With the introduction of Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless digicam, the EOS R, an necessary problem arose: releasing spectacular lenses that satisfied photographers of the brand new system’s potential. The primary two “crown jewel” lenses within the new lineup had been the RF 28-70mm f/2 L zoom and the RF 50mm f/1.2 L – the second of which we will probably be reviewing immediately.
Observe: This evaluation has been up to date in September 2024 with full lab assessments and comparisons in opposition to different lenses obtainable immediately. It was initially revealed in 2019.
Though the RF 50mm f/1.2 L has spectacular specs – and a $2299 price ticket to match – it truly suits into a really acquainted spot in Canon’s lineup. The corporate’s historical past of ultra-fast-aperture 50mm autofocus lenses dates again to 1987, when the Canon 50mm f/1 L USM was introduced. It didn’t see the sunshine of day till 1989, however it quickly grew to become probably the most iconic lenses for the Canon EF mount.
By the early 2000s, the Canon EF 50mm f/1 L USM’s hefty price ticket had taken a toll on gross sales, and Canon stopped producing it. Nevertheless, in 2006, Canon launched one thing related: the smaller, cheaper, and barely slower EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM. Though that lens was coveted for its large aperture, its optical traits had been missing in some ways. So, with the brand new RF model, Canon clearly needed to make some main positive aspects in picture high quality.
Because of this, the brand new 50mm has been utterly redesigned, with no fewer than three aspherical components and one UD-glass factor. It’s a a lot bigger and heavier lens than the EF model. Like all L lenses, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM is constructed to knowledgeable commonplace with a mixture of steel and high-quality plastics, and it additionally options inside climate seals to forestall mud and water from intruding.
The RF 50mm f/1.2 makes use of Canon’s quick and correct Ring USM focus motor (totally different from the RF 24-105mm f/4 L USM zoom lens, which makes use of Canon’s Nano USM focus motor) which guarantees a handy guide a rough and quiet focus operation. There is no such thing as a in-lens optical picture stabilization, nonetheless, so it pairs greatest with one in all Canon’s newer EOS R cameras that has in-body picture stabilization.
Construct High quality and Dealing with
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM is a part of Canon’s L sequence, so it’s no shock that the lens is constructed to knowledgeable commonplace. In hand, it has a reassuring heft, however it doesn’t really feel misplaced on cameras just like the EOS R5 or EOS R6 sequence, because of the cameras’ sizable grips. In case you have a smaller Canon mirrorless digicam just like the older EOS RP, you’ll find to be considerably imbalanced.
The lens options inside seals to forestall mud and water from intruding, and a fast look behind the lens reveals a beneficiant rubber gasket across the steel bayonet mount. Our workforce has examined three copies of the lens, placing it by rain, chilly, and windy/sandy circumstances. We didn’t expertise points with any copy.
Measuring 89.8 mm in diameter and 108 mm in size, and weighing 950 grams, this isn’t a small lens. It’s in the identical weight class because the now-vintage Canon EF 50mm f/1L USM (989 grams) and the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 (970 grams). It’s additionally 370 grams heavier than the DSLR-oriented Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM.
The RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM options two rings on its lens barrel. The bigger of the 2 is the superb handbook focus ring, which presents ultimate resistance and clean changes. The extra ring on the entrance of the lens is a knurled, programmable “Management Ring,” which is customizable through the digicam menu. It enables you to shortly entry many alternative settings, together with aperture, ISO, and publicity compensation. The management ring clicks when turned, which is beneficial for figuring out what number of 1/3 stops you will have gone, however observe that it’s audible when recording sound by the digicam.
The entrance factor encompasses a fluorine coating to assist stop dust and fingerprints from sticking, in addition to making the glass simpler to wash. On the entrance of the lens is a non-rotating 77mm filter thread, surrounded by a bayonet mount for the Canon ES-83 lens hood equipped with the lens. The hood is fabricated from a semi-rigid plastic, and it’s comparatively massive for a lens of this sort.
The lens additionally comes with Canon’s considerably quirky rear lens cap – the Canon Lens Mud Cap RF – whose design is totally different in a couple of methods from the earlier Canon EF rear lens cap. It is advisable align the lens cap correctly with the lens mount (a small notch on the cap with the crimson sprint on the lens mount), or the cap doesn’t connect to the lens in any respect. This design does supply a tighter and extra dust-resistant maintain onto the again of the lens, though it might probably take just a little extra time to connect in comparison with the previous design.
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM has two switches which adorn the facet of the lens barrel. The primary swap is a straightforward AF/MF swap, whereas the second is a Focus Limiter swap (0.8m – Infinity) which helps to hurry up focus acquisition.
Copyright © Spencer Cox
Vibration Discount
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM doesn’t have in-lens optical picture stabilization. That is fantastic in the event you’re utilizing the lens on a present Canon mirrorless digicam with in-body picture stabilization, however it means this lens is a questionable alternative with (for instance) the unique EOS R or EOS RP. Throughout my time with the lens, I shot with my EOS R, and there have been occasions after I would have preferred IBIS. Nevertheless, the answer to that was to easily shoot at f/1.2, the place there was greater than sufficient mild to go round.
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L Specs
- Full Title: Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
- Mount Sort: Canon RF Mount
- Focal Size: 50mm prime
- Angle of View (Full Body): 46°
- Most Aperture: f/1.2
- Minimal Aperture: f/16
- Aperture Blades: 10, rounded
- Filter Measurement: 77mm
- Lens Parts: 15
- Lens Teams: 9
- Particular Parts: 3 aspherical, 1 ultra-low dispersion (UD) glass components
- Anti-Reflection Coatings: ASC (Air-Sphere Coating)
- Fluorine Coated Entrance Factor: Sure (and rear factor)
- Picture Stabilization: No
- Inside Focusing: Sure
- Management Rings: Focus and customized
- Operate Button: No
- Switches: AF/MF and focus limiter
- Focus Motor: Ring-Sort USM
- Minimal Focus Distance: 40 cm (15.7 inches)
- Most Magnification: 0.19× (1:5.3)
- Mount Materials: Steel
- Climate/Mud Sealing: Sure
- Dimensions (Size × Diameter): 108 × 90 mm (4.3 × 3.5 inches)
- Weight: 950 g (2.09 lbs)
- MSRP: $2299 (verify present new value and verify used value + availability)
And right here is the optical building of the lens: