The EF 50 1.4 is a great universal lens that you can confidently recommend to anyone. Who wants to indemnify, already at full aperture receives very good results. In Optimum (f 4.0-5.6. See about Photozone) the lens reaches peak values, the sharpness stands almost in the eye.
Only downside: workmanship and mechanics are more reminiscent of Canon T70-times and are not quite up to date. The tube mechanism is very sensitive and does not really inspire confidence, the plastic is still "from another time" and the art glass little windows does not make a good impression - no comparison to Canon's latest Consumer lenses (40mm STM, 35mm f2 IS ...) and even with Nikon the 50 focal lengths hardware in my view are running high.
Who currently requires a 50 for Canon, is this part hardly get around. The 50L 1.2 is indeed another dimension (also award-technical), but it is not annäherend balanced and more of a special lens that has been designed for "extreme conditions".
The lens hood should be ordered directly in any case. It is indispensable both in the literal sense, as the lens hood, as well as for the mechanical protection of the tube.
