EF50 F1.2L

EF50 F1.2L

 

It has been placed with the telephoto lenses on the Canon USA site (duh)

 

It is almost half the weight of the EF50 F1L (yipee)

 

It is approx half the price of the EF50 F1L (yipee)

 

It appears to have a normal focus ring. There is a gap between it and the

shoulder emblem and lens hood fixing (hum)

 

The depth of field scale is compressed compared to the EF50 F1L (aha)

 

I suspect the focus ring is non electronic and a normal L series mechanical FTM

jobby (hum)

 

I suspect this will mean a non stepped manual focus performance but with a

coarse faster action and a need for finer movements to be accurate (hum)

 

The front Lens element and most of the lens elements appear to be in the usual

moving tube block but this time more recessed in the over sized F1 styled body

(hum)

 

This may mean it does not protrude (aha)

 

I guess the old pipe cleaner weather and dust protector as normal (hum)

 

The Canon USA site does not say 'Float' (Oh No)

 

The Canon USA site does not say 'Float' on the EF 85 F1.2L so may be it's just

another marketing error (aha)

 

If it does not float then I hope it does not inherit the poor delineation of

the current 50's (not the macro das is good ya, roll on a usm version)

 

It looks cute :-)

 

Canon USA may move the lens to its correct home by the time you read this (goof)

 

Hope they give one to a decent reviewer that knows the difference between a

zoom and a prime (tee hee)

 

What do you think?

<a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?

act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=153&modelid=14259">link</a>

telephoto=longer than 'standard', used to be 50 in 35mm but with 'crop factor' with many non-premium digital slr platforms (big sellers), 50mm is closer to 80mm equivalence. (hmmm...)<ohh..>(aha)(ahem)

Check the site, they have an 85 with the standards and medium teles (ok)

 

Then the 50 with the teles (na)

 

Buddy they goofed :-)

E: I admire your command of Cliff Clavin logic, but Bernard's right on this one. :)

Actually, 'telephoto' does not mean longer than standard. Look it up in a photo reference.

<em>EF50 F1.2L<br>

It appears to have a normal focus ring.</em>

<p>

What is "normal" for you? Like what other lens?

<p>

<em>

There is a gap between it and the shoulder emblem and lens hood fixing (hum)</em>

<p>

And that positioning means what? Thanks.

<p>

<em>I suspect the focus ring is non electronic and a normal L series mechanical FTM jobby (hum)</em>

<p>

Yes, the announcement said "mechanical FTM", so it's non electronic.

<p>

<em>

The front Lens element and most of the lens elements appear to be in the usual moving tube block but this time more recessed in the over sized F1 styled body (hum)</em>

<p>

To me it appears that the rearmost element doesn't move (looking at photo of its back).

<p>

<em>This may mean it does not protrude (aha)</em>

<p>

What do you mean to protrude? Front element extending/turning? Rear element approaching film plane?

<p>

<em>I guess the old pipe cleaner weather and dust protector as normal (hum)</em>

<p>

They claim dust and weather resistance (DW-R). This means I think rubber around lens mount. It doesn't necessarily mean front element not extending (24-105 claims sealing too and its front element moves).

<p>

<em>

The Canon USA site does not say 'Float' (Oh No)

</em>

<p>

The announcements do say floating system.

<p>

<em>It looks cute :-)</em>

<p>

Yes, and smallish compared to 50/1.0 or 85/1.2.

<p>

Alex

Alex (in your order I hope)

 

50 F1 and 85 F1.2's use pure electronic pick up. Think of the sensors this uses like pixels and you can see there are resolution issues. The narrow dept of focus scale ring may just be due to the same ring USM driving the lighter glass at a more sporty rate, the other light sucking primes were finer affairs give or take the finger touch focus ring resolution. (gotta use one to understand the issue, but moving helps macro style to get the low DOF shoots when the tiny focus jumps feel too big)

 

On the aforementioned predecessors the focus ring wraps round to fount and turns the focus hood a lightweight unit. No issue, just nice to know if they have ditched that approach on this baby, it looks different (standard).

 

The marketing releases are always full of minor errors. Hence the need for a reviewer that knows what to look for in such a lens.

 

I hope the rear lens does not move as that's how the create float. When I say moving tube block I mean that tube moves in side the lens casing as you suggest.

 

On the aforementioned predecessors the tube block extend forward into the hood area during close focus (puts a smile on a female models face ;-)

 

Agree, I still suspect they will copy the old versions with the pipe cleaner, so the in use improvement is no more capillary action at the lens mount and the hood deflecting rain, the pipe cleaner handling most dust due to the obvious volume change and gas flow.

 

I really want this to be true and one shoot of the rear element seems to suggest a deep set fixed unit, but it is so hard to tell. If anyone finds out lets us know. If it is just the other end of the moving tube of lenses then this will be move dust proof if sealed but may mean a poorer optical delineation as you focus closer. Let's hold our breath for that competent review. No doubt we will see loads of infinity tests and it looks sharp to me statements ;-)

 

Gear lust, but a very practical one at that for some.

I noticed all of a sudden 2 Canon f1.0 lenses on Ebay for sale. They must be ditching them from the new 50L lens annoucement. One seller is from China (always risky there), and the other seller makes me question how legit they are. He put his lens up for sale 1 day after Canon's announcement of the new 50L, but in his description he misleads the reader by saying Canon has for years had rumours of a new 50L and that you may never see it happen. Very misleading. It wont sell because its up to 5500-6000 range. I emailed the seller about his comment in his auction and saying that there IS a new 50L that is happening, and he emails me back within 5 minutes at 1AM in the morning saying if I wanted the new 50L and if so he'll take a $500 deposit and and $1100 on delivery. So much for street price with that seller. I can get it cheaper here in Canada. Sounds like a possible scam to me, but maybe he's legit. Its a New York seller and its based in an apartment from what U can see. Anyways here is the misleading auction below:

 

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&item=120024777881&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

 

And the one from China is here:

 

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&item=320021675587&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

 

I wonder who will buy these lenses in light of the new 50L?

I sent a no thanks email back on his offer and he again minutes later emailed me back. What is a business person doing answering questions at 1:45 AM in the morning when he advertises his business closes at 5PM? Just for laughs I'll mention he said that he's tried both the f1.0 lens and the new f1.2L lens on a Mark 3 digital camera and claims the f1.0 lens has better bokeh. Yet he mentioned about a NDA so he can't post examples between the two lenses yet. So why then if he's under NDA is he telling me about the Mark 3 when it hasn't been officially announced yet? I would stay away from this seller to be safe.

I'm really curious why Canon made this lens to take 72 mm filters. All previous Canon 50-55-58/1.2 lenses used 55 or 58 mm filters and Nikon has made a version with even smaller 52 mm filters. Could it be that Canon felt it could not justify such a high price for this lens if it was made in a smaller size? The EF 50/1 and the 85/1.2 also use the same 72 mm filter size, so I'd really like to know why it came out like this. Anyone have any ideas about this?

Are you talking about Photovillage?

 

I purchased my 50mm f1.0L from them a few months ago. They are an authorized Canon dealer and they carry many other lines such as Leica and Hasselblad.

 

The owner, Rich Pinto, is a great guy and often handles his company's email personally.

 

I don't think the market for the 50mm f1.0L is going to be affected by the new lens, in the long run. I know a few other people who own the 1.0L, and I think that I can speak for them when I say that they won't consider the f1.2L as a replacement, but more as a complement to the 50mm f1.0L.

<i>He put his lens up for sale 1 day after Canon's announcement of the new 50L, but in his description he misleads the reader by saying Canon has for years had rumours of a new 50L and that you may never see it happen. Very misleading.</i><br><br>

 

I believe the seller is referring to the 50mm f1.0L only, NOT a "50L".<br><br>

 

The auction states:<br><br>

 

"While rumors of a new version of this lens have persisted for years, no evidence has ever come about that new one will be made, so grab this fast before it is no longer available to purchase. This lens becomes harder to find by the day and this specimin is in wonderful condtion."<br><br>

 

The new 50mm f1.2L is a f1.2L, not a f1.0L. Just like the 200mm f2.8L is not a replacement for the 200mm f1.8L.

Joe:

 

Canon decided that their professional "L" lenses to have 72 or 77mm filter rings, for practicality's sake. I have five or six L lenses, and they all have either 72 or 77mm filter rings. It makes life easier becuase I just have to carry around one set of 77mm filters and a 72-77mm step-down ring.

 

Also, the Nikon and Canon FD f1.2 lenses are all manual focus. I'm sure that the addition of ring type USM results in a slightly wider lens.

<em>I'm really curious why Canon made this lens to take 72 mm filters. All previous Canon 50-55-58/1.2 lenses used 55 or 58 mm filters and Nikon has made a version with even smaller 52 mm filters. Could it be that Canon felt it could not justify such a high price for this lens if it was made in a smaller size? The EF 50/1 and the 85/1.2 also use the same 72 mm filter size, so I'd really like to know why it came out like this. Anyone have any ideas about this?</em>

<p>

I think it's in order to provide a built-in lenshood, to control some lens defects. FD 50/1.2 doesn't have that "hood", but 50/1.4 does. EF 85/1.2 and EF 50/1.0 have too big elements to provide such a builtin hood, the lens body would have become much larger.<p><p>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/petrescu_2006/5012_frontupp_s.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">photo of EF 50/1.2</a><p><p><p>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/petrescu_2006/block5012.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">EF 50/1.2 block diagram</a><p><p><p>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/petrescu_2006/comp-block5012-fd5012.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">EF 50/1.2 vs FD 50/1.2 block diagram</a><p><p><p>

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/petrescu_2006/block5012-5014.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting">EF 50/1.2 vs EF 50/1.4 block diagram.</a>

I was wondering if Photovillage was a legit seller. I guess he is. I just felt there were too many flags when I checked into it. He claims he put the auction up before the announcement, but in the listing it clearly said the 25th start date which is a day after the Canon announcement. Oh well. He did say he'll change the wording next time. As for the lenses he was talking about- I knew his rumour wording was refering to the new 50 1.2L lens and that he was selling the old f1.0 lens.

So. . .we have concluded he is legit? And he mentioned a MK3?

 

Hmmm. 1D-III or 1Ds-III? ;)

PhotoVillage IS a "legit" dealer. It is NOT based in an apartment. It is located in a

commercial building near midtown Manhattan, but it is not "street-level," much the way

Ken Hansen was on an upper floor in a commercial building.

 

"Red flags?"

 

Rich Pinto is the owner of this 'small' shop, and he frequently answers emails late at night.

I wouldn't know about phone calls, as i wouldn't have made such an intrusion at that late

hour. Whatever. PhotoVillage is also the best Leica shoppe in the city, and probably in the

country. You'd have to see it to believe it.

 

"Legit?" Without question.

Ok Darek. Thanks. My bad. As for the new 50L- I can't wait for the reviews to come.

Here's a block diagram of the 55mm f1.2 AL lens which was known as the best 50mm ever made.

Thanks, and here's how it their block diagrams compare, remark more "hood" space for the EF 50/1.2.

 

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j8/petrescu_2006/compblockef5012-fd5512.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>

<p>

Scott, how do you know that FD 55/1.2 AL was the best 50mm ever made? Where is it mentioned so? Thanks.

 

Also, I'm trying to find a Takumar complete block diagram (w/ filter size) of their 50mm, and eventually MTFs. Have you seen any, thanks.

The 55mm AL was Canon's best normal lens ever made and some say its the best out of any normal lens ever made. It still commands close to $1000 on Ebay these days. The FD 50mm f1.2L was second runner up. This is from things Ive read about these lenses and there's not really a site per say that says this.

>> What do you think?

 

I think, well (duh) (yipee) (yipee) (hum) (aha) (hum) (hum) (hum) (aha) (hum) (Oh No) (aha) (goof) (tee hee). You took the words right out of my mouth....

 

Happy shooting,

Yakim.

Scott, no apologies necessary. If you weren't familiar with some of the smaller, niche NYC

shops, you might be put off by the non-street-level addresses. Usually, though, those

smaller shops are more personal, and have historically catered to professionals.

 

You and i both are in agreement with regard to the anticipation of this lens. As a matter of

fact two weeks before the lens was announced, i emailed Rich at photovillage to ask him

to put me on a waiting list for the then 'rumored' lens. I've been waiting for this for a long

time. Since discovering my 50/1.4's shortcomings wide open, i've been toying with the

idea of adapting all manner of other makers' lenses, just to get a functional superfast lens.

I almost went so far as to buy the Leica-R 50mm summilux ROM, and one of those new

adapters with focus confirmation. But, that's a $2000+ proposition, and it's still 'only' f1.4,

with no AF.

 

If, and it's a Big "IF," the Canon doesn't suffer the same 'glowiness' of highlights when shot

wideopen, i'll be pretty happy. But, it HAS to have good bokeh. I was also thrilled with the

idea of the new Zeiss 50mm Planar in Nikon mount, only to be severely disappointed by

almost every sample shot i've seen from it.....

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1029&message=16300697

 

Here's a copy of the deleted thread on this forum from December 2005. This is for reference.