Solid build quality and good handling despite the size
Very accurate autofocus
Exceptional sharpness right from f/1.2
Beautiful, creamy bokeh
Very good control of chromatic aberration
Almost no distortion
Excellent color and contrast
Cons
Very expensive
Large and heavy
High vignetting
Canon came out swinging with the RF 50mm f/1.2L, and managed to produce an exceptional optic. The lens is extremely sharp right from f/1.2, with beautiful bokeh, and makes for an outstanding lens for portraiture, event photography and more.
I was really impressed with the lens in the time I had with it. It consistently produced images that were pleasing and impactful, and I loved picking up the camera every time I went to shoot with it. The high cost is going to limit appeal for the general consumer, but this is a staple lens for any portrait or event photographer who uses the RF system.
The RF 50mm f/1.2L is big and heavy, and it is extremely expensive at $2,299 US, but it is also the best normal lens I’ve ever had the pleasure to shoot with. A truly outstanding lens.
Image Samples
Click on an image to enlarge.
Snow Portrait – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L @ f/1.2, 1/1250s, ISO 100Deer in the City Lights – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/8s, ISO 200Morning in the City – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/2.8, 1s, ISO 200Winter Morning – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/11, 10s, ISO 100Snow Portrait – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/1000s, ISO 100Deer Viewing Lights – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/10s, ISO 200On the iPad – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/60s, ISO 640Snowy Bench – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/15s, ISO 125Winter Reflections – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/11, 30s, ISO 100Morning Mist – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/4s, ISO 200Snow Portrait – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/1600s, ISO 100Bike Rack – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/30s, ISO 200Columbus at Night – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/2.5, 1/2s, ISO 200Winter Grass – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/25s, ISO 400Nyx – Canon EOS R6 with Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM @ f/1.2, 1/50s, ISO 400
If you enjoyed this review, check out my other reviews in the Review Index
Thank you for the reminder! I had been unable to locate a copy for review for so long, and LensRentals didn’t have one for quite some time, so it sort of dropped off my radar. Yes, I very much want to review that lens. It looks like I can rent it now, so will look to get that for review here soon!
It definitely outresolves the R6/R6 II. However, I don’t think that means that it is necessarily a ‘better fit’ on the R5. The lens is brilliant on either body. The R5 will take advantage of the full resolution the lens can deliver, but the rendering is of course equally brilliant on both, and it is sharp on both. You’re not ‘missing out’ using this lens on an R6, just creating wonderful images whatever the resolution is.
A lot of nostalgia. This was my first body as well. Used with Tamron 17-50 🙂
I think it is near Hillsboro.
This article got me thinking… Why does Canon make RF S lenses starting with 18mm when most full frame RF…
Great review. I shoot Nikon and may try an old Nikon D200 and see how it compares with the new…
It feels so nice to read your article. When I was a student, upgrading from a D5100 to a D750…
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