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Thanks for posting this video test. Pretty comprehensive. I didn't even know the 50D before these latest developments. Looks like a great companion to my 5D mkII and mkIII. My issue with the 5Ds is the times when you need a longer DOF. I have considered the 7D, but spent that money elsewhere (on Rokinon cine primes), wondering whether a Rebel would suffice. I deliberated on the 50D for 24 hrs before ordering one on eBay used for $400. With all the hoopla on raw video, I bought a BMCC in March but sold it a month later. It was far from versatile, had very limited functionality and if you weren't committed to the raw workflow, shooting ProRes wasn't enough to make it worth it's limitations (not to mention the 2.4 crop factor with EF lenses). And low light capability was not good either, making slower zoom lenses useless without good lighting indoors. Rigging it up was gonna drain my wallet even more. Their new models were just announced and I wanted it out the door before losing too much $$. I kept Resolve though. I guess I sensed that other developments would open up the options for RAW shooting, but did not expect this one on an old model Canon. But man... this storage factor is not insignificant. My next significant investment.

  As far as I know, Julian has just posted first in the internet pictures taken with this lens :)..

I think the whole sharpness thing really depends on the condition of your copy & opinion. I was certainly amazed when i got mine, as i'd heard the softness BS circulating too. The only thing i've found sharper than a 36/54 or Kowa B&H is the tiny Iscomorphot S8/x2 (fixed focus). I think most people use the 36 with a +0.4 diopter & that makes it sharper - the same is true of the 54.   I use a 60D, so the widest i can go is 30-35mm, but can't use a 72mm diopter (82mm & above). However, with ML Raw you can choose your crop & at present i'm using a 24mm taking lens with 72mm diopters!   The real plus for the 54 is that it has tons more character than a 36 (i much prefer it to the 36 i had). Downside is the weight (1kg)/size - it can dwarf your taking lens & you'll need a rig (but i've handheld with it too). I've also found it can be a bit more picky with the taking lens (so far Taks & Nikons are the sharpest, but Russain lenses are really nice too).

Julian,   Excellent footage, keep it rolling!   The red dress on the beach...staged or serendipity? Brilliant!

"Hey Zmu, do you mind if I copy this post of yours into the Diopter thread? Never heard of these Focar before!  :)"   copy away : )   Interestingly 95mm filters crop on the 54 /Voigt 25mm f.95/AF100 - but 112mm filters don't : ) [this combo is by far my fav - amazing 1.5x organic images!]   However the Focars are amazing with the 54/Pana Lumix 35-100 f2.8/GH2 or AF100    

I'd say go with a Jupiter 9, it's a great match. The Tair 11 is also awesome. I use a 5D3 as well, and tested these with a Kowa B&H. :P

Just sharing :-)   https://vimeo.com/67056502  

Scroll down on the link.  Has a lot of information.  Build for a hundred bucks.  Not sure if this link has been posted so don't shoot the messenger.  http://www.iso1200.com/2013/04/are-you-ready-for-diy-movi-2-axis.html