| Year | 1980 |
| Lens Groups | 6 |
| Lens Element | 8 |
| Aperature Blades | 8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Closest Focusing | 0.5 m |
| Max. Magnifcation | 1:7.7 (0.13x) |
| Filter Size | 52 mm |
| Diameter x Length | 65.3 x 50.5 mm |
| Weight | 380 gr (0.84 lb) |
| Hood | BS-52 |
I tested this lens with the nFD 50/1.4 and FD 55 SSC Aspherical;
Read part 1 of my full review here: http://www.jeroenterlingen.com/blog/2015/7/19/canon-fd-50mm-lens-comparison
And part 2: http://www.jeroenterlingen.com/blog/2015/8/26/canon-fd-5055mm-lens-comparison-part-2
This lens was a real disappointment. It might just be my copy... but the one I tested was disappointing. Whether close, against a flat board with ISO lens test charts, medium distance or focused to infinity, it was only "OK". I compared it head-to-head with a Canon FDn 50mm f/1.4. The f/1.2 L was better (colour, contrast, resolution) at f1.4 through f/4. However, from f/5.6 on the Canon FDn 50mm 1.4 was as good, and even better than the "L" by f/11. Don't buy this lens for its performance at f/1.2 (soft, lower contrast).
Perhaps its just my copy - but at certain apertures it doesn't seem to do that great (tiny patches of CA). My girlfriend's old FD 50mm 1.4 has a richer bokeh, richer colours, richer contrast. My 50mm f1.2 L gives an incredibly even image across the frame at all distances - perfect for copying schematics(!) or something like that. But while a joy to use - the results just never seem exciting like you might expect if you've used an 85mm 1.2...
Good build, smooth focusing, looks fab on the outside, sharp results --- but not strikingly sharp. At 1.2 it is a tad soft of course - if say an eye is in focus then its eyelashes aren't - so I don't use it wide open much.
Could be a good lens for astronomy or similar but otherwise I'm not sure its worth the money.
Might be just my copy though...
A good, but not great, Canon aspheric high-speed lens. Over the years I've had the good fortune to own this lens and the FD 55mm Aspheric. A side-by-side comparison, with shots taken at F1.2, show that the 55mm Aspheric delivers better image quality. Build quality of the 50mm L is typical FDn, meaning that it is not built to the high standards of the earlier breech-lock models. The best thing about this lens is that it's much smaller and lighter than the 55mm Aspheric.
Don't misconstrue my comments. The 50mm L is good lens, one that most people will probably love, just don't expect the best image quality at f1.2, you'll need the 55mm Aspheric for that.
I bought a copy on ebay, a bit battered and with a slight mark on the front lens but it has never let me down. I use it with a Canon A-1 and adapted on the Panasonic G1. The results on the G1 are very good. It's not extremely sharp at f/1.2 but stopped down a little it's excellent. It's my favorite lens for indoor work and portraits on the G1.