Canon LTM CANON 50mm F1.2 LTM

[M2user]

The numerous postings and threads on Rangefinder Forum showing examples of photographs taken using the Leitz Noctilux f/1 lens have not shown me anything that I could say was really outstanding.
In fact I have been rather disappointed at what I have seen after all the hype about this lens, and in particular many of the photographic examples posted show that used at full aperture the lens produces, in my opinion , some rather unacceptable vignetting for a lens that in Leitz literature is said “to have all the desirable qualities of the best lenses that Leitz makes and without the complications of the aspherical surfaces”.
Surely a lens that cannot be used at full aperture without excessive and undesirable vignetting shows that it is trying to perform beyond its normal design capabilities
Back in the mid-1930’s Leitz brought out the 28mm f6.3 Hektor which at full aperture caused vignetting and Leitz suggested that its design and capabilities limited its useful aperture range to f9 – f18.
It may well be that Leitz, in truth, should have stated a similar case for the Noctilux.

Being very interested in these “ fast Standard 50’s “ could any forum members who are using the Canon 50mm f/1.2 LTM post examples of their results using this lens and show me and other forum members, who might be contemplating the purchase
of this lens and who find the other alternatives beyond their means, what can be achieved with this lens.
Many Thanks,

 

[bennyng]

I haven't shot extensively with this lens, but here's a few of mine..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ngminchai/sets/72157607154856927/

Cheers,

 

[rogue_designer]

There have been other threads around with shots from this lens. Here are a few of mine... all at 1.2

I love this lens.

 

[raid]

I once compared the Canon 50mm/0.95, 50mm/1.2, Nikkor 1.4, Nikkor 1.2, Leica Noctilux 1.0. The RFF thread must be still posted somewhere here.

correction:Nikkor 50mm 1.1 and not 1.2.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I don't think that it's a secret that the Noctilux design contains certain compromises. It has a lot of coma when used wide open, for example. It, a Nikon 50/1.2 and a 35/1.2 from Cosina are my fast lens trio for "available darkness." For what it's worth, I think all of the superfast lenses exhibit some visually odd behavior when used wide open. And I think one's appetite for the vignetting of the Noct is a matter of personal taste. As the man said, "If ya don't like it, buy a tripod." Incidentally, nice shots rogue_designer -- I particularly like the one of the bar-keep.

Ben Marks

 

[Mackinaw]

Be aware that the Canon 50/1.2 vignettes too. This was my standard 50mm until I bought a Canon 50/1.4, which I consider to be a better lens. The 50/1.2 is a bit soft wide-open but sharpens up nicely at F1.6 or so. I have used a Noctilux a few times over the years and it does deliver better image quality than the Canon 50/1.2 which shouldn't be surprising considering its sky-high cost. Plus there are times that F1.0 will absolutely save the day.

Here's one pic taken with the Canon 50/1.2, taken at F1.6. Ilford Delta 100 in Rodinal if I recall correctly.

Jim B.

 

[kevin m]

The Canon 50/1.2 doesn't "vignette" like the Noctilux does, but it has some light loss in the corners, which all fast lenses have wide open. It's not as sharp on-center at f1.2 as the Nocti is at f1.0, but it's certainly no slouch.

Here's one shot wide open where I had to add some vignetting in post to get the look I wanted:

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

All wide open...middle one is on the R-D1, the other two are film...

 

[raid]

I love my Canon 50/1.2. DAG cleaned it and adjusted it until it was perfect.

 

[Krosya]

Well, if you did a "little" search you could find this thread about this lens:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66356

 

[photo4ls]

Canon

Canon

It seems to me that the Canon 50f1.4 is the way to go
in order to avoid most of the vignet problems that we
are hearing. Just how good is this lens compared to the
50f1.2 ? BTW I hope this is not hijacking this thread.😱

Nelson

 

[kevin m]

...in order to avoid most of the vignet problems that we are hearing.

The 50/1.2 doesn't vignette, so look at the pictures and stop "hearing." 😀

Here's another pic, this one at f1.7. It's fairly resistant to veiling flare in conditions of strong backlighting.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

All three of my photos above are wide open, and there's no vignetting, even on the film ones.

 

[bidnez]

Like the 1,2

Like the 1,2

Got my sample of the 1,2/50 not long ago - have "only" had a chance to test it on the RD1. This shot my daughter of 16 took of her father - wide open. Not pretty, :bang: but sharp at closest eye ...🙄

 

[photo4ls]

Kevin,
Thank you soooo much.

 

[kevin m]

Here's another wide-open shot on film (Fuji 400H) at minimum focus distance. The corners are certainly soft, but there's no vignetting, and the center of the image is fairly sharp (focus is on the giraffe's eyes.)

Misinformation seems to spread with viral efficiency on the internet, often posted by people with no experience with the lens in question, or with their own axe to grind. Find relevant example pics and make up your own mind.

 

[kevin m]

FWIW, the "sweet spot" of the 50/1.2 wide-open seems to start at around 5ft.; it only falls apart focused closer than that, but the same is also true of the pre-Aspherical Summilux 50, too. There aren't many superspeed lenses that are at there best wide open and close focus.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

It's sharp enough wide open, as long as you like the storied "Canon glow."

 

[Nokton48]

It's probably one of my favorite RF lenses. Certainly I use it more than some others. It's always sharp in the center, and I love "the look".

 

[Hacker]

It seems to me that the Canon 50f1.4 is the way to go
in order to avoid most of the vignet problems that we
are hearing. Just how good is this lens compared to the
50f1.2 ? BTW I hope this is not hijacking this thread.😱

Nelson

A definite keeper and a better performer than the 50mm f1.2.

http://x.chang-sang.com/blog/?page_id=8