Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Marloon wrote in post #10988643
I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this lens. I've had the chance, but skipped it for the 135L

If by "this" you mean the 100/2, I have no problems with it. However, I've never used it at f/2 for anything beyond test shots since I pretty much use it only for portraits. I've also never used the 135/2, but after looking through pretty much all of the sample thread, I don't see much difference in the renderings of the 135 and the 100. The 135 looks better in some cases, and simply ordinary in others...I won't be buying one until I absolutely need the working distance.

By comparison, I thought the 50/1.8 rendered things ok, the 50/1.4 wasn't much better, the Sigma was pretty good but still doesn't have "something", and the 50L is great and has that "something", at the cost of simply terrible bokeh in certain conditions.

toxic wrote in post #10989454
If by "this" you mean the 100/2, I have no problems with it. However, I've never used it at f/2 for anything beyond test shots since I pretty much use it only for portraits. I've also never used the 135/2, but after looking through pretty much all of the sample thread, I don't see much difference in the renderings of the 135 and the 100. The 135 looks better in some cases, and simply ordinary in others...I won't be buying one until I absolutely need the working distance.

By comparison, I thought the 50/1.8 rendered things ok, the 50/1.4 wasn't much better, the Sigma was pretty good but still doesn't have "something", and the 50L is great and has that "something", at the cost of simply terrible bokeh in certain conditions.

Yeah, people say that the 50L really has that undescribeable something. I guess I just gotta find mr. Perfect (50L).

Marloon wrote in post #10989257
Here's some keyboard shots to show that the lens does have some focus shift issue. For these photos, i focused on the letter H. Since i only shoot with f2.0, it only makes sense to test this lens at those apertures.

5DII + 50L / 50mm / ISO 320 / f1.2 / 1/1250 / Distance: within 5-6 feet

100% Crop

5DII + 50L / 50mm / ISO 320 / f2.0 / 1/500 / Distance: within 5-6 feet

100% crop

Since you focused on the letter H, it doesn't have focus issues IMO. the longitudinal aberrations are exactly where they should be, namely on the keys before and after, and the letter H is the sharpest of them all.

With regard to your other shots, the portraits, those are purely normal AF problems IMO. The first one of the lady, although you tried to focus on the eye, has a lot of hair around the eye, and that is what the AF picked up. In the second one, of the gentleman, his eyes are in the darkest part of the photograph, and again AF picked up the sharpest part, the eyebrows. Do note that focus shift causes backfocus, not frontfocus...

Finally, in order to test for focus shift, you really have to take shots at different apertures, same subject, same distance, because that is the only way you will know for sure there is noticeable focus shift. Shooting only at F/2 is not going to help you determien this, and neither is an strongly unevenly lit subject, unfortunately .

In short, your photos do prove rather the opposite if anything - no focus shift IOW ...

Sorry....

Warm regards, Wim

agphotography wrote in post #10989247
You haven't yet. But you will. You will.
All joking aside, I take your recommendations seriously because I respect your work and value your input. I hope other members feel the same!

Thank you kindly...

Marloon wrote in post #10989308
OH lots of people do! (How flattering!!! HAHHAA - you can almost see wim turn red)

Yes...

You picked one up?

Just admit it, you wanted this one over the 50L .

Warm regards, Wim

couple from a night city walk

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wimg wrote in post #10996516
With regard to your other shots, the portraits, those are purely normal AF problems IMO.

In other words, I suck. Thanks... Lol Jk.

wimg wrote in post #10996516
Do note that focus shift causes backfocus, not frontfocus...

I'll keep this in mind when i try my next copy!

wimg wrote in post #10996516
Finally, in order to test for focus shift, you really have to take shots at different apertures, same subject, same distance, because that is the only way you will know for sure there is noticeable focus shift.

I'll keep this in mind as well when i try the next copy of the 50L. I can't wait until october!

wimg wrote in post #10996545
You picked one up? Just admit it, you wanted this one over the 50L.

I actually did want it over the 50L as the 50L had issues that I didn't want to deal with as of yet. I saw some fantastic work with the TS-E and after using the canon primes and the EG-S screen, I am not afraid of manual focus. This will be my first lens that I've held that has NO motor in it. I'm both scared and excited!

Marloon wrote in post #10998851
....

I actually did want it over the 50L as the 50L had issues that I didn't want to deal with as of yet. I saw some fantastic work with the TS-E and after using the canon primes and the EG-S screen, I am not afraid of manual focus. This will be my first lens that I've held that has NO motor in it. I'm both scared and excited!

I'm sure you will do fine with it . It's a fun lens...

Kind regards, Wim

Marloon, just checked out your youtube Channel. Cool concept, any chance you'll do a video about the 50L?

-David

FYI: would love to see a video about the DIY dual flash bracket as well.

My 50L performs about the same @ 1.2 (maybe a little bit better but not much)
Just get one you will love it

S-S those shots are excellent! I love the colors!

wimg wrote in post #10999083


I'm sure you will do fine with it . It's a fun lens...

Kind regards, Wim

I am watching my "delivery" app closely every 5 minutes as I watch that TS slowly crawl here to Vancouver. Wonder where it is now... Nope! no changes.. how about now... nope! still the same.... sigh...

dKweddings.net wrote in post #10999711
Marloon, just checked out your youtube Channel. Cool concept, any chance you'll do a video about the 50L?

-David

FYI: would love to see a video about the DIY dual flash bracket as well.

I have a ton of nursing stuff to do. I've been MIA for videos for over a year now. I was about to release one but i found faults in the video. I am very maticulous about the material that i release. It might be good enough for most people, but not good enough for me. As always, just as with anyone else here, i am my own worst critic.

wildcart wrote in post #11000131
My 50L performs about the same @ 1.2 (maybe a little bit better but not much)
Just get one you will love it

Thanks Marcel for your input. I'll test another to see if it's the same as other copies! I'm hoping that newer copies will be better. I believe that it was "double negative" who said that the 50L had the same sharpness wide open as the 35L. I hope he's right because i did not have the same experience when i pitted this 50L copy with my copy of the 35L.

agphotography wrote in post #11001048
S-S those shots are excellent! I love the colors!

thank you

So sharp! even at 1.2!

I really enjoy popping into this thread - this lens seems to be a must for portraits and all thing's that deserve a pop!

I shall add this lens to my Christmas Wish list!

BTW @ David Robertson Photography - nice work - bookmarked for insperation!

davo_robbo wrote in post #11005740
So sharp! even at 1.2!

hey - great shots & processing
i notice youre still using your profile photo i edited a few years ago good to see youre still shooting