50mm 1.2 MTF Chart

incendy wrote in post #2108786
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

My little book of MTF charts puts the 50/1.4 on about even keel with the 85/1.2 wide open at the center, with similar performance from the 35/1.2. This is in relation to the 30 lp/mm curve. The contrast curve (10 lp/mm) puts the 35 slightly ahead and the 85 slightly ahead in the center. The 85 holds its contrast to a large advantage well away from center-frame. None of these are close to the wide-open performance of lenses like the 300/2.8.

In real-world performance based on my copies of the lenses, the 35/1.4 is a good deal better wide-open than the 50/1.4, especially away from center. Ditto for the 85/1.2, again especially away from center. Center performance of the 50/1.4 is fair wide-open, but the image is a bit "dreamy" and lacking contrast. Stopping down makes a major improvement.

Still waiting to see how the 50/1.2 performs.

incendy wrote in post #2108786
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

Most ANY lens? Heck, at 4 times the price it doesn't even outresolve the $80 50mm f/1.8.

Here are MTF's for the 135L (because THAT lens has a pretty MTF!) and the new 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 50mm lenses...in that order. Personally, I don't think it proves much. By numbers alone, it sure looks to me that the 1.8 is the lens to get.

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JaertX wrote in post #2108864
Most ANY lens? Heck, at 4 times the price it doesn't even outresolve the $80 50mm f/1.8.

Here are MTF's for the 135L (because THAT lens has a pretty MTF!) and the new 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 50mm lenses...in that order. Personally, I don't think it proves much. By numbers alone, it sure looks to me that the 1.8 is the lens to get.

I think you are right dude, the thrifty-fifty beats the flouritized crap out of the 300 f/2.8.

Petkal wrote in post #2108889
I think you are right dude, the thrifty-fifty beats the flouritized crap out of the 300 f/2.8.

We call that "stirring the pot"

Aren't Canon's MTF charts theoretical anyways?

Petkal wrote in post #2108889
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I think you are right dude, the thrifty-fifty beats the flouritized crap out of the 300 f/2.8.

lol...yeah. All you have to do is ignore the lousy focus motor...and um, a few other things. But hey, we're only talking MTF charts here.

Mr. Clean wrote in post #2108910
Aren't Canon's MTF charts theoretical anyways?

yeah, I think so. I've noticed some differences with the charts on their website versus the charts in Lens Work III.

JaertX wrote in post #2108864
Most ANY lens? Heck, at 4 times the price it doesn't even outresolve the $80 50mm f/1.8.

Here are MTF's for the 135L (because THAT lens has a pretty MTF!) and the new 1.2, 1.4 and 1.8 50mm lenses...in that order. Personally, I don't think it proves much. By numbers alone, it sure looks to me that the 1.8 is the lens to get.

It depends on whose MTF chart you look at=D The 50 1.8 does out resolve most lenses as well in the center. Too bad about the contrast and colors and in the case of the 1.8 just about everything else

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #2108413
Agreed, they look fairly even. The 1.2 has an edge stopped down, but wide open, they seem to have very similar performance.

Most seem to be completely missing the point!
All fast lenses perform so-so when used wide open,no matter how expensive. In fact we all should be impressed that it performs as well at f1.2 as the 50/1.4 model does at f1.4

Notice how the nifty beats them both wide open?! That should end such a silly arguemant

incendy wrote in post #2108972
It depends on whose MTF chart you look at=D The 50 1.8 does out resolve most lenses as well in the center. Too bad about the contrast and colors and in the case of the 1.8 just about everything else

I would hate to see the MTF of MY copy of the 1.8

but I'm not complaining for the price...

Not exactly true, Ron. My 35L is simply spectacular wide open. As sharp as the 50 stopped down, but with better colors and contrast.

Hello,

incendy wrote in post #2108696
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

Actually, with a lens hood attached, I'm pretty happy with the contrast and saturation on our copy of the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. What drives me crazy is the wacky hunting auto-focus in low light! I don't have this problem with our other lenses (even the lowly EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM). The 50mm is almost as bad a hunter as the EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro in low light.

When the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM comes out, I'm planning to buy it. I'll keep it if auto-focus in low light is on-par with our EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM.

incendy wrote in post #2108786
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

Can you post some images taken with your copy of this lens?

rklepper wrote in post #2109199
Can you post some images taken with your copy of this lens?

I sold it when I got the 35, but here is a couple of pictures from the 50 taken when I had the 20d. I am not saying it is better than the 85 if that is what you think? I am just saying it is sharp according to the mtf charts and that I would not use it as a reason for not getting the new 1.2

Petkal wrote in post #2108783
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".

yes they'll have it by the early end of october. we'll be lucky if we see it here before january (or under $3000).

Oh by the way Ronald -i quoted you but wasn't picking on you ,it's just that your words summed up the issue well

The point i was making was that the new f1.2 lens was as sharp wide open as the f1.4 is - a seriously impressive achievment !