Question 1

I am not sure why someone would give this lense for a 1, 2, and 3 stars?  
I am keeping it pg 13

Accepted Answer

This is actually a good statistical representation of a long standing product. There are a number of factors that explain the negative reviews. First, all products even high end with a decent QC process is going to wind up with a 1-3 percent lemon/product failure rate which can be exacerbated by post manufacture conditions. While I know how well protected this product is when I get it, it doesn't always mean that it got to the box before some issue could have occurred. Suffice to say, there are legitimate failure rates on all products before you factor user interaction conditions that may contribute to failed expectations which leads us to the next most popular reason for negative reviews.No product is going to be all things to all people, especially this one. Now, the fact that it is sooo expensive has successfully weeded out a large number of participants who have no business holding a precision peace of glass. Having said that, there are people that mistakenly believe that spending more money will always produce the best results. In the digital camera body world, that actually pans out pretty well for the wealthy, but technically less capable (or even the blind and some stupid) users. This lens fall into a slightly more useful niche category. Another factor that very often is completely overlooked is the combination of which camera body and lens calibrations get matched. Sometimes they fit nicely and little need be done and other times it requires packing both or more in a box and sending to the factory for making the marriage work. I know first hand the disappointment of a new toy not being a perfect match for existing equipment. Not forgetting that there are some people who will blame the equipment or have expectations beyond their own and even the actual capability of the product. This lens represents a focussing distance that is covered well by many primes and zooms but most understand what people perceive as its flaws are part of what makes this lens the attraction that it is. The Photoshop argument is somewhat correct in that you can reproduce pretty much anything a lens can do with software. The idea is to not have too! The beauty of great lenses used for their respective purposes is that you practically don't need to touch anything beyond processing out Raw to other formats for wherever the end product is going. There are going to be unhappy people who make an expensive purchase who are tight on the budget and have unrealistic expectations and possibly chose to acquire this lens without having other lenses that adequately serve the majority of their needs. I used to love the bang for the buck of the nifty 50 and then decided to get the Sigma 1.4 for the crop body. Then sprung for the 85 1.8 and then went back for the 50 1.4 and tried my best to keep the flash in the bag. My budget was and is tight for anything that doesn't pay for itself. I love the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8 on crop and full frame and swap them as needed and on rare occasions throw on a 2xIII for the situations when I can't get closer and need the extra reach (quality does suffer, and I hate that) but rarely do I need the super bokeh power of 1.8 or even 1.4 and I can't imagine really needing 1.2. Yet, I'm still looking at this lens! Why? Because I know that is the best that money can buy in an AF lens and will produce the desirable CA and Dreamy Bokeh that requires no Photoshop. Sooo, If I get a lemon, I'll do calibrations. If that doesn't work, I'll get Amazon to send me another one. If that has the same issue, then it will go back to canon with one of my camera bodies for calibration matching, and if that still winds up producing unsatisfactory results while using it for its intended function, on a tripod, with a still subject and micro adjustments still don't satisfy, after all of that, then I will sit down to write a review of my saga and I too may fall into the category of those who rate this lens below 4 stars. Hopefully, that won't happen because I know the right L-Glass for the right occasion if used correctly should be be a joy to use and produce exactly what I'm looking to achieve. Hope that helps you understand that there are all sorts of reasons why people rate below 4 stars and sometimes its just less than 4 stars for them. But, if you look at 11 out of 140 below 4 stars, you can reasonably ignore the dissatisfied as aberrations, anomalies that should not affect your decision.

Question 2

I have a 24-70 mm f 2.8, is there a big different between this and that?  Thanks.

Accepted Answer

Well, to begin with the 50mm is 1.2 maximum aperture, which means it is going to be better in low light than the 24-70 2.8. Also the background blur will be smoother with the 50 making it a very good portrait lens. I am not sure what you mean by "different",  but they are both sharp, excellent lenses.  They just somewhat different purposes.  If you can be more specific, maybe I can give you a better answer.

Question 3

Canon ef 50mm f/1.2 l usm lens for canon digital slr cameras - fixed.  what does “fixed" mean?

Accepted Answer

The term “fixed” has to do with the focal length. Any lens that has a fixed focal point such as the EF 50mm neither zooms in or out, its fixed. 
So if you want a close up shot, you need to move closer to the object or person you are photographing. This is a very nice lens and as you get accustomed to using it, the fixed focal length will not be an issue for most situations.

Question 4

On Canon's website this lens is listed for: $1,619.00 not $2600.00 so in reality you are only saving $161??

Accepted Answer

This is not a $2,600 lens!  The $1,619 sounds about right as a list price.

Package Dimensions L x W x H	15.7 x 13.8 x 13.6 centimetres
Package Weight	0.85 Kilograms
Product Dimensions L x W x H	6.6 x 8.6 x 8.6 centimetres
Item Weight	580 Grams
Brand	Canon
Camera Lens	Fixed EF lens with 50mm focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.2, with ring-type ultrasonic motor AF system and weather-resistant construction, with 8-blade rounded diaphragm.
Colour	Black
Country of Origin	United States
Has image stabilisation	No
Included components	1-Year Warranty, Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Autofocus Lens, E-72U 72mm Snap-On Lens Cap, ES-78 Lens Hood, Lens Case LP1214, Lens Dust Cap E (Rear)
Lens Fixed Focal Length	50 Millimetres
Max Focal Length	50 Millimetres
Min Focal Length	50 Millimetres
Model year	2007
Plug profile	Canon EF
Part number	1257B002
Size	EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
Water Resistance Level	Not Water Resistant
Zoom Type	Prime
Lens Design	Prime
Maximum Aperture Range	F1.2
Focus type	Auto/Manual
Aperture Modes	F1.2
Style	Lens Only
Photo Filter Thread Size	72 Millimetres
Guaranteed software updates until	unknown

Canon EF 50 mm f/1.2L USM Lens, Black

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