The greatest lens costs $200???

RDM5546 wrote:

I think the RF50f1.8 is a great $200 50mm f1.8 lens. I own both it and the RF50f1.2mm. The RF50mmf1.2 is clearly the best, sharpest, great IQ 50mm Canon has ever made. I have owned many EF50mm lenses. Some were prosumer and some were L grade lenses. They were not great IQ lenses when shot wide open. Even the $2000 models. In my opinion Canon had weak 50mm prime offerings over the 30 years I have been buying them. Maybe they had character but ultra sharp wide open none of them were.

When I saw the Sigma 50mmf1.4 Art lens several years ago I was blown away. That lens in sharp edge to edge. I bought one and though big and heavy it is sharp!. I sold off several of my Canon 50mm EF mount primes.

I find the RF50mmf1.8 acceptably s sharp and particularly so if stopped down to f4 or so. It is not in the league of the EF mount adapted Sigma 50mm Art though but this RF 50f1.8 weighs a lot less and it is much smaller. I was happy with it until I saw the RF50mmf1.2. which is an amazing lens and the best lens I have owned IMO. It is sharp at f1.2!! It was expensive the the very good adapted Sigma 50mmm Art is competive when you consider the enormous price difference. The adapted Sigma lens is bulky and heavy so I bought the RF50mmf1.2 and I love that lens but I still bring the RF50f1.8 along with the RF35mmf1.8 when traveling out a suitcase. I will keep my Sigma and use it on my 5D4 but the RF50mmf1.2 will be there when I want the very best. However, the lens is a very expensive and too expensive for many budgets. It is not a $200 lens like the RF50f1.8 that still has a place in my suitcase when traveling.

Historically the 50mm prime is my favorite FL. Then I got the three f2.8 trinity zooms which took many of the subjects I used to shoot with the 50mm primes.

I have a specific use for mine: shooting spur of the moment portraits between f2.2 and 2.8.  Here is one of my daughter, shot across the table at a local diner.