Canon EF 50 mm F/1.2 USM L Lens

Without a doubt, this lens is unique and superb. This lens takes photos that are absolutely not possible with any other lens. One birthday candle or failing daylight or even pitch dark with a bit of light and the lens provides wonderfully clear and warm photos.

Yet, push this lens to f/8.0 and the clarity rivals the famous 200 mm f/1.8 L with an MTF of .81 as compared to .87.

Depth of field can be as narrow or deep as you want, giving the photographer the ability to achieve bokeh (and the quality of the bokeh is great) that blurs background a few inches beyond the focal plane. Yet magnificent depth of field can be achieved if needed by simply changing the settings.

Portraits are fabulous and, in fact, portraits taken with this lens are always the ones chosen by clients. This becomes even more evident in group shots, with individuals of various ages. Blending youth with the age lines of experience is difficult, yet this lens does so easily. This also means much less work in Photoshop after the fact and a much better workflow.

I have used this lens for two years now and have found no shortcomings. In fact, each time I use this lens, I am more impressed than ever with how well it works.

The ultimate test (for me) is whether I would part with this lens. The answer is a resounding "NO!"

I do have the following lenses, to give some indication of the equipment I use:
11 - 20 F/3.5 (basic bottle glass but good enough for wide angle shots)
20 mm f/2.8
50 mm f/1.0 L
50 mm f/1.8
28 - 70 f/2.8L
80 - 200 f/2.8L
300 f/4.0L

I keep the 50 f/1.8 for rough sites and outdoor shots, although the f/1.0 is much more robust and the build quality is terrific.

Downsides: This lens is large and heavy. It is also very expensive.

However, if you can afford the lens and if you can carry it, this is one great lens.

This lens focused fast, but consistently behind the subject. I would focus on a persons eye, and get their ears. I would focus on a person and get the wall behind them. (This is a chronic problem with Canon and their AF lenses.) I would have sent it back and asked for a second copy except for the CA problem. This as further study has shown me is the bain of this lens. I switched to manual focus and discovered that the lens is capable of rendering razor sharp subjects even wide open. And the Bokeh is the stuff legends are made of, but the CA is unbelievably high for this range of lens. Canon will have to go back to the drawing board. I will wait for the Mark II. I returned it and have ordered Sigmas new 50mm f/1.4. From what I understand, I am trading the CA problems for a less than stellar Bokeh. We'll see.

This lens is absolutely amazing. It's sharp, it's prime, it's 50mm, it's f/1.2, and it's not made of plastic. I shouldn't have waited so long.
The most amazing thing is that my camera can focus in near total darkness with this lens on. It can focus on things in darkness that I can't even see. I normally shoot with f/2.8 lenses, and going to f/1.2 was an amazing transition. This is my favorite lens- ever. i have yet to take it off my camera. Worth every pretty penny. The L lens build quality is bar-none and top-notch. The focus is quiet and accurate. The bokeh is "dreamy" and smooth.If you the person,who like to walk in evening time in downtown ,- that lenz is build for you..one shut -one kill.
The only frustration is the price. This lense is amazing. The bokeh and color satuation is great! Buy it and you will never regret !

An excellent portrait Canon L lens or for use when low light is all you have... the resolution is fantastic and focus is fast. There is a learning curve on shooting with this lens at large aperaturea. Practice will produce fantastic images with great bokeh.

When you need shutter speed and don't want to compromise by cheating ISO sensitivities or to reduce depth of field, there's only one thing that can save you, Aperture. This is the fastest lens available for today's current generation of D-SLR cameras.

As and L-series lens, it it like the rest in its family, a well-built precision instrument. It is also a full 1/2 stop faster than any near alternative, which would be the 85 L f/1.2 or the upcoming 50 f/1.2 L. True, there isn't much f/1.0 will buy you that f/1.0 won't, but when you need something faster than f/1.2, then there is simply no substitute; and 1/2 stop in limited light is VERY significant indeed.

There are critics who berate the 50 f/1.0 for some lack of sharpness, which is very much akin for criticizing a rifle for its lack of accuracy at 50 miles. One does not shoot at f/1.0 for purposes of maximum sharpness. However, with that said, it can hardly be called not sharp. Stopping-down a hair helps substantially, and at the sweet spot of f/8 it is like any other lens of L caliber.

This lens also has tremendous collectable cache, as it is no longer in production and no performance equivalent exists. It and the 200 f/1.8 L are the Holy Grail for EOS collectors. I've owned three 50 f/1.0's and all have been equally excellent.

If you need the ultimate in high performance or creative latitude, then the 50 f/1.0 has no peer. However, if your needs are more pedestrian, then purchasing the 50 f/1.0 will be like buying a Maybach for the weekly trip to the corner store; it's excellence will be lost on you.