A new 50mm f/1.2 L Mark II ??

So today I was talking with a fellow photog, and mentioning that I am keenly interested in picking up my own 50mm 1.2L lens (there's nifty lil rebate going on over at B&H). He implored me to hang on and NOT make the purchase yet, but to wait instead for the Mark II version which should (obviously) have improvements.

Couple things: First, he couldn't tell me when this Mark II 50L is supposed to hit the market, and secondly, Google doesn't seem to know anything about it either!

Does anyone have any insight on this? I know a bunch of you love your 50mm 1.2L lenses, and based on the love affair many photogs are having with this beauty, I'm tryin' to join the band-wagon... but it WOULD make sense to hold out if a new one is right around the corner.

Thoughts anyone?

Isn't the current version only a few years old?

karobinson wrote in post #13649528
Isn't the current version only a few years old?

Hi Anne, I believe the current version was released in August of 2006. The previous 50mm L (f/1.0) before the current one, was released in 1989.. so just about 17 years was it's total production time. But it isn't a stretch to see Canon bring about lens replacements between a 5 to 7 year time period.

I don't think you will see a MK II version anytime soon....I think the 50L is fine as it is now. The 50mm f/1.4 is the one that needs an upgrade asap. After all, it is all rumours.

Just blatant speculation, better rumors point to a 24-70 II and 35L II if anything.

thestone11 wrote in post #13649561
I don't think you will see a MK II version anytime soon....I think the 50L is fine as it is now. The 50mm f/1.4 is the one that needs an upgrade asap. After all, it is all rumours.

Yeah, in my Googling around for more info, I see a lot of rumors surrounding the f/1.4 replacement. It's been around for nearly 20 years.


I agree, the current 50L seems plenty fine, with fairly new optics and tech. Nice and sharp, from what I've seen and heard. Which is kinda why I'm itchin' to pick one up.

Bokehlicious wrote in post #13649564
Just blatant speculation, better rumors point to a 24-70 II and 35L II if anything.

+1 Agreed.

I wouldn't hold my breath for a new 50 f/1.2 any time soon. Its not uncommon for professional lenses to remain the same for 10-15+ years.

It's not an old lens, so probably it won't be updated anytime soon.
There are other lenses in need of an update first.

Staszek wrote in post #13649613
I wouldn't hold my breath for a new 50 f/1.2 any time soon. Its not uncommon for professional lenses to remain the same for 10-15+ years.

Makes sense, thanks!

Dawud wrote in post #13649681
It's not an old lens, so probably it won't be updated anytime soon.
There are other lenses in need of an update first.

Thanks, that's what my gut feeling is telling me as well.

Yeah, they seem to be working top-down, and bottom-up lately(with the exception of the 100L macro). All the Superteles:

- 600 f/4L II: updating as we speak
- 500 f/4L II: updating as we speak
- 400 f/2.8L II: updated and released
- 300 f/2.8L II: updated and released
- 70-300L is new
- 70-200L II is still fresh and needs nothing, well a diet.. if we want to nit-pick
- 70-200 f/4 IS needs nothing, except selling it with the tripod-ring as standard :/
The bottom end is solid, or has/is being updated.. 15-85, 17-55, 18-55 IS II, 55-250 IS II, 18-135 are all recent. 10-22 needs nothing.


- 400L f/5.6 needs IS..NOW!
- 100- 400/L needs better IS, updated USM, lighter weight and some more UD glass, but the 200-400 will likely make it redundant...for the well-heeled, and Pros. Meanwhile the enthusiast/hobbyist has to risk divorce, or stick with it or the 400 5.6L.
- 300 f/4L IS needs updating.. newer IS, faster USM, and less CA.

- the Brick (24-70L) could use IS, and a diet.
- 50 f/1.4 NEEDS ring USM and better build!! Yesterday!
- 85 f/1.8 needs some better coatings, to counter that horrific CA/purple-fringing
- 20 f/2.8 could use a refresh, and a stop faster
- 24 f/2.8 could use USM, and a stop faster
- 28 f/2.8 needs a refresh... USM.
- 35 f/2 needs a refresh..USM, 6+ blade aperture
In fact, all their fast primes should have RING USM..Period!
-75-300 USM III, 70-300 DO, and 17-85 IS need to retire!

I suppose its expectation PMA 2012 (10.01.2012 - 13.01.2012). I would have waited a week =)

I haven't seen anything (other than this post) suggesting a replacement for the 50 1.2

If they put IS on the 50 f/1.2, I will get it in a heartbeat

smorter wrote in post #13650835
If they put IS on the 50 f/1.2, I will get it in a heartbeat

That's the silliest thing I've read today.

If you can't get 1/50th with a 1.2 apeture and your 5D Mark 2....lol

I just read your gear list. Why on earth do you need IS on fast primes.

Do you shoot static objects in completely darkness?