Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 and EF 50mm f/1.2L Upgrades Coming

Canon EF 50mm lens lineup

The 50mm lens is one of the most basic, must have lens in many photographers' equipment bag. One can spend anywhere from about $100 to $4,000 on one, depending on one's budget and need.

Sigma, the independent lens manufacturer has been coming on strong lately, building on their successful ART line of lens. Read my post on an interview with their CEO. Canon will be updating their EF 50mm f/1.4 and EF 50mm f/1.2L lens some time in 2016. Their designs date back to 1993 and 2006 respectively and can benefit from a Series II upgrade. 

Below is a good video comparing ten 50mm lens from various manufacturers. They all come in mounts for Canon, Nikon and a few other camera brands. By the way, the most expensive 50mm brand, Zeiss, has just announced a 'cheaper' Milvus line to try and compete with other lens makers.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 II Lens Coming Soon?

It is no secret in the last couple of years, the Sigma ART line of lens have given companies like Canon, Nikon and Zeiss quite a competition with photographers looking for a high quality lens without shelling out premium prices for high performing glass.

Canon has been redesigning its entire line of shorter focal length prime lens. Starting with the EF 85mm f/1.2L II and the EF 50mm f/1.4 II and EF 50mm f/1.2L II lens. The new design will include a floating element similar to the upcoming EF 85mm f/1.2L III with improved focus shift. The new lens will be lighter, faster and may come with the latest Blue Spectrum Refractive Optical technology.

Canon UK has actually listed the EF 50mm f/1.4 as a discontinued item. See their website link. If that is not a mistake, we should expect its replacement fairly soon, perhaps in Q1, 2016.

Ten 50mm Lens With Canon EF Mount Comparison

The 50mm lens is one of the most basic, must have lens in many photographers' equipment bag. One can spend anywhere from about $100 to $4,000 on one, depending on one's budget and need.

Below is a good video comparing ten 50mm lens from various manufacturers. They all come in mounts for Canon, Nikon and a few other camera brands. By the way, the most expensive 50mm brand, Zeiss, has just announced a 'cheaper' Milvus line to try and compete with other lens makers. 

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 and EF 50mm f/1.2L Replacement Discussion

The venerable Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is a great value and a staple in my equipment bag. It is well built, light weight and provides very good image quality. Its more expensive cousin, the EF 50mm f/1.2L is a different story. It lists for almost 4 times the price of the former but does not provide even 50% better in IQ.

Sigma has been announcing very competitive Art prime lens in the last couple of years and is planning to release more glass. Their 50mm f/1.4 Art lens announced last year received very good reviews.

Recently, Canon announced their EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens. It is a low price but not low quality lens that is well suited for taking videos as well as stills. Both the EF 50mm f/1.4 and EF 50mm f/1.2L are in line for an upgrade. Last month, Canon announced they have perfected the Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics technology and released their first BR prime lens, the EF 35mm f/1.4L II. I will not be surprised if Canon release an upgrade to both 50mm lens next year.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens Leaked

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens

As reported in April, Canon is ready to announce the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens very soon.

Specifications (Google Translated)

•     Lens arrangement 5-group, six (Construction: 6 elements in 5 groups)
•     Full-frame compatible
•     Digital optimized coating
•     STM/Stepping motor
•     Full-time manual focus
•     Length 39.3mm
•     Weight 160g 
•     49mm filter thread

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L II USM Lens Coming

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L lens

It is no secret in the last couple of years, the Sigma ART line of lens have given Canon quite a competition with photographers looking for a high quality lens without shelling out for the price of an 'L' lens.

Canon has been redesigning its entire line of shorter focal length prime lens. Starting with the EF 85mm f/1.2L II and the EF 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.2L II lens. The new design will include a floating element similar to the upcoming EF 85mm f/1.2L III with improved focus shift. The new lens will be lighter, faster and comes with the latest coatings and glass technology.

The announcement date is fluid at this time since Canon may be introducing the EF 35mm f/1.4L II first. The 50mm replacement glass may come in late 2015 or 2016.