50mm 1.2 MTF Chart

On the Canon website I looked at the MTF chart for the 50 1.4 vs the 50 1.2 and they didn't look significantly different. Looks like not much difference in sharpness? Any experts want to look.

Agreed, they look fairly even. The 1.2 has an edge stopped down, but wide open, they seem to have very similar performance.

Doing my sooth saying reading on the MTF charts.

It would appear that the 50/1.2 would be much better at f8 if you have a 35mm FF camera such as the 5D or 1DsMkII (please note that the blue lines continue out farther to the right side of the MTF chart. But I note that on a APS-C camera you would not see a significant difference.

Meanwhile at F1.2 (the black lines) the 50/1.2 clearly out performs the 50/1.4 as it can't go there

However, extrapolating (ignoring for the moment that I would much rather have the 85/1.2L at f1.2) I note that again the 50/1.2 at F1.4 would probably hold it sharpness and contrast better overall then the 50/1.4 does at f1.4 out to the corners where it would make a difference again only to a 35mm FF camera (such as the 5D or the 1DsMkII)

Lastly ignoring the Bokeh, the minor color difference and the better build that would show up between the 50/1.2 and the 50/1.4, I would have to argue with the fact that based solely on the MTF charts I see no advantage in getting the 50/1.2 over the 50/1.4 if I had an APS-C sensor (such as the ###D or ##D series DSLRs) it would be close if it would make a difference to an APS-H camera such as the 1DM2N.

Just my opinion, but I am a trained imagery analyst.

morehtml wrote in post #2108344
On the Canon website I looked at the MTF chart for the 50 1.4 vs the 50 1.2 and they didn't look significantly different. Looks like not much difference in sharpness? Any experts want to look.

You are up to something no good here, aren't you ?

Petkal wrote in post #2108503
You are up to something no good here, aren't you ?

Based on the charts I am backing off on buying the 50 1.2. Just doesn't look to be much different and the f stop difference is not of major significance. But I read somewhere the Canon Mtf's are based on some thoretical and not actual test performance.

morehtml wrote in post #2108556
Based on the charts I am backing off on buying the 50 1.2

OK, if you think your copy is soft, sell it then to Dante.....he couldn't tell a difference anyways....plus he is looking to buy one.

On the other hand the 85mm 1.2L II seems to show noticable improvement over the 85mm 1.8 MTF charts.

Petkal wrote in post #2108573
OK, if you think your copy is soft, sell it then to Dante.....he couldn't tell a difference anyways....plus he is looking to buy one.

He'll have his in his hands before I can press 'add to cart'

morehtml wrote in post #2108583
On the other hand the 85mm 1.2L II seems to show noticable improvement over the 85mm 1.8 MTF charts.

That's a crock of bovine excrement, methinks.
I fear Nikon hacks might have hijacked that site with MTF charts.....trying to inseminate vexation into the souls of Canon photographers.

Petkal wrote in post #2108624
That's a crock of bovine excrement, methinks.
I fear Nikon hacks might have hijacked that site with MTF charts.....trying to inseminate vexation into the souls of Canon photographers.

Then the 50 1.2 chart might look worse than the 50 1.4. Unfortuantly probably the only way to sort this out is to buy one and compare the 2 in the flesh side by side. Not sure if I want to do that $1600 test!

morehtml wrote in post #2108649
Then the 50 1.2 chart might look worse than the 50 1.4. Unfortuantly probably the only way to sort this out is to buy one and compare the 2 in the flesh side by side. Not sure if I want to do that $1600 test!

Right you are...that's what the 14 day return store policy is for.

The 50 1.4 is one of the sharpest lenses canon makes in the center. In fact it outresolves pretty much everything in the center but the edges are very weak in comparison. I don't think there was ever any question about the 50 1.4's sharpness, but it is the contrast and saturation everyone complains about. Just my two cents

incendy wrote in post #2108696
The 50 1.4 is one of the sharpest lenses canon makes in the center.

....in the aperture range from f/2.8 and stopped down from there.

Yes, I'd agree with that.

A more practical question which really comes first to my little mind is: Where is the darn lens ?

My camera store in Toronto now tell me they/I will have it by the end of October. A few weeks ago when I oredered it it was "Early October".
C'mon Canon USA/Canada, let's get the lead out !

Petkal wrote in post #2108718
....in the aperture range from f/2.8 and stopped down from there.

Yes, I'd agree with that.

Actually even at 1.4 it outresolves most any lens, Even the 85 1.2 although it is shooting at 1.2. It matches and beats the 85 1.2 at everything actually, so I don't see why this is a bad thing that that 1.2 matches it in mtf charts