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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Full frame sized imageLenses that create APS-C sized image are designed for digital only. They cannot be used on cameras that have image sensor larger than the APS-C format. These lenses are not suitable for film cameras either. No Ultrasonic AFLenses with ultrasonic focusing mechanism tend to be quiter and faster than traditionally focusing lenses. No Low Dispersion lens element is usedLow Dispersion lens elements help to reduce chromatic aberration. Not stabilizedImage stabilization helps to reduce blur caused by hand shake, especially at high focal length or in low light situations. Image stabilization can give 1 to 3 stop advantage over none stabilized lens, based on the reciprocal rule. Plastic mountCheaper lenses are usually equipped with plastic mount, while more expensive, professional lenses have metal mount. In general, metal mounts are more durable, and a good thing to have when lenses are changed a lot. When a camera is used mainly with one lens, the material of the lens mount is not that important. No Internal FocusingInternally focusing lenses don't change their size while setting focus. The front lens is fixedThe fixed front lens is not rotating during zoom and/or focusing. This allows the photographer to use petal shaped lens hood. Fixed front lenses also make the use of polarization filters a lot easier. Not SealedWeather sealed lenses are protected from dust and water. While they are not water proof, these lenses can be used in rain and other humid environments. Some sealings only provide protection against dust or water, not both. Sealing is only available when the lens is used on a similarly weather sealed camera body. No drop-in filter supportDrop-in filters are used in those lenses where either the front lens is too large, or the field of view doesn't permit the use of traditional filters at the front of the lens. Usually bright tele and ultra-wide angle lenses support this filter type. |
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This is the lightest EF lens of all at a mere 130g, very compact and providing a high-performance for a standard lens. Its Gaussian optics provide sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens.
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Specification
| Available mount(s) | Canon EF |
| Application(s) | Portrait, Landscape, Architecture |
| Category(s) | Standard prime |
| Multiplier | 1× |
| Stabilizer | no |
| Focal length | 50 mm (prime) |
| Lens construction | 6 elements in 5 groups |
| Angle of view |
35mm: 46° digital: N/A |
| Number of blades | 5 |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum focusing distance | 45 cm |
| Magnification | 0.15× |
| Filter size | N/A |
| Size | ∅ 68.2 × 41 mm |
| Weight | 130 g |
| Notes |
AF actuator: Micro motor
ES-62 lens hood only fit with adapter |
| AF speed | N/A |
| AF sound | |
| Internal focusing | no |
| Internal zoom | N/A |
| Fix front lens | yes |
| Mount type | plastic |
| Weather sealed | no |
| Drop in filter | no |
| Ultrasonic AF | no |
| APS-C sized circle | no |
| Low dispersion lens element | no |
| Hard case | LH-B9 (not included) |
| Soft case | ES-C9 / LP1014 (not included) |
| Lens hood |
ES-62 (not included) printable lens hood |
| Tripod adapter | N/A |
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Reviews
Other reviews
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II review at www.photo.net (English)
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II review at www.pbase.com (English)
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II review at www.the-digital-picture.com (English)
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II review at www.tawbaware.com (English)
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II review at akamera.no (Norwegian)
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II review at www.photozone.de (English)
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II review at www.dpreview.com (English)
- Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II review at www.photozone.de (English)
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Owner Reviews
Most useful owner reviews from Amazon
Made my new camera sparkle
Apr 14, 2007
I've got a Canon 400D with the standard kit lens. It's OK but I was a little disappointed by the sharpness that it achieved. After quite a bit of reading up I'd heard so much good stuff about this relatively inexpensive lens that I decided to get one.
Most of my pictures are of my kids and many of them are indoors. This lens is great for portraits and because the aperture can be opened to 1.8 it gets enough light that flashless indoor pictures become feasible. The results are great. Nice, natural colours compared to the flash and as others have mentioned, the blurring of the distant background is very pleasing.
Having read that it had an old fashioned and noisy focus motor I was expecting something horrific which would cause people to look around if you were taking a picture in public. In reality it's marginally louder than the USM lenses and a little slower. We're talking 25% in my view. It's perfectly useable. In low light, manual focussing is preferable and is very easy. People also say the plastic housing is fragile. Well, if like me you've got a 400D with kit lens, it's not really any more plastic like than the either of those so don't be put off.
I've only had the lens one day and I've already taken some pictures which I'll treasure. Only downside of the lens is that at 50mm on a 1.6 ratio camera like the 400D it's a telephoto. In other words, you have to step back a bit to get everything in, so not ideal for indoor group shots. A 30mm lens would be better *but* the one I was looking at was three times more expensive and that's what swung it for this one.
Fantastic for the price!!
Nov 18, 2006
Most reviewers of this lens will talk about the lack of build quality and plasticky feel overall - and they are to be believed!!
However, don't let this put you off.
Yes this lens has a plastic mount, yes the focus ring is narrow and fiddly and yes, the autofocus motor is an older, noisier, slower type but do I care one bit - NO!!!
This lens an absolute gem. I thoroughly recommend it as a replacement for the 18-55mm kit lens (I bought it for my Canon 400D) and recommend it simply because it's a great lens in it's own right no matter what you already have. It's a nice focal length for portraits.
Where this lens scores highly is its 1.8 f-stop - very fast!!! Images are definitely soft at this setting but acceptable in a pinch. I reckon you'd need to go above A4 prints for it to be noticeable. You always have to remember that you may not have got the shot at all if you didn't have the f1.8 setting so a bit of softness is the trade-off! Noticeable improvement in shrapness is seen at f2.2 and it just gets better from there on in. Stopped down to around f4 - f11 the lens displays stunning levels of clarity and sharpness for the price (by all accounts rivalling L series pro lenses costing much, much more from what others have said- I can't personally verify this but the results I've had are truly excellent.) It also focuses down to 45 cm!
To sum up, this lens punches far above its weight. For £65 you will get a lens that gives you fantastic pictures typical of lenses costing many times the asking price. Go for it!
CAN'T FAULT IT!
Feb 19, 2007
I bought this lens for my Canon EOS 400D and has became my favorite in term of depth of field. You can create photo like you see in the magazine.
I am a spoiled user since all my other lenses have got USM (Ultrasonic focus motor) which make them quicker and quieter but at a price.
This lense is maybe noisy and a little bit slower to focus but at a really good price!
You need to work out your composition since there is no zoom, but this is somehow great as it help you to take better photos. You are observing more before taking the shot rather than just using the easy zoom option with other lenses.
It is a must have really.
Perfect companion for EOS 400
May 23, 2007
If you are thinking of buying the CANON EOS 400 or 350, I recommend you get the body only option and then buy this lens.
It costs a third of the top of the range 50 mm lenses and produces the almost identical results.
It works very well with low light conditions and produces sharp pictures.
This is a fixed focal length lens ideal for indoor portraits (not for group photography indoors) and landscape photography
The white balance is excellent and It weights 132 grams only
Excellent performer for the price
Mar 17, 2006
This little thing weighs almost nothing, compared to all the zooms that I've got. Having f/1.8 at your finger tips will also change the way you photograph if all you're used to is a zoom - depth of field takes on a whole new significance. The lens is great for throwing a cluttered background out of focus when you're taking portraits.
Excellent value for money. Just wish I could afford the 50mm f/1.2 :)