Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L lens focus breathing during video

[Sannystac07]

I use the above lens for both photo & video on my R6 & R6M2. It focus breathes constantly & I cannot use it for weddings anymore until I find a solution. Calling all experts!

[Tronhard]

Hi Sanny

If it focus breathes, then that is a physical characteristic of the lens and I doubt a technique will resolve that.

This is noted in several reviews of the lens. To quote one:

"The lens suffers slightly from focus breathing, which causes a small degree of magnification at close focus distances. This will be more significant to videographers than stills shooters."

REF photoreview.com.au

Did you check reviews before purchasing?

[p4pictures]

Your R6 Mark II has focus breathing correction when used with specific RF lenses. Take a look at the list on the Canon website. 

https://cam.start.canon/en/H001/supplement_0160.html 

[Tronhard]

Good effort, but it looks like the RF 50 f/1.2 is not on the list.

[AtticusLake · Accepted solution]

The 50mm f/1.2 is a lens that was clearly designed for stills shooting.  I've used it for video, and like you, I've found that the breathing is terrible.

However this is a physical characteristic of the lens.  So there's not much you can do about it..

Some Canon cameras (a select few, but including your R6 II) do have breathing compensation, but only with specific lenses that support it.  It looks like the 50mm f./1.2 is not on the list -- which doesn't surprise me, as that is not one of the newest lenses in the line-up.  You can check the list yourself here: https://cam.start.canon/en/H001/supplement_0160.html

So sadly, I think the only answer -- for video shooting -- is to get another lens.  And check the reviews.  Nowadays I always look for reviews that talk about breathing before buying a lens for video.  I have to say I wa a bit shocked by how bad the 50mm was, even for a talking head where I'm barely moving inches at a time.

[Sannystac07]

Wow. I only have one lens on that list. That is so terrible. Now I see why people don’t like Canon for video.