Well, I should confess that I am not a professional (do not earn money) and had already had canon masterpieces 85mm 1.2 L II USM and 24-70mm 2.8 L II USM (among other lenses) prior to purchasing 50mm 1.2 L USM. Both worked great but over the years I noticed that I am in love in 85mm 1.2. It is a really great lens. It is sharp and bright - I would say simply second to none. 85mm works perfectly well in any light conditions and capable to provide absolutely astonishing portraits. Surely I used 85mm 1.2 for video as well – great colors! Usually I used my lenses together with Mark III to make pictures of my kids (5Y, 3Y, 1Y). However, It seemed that while portraits were really great, I did not that much enjoyed with other photography styles – e.g. full-height with both ... MoreWell, I should confess that I am not a professional (do not earn money) and had already had canon masterpieces 85mm 1.2 L II USM and 24-70mm 2.8 L II USM (among other lenses) prior to purchasing 50mm 1.2 L USM. Both worked great but over the years I noticed that I am in love in 85mm 1.2. It is a really great lens. It is sharp and bright - I would say simply second to none. 85mm works perfectly well in any light conditions and capable to provide absolutely astonishing portraits. Surely I used 85mm 1.2 for video as well – great colors! Usually I used my lenses together with Mark III to make pictures of my kids (5Y, 3Y, 1Y). However, It seemed that while portraits were really great, I did not that much enjoyed with other photography styles – e.g. full-height with both 85mm (it loses its bokeh at long distances, becomes too slow, and a bit clumsy for home use) while 24-70 did reasonably good but not the same as 85 could do. So, I bought 50mm 1.2After 3 months in use – I really love this lens. Highly recommend. If you are in deep thoughts among 50mm 1.2, 85mm 1.2 or 24-70mm 2.8 – you are surely just started your photography career. 24-70mm is great but more universal - so do not expect that it would outperform 85mm and 50mm. 85mm 1.2 – unbeatable for portraits especially outdoors in any light condition but might lose its grip in other cases. 50mm 1.2 probably not that great as 85mm for portraits, but gives you more flexibility with other styles. If your focus is on kids who smile a lot also move fast – buy 50mm (85 AF seems a bit slower, also it will be better for use indoors and to make full height photos) , if you considering pursuing professional career and to make a lot of great portraits – 85mm is your choice. If you are looking for workhorse to cover all possible needs in this range, even including architectural and landscape photography – take 24-70mm 2.8 to home with you tonight.

First off, this is not a lens for everyone, this is a lens for professional photographers who know what they are doing, for some it is a bit of a polarizing lens. So let's find out in my opinion what justifies the high price tag of the Canon 50mm 1.2L? Well is L series weather sealed, razor sharp specially from F2.8 on 'till F8, yes that red ring, the incredible luminosity you won't get from any other lens, beautiful contrast, the pleasant colors, all these facts make this lens images spectacular, unique and hard to define . But let's be honest, you buy it to shoot at F1.2 and get excellent results at least 95% of the times right? well goes like this, first you have to micro adjust this beast with each of your cameras, yes you should and must! tweak it to the max ... MoreFirst off, this is not a lens for everyone, this is a lens for professional photographers who know what they are doing, for some it is a bit of a polarizing lens. So let's find out in my opinion what justifies the high price tag of the Canon 50mm 1.2L? Well is L series weather sealed, razor sharp specially from F2.8 on 'till F8, yes that red ring, the incredible luminosity you won't get from any other lens, beautiful contrast, the pleasant colors, all these facts make this lens images spectacular, unique and hard to define . But let's be honest, you buy it to shoot at F1.2 and get excellent results at least 95% of the times right? well goes like this, first you have to micro adjust this beast with each of your cameras, yes you should and must! tweak it to the max and you will notice that with different cameras the micro adjustment will be different, now this is a portrait not a macro lens, so please when you micro adjust, do it from a realistic distance of at least 7 or 8 feet, once you got that pack down right try using only one focusing point and instead of focusing first on the eye and composing later as we have been taught to do, compose and focus second with the nearest or focusing point right on the subject you want to be tack sharp and I guarantee you just about always your subject is going to be in focus, remember there is no depth of field here whatsoever; when you learn this technique...... practice, practice, practice, practice and you will love the results, because unlike any other lens, what you see with your eyes is what you will get with the Canon 50mm 1.2L. Focusing speed is not the fastest, but then again this is a portrait not a sport lens. Bokeh? no other 50mm lens will give you the creamy soft blurred background the 1.2L will bring to the table, there is only one wide aperture F1.2 in the market and this is it, besides this lens is made from a company you can trust and give you peace of mind because you know you are buying quality.

It's a beautiful lens and worked great for what I needed. The condition was wonderful, as always. Lensrentals always takes amazing care of me. I wanted to try out a different version of a lens I already have but better. The box from FedEx arrived somewhat water-damaged, but there was a lot of rain that week in the midwest.