Canon EF 50mm F1.0L review (critiquing a legend)

Ef 50mm F1.0L

Edit: the linked article with the review has been removed. The reason is beyond my knowledge.

Photographer and Reviewer Dustin Abbott has taken three months to check and review the legendary Canon EF 50mm F1.0L by modern standards. He breaks down the performance of the lens and why it remains important despite being out of production since 16 years.

Mr. Abbott posted two videos. The 17 minutes video below is the review of the EF 50mm F1.0L, the 18 minutes video after the first video is a more detailed and extensive look at the optical performance and the bokeh quality from this rare and somewhat legendary lens.

The video below puts a detailed look on the EF 50mm F1.0L.

In the conclusion Mr. Abbott states:

Without being contradictory, it is easy to see why the Canon EF 50mm F1.0L never sold much but also easy to see why people are desperate to acquire the rare copy that shows up on the used market. The lens is far too inaccessible for the typical photographer and too optically flawed for most working professionals. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L has its own share of detractors, but in every way it is far more accessible than its venerable (and more extreme) ancestor. But it is the extreme nature of 50mm F1.0L that also makes it so desirable as a collector’s item. People are intrigued by extremes, and even the optical flaws of the lens will be desirable to some; a challenge to overcome.

The review comes with a huge set of sample pics. The Canon EF 50mm F1.0L is out of production but can still be found on eBay, and it’s not cheap.

[via Dustin Abbott]

Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 AS IF lens price drop, $299 (was $399)

Rokinon 50mm F/1.4 AS IF

The excellent Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 AS IF price dropped to $299 at Amazon and B&H Photo. It was $399. Excellent deal for those looking for a fast 50mm lens.

  • High performance, fast F1.4 aperture, “standard” 50mm prime lens with Full Frame Sensor Coverage
  • Specialized Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC) improves light transmission and reduces ghosting and flare
  • Internal Focusing design (IF) provides non rotating 77mm filter threads and close focusing to 17.7 Inches
  • Hybrid Aspherical and Aspherical lens elements control aberrations for clear and color-accurate images
  • Equipped with an 8 Blade Circular Diaphragm for pleasing Bokeh and a large rubberized focusing ring for quiet and silky smooth control of focus

Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 AS IF

Canon patent for 50mm f/3.5 IS macro lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras

canon patent

Canon patent for a neat lens. An image-stabilised Canon 50mm f/3.5 IS maco lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. And yes, there are rumors about a Canon full-frame mirrorless camera. The latest of those rumors says Canon’s full-frame mirrorless camera has been delayed because of mount-related issues.

Patent Publication No. 2015-215494

  • Published 2015.12.3
  • Filing date 2014.5.12
  • Example
    • Focal length 48.58
    • F-number 3.50
    • Half angle (in degrees) 24.01
    • Image height 21.64
    • Overall length of the lens 85.71
    • BF 27.79
[via Egami]

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens deal – $699.99 (US warranty, authorised Sigma dealer, compare at $849)

Sigma 50mm F/1.4

This is a very good deal by authorised Sigma retailer Camera Land on eBay (99.6% positive ratings): the awesome Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens on sale at $699.99. Compare at $849.

Please note: this is not a grey import item, it’s a demo unit. It is an US market product and it comes with an US warranty. The seller says:

As one of the largest Sigma dealers in the USA we are happy to offer this great lens at a super price.   It comes with the USA Warranty.

We had an in store demo and these were shown and put back in the box. Because of this we won’t sell them as new never opened

If you are buying on eBay, you may be interested to know that Canon is suing grey import retailers. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens overview after the break.

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