Why Canon Got THIS Lens SO RIGHT!

This is an amazing video. But im willing to bet your backgrounds being even creamier with the RF 85mm 1.2L would surpass these photos. It's a matter of taste for sure, but if you like dreamy portraits like me, then maybe you'll try it :P

i love my 50 1.2 and also, its a shame canon cant provide for 7 years since the rf came out - a nice 35 mm with 1.2 apparture. even Nikon made made one.

No nonsense lens, you can just grab it an go for a shoot no need to plan anything.

My friend! Comparison high iso performance r5m2 with r5 and z8 are very welcome.Please make it. I have r5m2 and r6m2 and during low light condition I use r6m2 only. I very disappointed with low light performance of r5m2. My rf 50 1.2 and rf 85 1.2 are unfortunately better to use with my second camera

I guess your other purchased lens is 24-105 F4 :) I travel a lot and 24-105 F4 is my favorite lens! It works great with my R6 Mark II. I am also a big fan of 50mm, I have the EF version for a long time using with a converter, I am considering the new 1.4 or this 1.2, I will pull the trigger to one of these one day, but I don’t know which one😅 Super nice video as always!

I am either shooting with th RF 50 or 85 and the 135.

Future hall-of-famer ❤

I'm so on the fence with this lens. I love my EF, and the RF 50 is the only RF I like (Don't tell me about the RF 85, I rented it) To me the EF and RF 50 produce 2 different looks and I like them both. I don't pixel peep. Super sharpness isn't the driving factor for me, overall "look" is and I like both 50's.

Вот поэтому я купил RF 50 F1.2 и сейчас даже имея другие линзы из линейки RF с переменным фокусным, понимаю что если бы мне дали выбор только одной линзы я бы выбрал именно эту линзу для всех видов съемки.

RF 50 1.2 L lives on my R8. My most favorite lens.

Sambas with nike socks...

I was so ready to poopoo this lens when I got it (I'm a 35mm guy, 35mm EF L II being my go-to), but when I pulled up the RAW files from this lens on my high res monitor I was like h*ly m*ly. It really is spectacular.

It's my favorite lens and my money lens. I use it for my senior portraits, couples, and weddings. I love the versatility of it. I usually shoot F1.4 to F1.8, but F1.2 is nice when it's needed.

Give me this model and the worst lens ever and I'll make amazing photos.

Brilliant review, James.

I switshed from RF 50/1,2 to RF 50/1,4 after comparing them side by side. As a photojournalist weight and size is important. The RF 50/1,2L gives a bit more pleasing bakground at same f-stop. The difference is very small. They also differ in real focal lengt. Evan with digital correction the RF 50/1,4 is wider.

I have to say, I'm so impressed with your portraits and editing style. They simply look stunning. Please share how you edit next time as well! I don't want presets though. And how did you light the portrait shots would be interesting to see for photographers like myself as well. Great video and just epic photos mate. Keep them coming. 🎉❤😊

Ironically being a Canon user for 20 years I started to research this lens for my R6. I went down a rabbit hole and watched every review on this lens. I was determined to buy it. Then I saw a comparison between this lens and a Sony GM 50mm f1.2. It was so close that I started researching that lens. Eventually it lead me to try a Sony camera. 6 months later I switched to Sony from b3ing a Canon fanboy for so long. Still use some of my L lenses. Anyways. This lens is amazing but I hate it as it lead me to research Sony which I Eventually switched for mirrorless. Still have my Canon DSLR'S

The national debt of my country in one camera and a lens

How is it compared to the Nikon Z 50mm f1.2?

This lens transformed my photography, and is one of my two favorite lenses, the other being the RF 100-500mm. The 50 1.2 is incredibly sharp, and at the same time quite forgiving for portraits—no other lens can do both.

My Favorit lens all the time is 24-105 f2.8 very expensive but in low lights help me a lot so much better than F4L ...
But yes this lens is special. I don t have only 1.8 version but until summer i will get this. I love to make pictures in low light. This lens i m sure with f1.2 gonna help me lot. Some of your pictures with this lens my god so impressive. Thanks for this video. I think before to buy this. But now i will get.

Thanks James! Great review as always! This is my favorite lens. 80% of the photos were taken with this lens.

Maybe this lens is excellent - but it is too heavy for me. Maybe the nesw RF 50mm F1.4 VCM would be the best compromise among Canons 50mm- lineup?

It seems like with their RF f1.2 primes, Canon was trying to preserve some of the character that people loved with the older EF f1.2 primes, but to update the technical performance (i.e. sharpness, CA) to modern standards -- and personally I think they really nailed it. I think it was a conscious design choice for Canon's RF f1.2 primes to have some bloom / loss of contrast against backlight, which sets them apart from the Nikon and Sony flagship primes, which seem to aim more for maximum flare resistance and contrast. And like you said in this video, the 50mm f1.2 in particular really has that extra bit of character in its rendering.

I shoot a lot of moving subjects in dusty and rainy environments, so the new VCM primes will be more practical for me -- but if I was a portrait photographer, I would go for the f1.2 primes without hesitation.

Just got this lens... it's amazing!!!! Got it on sale and no tax... couldn't say no! LOVE IT!!!

I love the 50 in tandem with my 28-70 but the 28-70 is cumbersome lens but also very versatile. the 50 1.2 is is my "walk about" lens though. both lenses have alot of character and everyone is always wowed by them even on my r6mk2

Great call. The 50 1.2 is my absolute favorite, too.

I agree with your opinion!

I couldn't decide whether to trade my RF 50 f1.2 for the f1.4 VCM for a lighter weight, but your video reminded me how much I love this lens. I will hold onto it forever.

I was using the 28-70mm f2 for weddings and after watching your channel I kept thinking about the 50mm 1.2 and you've always rated this as your favourite lens, so I've recently made the switch and added the 50mm alongside the 15-35mm and 70-200mm and I'm so glad I did 🙏

How is the character in 50mm 1.4 VCM? Is it too clinical?

Agreed!

good work James

I love this lens, a master piece! Great video mate.

Nice review James, thank you for that. I can confirm all your views and love my RF 50 1.2 as well. I think it really has a special look that no other lens has offered me so far. Even though I own the new RF 35 1.4 L VCM and like it a lot, the 50 1.2 is something special for me and my favorite lens. That's why I won't be switching to the 50 1.4 vcm.

I am thinking of buying and adapting the ef 50mm 1.2

My money maker is the RF 28-70 f2 L but i allways thinking about to switch to the RF 50 1.2 L and your viedeos over the 50mm is a big reason for it !?!

Wrong model linked in the description.

I use Fuji crop and medium format Fuji and have just bought into the canon system with the r6mkii with the rf28-70mm f2 and would love to add this 50mm f1.2 lens together with the 85mm f1.2 , the results I get with the Fuji gfx medium format are incredible but I love using the canon system too as it focuses really well with great colours too

Why not 85/1.2?

Had mine for 2 years and love it for my portraits and landscapes.

I own the 85 but I think in crowds 50 is more versatile.

It absolutely is my Favoriten too. Even though is switched to a potato i thought about keeping it just in case😄

Its very versitile lense, sometimes prone to flare but it can be very pleasing flare. I wish canon made a very high quality fast focusing small 50mm lens (like the sony 50mm 2.5 G).
I just use the 50mm 1,4 EF. New rf 50mm 1.2 is too large for me, as a walkaround lens.

Still waiting on a 35mm f1.2 😢

Why buy an F2 lens if you're going to shoot it at F4

The RF 50 1.2 is the best lens I have ever used. I didn't think this would be the case, based on the initial reviews when the lens was released. But it is the best. Good for portraits AND street photography. And insane when it comes to night (street) photography. Makes everything look magical. It's funny to hear James talk about "character" of the lens because when it came out it was criticized as too "clinical" and lacking the character of the EF. The reason I didn't get it sooner.. wish I had!

Fantastic video, James. Super helpful as I research which lenses to source for my next project.