Until you have plenty of experience with wide aperture lenses 1.4, 1.8, 2.0...I'd hold off on buying a 50 f/1.0 ! And "IF" you're able to find one the price tag is $3K and up for a good one!!!
Money quote: "This heavy, complex and well-constructed lens gave disappointing performance... The EF 50mm f/1.4 lens at f/1.4 produced images almost indistinguishable from those produced by the 1.0L lens at the same aperture. At f/1.0, images were soft to the point of being almost useless for any uses I would have for images."
This was perhaps the biggest black eye for Canon.
I had the opportunity to try one out and the performance of this lens is horrible, even stopped down.
This is why they didnt sell many and pulled them from manufacture. Very few were made and ever fewer still in existance. They could not sell them because of the poor performance. Now the price tags on these are through the roof, not because they are a "Holy Grail" of lenses but simply due to the rarity of finding one. A lot of folks dont even know they exist. Purley a collectors item and value is severely impacted on having all original packaging and documentation. If you need a $3K+ dust collector then this lens is for you, if you want one that actually performs well look elsewhere. I dont even like the 50 1.2L and stick with the 50 1.4 for this FL. This is the only non L piece of glass I own.
I just added a 100% crop at f/1.0 to the above thread.
Also here are some more reviews of this lens you may find informative.
The 50mm 1.0 might not be the best 50mm lens but it delivers
very well if you use it right. I sold my Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX soon
after getting the Canon even though the Sigma was sharper @ f/1.4
and had a faster autofocus ... but then the Sigma can't do f/1.0.
I personaly don't believe the Canon is worth 3k but many seem to
be willing to pay such high prices because it is almost a collectors
item. You should also checkout the current 50mm f/1.2 L if you
haven't already. It is said to be sharper and faster focussing than
the 50mm f/1.0.
“To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
― Edward Weston
Was one of the many lenses used to produce the finale of the TV Show "House" last year. Or was it 2 years ago? Whenever they used the 5DII to shoot the whole Finale... Very last shot if I recall was the 50 wide open.... or damn close.
very soft wide open but you can still take soft photos in almost total darkness without a flash...
I think "very soft" is an exaggeration. To my eye it sharpens up nicely
when you add a bit of contrast and a little usm.
“To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
― Edward Weston
Comments
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
Until you have plenty of experience with wide aperture lenses 1.4, 1.8, 2.0...I'd hold off on buying a 50 f/1.0 ! And "IF" you're able to find one the price tag is $3K and up for a good one!!!
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/956916/0?keyword=f%2F1.0#9053526
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/50mm/index.htm
Money quote: "This heavy, complex and well-constructed lens gave disappointing performance... The EF 50mm f/1.4 lens at f/1.4 produced images almost indistinguishable from those produced by the 1.0L lens at the same aperture. At f/1.0, images were soft to the point of being almost useless for any uses I would have for images."
Got bored with digital and went back to film.
I had the opportunity to try one out and the performance of this lens is horrible, even stopped down.
This is why they didnt sell many and pulled them from manufacture. Very few were made and ever fewer still in existance. They could not sell them because of the poor performance. Now the price tags on these are through the roof, not because they are a "Holy Grail" of lenses but simply due to the rarity of finding one. A lot of folks dont even know they exist. Purley a collectors item and value is severely impacted on having all original packaging and documentation. If you need a $3K+ dust collector then this lens is for you, if you want one that actually performs well look elsewhere. I dont even like the 50 1.2L and stick with the 50 1.4 for this FL. This is the only non L piece of glass I own.
(To paraphrase President Muffley)
Interesting discussion but it belongs in a different forum.
I just added a 100% crop at f/1.0 to the above thread.
Also here are some more reviews of this lens you may find informative.
The 50mm 1.0 might not be the best 50mm lens but it delivers
very well if you use it right. I sold my Sigma 50mm 1.4 EX soon
after getting the Canon even though the Sigma was sharper @ f/1.4
and had a faster autofocus ... but then the Sigma can't do f/1.0.
I personaly don't believe the Canon is worth 3k but many seem to
be willing to pay such high prices because it is almost a collectors
item. You should also checkout the current 50mm f/1.2 L if you
haven't already. It is said to be sharper and faster focussing than
the 50mm f/1.0.
― Edward Weston
I think "very soft" is an exaggeration. To my eye it sharpens up nicely
when you add a bit of contrast and a little usm.
― Edward Weston