The Canon 50mm f/1.2 L lens is unique in the 50mm lens world. It is the only f/1.2 lens available from a significant manufacturer. Realatively big, expensive and not as sharp as the competition it would seem to have significant disadvantages.
Depth of field and light gathering
The picture above was from a recent wedding and taken at f/1.2. At f/1.2 the depth of field (what is in acceptable focus) is less than an inch. Her left eye is in focus but not the right eye. The groom is out of focus and the background is all swirly and dreamy. This shot was taken at 1/8000 of a second shutter speed and ISO 100. The f/1.2 lens gathers in so much light that the the shutter speed maxed out. If it was any brighter outside I would have had to use a neutral density filter!
So why f/1.2?
If you have to use high shutter speed and low ISO to get rid of all the extra light why use an f/1.2 lens? The answer is the picture above! That look is something only an f/1.2 lens can do. Dreamy background and the beautiful bride stands out! This is a situation where “sharpness” is not desired – her skin, wonderful to begin with, just glows in the sunlight and rendering of the f/1.2 lens.
That is why I own the Canon f.1.1 L lens!
Canon EF F/1.2 L | Canon 5d mkIV | 1/8000s at f/1.2
