Canon 50mm f/1.2. Which date code have no close focus issue?

I am thinking of downsizing my lens lineup.

Actually I am thinking of doing it to better fit my shooting style.

So, I will lose the 35mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.8, and replace them with 50mm f/1.2.

The question is..

I heard about the close focus problem with 50mm f/1.2 and I also heard about the date code that does not have that issue.

Do any of you know what that date code is?

Thanks a bunch.

Supposedly those of UV07xx or later date codes, or those sent in for calibration past that time (July 2007). The lens may still show backfocus (like any lens can) if you're unlucky enough to get a "bad copy." Separate issue though.

There are a few threads out that discuss this issue. Here is one that I was reading a little while back: https://photography-on-the.net …ght=50mm+1.2+fo​cus&page=4

Page 4 starts discussing the focus issue. I own this lens and love it. I haven't noticed any focus issues. I bought it new and it has never been sent in for any calibration. I recommend this lens to anyone. It's super sharp!

This is an interesting topic, I too own and love the lens and have a UV12xx. But around f1.8 to f2.8 at very close distances it will exibit a shift of sorts. I typically shoot it wide open to 1.6 close in like that so the issue rarely comes to play. If you expect to be shooting close subjects in the zone I spoke of, i'd think twice about this lens. You will see people either love it or hate it and the shift is 99% of the reason for this...I rate it as my favorite walkaround.

^ I have to agree with the above posts; this lens is a bit of a "hot topic" on da interwebs. Personally, I love the lens and it delivers the goods every time, in my experience.

Thank you very much for the date code and the link.

Sounds like I will have sit down and think through this bit more, before I sell any of my lenses..

It is just too bad that such a potentially great lens (still is) has a flaw like that..

I owned one and loved it. The only reason I sold it is I downgraded everything back to a 1.6 crop setup and I don't like the 50 on a crop. Beautiful lens though.

thatkatmat wrote in post #5936782
This is an interesting topic, I too own and love the lens and have a UV12xx. But around f1.8 to f2.8 at very close distances it will exibit a shift of sorts. I typically shoot it wide open to 1.6 close in like that so the issue rarely comes to play. If you expect to be shooting close subjects in the zone I spoke of, i'd think twice about this lens. You will see people either love it or hate it and the shift is 99% of the reason for this...I rate it as my favorite walkaround.

It'll probably do that occasionally, but I reckon that is because of the very limited DoF rather than the old focus shift problem, just like with any extremely large aperture lens.

With the focus shift problem it does it consistently, all the time, for those lenses that exhibited the problem. In my case that was all three I tried early last year. I found that with the 40D and close distances in combination with the UV07 and later specimens I tried, it would miss focus every 20th shot or so when close by at large apertures.

Kind regards, Wim

Pasukun wrote in post #5937237
Thank you very much for the date code and the link.

Sounds like I will have sit down and think through this bit more, before I sell any of my lenses..

It is just too bad that such a potentially great lens (still is) has a flaw like that..

From my own experience, and those of a few I know, it doesn't anymore. Just try one, and if it doesn't work for you, exchange it for another, until you find one that works for you.

It is a masterpiece of a lens...

Kind regards, Wim

wimg wrote in post #5937284
It'll probably do that occasionally, but I reckon that is because of the very limited DoF rather than the old focus shift problem, just like with any extremely large aperture lens.

With the focus shift problem it does it consistently, all the time, for those lenses that exhibited the problem. In my case that was all three I tried early last year. I found that with the 40D and close distances in combination with the UV07 and later specimens I tried, it would miss focus every 20th shot or so when close by at large apertures.

Kind regards, Wim

Nope,not so, but whatever This topic is old

thatkatmat wrote in post #5937358
Nope,not so, but whatever This topic is old

In that case, I'd send it in to Canon .

Kind regards, Wim

Sorry that was rude of me Wim, having a rough day.......have a great weekend
-Matt

thatkatmat wrote in post #5937382
Sorry that was rude of me Wim, having a rough day.......have a great weekend
-Matt

Hi Matt,

No probs, I didn't read it that way - but then, English is not my native tongue . Sorry to hear you have a rough day. I hope things get better for you soon!

Enjoy your weekend, too! With lots of pics (preferably with the 50L ).

Kind regards, Wim

Getting a new 300/2.8IS delivered tomorrow....I have the feeling things are gonna be much much better...Not too much cjhance of using the 50L though

thatkatmat wrote in post #5937606
Getting a new 300/2.8IS delivered tomorrow....I have the feeling things are gonna be much much better...Not too much cjhance of using the 50L though

Oh, wow, congrats!

One of my dream lenses, sigh . One of these decades....

Kind regards, Wim