The Canon 50mm f1.2 is an EF mount lens for Canon camera bodies. During this portrait photoshoot, I am using it on the Canon 5D mkiv.

This 50mm f1.2L version is a beautiful lens, with great bokeh, colour rendition and perfect for portraits. But it is known to have the issue of being soft when shooting wide open. For this photoshoot, I decided to shoot at f2 to make sure I was capturing tack sharp images.

Since this portrait photoshoot, Canon have released their new Canon 50mm f1.2 RF mount lens. I've used this new RF 50mm on the Canon EOS R5 and LOVED the results. Unlike the EF 50, the RF 50 is tack sharp even when using it wide open at f1.2. I enjoy shooting portraits wide open occasionally. It creates a magical look to an image where the eyes are tack sharp and the rest of the portrait melts away.

You can still use EF mount lenses on Canon mirrorless cameras such as the EOS R, EOS R6 and EOS R5. You need to use an EF to RF lens adaptor. I've used EF lenses on every Canon mirrorless camera body so far and they always feel like native glass. The autofocus speed is fast and focus accuracy is great.

I am a Sony user now, I upgraded from the Canon 5D mkiv DSLR to the Sony A7III mirrorless body. In that case, my 50mm lens of choice is the Zeiss 50mm f1.4. I don't use a 50 focal length often, I mostly use it for fashion photography e-commerce jobs and during weddings. But this Zeiss is a great quality lens I know I can rely on to get the job done well and efficiently.

Sony have also released their new GM 50mm f1.2 which is a rival to the RF 50mm f1.2 in terms of performance and quality. One key feature that I prefer the GM vs RF 50mm though is the lens flare. The RF 50mm f1.2 has a distracting lens flare that bends upwards. This means it has more chance of covering something important when shooting portraits. The GM 50mm f1.2 lens is flare is softer and melts more into the photo, which I love! Aside from that, they are both strong performing, high end 50mm prime lenses.

Watch my behind the scenes video below to see how we used a mediocre location to create stunning portraits with a 50mm lens. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel, I upload new photography videos every single week!

model chloe

makeup lidija j

All photos edited with my Sea Spray Lightroom Preset!