Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

By Jim Fisher

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM ($1,619 direct) ?is one of only two f/1.2 lenses available for the Canon EOS camera system, the other being the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, which is best suited for portraiture. The 50mm focal length, which delivers a wider field of view, is a bit more versatile?at one point a 50mm lens was bundled as the standard optic with 35mm SLRs. What sets this lens apart from the crowd is speed?its f/1.2 maximum aperture captures 50 percent more light than a lens set at f/1.4. Not surprisingly, Canon's two f/1.2 lenses are currently the fastest SLR optics you can get.

A wider aperture also equates to a shallower depth of field. Shooting this lens wide open makes it possible to get just a sliver of an image in focus. This isn't always desirable, but it's a technique that, when used well, can create a striking image. The extra speed comes at some cost. In addition to the high price, it's pretty big and heavy when compared with other prime optics?it measures 2.6 by 3.4 inches (HD), weighs 1.2 pounds, and requires 72mm filters.

I used Imatest to check the sharpness of the lens when paired with the Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III and found it to be a bit lacking at its maximum aperture. At f/1.2 it scored 1,573 lines per picture height, which is a bit shy of the 1,800 lines required for a sharp image. At f/1.4 it's just shy of the mark, hitting 1,744 lines, but its resolution increases to a stellar 2,319 lines at f/2.8, and it tops out at better than 2,600 lines from f/4 onwards. There is some noticeable barrel distortion, about 1.5 percent, which can make straight lines appear curved.

Canon shooters pay quite a premium?more than $1,200?for an f/1.2 50mm compared with the relatively inexpensive EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. Whether that extra half-stop of light and shallower depth is worth it depends on your photographic vision?and perhaps your budget. The lens is extremely sharp from f/2 onwards, an aperture at which it's not a problem to isolate your subject from the background, and the bokeh at f/1.2 is out of this world. There's a bit of distortion, which is not uncommon in very fast lenses, but that's easily corrected in a software application like Adobe Lightroom. Most shooters will probably be happy with an f/1.4 lens?or even the relatively bargain-basement EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens, which is priced at only $125.99?but if you've got to have the fastest 50mm you can get your hands on, this is the one to get.

More Digital Camera Reviews:
??? Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
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