Canon 50mm f/1.0L

An ultra-fast standard lens with the largest aperture for SLR lenses ever made: the 50 f1.0 has been out of production for several years, but we have managed to find three copies in excellent condition. Two large-diameter aspherical lens elements provide high-contrast with low-flare image quality even at maximum aperture. Spherical aberration and curvature of field at close focusing distance are minimized through use of four high-refraction glass elements and by floating mechanism. A ring USM (Ultrasonic Motor) achieves silent, high-speed AF and full-time manual focusing.

For those who don’t know about this lens, it is soft with an amazingly dreamy bokeh wide open, often used with an adapter by cinematographers. Stopped down to f1.4 it becomes quite sharp. Its not necessarily better than the Canon 50mm f1.2, but it gives a different and special look.

This is a unique, very hard to find, and not repairable out-of-production lens. Unlike our regular stock we can’t ‘find another one’ if the previous renter is late returning it or it gets damaged before your reservation.

Roger’s take: This is a specialty lens that gives a dreamy look. Out of focus areas are smooth to the point of being slightly colored blurs. At f1.0 you can basically shoot in candlelight. Wide open the in-focus areas have a soft and dreamy look, similar to the old ‘soft-focus’ lenses that are out of production now, which makes for flattering, smooth portraits. Stopped down its nice and sharp, but if you’re shooting at f2 and up, you’d probably be better served by a newer lens.

Please note: The focus ring on this lens will rotate freely without adjusting focus until engaged via the camera’s contacts. Therefore, it is not compatible with the Letus system.