste, craft, or vision. Why do the other Canon primes not generate so many complaints?

I'm patiently and eagerly waiting for a new version of this lens. Hopefully it will address the focus shift issue which eluded you. While the current 50L can produce "dreamy" images, its flaws, for many competent and creative photographers, outweigh its few advantages over its peers.

And that may be why I started my review by saying that the 50L is a polarizing lens.

 

[drjlo]

This is a nice balanced look at the "polarizing" 50L. I have the 35L, 50L, 85L II, and 135L, and they each have their unique charming qualities even within the fast prime niche.

I do believe the quality of AF improved somewhere along the 50L's production, with much less of the front-focusing issue for later year productions. The next Canon's 50L will most certainly be sharper, becoming more like the more modern 50 mm lenses like Sigma, but it will also mean it will lose its signature look and "draw."

 

[YuengLinger]

You are, Dustin, without a doubt, a provocative gentleman.

 

[Dylan777]

I can't speak for 50ART. However, 50L truly has that "magical" looks. I had owned this lens for 1.5yrs. I don't recall I ever used anything smaller than f1.6.

It was replaced by 85L II at the end 8)

 

[Travelintrevor]

The anecdotal internet opinions aka "gospel" almost kept me form buying the 50L. When I did, I tried to find fault with it and even had myself convinced that the plastic fantastic was just as good. It was my wife that talked me into keeping it and once I was over my anti-GAS, I re-evaluated the lens. It is the sharpest prime I own and it is my go-to lens for the processional(s), vows, etc.

I even compared it to the 50mm ART and this is what I found:

The 50L is 2/3 brighter at the same f stop down to around 2.8 or so. In other words, when both lenses were at 1.4, the Canon shot needed to have exposure decreased by 0.66 in LR to have the histograms match. All settings were manual and light was controlled for.

Wide open to 2.0, sharpness was the same in the center but the Sigma was the winner in the corners. Hands down. Once at 2.0, they were evenly matched.

The 50L focused better and nailed the subject with more consistency.

Bokeh is very close but the Sigma had a few "funky" spots here and there.

Future compatibility is a non-issue with the 50L. I am now actually regretting owning a few Tamron lenses since they don't work with my 7D MK II (live view) and will end up selling them due to non compatibility.

Having said all that, I could not fault anyone for buying the Sigma because of the amazing price and performance. I got my 50L brand new for $1250 during a sale and a $250 Canon credit card promo. I could sell it and still make money!

I'll try to throw some photos on a blog type post that were taken with the 50L and then post the link here but time is a precious item these days...

Regards...and happy shooting!

RC

 

[jdramirez]

I lost my introductory dictionary... What is focus shift and does it affect zooms differently than primes?

 

[LukasS]

Never used Sigma's 50 ART, but also neither regretted buying and owning 50L. My first prime was Canons' 50/1.4 but due to mechanical problems (i.e. AF gave up twice) I decided one day to get 1.2.

As I'm thinking about it, the 50/1.4 was the prime that swayed me to using and owning more and more primes, so I'm grateful for both those lenses .

 

[zlatko]

This is such an excellent review! Well written and beautifully illustrated. The 50L is one of my favorite lenses and this review describes it perfectly.

Looking forward to Dustin's review of the new 50/1.8 STM!

 

[eninja]

Wow nice review. - wow in the context that it is the same as from my experience.
50L they say, not good at AF. But I didn't experience any bad AF at all.
AF nails on my 6D, well according to my expectation.
Focus shift, I am not to keen to observe that, for me, there is no such thing as exact in this world.

Just want to note, 50L af does not work on my 70D, who knows why.
AF goes crazy on my 70D, crazy means, there is no confirm pattern how did it got to focus (the wrong focus) on my testing.

 

[candc]

I don't use the focal length much but I love the 50l. It was designed with spherical aberration. Its like a really great guitar amp in that its valued by how it colors the tone. Plus its the coolest looking 50 there is!

Mine is one of the newer ones. I haven't had any focus problems with it.

 

[meywd]

Thanks for the review Dustin, I really like the 50mm lenses, and I plan on upgrading from the nifty fifty when the budget allows, the Otus is the dream, and you confirmed it more with this review, as I want more bokeh as well as more sharpness, and currently the Sigma Art is the top choice, unless I win the lottery ;D, however you say that the rokinon is close to the 50L, though ofc its manual, and at its current price its tempting to get it as a practice for when I get the Otus, and I want a sharp lens, the 70-200 2.8 IS II is a really amazing lens in that regard, though I have very shaky hands, still I get super sharp images from it, however the real issue is, I am leaning toward the 85L, since you used it, which do you think is the better portrait lens, the 85L vs (50L, 50 Art, Rokinon 50, Otus 55)?, from what I have read, many consider the 85L as the top priority, but isn't the 70-200 enough?

 

[jdramirez]

Thanks for the review Dustin, I really like the 50mm lenses, and I plan on upgrading from the nifty fifty when the budget allows, the Otus is the dream, and you confirmed it more with this review, as I want more bokeh as well as more sharpness, and currently the Sigma Art is the top choice, unless I win the lottery ;D, however you say that the rokinon is close to the 50L, though ofc its manual, and at its current price its tempting to get it as a practice for when I get the Otus, and I want a sharp lens, the 70-200 2.8 IS II is a really amazing lens in that regard, though I have very shaky hands, still I get super sharp images from it, however the real issue is, I am leaning toward the 85L, since you used it, which do you think is the better portrait lens, the 85L vs (50L, 50 Art, Rokinon 50, Otus 55)?, from what I have read, many consider the 85L as the top priority, but isn't the 70-200 enough?

I love my 85L mkii, but but the dof is so razor thin, so when I shoot at f/1.2, I'll occasionally get one eye in focus... and the other eye is just outside of the dof... it's fine when looking at small images... but larger prints...

 

[tcphoto]

I have owned every Canon version of the 50mm lenses and have owned the 50L for a year and a half. I may have tried using it wide open but any error was usually on the operators side. I find that it has been on my 1Ds3 almost exclusively when shooting for clients and response when shooting tethered to an Apple 27" display has been nothing but positive. I haven't used the Sigma lens but I'm pretty happy with what I own.

 

[ihendy]

Hi Dustin,

This is the best and most accurate review I've seen yet for the 50 1.2L I held off buying this lens for years as I had the 35/85/135 combo and I too believed the internet hype, so I stuck with my 50 1.4. I love the 50 mm focal length, but felt I could not justify the cost of this lens. Well I managed to get a second hand copy for a fairly decent price and having used the lens for a couple of months now, I wish I had not waited so long.

Your review is spot on. There is just something about the lens that can't be measured in charts. It has to be shot, it has to be felt. Great Review Dustin

 

[jdramirez]

I have owned every Canon version of the 50mm lenses and have owned the 50L for a year and a half. I may have tried using it wide open but any error was usually on the operators side. I find that it has been on my 1Ds3 almost exclusively when shooting for clients and response when shooting tethered to an Apple 27" display has been nothing but positive. I haven't used the Sigma lens but I'm pretty happy with what I own.

I go live view... frame the shot... move the box to the eye... make sure both eyes are in the plane of focus, go to x10, and then I look at the catch light from the ambient light to get it right in focus... then I snap away... try at least.

 

[eninja]

I have owned every Canon version of the 50mm lenses and have owned the 50L for a year and a half. I may have tried using it wide open but any error was usually on the operators side. I find that it has been on my 1Ds3 almost exclusively when shooting for clients and response when shooting tethered to an Apple 27" display has been nothing but positive. I haven't used the Sigma lens but I'm pretty happy with what I own.

I go live view... frame the shot... move the box to the eye... make sure both eyes are in the plane of focus, go to x10, and then I look at the catch light from the ambient light to get it right in focus... then I snap away... try at least.

Don't you wish while zooming in live view, only a small part of it zooms that way we can still see whole composition?

I also use face recognition from time to time, I believe face recognition also targets the eye.
I wish 6D mark ii got DPAF.

 

[jdramirez]

I have owned every Canon version of the 50mm lenses and have owned the 50L for a year and a half. I may have tried using it wide open but any error was usually on the operators side. I find that it has been on my 1Ds3 almost exclusively when shooting for clients and response when shooting tethered to an Apple 27" display has been nothing but positive. I haven't used the Sigma lens but I'm pretty happy with what I own.

I go live view... frame the shot... move the box to the eye... make sure both eyes are in the plane of focus, go to x10, and then I look at the catch light from the ambient light to get it right in focus... then I snap away... try at least.

Don't you wish while zooming in live view, only a small part of it zooms that way we can still see whole composition?

I also use face recognition from time to time, I believe face recognition also targets the eye.
I wish 6D mark ii got DPAF.

Actually, I would really like an evf, so I could zoom in the way I do now and feel comfortable doing so. But I wouldn't mind a picture and picture type of deal where the overall composition is maybe 20% opacity.

 

[iShootCandid]

Hi,

I'm a long-time reader but for the first time I've decided it's worth to write something because this is about my favourite lens. Actually I sold any other lenses I had after I bought this one. There is no reason to have more than one lens, right?

I really liked the review and can agree with most things Dustin pointed out but I got two comments. First of all, I also use it on Canon 6D so it's easy to compare my experience with AF to Dustin's. So basically my copy is excellent when used with central AF point. The accuracy is very high and the consistency is also quite high. The situation changes dramatically with outer points: I don't trust them while I shoot at f/1.2 or close to this value. At f/2.8 they're alright but wider it seems to be hit or miss, especially in f/1.2 - f/2.0 range. Dustin mentioned he didn't observe the infamous focus shift quite often reported for this lens. Well, it is there but in most circumstances you won't notice it. I shoot in conditions when it's becoming visible (for instance portraits from very close distances) especially around f/2.8 but I quickly learned how to live with it. BTW, it's still more manageable than AF inconsistency of Sigma 50mm Art

The second comment is about the image quality. I think the sharpness is good enough. For me the lens is quite sharp at f/1.2, very sharp around f/2.2 and extremely sharp at f/2.8 and beyond. The overall contrast isn't very high but that's a good start for post processing. I got quite a few portraits taken with this lens (often at f/1.2) and I believe they're extremely sharp, just take a look: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ishootcandid/ There is a lot of complaining about sharpness and image quality of this lens but if this images aren't sharp just tell me what is!

So, I love the lens, I love shooting with 50mm and this is all need to go out and create the images I like.