Mr. Frost should have explained why he didn't like the "feel" of the build quality, or the "quality" of the plastics used. Comparing this to L series EF lenses that have been released in the past ten years, such as the ef 16-35mm f/4, the venerable workhorse ef 24-70mm f/2.8L II, and the ef 35 mm f/1.4L II, the rf 50mm 1.2L feels just as well made to me. And I believe the lensrental teardown suggests very good build quality. (I can't remember any mention of problems.)
I've been following discussions of 50mm lenses for about seven years. In this time I've noticed it is a focal length that brings shrugs or great enthusiasm. Some could care less, some are obsessed. Perhaps I'm being unfair to Mr. Frost, but in this review he reveals little passion for the joys of 50mm, and so, despite the dazzling IQ, more or less yawns and grumbles about the price.
Full disclosure: I've been moaning and groaning about Canon's lack of a suitable 50mm
for me ever since joining this forum. I think I was every bit as eager as another member, ahsanford, though nowhere near as prolix. I have often speculated that he stopped posting here for what seemed ages because he was apoplectic when Canon did finally release a 50mm, instead of the nifty one he had been praying for, we got this oversized, jumbo jar-of-mayonnaise costing over $2k USD that doesn't even work on EF bodies!
I was upset too, but thought, in time, Canon would release the perfect Rf body
for me, and, meanwhile, I was close enough with the amazing 35mm f/1.4 II (which I've asked my wife to cremate with me) and the pretty good 85mm f/1.4L IS.
But the relentless siren call of the rf 50mm f/1.2L drew me onto the rocks of GAS, and so, I bought the EOS R which I had been ignorantly disparaging...Only to find that it is one great little camera to use with this monster lens, a marriage made in gear heaven.
The attached photo of my daughter, taken with the new 50mm, expresses how I feel about the lens. Hard for me to be objective about it.
View attachment 186723
So that's why I'm perplexed by Mr. Frost's lack of proper respect and enthusiasm!