Killed the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Called "my" camera shop in Toronto today and cancelled my order for the lens, directed my deposit towards some other trinkets.
The main reason is that the cummulative effect of some two dozen images I have seen so far is not confidence inspiring . The variability of image quality is huge. Granted, the images were taken by different photographers, using different lens copies, some of them preproduction units, under difficult and brief shooting conditions etc. However, be that as it may, the only impression that emerges is a major inconsistency.

What is also not helping is that the comments made by those few lens users are very tentative at best. Furthermore, although Canon did indicate the lens would be made available this month, to the best of my knowledge no retailer has a date yet. There are some rumblings on the DPR Forum that the lens release has been postponed by Canon.....somehow that would not surprise me if it were true........which would mean we could see some sort of a replay of the 24-105 "photon torpedo" SNAFU.

Lastly, Canon does not have a very good record in making the 50 mm EF lenses sharp and contrasty wide open. I got rid of both 50 f/1.4 and f/1.8 for that very reason. One can only hope the 50 f/1.2 breaks the mold.

The bottom line for me is to wait for the likes of William Castleman to test the lens thoroughly first. Then, we shall know much better which way to go.

Your money could definitely be better spent elsewhere, or even saved. Good call - at least for now.

Not buying the 50 1.2 or the 14 2.8, what sort of collector are you? Next thing you know red will be the new black, politicians will be honest and and Paris Hilton will become a nun.

Its a mad, mad, mad, mad world

BearSummer

BearSummer wrote in post #2270525
Not buying the 50 1.2 or the 14 2.8, what sort of collector are you? Next thing you know red will be the new black, politicians will be honest and and Paris Hilton will become a nun.

Its a mad, mad, mad, mad world

BearSummer

True, true , I cast shame upon my collecting brethren......also, walked away from a couple of promethean lenses of the 200 f/1.8 and 300 f/2.8 kind, and now this unbecoming distrust of our Canon aLma mater.

Good call. I'd be scared to death of spending that much on an unknown quantity, especially given your experience of the other fifties.

Wait a while, and rent one if you can. At least then you'll be able to give it a good run for the money.

If you fall in love with it, spend spend spend!!

Pete wrote in post #2270757
Good call. I'd be scared to death of spending that much on an unknown quantity, especially given your experience of the other fifties.

Wait a while, and rent one if you can. At least then you'll be able to give it a good run for the money.

If you fall in love with it, spend spend spend!!

Good point, Prete. However, it will be a while before a new lens like 50 f/1.2 is available for rental in Toronto.
However, Castleman's reviews are usually quite dependable. Klaus of Photozone as well as our own Unstopabble F.Jojo aka Lightfooles do a very good job of lens testing.

Ultimately, if all lights are green, one buys the lens. If unhappy with my own copy I can always return it........which is really becoming a pain because "my" camera shop (as well as B&H) are eyeing my returns with increasing hostility. Perhaps there have been just a wee bit too many of those in the past.

Time to create a brand new identity, perhaps?

Multiple visits to tanning salons and big shades are the way forwards.

Unless you've already gone down that route, in which case the purchase of large bottles of bleach is in order...

Pete wrote in post #2271754
Time to create a brand new identity, perhaps?

Multiple visits to tanning salons and big shades are the way forwards.

Unless you've already gone down that route, in which case the purchase of large bottles of bleach is in order...

I had been told on numerous occasions I made a smashing platinum blonde bewigged maturely aluring hottie.

I can see armageddon coming...lawyers getting cheated and politicians getting lied to. Ohhhh the horror!

I don't think I'm buying one either. The 85 sounds nicer.

Well done Pete ... I know how much you have been hankering after that Bigma.

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #2271998
I can see armageddon coming...lawyers getting cheated and politicians getting lied to. Ohhhh the horror!

I don't think I'm buying one either. The 85 sounds nicer.

That's mah bo'......go for the proven one. Reselling a reasonably priced keg is a piece of cake...you could even make some profit on it if you keep it for an extended period of time.....like a month.

condyk wrote in post #2272147
Well done Pete ... I know how much you have been hankering after that Bigma.

The lens is really therapeutically needed.......yet that's the ugly side of my collector's persona longing.
The rational, cautios and suffering half usually treads with caution.

I guess my efforts with that lens just weren't up to Petkal's snuff. 'Nuf said.

Yes, the 85L is a known commodity, a sterling performer in the right hands. Unfortunately, I must have two left hands.

me

MDJAK wrote in post #2274169
I guess my efforts with that lens just weren't up to Petkal's snuff. 'Nuf said.

Yes, the 85L is a known commodity, a sterling performer in the right hands. Unfortunately, I must have two left hands.

me

Not that, mi friend, just that there have been so many hasty and fragmented shots, under bad light and all that.
You have done a fine portrait work on that photog man, just that the lens did not quite shine....nothing you could have done about that.

Thank you. And I got to say, after all is said and done, $1500 for a 50mm lens, even if it is 1.2, is an awful lot of money that could really be better spent elsewhere.

Good choice, at least for now.

me