Lens Lab
    Canon EF 50 mm f/ 1.0 L USM
    Canon EF 50 mm f/ 1.0 L USM

    Canon EF 50 mm f/ 1.0 L USM

    50mm · f/1

    Overview

    The Canon EF 50mm f/1.0 L USM, released in 1989, remains the fastest full-frame autofocus lens ever made. Its optical performance is mixed: at f/1.0 images are soft and almost useless for many applications, though center sharpness can be good. It suffers from mild barrel distortion and bokeh that loses roundness due to straight aperture blades. Build quality is excellent with a metal body and rubber coating, but it is heavy (over 1000g) and uses a focus-by-wire system that is slow by modern standards. It suits collectors and those seeking a unique, ultra-fast aperture for creative effect, but not for critical sharpness or fast action.