Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5 review

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Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5. The lens is shown on a digital SLR camera. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi.

Navigation

  1. In short
  2. History
  3. Main Specifications
  4. Assembly
  5. Focusing
  6. Image quality
  7. Sample Photos
  8. My personal experience with the lens
  9. Lens prices
  10. Results
  11. User Comments
  12. Add your review or question on the lens

In this review, I will call this lens in abbreviated form - Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro.

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

In short

Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro is an unusual fifty dollar macro. Overall this is a good lens from a bygone era, producing sharp / very sharp images. Attracts to itself relatively low cost, aperture and good macro capabilities.

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

History

Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro - one of a kind lens in the line Compact macro (macro lenses of compact sizes). It was shown at the dawn of the birth of the Canon EOS system back in 1987. It still does not have its logical development or replacement.

In 2005 for cameras with EF-S mount and APS-C sensor a similar model comes out - Canon Macro Lens EF-S 60mm 1: 2.8 USM.

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Main technical specifications of Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5:

Review Instance Name On rim 'CANON COMPACT-MACRO LENS EF 50MM 1: 2.5 CANON LENS MADE IN JAPAN' Mount side UR0409, serial number 268615
Basic properties
  • EF (Electro-Focus) - Designed for Canon EOS full-frame cameras. Suitable for Canon EF and EF-S mount cameras.
  • MM (Micro motor) - built-in micro motor for auto focus
  • AF-MF (Auto Focus-Manual Focus) - the lens is equipped with a focus mode switch
  • Compact macro - a macro lens with compact dimensions
  • SSC (Super Spectra Coating) - special optical coating
  • Floating Optical System - optical system with floating elements
  • Support Canon LIFE-SIZE CONVERTER EF to achieve an increase of 1: 1
Front Filter Diameter 52 mm, plastic thread for filters
Focal length 50 mm

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 DSLR cameras
Number of aperture blades 6 rounded petals
Tags bayonet mount mark, window with focusing distance scale in meters and feet, depth of field mark for f / 16, 32, mark for working in the infrared spectrum, scale with magnification factor 1:10, 1: 8, 1: 6, 1: 5, 1: 4, 1: 3, 1: 2.5 and 1: 2, scale on pop-up barrel with magnification for 1: 4, 1: 2, 1: 1.5, 1: 1.2 and 1: 1 using Canon LIFE-SIZE CONVERTER EF JAPAN.
Diaphragm F / 2.5 to F / 32
MDF 0.228 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 2
The weight 280 g
Optical design 9 elements in 8 groups. The lens does not use special optical elements in its optical design.

Canon 50mm macro optical scheme
Clickable Image

Lens hood does not use or cannot use
Manufacturer country LENS MADE IN JAPAN (Japan)
Period December 1987
Instructions See
3D view See
Price

Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro is not a true 'macro lens'. Its maximum magnification ratio is only 1: 2. It is generally accepted that a true macro lens should produce 1: 1 magnification. But not everything is so bad, with the help of a special converter Canon LIFE-SIZE CONVERTER EF you can get the cherished increase of 1: 1. With this teleconverter, you can shoot only in macro mode with an increase from 1: 3.85 to 1: 1. You cannot focus on infinity with this converter.

The teleconverter designed for use with Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro only. The scale on the retractable body bezel with magnification for 1: 4, 1: 2, 1: 1.5, 1: 1.2, 1: 1 functions only when using Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro with this converter. The Canon LIFE-SIZE CONVERTER EF is more than just a macro tube with auto focus support. Canon LIFE-SIZE CONVERTER EF is a complete converter with a sophisticated optical design that reduces aperture the lens. Such a converter costs as much as the lens itself (approximately 260-280 cu).

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Assembly

To the touch, the lens is assembled quite well, however, the focus ring is a little embarrassing, which is covered with rubber, very hard, more like plastic. The ring feels like plastic and not very comfortable to use.

Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro uses a metal bayonet mount; most of the body is made of plastic. The retractable frame of the case consists of one part, which has a slight backlash (not a bit critical during photography).

The front lens is deep-seated in the frame of the housing, which creates the effect of an integrated lens hood. Perhaps that is why the lens hood is not produced.

Build quality is better than cheap fifty Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II.

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5. The lens is shown on a digital SLR camera. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi.

Focusing

For focusing Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro uses a conventional micro motor (MM - Micro motor). Due to the whirring focus motor, autofocus is not very quiet. The focusing speed is high, but the focusing time from infinity to MDF and back takes about 2-3 seconds.

When used on a camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi (with very simple 9-point focusing system) the lens performed well. I had no particular problems with focusing accuracy and tenacity - the lens rarely refocused again and kept the subjects in focus quite tenaciously. Focus may jerk slightly in 'AI SERVO' focus tracking mode. On camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi I checked the presence of back and front focus at different focusing distances (infinity and MDF including). As a measure, the images were taken using the Live View mode (which actually does not suffer from back / front focus). Focusing accuracy using a cross-type center phase focusing sensor was exactly the same as Live View.

The body has an 'AF / MF' (auto focus / manual focus) switch to select the focus mode. For manual focusing, be sure to move the lens to the 'MF' position. The focus ring remains fixed during autofocus.

During focusing, the rear lens remains stationary. The front lens, together with the front of the frame (trunk), travels a few centimeters, while the trunk does not rotate.

The minimum focusing distance is 0.228 m and the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 2. The lens has a window with a distance scale with marks in meters (white) and feet (green), as well as a scale with a magnification (orange), DOF tags (for F / 16 and F / 32) and a mark for working in infrared spectrum (red dot).

Features:

  1. Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro does not have a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens at infinity under any external temperature conditions. For accurate aiming at infinity, you can’t just bring the focus ring to the extreme position marked “infinity”.
  2. It's important... The lens has a pronounced effect 'Focus breathing'(changes in viewing angle during focusing). While focusing on MDF, effective focal length noticeably increases.
  3. When focusing on MDF, the actual relative aperture is approximately F / 4 (it requires 4/3 steps more light than F / 2.5). During focusing, the lens does not recalculate the maximum relative aperture, as some macro lenses of some other manufacturers do.
  4. Focus shift (shift-focus) was not noticed during operation and testing.
  5. There is no focus distance limiter. It is unfortunate that the limiter would help to separate the functions of the lens in normal mode and in macro mode, thereby increasing the speed of auto focus.
  6. During focusing on the MDF, the distance from the front lens to the subject is approximately 10-11 cm.
Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5. The lens is shown on a digital SLR camera. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi.

Image quality

In general, the image quality is at a decent level. One of the most serious drawbacks of the lens, I highlight the 6-blade aperture, which creates nuts in the blur zone from point sources of light. I want to highlight separately that on a fully open aperture the Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro has a nice bokeh.

The main advantages of the created image:

  • good contrast
  • good sharpness at open aperture in the center of the frame
  • good color rendering
  • pleasant, unobtrusive bokeh in the open
  • low distortion
  • low chromatic aberration

The main disadvantages of the image:

  • tangible f / 2.5 venetation on full-size cameras
  • nuts in the blur zone on covered diaphragms
Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Sample Photos

Pictures in the gallery were obtained using Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xsi. Photo without processing, on-camera JPEG.

Download source files in format JPEG can at this link (29 files in the '.JPG' format, 247 MB).

Prices

Lens prices in popular stores can look at this link, or in the price block below:
All Canon EF 50mm f / 2.5 Macro prices

A good replacement can be a lens Sigma 50mm 1: 2.8 DG Macro D EX (and its modifications / clones, such as Sigma 50mm 1: 2.8D Macro EX or Quantaray 50mm 1: 2.8D Macro) For cropped cameras, I recommend looking at the lenses. Tamron SP 60mm F / 2 Macro 1: 1 Di II и Tokina MACRO 35 F2.8DX AT-X PRO.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Sizes of Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5 and Industar-96 Lenses

The sizes of the Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5 and I96U-3.5 / 50. Why pay more?

My experience

Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro is pleasant, at first it is difficult to understand it: this is a fifty dollar with a macro function or a macro with the function of a fast fifty. As a result, it is in its own class of 'Compact-Macro' lenses, where it proudly occupies a single place.

If we talk about pressing things, then the Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro is many times better Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II (Made in malaysia or Made in Japan).
If you know what this lens is for, you can safely buy it, it will not disappoint.

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

Canon Macro

EF

  1. Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5
  2. Canon Macro Photo Lens MP-E 65mm 1: 2.8 1-5x
  3. Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8
  4. Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 USM
  5. Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1: 2.8 L IS USM
  6. Canon Macro Lens EF 180mm 1: 3.5 L Ultrasonic

R

  1. Canon Lens RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM

EFS

  1. Canon Macro Lens EF-S 35mm 1: 2.8 IS STM
  2. Canon Macro Lens EF-S 60mm 1: 2.8 USM

EFM

  1. Canon Lens EF-M 28mm 1: 3.5 Macro IS STM

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Results

Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5 is something between a classic fast 2.5mm lens and a macro lens. The lens creates a sharp image in the center of the frame from F / XNUMX.

You can find a list of all Canon’s autofocus fifty dollars in my article 'Confrontation systems Nikon / Canon. Part 3. Autofocus fifty dollars'.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Arkady Shapoval

 

 

Comments: 12, on the topic: Review of Canon Compact-Macro Lens EF 50mm 1: 2.5

  • anonym

    I vіtayu s svіtlim holy saint of Christ !!! I say all-and-all Naikrashchy !!! Christ the People !!!!!!!!!! Crazy for your work (for your site) !!!!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thank you) you also on holidays)

  • Oleg

    In general, yes, I agree: Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II is gaining sharpness for aperture 2.8.

  • Snapdragon

    What can I say: the lens is a beast! Take definitely!

  • Sergei

    I pressed “Add comment” early, but there is no edit :(, I will duplicate:
    "Important. The lens has a pronounced 'Focus Breathing' effect (changing the viewing angle during focusing). When focusing on MDF, the effective focal length increases noticeably. ”

    Maybe: “... the effective focal length decreases noticeably .....” ??

    • Arkady Shapoval

      During focusing on MDF, the viewing angle decreases, therefore, the focal length increases. 50 mm at infinity, approximately 80 mm on MDF.

  • Sergey Aleksandrovich

    The Canon 50 / 2.5 Macro is not a true macro lens. Its maximum magnification ratio is only 1: 2. It is generally accepted that a true macro lens should produce a 1: 1 magnification.

    You write about a maximum magnification of 1 to 2, but an attentive reader will see in your pictures that 1 to 1.2 is written on the lens, which is practically 1 to 1 (the difference is small).

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The attentive reader will read and understand everything.
      Most likely you mean this snapshot. The scale on the trunk only works with the Canon LIFE-SIZE CONVERTER EF converter.
      Without it, a scale with a magnification of magnification works, located in the same place as the focusing distance in meters and feet, and the maximum magnification of 1: 2. All this is indicated in the review.

  • Karen

    About 8 years ago I photographed with this lens and was also pleased, but then I bought Canon 60mm 2,8. and immediately sold fifty, because it lags far behind in sharpness from a 60mm macro lens. But when I want variety, I use Takumar 50mm 1: 4 macro - Tessar by design - 4 lenses in 3 groups. Sorry for the quality of the photo, taken with small hand-held lighting, exposure 1/4 sec.

  • Karen

    And this is how the Takumar macro looks in daylight)))

  • Matthew

    Arkady, when I look at your photos, I almost choke on saliva from envy. I do not have such sharp photos, with no lens, no camera. What is your secret ???

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Do not regret the shutter

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