Canon's lenses are split broadly into two camps: the standard ‘amateur' lenses and the pro-level L-series optics. The 50mm f1.2 is one of the latter. It's a fixed focal length lens in an age when almost everyone uses zooms, and it costs more than a semi-pro digital SLR.

I bought this lens to use on my Canon 5D2. Feels like a well balanced fit on the camera. Produces sharp images with great background blur. Have had it a week and have no even used the flash with it yet. Expensive - but you get what you pay for....

Build quality; Sharpness; f1.2; low light shooting without flash

Expensive

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

Expensive; Heavy

I'm a photographer by profession. I've used 50mm primes from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Sigma. But nothing can even come close to what this lens can do. Pros: 1. Super fast focusing 2. Silent while focusing 3. Extremely sturdy 4. The most important thing. F1.2 man!

If you are looking for a 50mm lens with beautiful bokeh, good contrast/color at wide open, and you want to use f1.2, for low light photo AND video, this is the one for you.

Beautiful Color; Durable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Grea Picture At Wide Open; Nice Bokeh; Rugged

Expensive; Sometimes Miss The Focus

Yes it is expensive but you really won't remember that once you use the lens. The speed allows for many more good shots without the use of any flash. Highly recommended.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

Expensive; Heavy

I've been putting off purchasing this lens for a while because of it's back focus (focus shift) problem which occurs only when photographing at extremely close distance using the center focus point of the camera.

Upgraded from the 50mm 1.4. Love love love this lens. Pictures are always sharp unlike the 50mm 1.4 which is very soft at 1.4 to 1.8. A Necessary evil I shoot a wide variety of subject matter for my work and, because I exclusively use full frame Canon bodies and always try to use prime lenses, a...

Pros: Durable, Fast / accurate auto-focus, Strong Construction, Consistent Output Cons: Other thoughts: I bought this lens for portrait photos mainly, I love this lens,it gives beautiful results, I borrowed a sigma 1.4 50mm prime lens from a friendbefore purchasing this one and the canon is a bit...

I'm a professional wedding/portrait photographer and a prime lens shooter. This lens was worth the upgrade from the 1.4. It's quiet and fast! Worth every penny.

Consistent Output; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Nice Bokeh

Heavy