Canon 50mm. L or not L?

Posted by Daniele on Jan 3, 2012 | 0 comments

It’s human nature to think that “more it costs, better is”. And It’s human nature for all of us, Photographers and Filmmakers, to be ready to kill for a L lens.
Last summer I got the chance to play with both L and not L versions of one of the most useful (full frame and not) fixed focal length, the 50mm.
This is just a “field” test, no lab or particular experimentations here….. just a field test that, in my opinion, is the most important for all of us….sure a lot of you guys will appreciate.
So…..does the L version worths all the extra bucks???

Let’s have a look….

1- Canon 50mm L f/1.2 @1.2

2- Comparison @1.4

3- Comparison @ f/2

4- Comparison @ f/2.8

5- Comparison@ f/4

 

6- Comparison @ f/5.6

7- Comparison @ f/8

8- Comparison @ f/11

9- Comparison @ f/16

Mouse Over Corners:
(The first pic is the L version)

1- Comparison @ f/1.4

2- Comparison @ f/2

3- Comparison @ f/2.8

4- Comparison @ f/4

5- Comparison @ f/5.6

6- Comparison @ f/8

7- Comparison @ f/11

8- Comparison @ f/16

Verdict

Sure the L version is a better lens.

1: Sharper

2: Better built

3:Better manual focus (ideal for video)

4: Water-dust proof

5: Better DoF

6: Better colours

But does it deserve to cost 4 times the f/1.4?

Yes if:

1: You can afford it.

2: You only want the best

3: You do a lot of video

4: You often shoot in very bad ambient conditions.

No if:

1: You are not a Pro

2: You need to save money for other lenses

3: You don’t use your DSLR for video

4: You don’t care about water-dust protection

What I can easily say is that the f/1.4 version is an extremely good lens and a better value for money…. or at least for most of us.

Save few bucks here getting the f/1.4 version and go for one of my favourite primes, the extremely good Canon 85mm L f/1.2 II instead.

End of the story.