Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM Review

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM


Navigation

  1. Browse Navigation
  2. In short
  3. About aperture
  4. Main Specifications
  5. Assembly
  6. Focusing
  7. Diaphragm
  8. Image quality
  9. Sample Photos
  10. Unlike the previous version of Canon 50 1.8 II
  11. My experience
  12. Alternatives
  13. Prices / where to find
  14. Results
  15. User Comments
  16. Add your review, comment or question on the lens

In the review, I will refer to Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM for short - Canon 50 / 1.8 STM. In different sources, catalogs or stores, the name of the lens may be indicated a little differently.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

In short

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM is a classic XNUMXmm lens.

Between photographers and amateur photographers'fifty dollars' or 'a half'it is customary to call lenses with a focal length of 50 mm, drawing an analogy with a coin of 50 kopecks, which is also called'half a ruble'or' a half '.

Canon 50 / 1.8 STM is a balanced lens, its price / quality indicators are at a high level. This is one of the best-selling Canon EOS SLR cameras (at the time of writing, 2018). Canon 50 / 1.8 STM can be used in a very wide range of photo tasks. It is used by both professionals and amateurs.

Canon 50 / 1.8 STM primarily attracts at the cost aperture, image quality and focus stepper motor. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM can be safely bought for any Canon EOS camera, be it an entry-level camera such as Canon EOS 1300D, or TOP Canon EOS-1D.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

About aperture

Max open diaphragm F / 1.8, which is used by Canon 50 / 1.8 STM and any other lenses with F / 1.8, more than three degrees wider aperture F / 5.6, which is used in the 'dark' (with small aperture) whale lenses at the extreme position of their focal length. This means that the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM is approximately 10 times brighter (transmits more light) than, for example, a universal whale lens Canon EF-S 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 IS STMwhich uses a maximum relative aperture of only 50: 1 over a 5.6 mm focal length.

The calculation of the difference in the relative aperture (count the aperture) is performed elementarily: (5.6 * 5.6) / (1.8 * 1.8) = 9.679, which is rounded to the value '10'. The count is true for any lenses that use F / 5.6 on their long end. Net difference in exposureexpressed in T-stepsmost likely also close to ten.

The wide aperture of F / 1.8 allows in a number of situations to bypass the increase in ISO level, lowering excerpts or flash application. Also, with F / 1.8 you can get a very narrow depth of field and a very blurry foreground and background. Many amateur photographers buy the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM just for the sake of the vaunted blur of the background, which is also called bokeh.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Main technical specifications Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Review Instance Name Near the front lens 'Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM ø49mm'. Canon body 50mm 0.35m / 1.1ft-∞. Mount side Canon INC. Made In Malaysia. On Canon EF 50mm f / 1.8 STM box
Basic properties
  • EF (Eelectro-Focus) is a lens designed for Canon EOS full-frame cameras. Suitable for Canon mount cameras EF и Ef-s.
  • STM (STepper Motor) - focusing stepper motor for smooth, quiet and fast focusing
  • AF-MF (Auto Focus-Mannual Focus) - the lens is equipped with a focus mode switch
  • electromechanical manual focus
  • FTM (Full Time Manual Focusing) - the possibility of continuous manual focusing
  • SSC (Super Sspectrum Coating) - special 'super spectral' optical coating
  • light weight and dimensions
Front Filter Diameter 49 mm, plastic thread for filters
Focal length 50 mm

Zoom ratio 1 X (this is a fixed focal length lens, it does not have zoom)
Designed by for full-frame digital SLR cameras. Lens fit for all Canon EOS SLR cameras
Number of aperture blades 7 rounded petals
Tags mark of bayonet mount and hood mount, marker indicating MDF in meters and feet
Diaphragm F / 1.8 to F / 22
MDF 0.35 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 4.8 (the smaller the second number, the better for macro photography)
The weight 160 g
Optical design 6 elements in 5 groups. The lens does not use special optical elements in its optical design. Lenses have a special enlightenment, optimized for working with digital cameras.

Optical design Canon 50mm F1.8 STM

The image of the circuit is clickable. The same optical scheme is used by lenses:

Lens hood Hood Canon ES-68 (analogues here) The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation or storage.
Manufacturer country Made In Malaysia (Made In Malaysia)
Period May 13, 2015 to the present
Instructions View ->
3D view View ->
Price You can view and buy with free shipping here

Canon 50 / 1.8 STM is already the third reincarnation of such a lens from Canon, therefore, a priori, the lens cannot be bad.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Assembly

Canon 50 / 1.8 STM, as for a budget lens, assembled well. It is strong enough to the touch with a metal bayonet mount.

A slight lack of confidence in the strength causes the outgoing trunk of the lens, as well as the absence of any dust and moisture protection.

The focus ring, unfortunately, is not rubberized, but still quite pleasant to the touch.

Canon 50 / 1.8 STM can use Canon ES-68 plastic bayonet hood (analogues from the Chinese here), which is installed in the grooves on the lens barrel. It is very good that the lens hood is mounted on the body, and not on the outgoing trunk of the lens. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for convenience during transportation, in this state access to the focus ring is completely lost.

Plastic thread for filters. With the lens, I used polarizing filters without any problems. The trunk of the lens withstood the frequent and merciless rotation of the polarik rings for a long period.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Focusing

The lens uses technology to focus STM (STepper Motor) with a stepping focus motor that allows for smooth, quiet and fast focusing.

STM technology is very important when shooting video where speed, smoothness and low noise are required. The potential of STM technology can be maximized in Live View with cameras that support Hybrid CMOS focusing technology AFHybrid CMOS AF II Hybrid CMOS A.F. III и Dual Pixel CMOS AF. Cameras that can do this are listed. here.

Despite claims of quiet focus, there is noticeable noise from the focus motor, which can greatly interfere with those who will shoot video and record sound using the microphone built into the camera.

When used on a camera Canon EOS D30 (Serious? with most unpretentious focusing system among all CZK Canon), as well as Canon EOS 550D and Canon EOS 5D Mark III, the lens performed well. I had no particular problems with accuracy and tenacity of focusing - the lens rarely refocused and kept the subjects in focus quite tenaciously. Just on Canon EOS D30 in servo AI tracking mode, the lens often scoured back and forth.

On camera Canon EOS 550D 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.

Auto focus speed average (not high, but not low). Unfortunately, the focusing time from infinity to MDF and back is approximately twice as much, than at Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II. In general, the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM focusing speed is enough for comfortable operation.

Canon 50 / 1.8 STM uses electronic (electromechanical) focus ring.

There is a 'AF / MF' (auto focus / manual focus) switch on the body to select the focus mode.

Canon 50 / 1.8 STM supports mode FTM (Full Time Mannual Focus) - continuous manual focus control, which allows manual focusing in 'AF' mode without switching to 'MF' mode. Unfortunately, in fact, according to the manual, manual focus in the 'AF' switch mode is available only after focusing on the subject and only with the 'ONE SHOT AF' AF method. In fact, due to the fact that manual focus adjustment can only be made when the shutter button is pressed halfway, talking about the constant possibility of manual focus correction is simply impossible. For manual focusing, it is still much easier to simply switch the lens to 'MF' focus mode than to try using FTM. Some of the features of working with FTM are described in detail in the Canon 24-105 / 4 L IS USM lens reviewwhich also possesses FTM.

During focusing, the front lens does not rotate, but with the frame of the body (trunk) drives forward. Thus, it is possible to use any filters without special problems, for example polarizing or gradient. But still I would like the focus to be internal or virtually internal type, for example, like inexpensive Chinese YONGNUO 50mm 1: 1.8 (YN50mm F1.8N).

During auto focus, the focus ring remains stationary. In manual focus mode, the focus ring rotates approximately 180 degrees. When extreme positions are reached, the focus ring does not rest, but continues to slide, without affecting the focus. Manual focus is comfortable enough.

The minimum focusing distance is only 35 centimeters, which is better than most modern similar lenses. The maximum magnification ratio for macro photography is 1: 4.8 (magnification 0.21 X).

Focus Features:

  1. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM does not have depth of field scale, focusing distance scale and marks for working in the infrared spectrum. But all this was still in the first such model - Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8.
  2. Focusing is done by moving the entire lens unit in the middle of the lens barrel. Whether there is support for floating elements is unknown.
  3. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM does not have a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens to infinity under any external temperature conditions. For accurate aiming at infinity, you cannot just bring the focus ring to the extreme position from the side of infinity.
  4. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM has little effect 'Focus breathing'(changes in viewing angle during focusing). When focusing on MDF, effective focal length increases and, as a result, the viewing angle decreases.
  5. Focus shift (shift-focus) was not noticed during operation and testing.
  6. The Canon 50 / 1.8 STM the trunk lengthens when focusing towards MDF. When metering is off on the camera exposure, or the camera is turned off, or the lens is detached from the camera, then it is impossible to remove / hide the lens trunk, since in this position the electronic focusing ring does not work. The trunk can be pushed in by hand - but this is highly discouraged.
  7. There is a microscopic lag of the focusing ring (reaction delay) when the ring rotates in one or the other direction. This is the normal behavior described by the instruction. Most of all, the delay manifests itself with a sudden rotation of the focus ring.
  8. Manual focus speed directly depends on the STM system, and not on the speed of the photographer’s hand movements.
  9. In manual focus mode, the STM system beeps significantly louder than in AF mode. Also, the noise has a different character, when you rotate the focus ring of the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM, the noise is similar to the hum of a transformer. I observed this behavior with some other lenses with STM technology. This behavior of the electronic ring and the STM motor can be considered a drawback, since during manual focusing of lenses with a classic mechanical focus ring you can achieve almost silent operation.
  10. In manual mode, the lens consumes camera energy, since the focus ring is not mechanically connected to the lens block, and an electric drive is still used to move it.
  11. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM focuses well in Live View, including when shooting video. The accuracy and response of the lens is very much dependent on the focusing method that the camera uses in Live View.
  12. Important: in manual focus mode 'MF', the electronic focusing ring works only when the metering is active (in rare and incomprehensible cases - a little longer). In the opposite state, even if the camera is turned on, rotating the focus ring will have no effect. For example, on my camera Canon EOS D30 metering stops after just 4 seconds of inactivity or inactivity, after which the electronic focus ring stops responding to rotation. At the same time, on the Canon EOS D30 it is impossible to set a different time for the metering activity, which creates an additional inconvenience during prolonged use of the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM in manual focus mode. Typically, on all Canon EOS cameras, by default, exposure metering is turned on by half-pressing the shutter button or by pressing the '*' button. With the same Canon EOS D30 (and with other cameras) and Canon 50 / 1.8 STM for comfortable work in manual focusing mode 'MF' you should often press or even keep pressing the button '*' or half-pressed the shutter button.
  13. Important: in auto focus mode 'AF', the electronic focusing ring also works only when metering is active.
  14. Important: in auto focus mode 'AF', the electronic focus ring works only when the focus activation button is pressed (usually half-pressing the shutter button, sometimes another button, for example AF-ON).
  15. Manual focus not available while previewing depth of field
  16. The electronic ring does not react linearly to rotation - the faster you rotate, the stronger the effect you get. You can get used to it very quickly.
  17. On Canon EOS mirrorless cameras, the lens can be used with an adapter Canon mount adapter EF-EOS M
  18. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM can be used with extension rings for macro photography.
Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Diaphragm

The diaphragm device consists of seven blades. The petals are rounded, but, unfortunately, a fairly round and even hole is available only not on heavily covered diaphragms

  • at F / 2-F / 5.6 the blur circles are fairly even
  • on F / 5.6-F / 22 values, the circles of confusion are regular heptagons

Seven petals are much better than the five petals of previous models Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 и Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Image quality

From my experience with the full-frame Canon 5D Mark III.

In general, the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM is optically good and even good.

  • the lens is confident and sharp enough at f / 1.8 in the center of the frame
  • any claims to sharpness in the center of the frame disappear at apertures starting with F / 2.8
  • in the corners and edges of the frame there is a subsidence of resolution, especially felt at open apertures. The main reason is coma
  • at the edges of the frame, sharpness becomes acceptable after f / 4.0
  • excellent resolution in the center of the frame on covered apertures after f / 4
  • the lens suffers from perceptible vignetting; on a full-frame camera, vignetting disappears almost completely at F / 4 aperture
  • vignetting amplified with focus towards MDF
  • vignetting is easy to correct on RAW images
  • general level vignetting is within the range typical for such lenses
  • low chromatic aberration
  • there is barely noticeable distortion, the overall level of distortion is at the level characteristic of such lenses
  • distortion is uniform, barrel-shaped, easy to correct on RAW images
  • I did not find any problems with color reproduction
  • the lens creates a small amount of glare and flare when working in backlight. Despite the new SSC enlightenment, the amount of glare remained at the level of Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II

The 'artistic possibilities' of a lens, including bokeh, are completely dependent on the photographer's ability to frame the frame and are highly subjective.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM on-camera lens Canon EOS D30. The lens is focused at a distance of 35 cm, the trunk of the lens is extended to the maximum

Sample Photos

The Canon 50 / 1.8 STM was purchased by me to resolve one dispute - whether new lenses, such as this one with an STM motor, are still compatible with older Canon EOS cameras. As it turned out, the system Canon EOS very good and compatibility is supported even by old autofocus film cameras.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Examples of shots on the Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM can be viewed here to register:. increase.

Examples of images on the Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM can be viewed here. Click to enlarge.

Examples of shots on the Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM can be viewed here to register:. increase.

Original RAW ('.CRW') or JPEG files can be download from this link.

Work with Canon 50 / 1.8 STM on Canon 550D / 5D Mark III is too boring and simple. Therefore, only in Radozhiv you can look at the photo with a Canon 50 / 1.8 STM installed on the first digital SLR camera from Canon, produced in 2000. Photos can be viewed in my gallery on 500PX.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM. Bayonet mount red mark

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

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:

  1. Canon Lens EF 50mm 1:1.8 II Made In Malaysia
  2. Canon Lens EF 50mm 1:1.8 II Made In Japan
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

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:

Yongnuo Lens EF 50mm 1:1.8

There are several sub-versions with different spelling of the name near the front lens

  • YN50mm F1.8 YONGNUO Ø52mm
  • YONGNUO LENS EF 50mm 1: 1.8 YONGNUO Ø52mm
  • YONGNUO LENS EF 50mm 1: 1.8 YONGNUO INC. Ø52mm

Subversion fundamentally no different

December 2014 View price

Yongnuo Lens YN50mm F1.8 II

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

 

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM. Metal mount

Difference between Canon 50 / 1.8 STM and Canon 50 / 1.8 II

Below I will indicate the main differences between the lenses:

  1. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM is a newer lens, introduced in May 2015. Canon 50 / 1.8 II was introduced much earlier - in December 1990.
  2. The Canon 50 / 1.8 II uses a regular humming micromotor to focus. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM has an advanced stepper motor that is very quiet
  3. Lenses have different minimum focusing distances. The Canon 50 / 1.8 STM focuses up to 35 cm, and the Canon 50 / 1.8 II only up to 45 cm. As a result, small objects are easier to shoot with the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM
  4. The Canon 50 / 1.8 STM has better clarity, optimized for working with digital cameras. Canon 50 / 1.8 II is optimized for film cameras (nevertheless, it works well with digital cameras)
  5. The Canon 50 / 1.8 II uses only 5 non-rounded aperture blades, which adversely affects discs in the blur zone. The Canon 50 / 1.8 STM uses 7 rounded lobes, which is why it has more even and beautiful discs in the blur zone (the bokeh of the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM on covered diaphragms is more pleasant)
  6. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM is 30 grams heavier
  7. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM uses metal mount, Canon 50 / 1.8 II uses plastic
  8. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM uses an electronic focus ring, Canon 50 / 1.8 II uses a mechanical focusing ring.
  9. Canon 50 / 1.8 STM supports FTM mode. But Canon 50 / 1.8 II for manual focusing must be switched to 'MF' mode.
  10. The first Canon 50 / 1.8 II lenses were made in Japan (subversion Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II Canon Lens Made in Japan), and subsequent in Malaysia (subversion Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II Canon INC. Made in malaysia) All Canon 50 / 1.8 STM lenses are manufactured exclusively in Malaysia (Canon INC. Made In Malaysia on the side of the mount)
  11. Focus speed of the Canon 50 / 1.8 II is higher than that of the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM
  12. Canon 50 / 1.8 II uses a hood that is screwed into the filter thread and cannot be installed in the opposite direction for transportation (in fact, if you need an original hood for Canon 50 / 1.8 II, then you need to use a clever combination of ES-62 hood with small Hood Adapter 62. The new Canon 50 / 1.8 STM uses a more modern method - a bayonet hood that fits into special slots located on the lens barrel
  13. The Canon 50 / 1.8 STM uses a diameter for 49 mm filters, and the Canon 50 / 1.8 II 52 mm. The latter is more common and it is a little easier to find filter filters for it.

Important: I have quite a lot of experience with Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8, Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II (used with dozens of different instances of this mass lens) and YONGNUO LENS EF 50mm 1: 1.8... Between them and the new Canon 50 / 1.8 STM, I didn't feel any difference in image quality. This is most likely due to the same optical design of these lenses. This conclusion is indirectly confirmed by MTF charts for Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II and Canon 50 / 1.8 STM.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM. The maximum length of the retractable rim of the body (trunk). Focus on MDF

My experience

Canon 50 / 1.8 STM - simple / budget fifty dollars. There is not much to talk about here. You have to buy and rent.

On cameras with an APS-C sensor (Kf = 1.6x) it is often used as a portrait and creative lens. On full-frame Canon cameras (Kf = 1x) and Canon cameras with an APS-H sensor (Kf = 1.3x), it can serve as a regular prime lens for every day.

Personally, I would prefer used. Canon 50/1.4 USM before the new Canon 50/1.8 STM. Also the first version Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 I like it more than the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM and Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II. I believe that USM motors in many photo tasks are still preferable to STM motors. STM is more suitable for those who shoot a lot of videos with auto focus.

Recently, I still consider the best budget fifty for amateur photographers 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, say, for work, or for more serious things than amateur photography, then the Canon system has several other solutions with F / 1.4 and F / 1.2.

The Canon 50 / 1.8 STM often serves as a starting point in the world of professional photography. Almost all novice photographers and amateur photographers pass through 50 / 1.8 class lenses sooner or later, and it’s very good that the Canon 50 / 1.8 STM turned out to be what it is.

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Prices

Lens prices are available see here.

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

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM on-camera lens Canon EOS D30

Results

Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM is a balanced lens. The ratio of price, build quality and image quality is at a very good level. One of the few lenses that can be safely recommended to almost all amateur photographers shooting with Canon SLR cameras.

Advantages

  1. low cost (this is one of the cheapest original autofocus lenses for SLR cameras with Canon EF / EF-S mount)
  2. high aperture
  3. STM stepper focus motor (very useful during movie shooting, makes focusing smooth). Compatible with all Canon EOS Digital Cameras
  4. light weight, compact size, small diameter for filters
  5. good assembly: plastic that is pleasant to the touch, metal bayonet mount, bayonet type hood, hood is attached to the body (not to the trunk)
  6. small MDF and, as a result, a good maximum magnification factor during macro photography. For most of these fifty dollars this indicator is worse
  7. lack of rotation of the focus ring during auto focus
  8. FTM continuous manual focus control
  9. the active focus ring rotates about 180 degrees, making manual focusing comfortable enough
  10. the filter frame does not rotate during focusing
  11. Compatibility with older cameras (e.g. stepper motor lenses) Nikon AF-P lost compatibility with cameras older than 2012)
  12. no focus shift
  13. rounded aperture blades, fairly rounded aperture at values ​​from F / 2.0-F / 5.6
  14. good / good optical performance, including confident sharpness at F / 1.8 in the center of the frame

Disadvantages

  1. there is no focus distance scale, depth of field scale and a mark for working in the infrared spectrum, although they were still in the first classic Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8
  2. There are unpleasant features of working with the electronic (electromechanical) focus ring: the ring is inactive with the metering turned off, in manual mode the ring consumes electricity. Manual focus does not work at all with the camera turned off and minor troubles associated with such behavior
  3. the function of constant manual focus control FTM has many nuances and in the general case is not very convenient and practical and is much worse implemented than, for example, a similar function M / A with a similar lens Nikkor 50 / 1.8G from Nikon camp
  4. focusing speed in the normal focus mode using phase focus sensors is average and significantly lower than that of Canon 50 / 1.8 II
  5. slight noise from the focus motor in auto focus mode. Unpleasant, although not very loud, noise during manual focus
  6. during focusing towards MDF, the front of the frame (trunk) moves forward
  7. no hood included
  8. there is no basic dust and moisture protection, the focus ring is not rubberized
  9. small effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changes in viewing angle during focusing)
  10. the aperture at F / 5.6-F / 22 is poorly rounded and is a regular heptagon
  11. slight imperfections in the image: poor resolution at the corners and edges of the image on open apertures, noticeable vignetting on open apertures, glare in backlight
  12. the optical scheme is not updated and copies the optical scheme from previous lenses Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 и Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II, the first of which was introduced back in 1987

Update: A review of an inexpensive analog has appeared - YONGNUO LENS YN50mm F1.8 II.

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

Add a comment: Miroslav

 

 

Comments: 104, on the topic: Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM review

  • anonym

    Yes, but in the advertising canona ef 50mm f / 1.8 stm, a link to the M adapter is indicated. This is confusing. Maybe someone used this lens with R cameras

    • Novel

      With the EF to EOS M adapter, all EF and EF-S lenses mount on EOS M. With the EF to EOS R adapter, all EF and EF-S lenses mount on EOS R cameras. them why they posted this particular link.

  • Victor

    With lazy exploitation of this fifty-kopeck piece on an old full-frame Canon 5D and a cropped 350D, two unpleasant features emerged: firstly, this lens gives a good quality picture and has a pleasant picture only when shooting in the near field. It works worse at infinity, which means it is more suitable for macro and reproduction photography than landscape photography. But I expected to use it as a landscape one ... :(
    And secondly: my copy (and in the pictures from some other copies of inexpensive Canon 50 / 1.8 II and this STM, found on the Web ...) on a full-frame camera slightly “soap” the left edge, and especially strongly - the lower left corner, even at f / 8 or less. :( Therefore, if you need a high-quality picture across the entire field of a full-frame f / a, then at least be careful when buying and try to choose the best from several copies!
    For cropped cameras, the second feature is irrelevant.

    • anonym

      Victor, I don't know how you came to the conclusion about the “near” field. I tested 50 1.8 STMs in the store and at the entrance to the store, and then, just "lazily" without understanding, I handed the lens back. And at home on my computer I saw small bricks on distant buildings, which my L-zoom lenses (I have three) washed into "trash". Just yesterday I sold the initially expensive 24-105 4L new version for half the price, and was going to buy this fifty kopeck piece. This is not only my conclusion, in tests on the authoritative site "Photozone" it shows miracles of resolution at apertures 4-8, but I don't need others. In my test shots from the last attempt, he tears my elks at 1.8 on a similar focal point. So, I advise you to reconsider your attitude towards this lens. The only thing, there may be a difference in quality in specific copies. I have a 6D camera.
      Everything is relative!

      • Novel

        Yes, a good lens, I don’t know where so much hostility comes from.

        It can strongly compete with 50 / 1.4, which is definitely better than its predecessor 50 / 1.8 in a number of parameters, and this is confirmed by a whole bunch of reviews and comparisons, and in practice you can see for yourself.

        I would take as an alternative only 50 / 1.2 because of aperture and bokeh.

  • Romeo rum

    Advantages:
    Really accurate focus (there are misses, of course, but there are not so many rejections), excellent sharpness even at 1.8, and sharpness at the edges drops slightly. As the "hole" decreases, the sharpness is even better, there are no nuts in the bokeh. For this price, a really cool lens! 
    Disadvantages:
    Sorry no hood. STM in manual focus is not as convenient as with USM, you need to adapt. The AF-MF switch is somewhat taut. On the camera lens does not look serious.
    I hesitated for a long time whether to take such a lens to my Canon 80d, but still decided and I have no regrets! (I bought it at ABC-foto through m.ua). The only AF fix in my arsenal (but there is also Helios). In comparison with the EF 70-200 f4 USM, the focus is a little faster and more accurate (and in comparison with the 28-80 USM in general a sniper). I put a 52mm filter through the ring. As I noted in the merits, f1.8 is fully operational and, unlike the Helios 44M-7, the sharpness drop towards the edges of the frame is not significant (and on Helios, even at f8, there is no sharpness at the edges). At increasing f… sharpness is normal throughout the frame. Bokeh. Bokeh is quite normal - not porridge, compared with Helios. It tolerates backlight well - there are glare, of course, but the frame does not deteriorate, as with Helios. So I am very pleased, I will even say so - he dispelled my distrust and disappointment in modern lenses. I have been doing photography for several years. 
    If you are interested in examples of work (portraits, etc.), see Instagram @romeo_rum_ph and @romeo_rum on Instagram. Thanks.

  • Dmytro

    Look forward to reading your eyes. Підкажіть, чи працює уё with skіvіvnymi cameras kenon eos?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes it works

      • Dmytro

        Crazy. In digital I know bagato at 50 / 1.2, for that, for buying hot water, it is inexpensive to buy with the same focus.

  • It's me

    "The calculation in the difference of the relative aperture (count the luminosity) is simple: (5.6 * 5.6) / (1.8 * 1.8) = 9.679, which is rounded to the value '10'."
    Did I understand correctly that 1.4 will be (5.6 * 5.6) / (1.4 * 1.4) = 16, and 1.8 relative to 1.4 (1.8 * 1.8) / (1.4 * 1.4) = 1.653?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, that's right.

  • Alexander

    "... the vaunted blur of the background, also called bokeh ..."

    No matter how much you praise it, bokeh will never be a "blur of the background." Dear author, I, of course, understand that the review is in the nature of an educational program, but why be misleading. The “blurred” background is just a zone of out-of-focus, ie. what is not included in the RIP zone. The amount of "blur" is determined simply by the focal length of the lens, the size of the frame, and the distance of the subject from the background. And here it has nothing to do with the term "bokeh". “Bokeh” is something that shouldn't be in an “ideal” lens. Those. it is a set of aberrations (distortions) that could not be eliminated for various reasons during the design / manufacture of the lens. It is these distortions that are considered to be an individual lens pattern. Those. bokeh is not blur, but the nature of the blur. Two different lenses (with the same focal length) will give us the same out-of-focus background, but the way in which the out-of-focus area is displayed will be different. Even two lenses of the same model.

  • Alexander

    Good day! I am a amateur photographer, I want to ask: I have a yongnuo 50mm f 1.8, but it’s not very comfortable with speed and focus accuracy. Will this lens be better in these indicators, as well as image quality? The budget is limited, I am still considering the option yongnuo 50mm f1.4. Thanks.

    • B. R. P.

      You are no longer satisfied with Wongnuo alone, are you few? Of course, take your own.

      • Alexander

        There is simply a certain hope that the new Chinese models are better than the previous ones. So I asked.

    • Roman

      Yongi still makes sense to take where the lens will be rarely used. Type 14 / 2.8 or some macro, which he took off and put back. Fifty dollars somehow you can take a native, so as not to suffer.

  • Igor

    Good afternoon everyone, I want to buy myself such a lens too, the eos m100 camera will work out only through the adapter, I’ll lose much of the question in the focal length and what will come of this home-made adapter?

    • Oleg

      Look at the crop factor of your camera and multiply the focal factor. Focal EF lenses are indicated as for crop factor 1x. For my Canon 700d, for example, the crop factor is 1,6, so a 50 millimeter will give 80mm.

  • Andreykr

    What does a brunette (on the collage the second shot) have a face? Does it hurt me alone? It was as if you smeared glare, evened out the brightness and darkened the whole? And this is generally found throughout the site, something is wrong with portraits. Or does it seem simple to me?

    • BB

      What glare in the backlight?

      • Andreykr

        And on the hair and shoulder what?

  • Andreykr

    Dug a little on dxomark. It turns out that the STM version is “lighter” compared to the MKII (T1.9 versus T2.1), the STM has higher sharpness in the center, but worse at the edges and the situation with vignetting is worse (by a full stop). In MKII, sharpness is lost immediately moving away from the center, but moderately. In STM it is lost only near the edges but strongly! For cropped STM cameras, the sharpness will be better because all the blur is bleeding out. On FF STM will not be very ... And MKII, it turns out, is dark. This all concerns only shooting with the apertures as wide as possible, at 2.8 everything is more or less good.

    By the way, for comparison, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f / 1.8G (specifically G) (T - 2.0) has better performance. I didn’t deal with Nikon at all, if anything, I’m not a fan (mainly because of the focal length, because I have a lot of old optics and don’t want to add some kind of lens).

    Another funny thing is that the Canon 50 / 1.4 USM (1.6T) and 50 / 1.2L (1.5T by the way) have the same trouble with sharpness on open apertures.

    Why am I watching all this and what do I want to say? And the fact that many people are eager to buy high-aperture Canon Fifty dollars, and there really is no sharpness on the open aperture and the vignetting is terrible. In short, do not chase after them.

    The Canon EF 35mm f / 1.4L II USM has amazing sharpness.
    And about 50mm from third-party manufacturers for Canon is:
    Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM A - everything is perfectly simple.
    Another 55mm Carl Zeiss Distagon T * Otus 1.4 / 55 ZE is also super sharp in the open.
    And another 45mm Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD (Model F013) - also good, but a bit dark.

  • Peter Sh.

    The sharpness of this lens is like horsepower in an engine.
    Apart from the rest of the characteristics, there is no sense in them.

    Sigma can be a champion in sharpness, but if she constantly smears or Nikon starts blocking them at all, then there is no sense in this sharpness.

    But the funny thing is, the audience deeply sing for this sharpness.

    • Roman

      For those scenes that are shot in the open - and the vignette is usually in the subject, and field sharpness is not needed. Everything else is still removed at 2.8-3.2-4.0. But I want to chase after sharpness, well, ok.

      • Michael

        only sharpness over the field of the frame will not be covered

        • Roman

          Among the “works” laid out here, I don’t remember a single one that would suffer from a lack of sharpness across the frame. They suffered from anything but a lack of sharpness.

          • Andreykr

            I have a Canon EF 50 / 1.8 II, in principle, I am satisfied, although for versatility it is more convenient for me to walk with Yongnu 35/2 (I have a crop) and this fifty dollars is mostly dusty on a shelf. I did not find fault with the work, but with the specifically measured indicators. The best sharpness in Sigma is also noted by users in the reviews.
            And if you look at the difference in prices between 50 / 1.8 and 50 / 1.4, 50 / 1.2, then the price of 50 / 1.8 looks adequate (in general, you can forgive a lot for this price), but 50 / 1.4 and 50 / 1.2 with these indicators and at such a price it’s not at all clear who they are intended for and why they were created.

            • Roman

              Walk with Yonga and find fault with fifty dollars, licking his lips at the elka. Oh well…

              1.4 and 1.2 are designed for those who know why they are taking them. Take better shootings, not digital camera.

              • Andreykr

                I don’t lick my lips at Elka, there’s also 50 nafig-nafig, I heard the phrase “those who know why they take it” a hundred times, but no one can explain who and why, just “you need to know that there are these mythical buyers” and "they know why." I say to me with a crop, this 50 is generally inconvenient. And the yonga is cool, the sharp result gives, even if everything locks up and the autofocus is bad, but the picture is super. I understand that if 50mm is better, then it is better to take the canon, not the yongnuo, but the 35 kenon is very expensive and here the Chinese simply helped out unrealistically.

              • Michael

                2Andreykr. those who take pictures of people take. 1,4 and 1,2 lenses are not universal there it is not about sharpness, but about blurring. some of the helios to rush - this is about the same series - getting an unusual picture and a small grip, and not an ideal, technical image.

              • Roman

                Fifty dollars on the crop - not the most convenient focal. Specifically, a portrait lens, as a universal one - doesn’t fit well.

                Well, I have 35, which is "not cheap". Full frame. I am an amateur with more or less possibilities. I like him. I'm thinking about 50 / 1.2. But I do not earn it, so 50 / 1.8 suits me with the price and size. I would earn - I would take 50 / 1.2. For separation from the background and bokeh.

                There are a huge number of lenses that I will not pull. There are a huge number of professionals who do not worry and take good pictures of what is.

  • Miroslav

    Good evening!
    Fotat started with another change, then Zenith TTL, film Kenon, Panas FC50, now Kenon 700D.
    I looked closely at this lens for a long time. I chose between the first version, 1,4, 40mm. I have 24mm and stopped there. Compared to a whale, the picture is clearer, there is no point in comparing it with helios even. For indoor and group photography - 24mm is excellent, for single portraits and 50mm can be. For the street, negotiable 50mm is what you need. Of the shortcomings listed above on the site, they are not significant in many, you just need to remember about them: there is no FLU scale ... so it is not even on the first version, on helios it helped me, but here you just need to remember it; exit of the trunk - by a centimeter and a penny, it does not bother me in any way, before the end of the work I aim at distant objects and the focusing removes the trunk, well, or in manual mode to infinity; focusing speed - more than enough for normal shooting; focusing noise - well, it doesn't bother at all; no moisture and dust protection ... this is bad for professional use in difficult weather conditions; the focusing ring is not rubberized - did not even notice; on closed diaphragms - a heptagon ... it's good that not a five- or six-sided angle :-)))); imperfections in the image are a question for a full frame, but this is not at all visible on the crop. Well, one more thing - there is no stub like the 35mm, but not so expensive. Inconvenient focus mode switch - the pimples are very small, but for such a price, I put up with this drawback. Those who take pictures for themselves and a little for friends - an excellent lens. May not be suitable for tropical jungles and Siberia.

  • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

    Here is the task, I wanted to replace my Canon Lens EF 50mm 1: 1.8 II with this one, but there is almost no difference in the picture, as the review says.
    I also watched the reviews of a well-known photographer / blogger, he said in the private label review the picture quality is better.
    Delema, change or not.

    • Oleg

      The STM has 7 diaphragm blades versus 5 - the circles in the bokeh are more round, the minimum focusing distance is 35 cm versus 45 cm - larger shots can be taken. In autofocus mode, the lens can be adjusted manually (on II it cannot be done so as not to break it), although this is not for an amateur, but the main thing is that you will not break the lens, if anything. The downside is that when moving on, you will have to take new filters, because lenses have different diameters for filters.

      • Oleg

        Yes, STM has really good glass processing. I shot against the sun without any filters - a very clear picture.

        • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

          Bought it, we'll see.

        • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

          Just now I noticed that he does not have a stub))). Well, they took pictures somehow before without stabilizers ...

  • Michael

    Good afternoon. I ask YOU to help in choosing from three lenses: YONGNUO LENS YN50mm F1.4, Canon EF Lens 50mm 1: 1.8 STM, Viltrox AF 56mm 1: 1.4 STM ED IF CE
    make a CHOICE for the camera kenon 7d
    Help, I photograph graduation ALBUMS, so I rely on your experience. What YOU took for yourself, Value for money, quality. If you reset the leader link to the lens on Ali Express, I will be happy. Thanks in advance Michael.
    PS You can buy a used Kenon 50 1.4, but how lucky is that??

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Viltrox is not right for you. I recommend it Used Kenon 50 1.4

    • Victor

      The choice of Used 50 1.4 must be approached VERY seriously, otherwise you will get money.

      • Aleksey68

        It is best to find the old one (93 years old), the very first version - it is both stronger and more accurate in AF and better assembled - not perfect in the open, but very good when compared with subsequent versions.

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2018/05/canon-ef-50-mm-1-8-stm-test/?replytocom=362164

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2018/05/canon-ef-50-mm-1-8-stm-test/?replytocom=362164