Canon Reviews

Review: The stellar Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon Rumors
Posted onDec 5, 2018 at 11:27 AM
Updated onUpdated on Dec 5, 2018 at 11:51 AM

OpticalLimits has completed their review of what appears to be the best 50mm lens that Canon has ever produced, the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM.

I’ve been using the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM for a couple of weeks now and I am extremely impressed by it. 50mm isn’t my focal length of choice, but the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is forcing me to get used to it because it’s so good.

From OpticalLimits:

Let’s start with a disclaimer: Any verdict has to be very preliminary at this stage – it’s our first review using the EOS R after all. Also, keep in mind that the 30-megapixel sensor is rather average in terms of resolution today.

That all being said, it is quite obvious that the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 USM L is an awesome lens … with a similar awe-inspiring price tag. In relation to other lenses in this class, the performance is already superb at f/1.2. Yes, the outer image region is not truly stellar but it’s impressive nonetheless. The image quality is extreme at medium aperture settings – across the image frame that is. Low lateral CAs contribute to the very high image quality perception. Image distortions are generally no issue. Vignetting is though – at least in its uncorrected state. There is some heavy light-falloff at f/1.2 and f/1.6 but to be fair – that’s to be expected. Most users will not (should not?) buy the lens for its sharpness but for its shallow depth-of-field capabilities. While not truly exceptional, the bokeh is very good with a smooth rendition in the focus transition zone. Out-of-focus highlights are nicely rendered in the image center, less so towards the image corners.  Read the full review

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L at our exclusive affiliate partner Adorama

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View thread (45 replies)
Mt Spokane Photography

Mt Spokane Photography

I post too Much on Here!!
Mar 25, 2011
15,478
713
Every review I've read is gushing praises for this lens. DPR is using it for their tests of the R, and it will likely be the standard until a 85mm 1.4 or 1.2 RF lens comes out.

I do not generally use 50mm, or I'd find a way to get this lens. I also have a 5D MK IV, so I use EF lenses because they work on both cameras.
 
L

Larsskv

EOS 7D MK II
Jun 12, 2015
765
185
I’ve had the RF 50L for two weeks now. I am very impressed and satisfied with it. It has the sharpness of the 35LII and the rendering and bokeh of the 50L and 85LII. AF is extremely accurate, even with my daughter moving around fast and unpredictably. If I needed to, I would choose this lens over my 35LII, 50L (which I have already sold) and 85LII. I cannot recommend this lens enough.
 
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Jethro

Jethro

EOS R
Jul 14, 2018
223
105
They say it 'eats up' the 30MP sensor, so I guess we'll have to wait for a higher MP version of the EOS R to really test it. Otherwise, for those with deep pockets, it looks great.
 
D

Del Paso

M3 Singlestroke
Aug 9, 2018
526
501
Really really bad news for me: I wanted to have it, now I MUST have it with a second EOS R high resolution body.
Got to sell my wife's car, my son's downhill bikes or rob a bank. Life is getting hard for fanboys...
But it seems Canon made the right (lens) choices!
 
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Viggo

Viggo

EOS 5D SR
Dec 13, 2010
4,179
748
I can just nod along with this, it’s truly stellar and it instantly became one of my top three all stars, knocking the 35 L II down to forth and pushing the Zeiss 100 f2 to third place, it’s only bested for me by the 200 f2.0 for image quality only.

Canon stepped it up for reals....

If I could own only one lens forever it is no question...
 
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LSXPhotog

LSXPhotog

EOS RP
Apr 2, 2015
377
204
www.diossiphotography.com
From a sharpness standpoint, the lens is truly magnificent - I expected this and am still impressed.

50mm is my most commonly used prime focal length as a walk around and detail lens. But I can't get on board the "bokeh train" when it comes to this lens. I'm really on the fence. I see images where the background melts away and then I see images where it's a busy, distracting mess with football bokeh balls everywhere. Unfortunately, the latter seems to be happening a lot in sample images and it's honestly not something I have with my 50mm Art.

The Sigma is a great lens, but it's my only non-Canon glass I have, and that bothers me from a weather sealing and professional service standpoint. Sigma repairs are well communicated, but slow and they don't offer a loaner program at this time. I want to want this lens - if that makes sense....but I really need to rent one and decide if it will work for me and I need to experience just how bad the bokeh is. Because right now I'm not really seeing the insanely beautiful bokeh the 50mm f/1.2 was previously known for. This is almost like a Canon "Helios 44-2" 50mm f/1.2! haha

Again, just my opinion based purely from samples online. I plan to rent this lens and get a better feel for it.
 
E

Etienne

EOS 6D MK II
Sep 19, 2010
1,359
155
Ottawa Ontario
It's too big, too heavy, too expensive, and no IS.
I'm hoping that they will release an everyday, reasonably priced RF 50 f/1.4 IS. That would probably push me into the RF world.
 
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Del Paso

M3 Singlestroke
Aug 9, 2018
526
501
Etienne said:
It's too big, too heavy, too expensive, and no IS.
I'm hoping that they will release an everyday, reasonably priced RF 50 f/1.4 IS. That would probably push me into the RF world.
Click to expand...
Quality comes at a price
Too big? Look at the 1,4 (only)Sigma.
Too heavy? Look at the 1,4/85 Sigma.
Too expensive? What about the Leica M 1,25/75mm (GAAAASP!)
There is certainly a huge market for a lighter and less expensive RF 1,4/50, but I'm convinced, the 1,2/50 is a very interesting offer, and worth its price.
 
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T

twoheadedboy

EOS R Fanboi
Jan 3, 2018
33
28
Kenosha, WI
Del Paso said:
Quality comes at a price
Too big? Look at the 1,4 (only)Sigma.
Too heavy? Look at the 1,4/85 Sigma.
Too expensive? What about the Leica M 1,25/75mm (GAAAASP!)
There is certainly a huge market for a lighter and less expensive RF 1,4/50, but I'm convinced, the 1,2/50 is a very interesting offer, and worth its price.
Click to expand...
I agree though. I own it because it's awesome. If they follow up with a great f/1.4 IS I'm going to for sure trade this in for that. If I was putting together a studio this would be the first lens I bought though, my god is it huge for a 50 prime though.
 
RGF

RGF

How you relate to the issue, is the issue.
Jul 13, 2012
2,816
35
another technology wonder piece. Not useful me (wild life shooter) but nice to see what canon can do ..
 
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L

Larsskv

EOS 7D MK II
Jun 12, 2015
765
185
LSXPhotog said:
From a sharpness standpoint, the lens is truly magnificent - I expected this and am still impressed.

50mm is my most commonly used prime focal length as a walk around and detail lens. But I can't get on board the "bokeh train" when it comes to this lens. I'm really on the fence. I see images where the background melts away and then I see images where it's a busy, distracting mess with football bokeh balls everywhere. Unfortunately, the latter seems to be happening a lot in sample images and it's honestly not something I have with my 50mm Art.

The Sigma is a great lens, but it's my only non-Canon glass I have, and that bothers me from a weather sealing and professional service standpoint. Sigma repairs are well communicated, but slow and they don't offer a loaner program at this time. I want to want this lens - if that makes sense....but I really need to rent one and decide if it will work for me and I need to experience just how bad the bokeh is. Because right now I'm not really seeing the insanely beautiful bokeh the 50mm f/1.2 was previously known for. This is almost like a Canon "Helios 44-2" 50mm f/1.2! haha

Again, just my opinion based purely from samples online. I plan to rent this lens and get a better feel for it.
Click to expand...
I think you will be satisfied with the bokeh once you try it. I’ve never had better bokeh with a 50mm lens, and I have tried most of the available options for the EF mount.
 
J

jd7

EOS 7D MK II
Feb 3, 2013
734
100
LSXPhotog said:
From a sharpness standpoint, the lens is truly magnificent - I expected this and am still impressed.

50mm is my most commonly used prime focal length as a walk around and detail lens. But I can't get on board the "bokeh train" when it comes to this lens. I'm really on the fence. I see images where the background melts away and then I see images where it's a busy, distracting mess with football bokeh balls everywhere. Unfortunately, the latter seems to be happening a lot in sample images and it's honestly not something I have with my 50mm Art.

The Sigma is a great lens, but it's my only non-Canon glass I have, and that bothers me from a weather sealing and professional service standpoint. Sigma repairs are well communicated, but slow and they don't offer a loaner program at this time. I want to want this lens - if that makes sense....but I really need to rent one and decide if it will work for me and I need to experience just how bad the bokeh is. Because right now I'm not really seeing the insanely beautiful bokeh the 50mm f/1.2 was previously known for. This is almost like a Canon "Helios 44-2" 50mm f/1.2! haha

Again, just my opinion based purely from samples online. I plan to rent this lens and get a better feel for it.
Click to expand...
I agree with you about the bokeh from the RF 50L. It’s obviously a sharp lens even at f/1.2 but I’m yet to be convinced about the overall rendering given the price/size/weight. I'm not saying it's bad of course, but I'm just not seeing anything which makes me think it is fantastic. To be honest, even if I had an R, I wouldn’t have any burning desire to get the RF 50L based on what I’ve seen so far (especially given price, I think I'd lean towards the Sigma 50 Art or EF 50 f/1.2L). I noticed the Optical Limits review rated the bokeh as decent but not fantastic, as impressed as they were with the lens in most other respects.
 
Last edited:
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Del Paso

M3 Singlestroke
Aug 9, 2018
526
501
Viggo said:
Here’s a quick shot at 1.2, very close background and I really like the pop, a different world than what I got with the Sigma. And I love the super smooth background, but as with EVERY lens you can get poor bokeh.
Click to expand...
Your picture shows some of the best bokeh I can think of, wonder what can be criticized about it ?????
Very nice pict!
 
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