Canon EF 50mm F / 1.8 II review
Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II was released back in 1990 and is still very popular today. It is one of the most affordable, lightest and most widely used prime lenses for Canon EOS cameras. Photographers call such lenses “fifty dollars” (because of the focal length of 50 mm) and they joke that every photographer should have “fifty dollars”.
In terms of use, the Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II is a standard (in focal length) lens with a good aperture and good value for money. On cameras with an APS-C sensor, it is often used as a portrait and creative lens. On full-size Canon cameras and Canon cameras with an APS-H sensor, it can serve as a regular fixed-lens for every day.
Important! Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II lens exists in two subversions:
- Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II Canon INC. ø52mm Made In Malaysia (made in Malaysia, such as in this review)
- Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II Canon Lens Made in Japan (made in Japan)
Optical design Canon EF 50mm F / 1.8 II. 6 elements in 5 groups, Planar type scheme
Main technical specifications Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II
| Review Instance Name | Near the front lens' Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II Canon INC. ø52mm ', mount side' Canon INC. Made In Malaysia '+ 8-digit serial number. |
| Basic properties |
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| Front Filter Diameter | 52 mm, plastic thread for filters |
| Focal length | 50 mm
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| Zoom ratio | 1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom) |
| Designed by | for full-format film cameras. Lens fits all Canon EOS SLR cameras |
| Number of aperture blades | 5 not rounded petals |
| Tags | bayonet mount and hood mount label, MDF label |
| Diaphragm | F / 1.8 to F / 22 |
| MDF | 0.45 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 6.7 |
| The weight | 130 g |
| Optical design | 6 elements in 5 groups. The lens does not use special optical elements in its optical design. The image of the circuit is clickable. The same optical scheme is used by lenses:
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| Lens hood | Hood ES-62 with a special Hood Adapter 62, a hood is not included. The adapter is screwed into the thread of the front filter, after which the hood is snapped onto it. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation or storage. |
| Manufacturer country | Made in Malaysia.
There are lenses made in Japan with the inscription LENS MADE IN JAPAN. |
| Period | From December 1990 to 13.05.2015/XNUMX/XNUMX, later replaced \ supplemented by the model Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 STM |
| Instructions | View -> |
| 3D view | View -> |
| Price |
Before Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II (the so-called MKII version) there was a model Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 (the so-called version MKI), which began to be produced back in 1987. Optically versions I and II are same lens. Detailed version differences are described. here.
Focusing
Auto focus on the lens is fast enough. Even though the lens uses a regular motor for focusing, the focusing speed of the lens is high. Due to the use of a conventional focus motor, auto focus is quite noisy. Focusing accuracy depends not only on the lens, but also on the camera itself. When I use the lens on Canon EOS cameras 600D, Canon 350DCanon 5D 450D the lens often missed focusing. There is only one switch on the lens, which is responsible for the focusing mode. AF - automatic, MF - manual.
Be sure to switch the AF \ MF switch to the MF position when focusing manually. If this is not done, then the auto focus mechanism may be damaged. I write about this because in AF mode the focus ring is not locked, it rotates and cannot be touched.
In manual focus mode, the focus ring rotates less than 45 degrees. The focus ring travel is very small. Given the fact that the focus ring itself is very narrow, plastic, without rubber inserts, then focusing manually is hard enough. I shot the first test shots for this review in the winter, with gloves on and wearing a hood, it was extremely difficult for me to focus manually. Typically, lenses have a wider focus ring and are located in a more accessible place.
Lens does not have internal focus, when focusing, the 'trunk' of the lens extends forward about half a centimeter, while the front lens does not rotate. You can use different kinds of filters without any problems. By the way, the diameter of the front filter is a very popular 52mm. The closest focusing distance is only 45 cm, while the maximum magnification can be obtained for macro photography of 1: 6.7.
Sample Photos
All sample photos in the gallery below were shot using a Canon EOS camera. 350D and Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II. Photos without processing, only the size is reduced to 2MP and the data from EXIF. Part of the photo was helped by my friend K.M.
More examples of photos (with processing) for this lens for Radozhiva kindly provided Alexander Frolov.
Image quality
The lens showed good image quality. Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II is sharp enough even at f / 1.8, when closed down to f / 2.8 the sharpness is significantly increased. On the APS-C camera, there is almost no distortion, but vignetting at open apertures is slightly noticeable to the naked eye, disappears at values from F / 2.8. HA insignificant. The lens has normal color rendering and contrast. Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II has good bokeh at f / 1.8, but when the aperture is closed it comes into play 5 blade aperture, which creates classic 'nuts' in the out-of-focus area. In general, the image quality is not bad.
Features Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II, which are worth paying attention to:
- The lens does not have a depth of field scale.
- The overall build quality is low.
- The lens can be used on full-frame Full Frame cameras, and on APS-H cameras.
- Not a single full-format zoom lens for SLR cameras will give aperture F / 1.8.
- The difference in aperture between F / 5.6 (for whale lens) and F / 1.8 (for Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II) is approximately 10 times
- because of crop factor, when used on cameras with an APS-C sensor, EGF lens will be 80 mmwhich is good for portraiture. Given the good aperture and the lack of strong distortion, the Canon EF 50mm F / 1.8 II often serves as a portrait on Canon APS-C cameras.
- With automatic focusing, the lens produces an annoying buzzing sound, as it uses a conventional micromotor.
- Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II is easy to achieve blur background On the photo.
- The lens has no special grooves for quick installation of the hood.
Canon EF 50mm F / 1.8 II front and rear view
Personal experience
I really love fifty rubles, personally I had as many as 4 of them at one time. The Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II is a wonderful little lens that can help budding photographers and hobbyists take great photos. Professionals already know that fifty dollars is a very useful thing. The lens is really very light, you can take it with you without any problems. It just so happened that usually a fifty-kopeck piece of class 50 \ 1.8 becomes the first high-aperture lens after whale.
Fifty is a thing often needed in any photographer’s backpack. Recently, I still think the best budget fifty dollars YONGNUO LENS EF 50mm 1: 1.8. Often, a fifty dollars is bought to just 'play around' with aperture optics. YONGNUO LENS EF 50mm 1: 1.8 for 'games' with F / 1.8 will be enough for the eyes. If you need fifty dollars for work, more serious things than amateur photography, then the Canon system has several other solutions.
Alternatives
Below is a list of fifty-fifty lenses and lenses that are very close in their focal length to 50 mm, which support auto focus and are suitable for full-frame cameras Canon EOS.
Canon:
| Canon Lens EF 50mm 1:1.8, version with a focusing distance window and metal mount | March 1987 | View price |
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Canon Lens EF 50mm 1:1.8 II, the second version without a window of focusing distances and a plastic bayonet mount. This lens exists in two subversions: Subversion fundamentally no different |
December 1990 | View price |
| Canon EF Lens 50mm 1:1.8 STM | May 2015 | View price |
| Canon EF Lens 50mm 1:1.4 Ultrasonic | July 1993 | View price |
| Canon EF Lens 50mm 1:1.2 USM Ultrasonic | January 2007 | View price |
| Canon EF Lens 50mm 1:1.0 l Ultrasonic | September 1989 | View price |
| Canon Compact macro Lens EF 50mm 1:2.5 | December 1987 | View price |
| Canon lens RF 50 mm F1.2 L USM | September 2018 | View price |
Tamron:
| Tamron SP 45mm F /1.8 Di VC USD F013 | September 2015 | View price |
Sigma:
| Sigma 50mm 1:1.4 DG HSM EX, this lens exists in two versions with a different type of body coating | March 2008 | View price |
| Sigma 50mm 1:1.4 DG HSM A (Art) | January 2014 | View price |
| Sigma 50mm 1:2.8 Macro | 1990 | View price |
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Sigma 50mm 1:2.8 Macro EX, there was a copy of this lens under the name Quantaray 50mm 1:2.8 Macro |
1998 | View price |
| Sigma 50mm 1:2.8 DG Macro EX | June 2004 | View price |
Tokina:
| Tokina Opera 50mm F1.4 FF | February 2018 | View price |
Yongnuo:
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There are several sub-versions with different spelling of the name near the front lens
Subversion fundamentally no different |
December 2014 | View price |
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There are two options, depending on the color of the case: the black or white |
May 2018 | View price |
| Yongnuo Lens 50mm 1:1.4there was another prototype Yongnuo Lens EF 50mm 1:1.4 | May 2018 | View price |
Lens prices
Lens prices in popular stores can look at this link, or in the price block below:
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Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II and Voigtlander Nokton 58mm F1.4 SL N / AI-S
Conclusions
Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II attracts with its low price and good image quality. The disadvantages are the flimsy body construction and nut-like bokeh on closed diaphragms. Generally - I recommend this lens as a supplement to the standard 'dark' zooms.
Update: reviews of inexpensive analogues appeared: Yongnuo Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 и YONGNUO LENS YN50mm F1.8 II.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.
Good day, tell me which is better Canon EF 50mm f / 1.8 II or CANON EF 50 mm f / 1.4 USM, in our city and even then at the same price, which is better to choose?
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Better CANON EF 50 mm f / 1.4 USM.
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I want to go to your city. Either you have 50 1.8stm (and even that is very expensive), or 50 second-hand 1.4 and killed. Usually these lenses are sold at different prices, 1.4 should be at least three times as expensive as 50 1.8 2.
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I would like a review of CANON EF-S 18-200 mm f / 3.5-5.6 IS
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Recently I again bought 50 1.4 from Canon and compared it with the lens from the review. And again it is not very clear why the 50 1.4 is so expensive for a new one. According to its results, it did not go far from 50 1.8 2. Namely, there is no sharpness in the open, only with 2.0, but generally decent with 2.8, which is also the case for the lens from the review. Also, a mediocre design and not very fast autofocus (except that 1.4 is less likely to smear than 1.8). In general, with such a difference in price, taking a new 50 1.4 is not very logical. On the other hand, 1.4 has nicer blur, draws better, colors are nicer. I clicked 1.4 and 1.8 from canon and 1.4g from nikon at the weekend, and yet, when watching, I never left the thought that 50 1.4d from nikon blurs better than the three of them and gives more pleasant tonal transitions. Well, 50 1.4 from canon is quite fragile judging by the reviews, as well as 50 1.8 2. In general, the new 50 1.8 2 for 8 thousand is a better investment than giving 25 pieces for 50 1.4. On the other hand, with a used price of 50 1.4 around 15 thousand, the choice is not so obvious, especially if the plans are to use the lens as a portrait lens on a crop.
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I bought the first version in Israel through ebay. It's called - Feel the Difference. Considering that optically it is one and the same lens, and focusing is much more stable somewhere around 9 out of 10. Manual focusing is not 1/4 turn as in “plastic science fiction”, but almost 1/2. These are the pies with kittens ...
Well, constructive as in 35/2. My dream came true :)
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Please tell me what is better to choose this lens or Jupiter 9 2 \ 85?
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Yana, because the focal lengths are very different. 85 mm is definitely better than the EF 85 f / 1.8.
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Yes, but I read that Jupiter does not have any sharpness and contrast on the open aperture of the lens, as such a prospect is not happy (((
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I have a crop camera, that is 50 and will not be fifty kopecks, right?
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Take half a drink, it is more versatile and has AF. Jupiter-9 is clearly an amateur glass, given the sharpness (it is not there), the absence of AF (for him it is fatal - it is extremely difficult for them to aim).
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thank you))
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Yes, a half-hike would be the best option.
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I had all three versions of the 50mm 1,8 lens. After the first 2x I was very happy with the appearance of the STM version, especially since the manufacturer promised more sharpness at open aperture, and as soon as I saw it on sale, I immediately bought it for 119 euros. Disappointment came as soon as I took a couple of contrasting shots - visible chromatic aberrations, despite the fact that already with 2,0 the lens was very sharp. Now I use 40mm 2,8 STM
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He “catches hares” like a madman - don't even try to shoot them against the light, you will be very disappointed in him. Also in the studio (in some conditions). I shot them in the studio, so I wanted to just take it and break it ... Glare, contrast - 0, everything is soapy. But when the light does not hit it, and on the street, for example, NOT against the sun, but it behaves quite well! Here really - a good fifty. But for me, the analogue from Nikon is still better. I use Nikon. Kenon is only at work and not mine.
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Indoors, it is not even very bad at shooting, especially starting from aperture of 3,2 it is very different, and between 4 and 5 the sharpness is simply amazing. In addition to weakness from counter lighting, it has a lack of contrasting areas - a lilac border appears. Here, I took a picture in a flower
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Recently acquired a Canon EF 50mm lens in the Photoshop. For a long time I chose between 40 mm Nikkon and this miracle, about 40 mm many complained about its viewing angle, so after reading this article I stopped at Kenon and did not regret it, a very good lens for this price. Thanks to the author)
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Horrible!
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You never know. He will figure it out.
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Good day. Thank you so much for your reviews, everything about the case and very capacious. The question has ripened. When choosing between this lens (used) and Yongnuo (new), which one is better? Because after reading two reviews on this and on the Chinese, I come to the conclusion that the impressions are better from the Chinese, which is strange.
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Better native, then it will be easier to sell it later.
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Hello, will this lens work on canon 200d or are there any nuances?
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Yes, it will, without nuances.
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Thank you.
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Hello! I would like to use this lens for (for macro) photographing coins from a tripod with a magnifier with the addition of a macro ring. Tell me, please, how long (13mm, 24mm, 40mm) should I choose a Canon auto focus macro ring to get a 1: 1 magnification? Thanks.
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The biggest I used on STM - how many are there - 35 or 40, but it already has ten centimeters less MDF.
It’s better to take all three, but at the largest you will have a margin, move aside, if that.
Well, autofocus works significantly worse, you need more light.
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Thank you! Everything is clear.
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Not a bad lens at all. The only thing to remember is that it is slaughtering from plastic. For portraits and close-ups for such a price, it's just super!
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Thank you
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Hello, dear professionals, and those who wish to become one! Can you please tell me, I bought a Canon EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II lens from my hands, tried to shoot indoors, and was upset by the soapy (i.e. cloudy) photos at open aperture. Attaching photo. Shooting was carried out with a LED chandelier, exposure 1600, Canon 650d camera. What could be wrong with the lens, marriage? Can you somehow cure it? Link to photo https://hdd.tomsk.ru/desk/dfvmccbm#
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I'm not a professional, but my opinion is that the lens unit, most likely, was disassembled and assembled crookedly. It looks like a skew, the lower left corner is clearly soaping very, very strongly.
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And the spherical is off scale.
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It's a coma, rather. So it’s a skew, really. It seems that it happens that the lens unit "snaps off" from its place. There was something about it at the Lance Club.
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This soft halo is a coma, not spherical?
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Is it possible to fix it? Or is it a death coma for the lens?
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D 1.8, exposure 1/100
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D 2.0, exposure 1/100
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D 3.2, exposure 1/40
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For owners of crop cameras, this half is an almost useless lens. Amateurs often take pictures of people, landscapes. Large portraits and flowers do not have to be shot every day. The most popular lens, as on the same phone, would have a focal length of 22-23 mm f1.8-f2.0, but I don't know whether there are such lenses or not. They would be extremely expensive and would give a large distortion of the picture. So it's cheaper to take a full frame and put on a half or even 35mm.
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For owners of crop cameras, this half is the equivalent of a very popular full-frame 85 / 1.8 for a half-length (and on the street and full-length) portrait. The far end of the whale (55 / 5.6) is VERY in demand on the crop, therefore, having received more than 3 extra stops of aperture ratio, amateurs begin to rejoice. In principle, it is also suitable for photographing typical amateur wardrobes. Not very good for sofas.
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There is a very good inexpensive and compact (and native) 24 / 2.8, quite popular, albeit a stop darker than you need (still lighter by a stop and without such distortion than a whale). There is nothing wider aperture for the crop. Is that an expensive and heavy and very specific Sigma 18-35 or some kind of work of Chinese friends (but I doubt it is difficult on a DSLR).
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For a mirror crop, there is a very good samyang 16/2, or a full-frame 24 / 1.4, although both are manual, but inexpensive used and of sufficient quality.
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there are also manual film widths. with apertures of 2.0 and 1.9
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How does this lens compare to Nikon's 50mm 1.8D in terms of sharpness and usability in the open? The price is about the same, but I have not yet decided on the choice of the carcass.
Does it lose a lot with 1.8G?
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It can be compared in the picture with 17-55, does it make sense to buy this one with 17-55?
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Good afternoon! I have this lens, and I noticed such a thing - in comparison with the whale lens 18-55, with the same aperture and focal length, for example 5,6 and 50 mm, the shutter speed will be conventionally 1/30 on fifty dollars, and on the whale 1/50. Does this mean that the whale lens is “faster” because exposure under the same conditions is shorter compared to 50mm 1: 1.8 II?
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On the same subject and metering method?
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Yes. Or am I not fully understanding something, or is there a problem in the lens? try to attach EXIF
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here
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Hello, I have a pretty old canon 1200D, if you take a canon fifty dollars for this carcass, the lens will show all its capabilities, or does something depend on the carcass too, thanks in advance for your answer
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It will be normal for portraits, but I would take a similar yongnuo for this canon, it's just cheaper. And if in a nutshell, then the 1200d lens will not show all its capabilities, since it is for a full frame, but it will produce frames with “good background blur”
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Will show, will show, where will he go? And do not take any yongnuo in any case. Instead of saving, throw away money.
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I don’t agree a bit, this Canon makes no sense, a beginner should take the cheapest, and when he gets tired of selling and taking 1.4. No money is lost. I sold all used lenses for the same price as I took, and sometimes even a little more
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Your independent opinion is very valuable to us, but there is no desire to delve into your logical chains. Cheaper than Kenon Yong is only used, and this is an absolutely 100% non-working option, so the money is still thrown away. You can at least organize a march of dissenters.
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