Canon 'L' lens challenge: 50mm f/1.2 'L' vs 50mm f/1.4

The battle of the 'L' and non 'L' lenses. Some surprising results ensue. Is the 'L' lens really worth so much money when the Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM is a quarter of the price? That's up to you.

All pictures and footage taken by me on Canon 6D and 60D cameras.

[swesleyharris]

What I love about your lens reviews is you always shoot the same spot do I really can compare lens even across multiple reviews. Great work

[brandonj]

been studying hundreds of images from--and have owned--both lenses. time and time again i continue to be amazed at how little difference there is in the image quality for the price.

[iLLSinceProductions]

This review aged well. It's been 10 yrs and people are still using this amazing review for reference.

[Rationalific]

Another fantastic video!  I especially love how you objectively test things and don't give into the hype.

[robmccance]

I see no real reason to spend for the 1.2 over the 1.4. I've carried the 1.4 for 15 years now and I could easily buy a 1.2, money is not an issue. However, I don't need the added weight and the benefits are minimal. 

It's a luxury item. If you want all your lenses to have the red stripe, then 1.4 is for you. I've only got one lens w/o a red stripe and it the 50/1.4!

[mscottc]

One thing that keeps being missed on these comparisons is the significance of the build quality differences. If you are using this professionally and long term, be prepared with the 1.4 version.I have owned the 1.2L for 5 years and use it professionally multiple times a week, and guess what? Looks and acts brand new. A fellow photographer friend of mine purchased the 1.4 version about the same time. After 2 1/2 years of daily use it literally came apart. So he purchased a second one, and after several more years use it is making bad noises during focus and he is going to have to purchase another one. So in five years he will have 75% of the money I paid and still only own a cheap lens. I can sell my 1.2L now and only lose the approximate cost of one of the 1.4 versions, and was able to use an L lens during that time. Money ahead.Want another example of the advantages of "L" glass? At the same time I bought the 50L, I bought the 24-70 2.8L version one. Nine months ago I sold it FOR THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT I PAID FOR IT, and purchased the new 24-70 2.8L II.

[otromikro]

1.4 with 5D user and very happy.
Thank you for the video.
Like.

[deckardsolo]

Felt a lot of envy for the 1.2 but after this video I appreciate my 1.4 more.  Most of my favorite shots I've taken with it.  I could use much better focusing speed but this video didn't show it for me.

[Lucy-dkcz]

You’re the Gordon Liang of lens reviews! Keep up the good work!

[mmoskala]

@ 1:59 when You compare 1.2 vs 1.4 @ 1.4 I can clearly see that 1.2 version is much much sharper - especially looking at the bricks and 2nd window on the right from the doors, while when You zoom in to the doors they look reasonable the same .. I think You missfocus the 1.2 on the window instead on the doors, that is why in the middle of the frame it looks quite similiar, in fact 1.2 is a way much sharper than 1.4 ( all should remember that any point on the frame may not be compareable when missfocused )

[michell]

Chris...your videos are amazing...thanks a lot!!! Greetins from Chile!!

[Eicles]

First time I've come across your channel. Your comparison was really good. I've got the 50mm f/1.8. It's a really great lens for the money and I've got a lot of use out of it and learned a lot with it, but I want to upgrade now, mainly because of the cheap build quality and noisy and slow (not too bad though) autofocus. I couldn't decide whether to go for the 1.4 or the 1.2. Although the difference is subtle I think I will save up for the 1.2 because I really like shallow DOF and nice bokeh! I will subscribe!

[kinsersprint]

I have 1.8 lens and i love it and use it all the time for everything

[cyberchick]

Great comparison, I love my 50mm 1.4 its my most used lens, I don't think i will be upgrading to the 1.2 L lens any time soon after watching this, especially at such a big price increase 

[thephotographywitch]

Thank you so much for these kind of videos. It helps me so much in choosing a new lens 🖤📷

[darkprofile]

The sharpness bookeh and built quality is not 4 times better. But price of f1.2 is 4 times more expensive.

[chadj.w.anderson]

Great comparison! 50mm 1.4 is still a great lens and its a compliment to even challenge the 1.2 L.

[adrinathegreat]

The difference between them is minimal, the in focus range of the f1.2 can be too small for most user's and they'd get frustrated by it

[HKarlsson]

Haha "Slightly slower brother" made me chuckle my ass off!

[thiagolima]

The presence of more CA in the 50 F/1.2 images is caused by the more curved front element.