Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM: Handling and features

For a 50mm lens, this optic is larger and heavier than the norm, which is to be expected with the bright maximum aperture. Still with it weighing 580g, it isn't overly heavy and it balances well on the EOS 5D MkII used for testing.

Being an L series lens the lens barrel is constructed from high quality materials and feels very robust. It is sealed against the elements and the lens mount is finished with a thin rubber gasket to prevent moisture getting into the camera body.

Focusing is virtually silent and reasonably fast, thanks to the Ultrasonic motor. The bright maximum aperture helps with focusing in low light conditions too, which means the lens rarely hunts. However extreme care needs to be taken when shooting at maximum aperture as depth of field is so shallow that the slightest error can result in blurred images.

Manual focus adjustments are possible at any time and the focusing ring is nicely damped, making it easy enough to make fine adjustments. Although the front element moves back and forth during focusing, it does this inside the lens body and the filter thread does not rotate, making it east to use polarising and graduated filters via the 72mm filter thread. Some people may be put off slightly by the odd filter size, as a stepping ring may be required to use the 77mm filters which is a more common size for Canon's professional optics. The minimum focus distance of 45cm is the same as found with Canon's f/1.4 50mm lens, so there is no penalty here for having the brighter maximum aperture as may be expected.

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