And the answer was, yes, Samyang (aka Rokinon) is working on a new 50mm f/1.2 lens, Canon mount among other mount types. This fits with a rumor I reported in the past (click here), but then the talk was about a 50mm f/1.4. It will not be an imminent release: As Samyang Asia writes on Facebook, the lens will be here “perhaps 2014”.
The question was asked on Facebook. The answer (see above) suggests that Samyang (see their lenses clicking here), or Rokinon (it’s the same), is working on a 50mm f/1.4. Good news!
As of late I’ve been having fun with the 50mm focal length and I’ve been going out of my way to experiment with it. In the process I’ve rediscovered making use of much shallower depth of field in my images. […] Breaking out of my deep depth of field rut I’ve become increasingly fascinated with learning about the varying qualities of bokeh and it’s led me to purchase a rather rare lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.0L USM. I have to admit this particular lens has two qualities that piqued my interest: 1. The extreme bokeh created by the ultra-shallow depth of field it is subject to and 2. It’s ability to gather more light for faster shutter speeds in low light situations (ideal for night photography).
There are plenty of sample pics to study. The lens is rather difficult to find. If you’re able to find one be prepared to pay $3000 or more.
Canon Rumors has new information about the possible EF 50mm f/1.4 replacement and the EF 24-70mm f/4L with image stabilization. Both lenses are rumored to be released soon (before end of 2012). Quoting:
Below is some unconfirmed information in regards to price and weight of the new EF 24-70 f/4L IS, rate it as [CR1] for now.
EF 24-70 f/4L IS $849 and weighing 545g
EF 50 f/1.4 IS $799
As mentioned earlier, […] confident about the new 24-70, but the 2nd lens, […] not 100% sure on. There are so many coming down the pipeline.
A new rumor about a possible imminent announcement of a new Canon 50mm lens. No mention of the mount type (previously EF-M was rumored). Canon Rumors got
[…] word from two different sources that a new 50mm lens would be on the way “soon”. One person suggested it would “probably” have IS. No mention of aperture, but judging by past mentions of a new 50mm, it would be a replacement for the near ancient 50mm f/1.4.
The 50mm could be announced along with the new EF 24-70mm f/4L, which is also said to have image stabilization.
Before Canon made the EF 50mm f 1.2L, the Canon EF 50mm f/1L, now a discontinued lens, was the fastest in the company’s line-up. It might be difficult to find one nowadays, and if you do expect to pay it up to three times the price it had. Citing from Wikipedia:
The discontinued Canon EF 50mm f/1L USM is a professional L series autofocus lens. On the used market sells for as much as double the original retail value. It was the fastest SLR lens in production during its lifetime. This lens has a metal body and mount, and plastic extremities. It also features a wide rubber focus ring that is damped, a distance window with infrared index, and the ability to set the focus range from 0.6m to infinity, or 1m to infinity. In common with the EF 85mm f/1.2L USM it uses an electronic “focus by wire” system and requires power from the camera in order to manual focus. The 8-blade diaphragm and maximum aperture of f/1.0 give this lens the ability to create extremely shallow depth of field effects and to support low light situations. The optical construction of this lens contains 11 lens elements, including two ground and polished aspherical lens elements. This lens uses a floating front extension focusing system, powered by a ring-type USM motor. The front of the lens does not rotate, but does extend when focusing.
Despite its price and large maximum aperture, the 1.0L was not a particularly sharp lens at any aperture, and the two cheaper 50mm options offered far better sharpness when stopped down beyond about f/2.8. This, combined with the high production cost and low sales volume, led to it being discontinued in 2000 and eventually superseded by the f/1.2 edition.
Bryan Soderlind has a Canon EF 50mm f/1L (he payed more than $3000) and shares images and thoughts with us.
In an attempt to really get excited about switching to digital, I went “all the way” on my 50mm lens purchase. I bought the most expensive and rare 50mm Canon lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1L. Previously I had used the 50mm 1.4 and 1.2 and couldn’t really differentiate between the two, they both were really amazing lenses.
The Canon EF 50mm f/1L lens is a rare, discontinued, and expensive lens Canon only made for a few years. The lens is made to shine at lower apertures and the look you get at 1.0 is like no other lens made. There is somewhat of a frustrating learning curve when using the lens at 1.0, getting anything in focus takes practice.
Strong backlighting tends to give a very wild unique flare and certain light sources produce a rainbow effect I haven’t seen produced by any other lenses. The lens really isn’t any better than other 50mm Canon lenses I’ve used once you stop down past 2.8, this lens was made for the wider apertures.
There is also a heavy vignette at wide open apertures, this could be seen as a positive or negative depending on your preference. The price and the ability to find the lens is a definite deterrent, but for me it was well worth it.
On Bryan’s page there are lots of sample pics shot using an EOS 5D Mark II and EOS 5D Mark III with the Canon EF 50mm f/1L.
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