Canon EF 50mm lens

Front and rear views of a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4

The EF 50mm lenses are a group of normal prime lenses made by Canon that share the same focal length. These lenses are based on the classic double-Gauss lens,^[1] with the f/1.8 being a standard six-element double-Gauss with an air gap and powers between element 2 and 3^[2] and its faster cousins adding additional elements.^[3] The 50mm focal length, when used with a 35mm film or full-frame sensor, has been widely considered to match the perspective seen by the human eye.^[4]

Canon 50mm lenses have an EF type mount that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras. When pairing a 50mm lens to a Canon DSLR with an APS-C sized sensor, the crop factor effectively turns the 50mm focal length into a 80mm field of view.

Seven EF 50mm lenses have been sold by Canon:

f/1.0L USM^[5] (discontinued, replaced by f/1.2L USM)
f/1.2L USM^[6]
f/1.4 USM^[7]
f/1.8^[8] (discontinued, replaced by f/1.8 II)
f/1.8 II^[9]
f/1.8 STM
f/2.5 Compact Macro^[10]

EF 50mm f/1.0L USM

The discontinued EF 50mm f/1.0L USM is a professional L series autofocus lens. On the used market sells for as much as double the original retail value. It was the fastest SLR lens in production during its lifetime.^[5] This lens has a metal body and mount, and plastic extremities. It also features a wide rubber focus ring that is damped, a distance window with infrared index, and the ability to set the focus range from 0.6m to infinity, or 1m to infinity. In common with the EF 85mm f/1.2L USM it uses an electronic "focus by wire" system and requires power from the camera in order to manual focus. The 8-blade diaphragm and maximum aperture of f/1.0 give this lens the ability to create extremely shallow depth of field effects and to support low light situations. The optical construction of this lens contains 11 lens elements, including two ground and polished aspherical lens elements. This lens uses a floating front extension focusing system, powered by a ring-type USM motor. The front of the lens does not rotate, but does extend when focusing.

Despite its price and large maximum aperture, the 1.0L was not a particularly sharp lens at any aperture, and the two cheaper 50mm options offered far better sharpness when stopped down beyond about f/2.8.^[11] This, combined with the high production cost and low sales volume, led to it being discontinued in 2000 and eventually superseded by the f/1.2 edition.

EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

The EF 50mm f/1.2L USM is a professional L series lens designed to replace the EF 50mm f/1.0L USM. It is constructed with a metal body and mount, and plastic extremities. This lens features a wide rubber focusing ring that is damped, a distance window with infrared index, and is fully weather-sealed, when a filter is added to the front. A circular, 8-blade diaphragm and maximum aperture of f/1.2 give this lens the ability to create very shallow depth of field effects with smooth background blur. The optical construction of this lens contains 8 lens elements, including one ground and polished aspherical lens element. This lens uses a floating front extension focusing system, powered by a ring-type USM motor. The front of the lens does not rotate or extend when focusing.

EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, showing its large maximum aperture; at f/1.4 and 50 mm, the entrance pupil diameter is 35.7 mm.

The EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is a consumer- and professional-level lens. It is the least expensive f/1.4 aperture lens that Canon currently manufactures. It is constructed with a plastic body and a metal mount. This lens features a distance window with infrared index. An 8-blade diaphragm and maximum aperture of f/1.4 give this lens the ability to create shallow depth of field effects. The optical construction of this lens contains 7 lens elements including 2 high refraction elements, but no aspherical, high dispersion or calcium fluoride elements. The lens uses a front extension focusing system, powered by a micro USM motor. Even though this lens uses a micro USM motor, it still has FTM (full-time manual focus) available. Auto-focus speed of this lens is fast, but not as quick as most ring-USM-based lenses. The front of the lens does not rotate, but extends by up to about one centimeter when focusing.

EF 50mm f/1.8

The EF 50mm f/1.8 is an economy level lens (discontinued in 1990), which has been replaced by the EF 50mm f/1.8 II. The body is plastic but the lens mount is metal, and it features a distance window with infrared index. A 5 blade maximum aperture of f/1.8 gives this lens the ability to create depth of field effects.

The optical construction of this lens contains 6 lens elements, with no special elements. This lens uses a front extension focusing system, powered by an AFD motor. The front of the lens does not rotate when focusing, making it compatible with circular polarisers.

Although auto-focus speed, despite the AFD motor, is moderately fast but audible, the lens is still very popular.

Because of its low price (it is sold used only) and very sharp optical quality, this lens has earned the preference of a lot of photographers. Obviously, when shooting at f/1.8, it offers a very shallow depth of field which is beneficial for isolating subjects against a blurred background (bokeh).

EF 50mm f/1.8 II

The EF 50mm f/1.8 II

The EF 50mm f/1.8 II replaced the EF 50mm f/1.8 in 1991. The EF 50mm f/1.8 II has lost the metal lens mount, the distance scale, the IR focusing label and the separate manual focusing ring that came with the original EF 50mm f/1.8.

The current EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens has a plastic lens mount. The manual focusing ring has been replaced by a very small thin focusing ring on the front tip of the lens. However the lens does not suffer from rotating front lens element and can be used with polarizing filters. The optics for both lenses are identical, with 6 elements in 5 groups and a 5 blade diaphragm. Nevertheless, some photographers think the original EF 50mm f/1.8 is slightly better . Both lenses have a 52mm filter thread.

Because of its low price and sharp optical quality, this lens has earned the nicknames 'nifty fifty' and 'plastic fantastic'. When shooting at f/1.8, it offers a very shallow depth of field which is beneficial for isolating subjects against a blurred background (bokeh).

EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Canon introduced the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM on May 10, 2015. This lens utilizes Canon's STM focusing motor, which supports the Movie Servo autofocus mode. STM abbreviates as STepping Motor. The lens features a metal mount and has a rounded seven-blade aperture. Its filter diameter of 49mm is the smallest among all lenses in the family.^[12]

EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro

Close-up taken with 50mm Compact Macro

Canon EF 50mm compact macro with inner lens barrel extended

Canon LIFE-SIZE Converter for the EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro to get a magnification up to 1:1

The EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro is a relatively inexpensive macro lens with a minimum focusing distance of 23cm (9 inches) offering a maximum magnification of 0.5x actual size.^[10] Reviewers describe the lens as having "decent"/"mid-level" build quality, with very good color and contrast, "absolutely negligible" distortion, very sharp after f/4 and peak performance at f/5.6. However, auto-focusing is relatively slow and noisy.^[13]^[14]

The maximum 0.5x magnification means this lens is more suitable for photographing documents, products and objects at least 5cm (2 inches) wide than small insects etc. The outer barrel is grooved to accept Canon's MR-14 ring flash which can be used as the principal light source for close-ups or as on-axis fill lighting for portraits. The six-blade diaphragm provides reasonably good out-of-focus blur (bokeh) for portrait work.

First introduced in 1987, it is the oldest lens in Canon's current lineup (as of January 2014) that is still available new.^[15] The lens is constructed with a plastic body and metal mount, and features a distance window with infrared index and magnification markings. The optional Life-Size Converter EF^[16] adapts the lens to produce a maximum magnification of 1:1. Attaching the converter increases the lens focal length to 70mm, reduces the maximum aperture to f/3.5 and limits the focal range. Magnification markings for the converter are shown on the (extending) inner lens barrel.

Specifications

Attribute	f/1.0L USM	f/1.2L USM	f/1.4 USM
Image
Key features
Full-frame compatible	Yes
Image stabilizer	No
Ultrasonic Motor	Yes
Stepping Motor	No
L-series	Yes		No
Diffractive Optics	No
Macro	No
Technical data
Aperture (max-min)	f/1.0-f/16	f/1.2-f/16	f/1.4-f/22
Construction	9 groups / 11 elements	6 groups / 8 elements	6 groups / 7 elements
# of diaphragm blades	8
Closest focusing distance	2ft / 0.6m	1.5ft / 0.45m
Max. magnification	0.11x	0.15x (1:6.6)
Horizontal viewing angle	40°
Diagonal viewing angle	46°
Vertical viewing angle	27°
Physical data
Weight	2.2 lb / 985 g	1.2 lb / 545 g	0.6 lb / 290 g
Maximum diameter	3.6 in / 91.5 mm	3.6 in / 85.8 mm	2.9 in / 73.8 mm
Length	3.2 in / 81.5 mm	2.6 in / 65.5 mm	2.0 in / 50.5 mm
Filter diameter	72 mm		58 mm
Accessories
Lens hood	ES-79II	ES-78	ES-71II
Previous case	-		ES-C9
Case	LP1216	LP1214	LP1014
Retail information
Release date	September 1989	January 2007	June 1993
Currently in production?	No	Yes
MSRP $	$4210	$1599	$520
Street Price $	$1500 to $5000^[17]	$1599	$400

Attribute	f/1.8	f/1.8 II	f/1.8 STM	f/2.5 Compact Macro
Image
Key features
Full-frame compatible	Yes
Image stabilizer	No
Ultrasonic Motor	No
Stepping Motor	No		Yes	No
L-series	No
Diffractive Optics	No
Macro	No			Yes (1:2)
Technical data
Aperture (max-min)	f/1.8-f/22			f/2.5-f/32
Construction	5 groups / 6 elements			8 groups / 9 elements
# of diaphragm blades	5		7	6
Closest focusing distance	1.5ft / 0.45m		1.15ft / 0.35m	0.749ft / 0.228m
Max. magnification	0.15x (1:6.6)		0.21x (1:4.8)	0.50x (1:2)
Horizontal viewing angle	40°
Diagonal viewing angle	46°
Vertical viewing angle	27°
Physical data
Weight	0.4 lb / 190 g	0.3 lb / 130 g	0.3 lb / 159 g	0.6 lb / 280 g
Maximum diameter	2.6 in / 67.4 mm	2.6 in / 68.2 mm	2.7 in / 69.2 mm	2.7 in / 67.6 mm
Length	1.7 in / 42.5 mm	1.6 in / 41 mm	1.5 in / 39.3 mm	2.5 in / 63 mm
Filter diameter	52 mm		49 mm	52 mm
Accessories
Lens hood	ES-65	ES-62AD	ES-68	n/a
Previous case	ES-C9		-	ES-C9
Case	LP1014			LP814
Retail information
Release date	March 1987	December 1990	May 2015	December 1987
Currently in production?	No	Yes
MSRP $		$130	$125	$299
Street Price $	$150-$200	$100	$125	$230

References

↑ "EF50mm f/1.8 II (Specifications)". Canon Camera Museum. Canon, Inc. 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-01-27.
↑ "EF50mm f/1.8 II (Block Diagram)". Canon Camera Museum. Canon, Inc. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-10-02.
↑ "EF Mount". Canon Camera Museum. Canon, Inc. 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-04-15.
↑ 50mm and the Human Eye, Gary Voth. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
1 2 Canon Inc. "EF 50mm f/1.0L USM". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
↑ Canon Inc. "EF 50mm f/1.2L USM". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
↑ Canon Inc. "EF 50mm f/1.4 USM". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
↑ Canon Inc. "EF 50mm f/1.8". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
↑ Canon Inc. "EF 50mm f/1.8 II". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
1 2 Canon Inc. "EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 2010-08-09.
↑ "Review of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.0L USM Lens, EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, and EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens". wlcastleman.com.
↑ "Canon U.S.A. Introduces New EF 50MM F/1.8 STM Lens".
↑ "Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 macro - Review / Test Report - Analysis". Photozone. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
↑ Carnathan, Bryan. "Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro Lens Review". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
↑ Carnathan, Bryan (January 9, 2014). "What are the 10 Oldest Canon Lenses Currently Available?". The-Digital-Picture.com. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
↑ Canon Inc. "Life-Size Converter EF". Canon USA. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
↑ Price based on 2009 price survey. Price varies significantly by lens condition and perceived availability.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Canon EF 50mm F1.0L USM, Canon EF 50mm F1.2L USM, Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM, Canon EF 50mm F1.8 I, Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II, Canon EF 50mm F1.8 STM and Canon EF 50mm F2.5 Compact Macro.

50mm f/1.0L USM

50mm f/1.2L USM

50mm f/1.4 USM

Comparisons

Canon EF/EF-S/EF-M lenses

EF-S zoom	EF-S 10–18mm EF-S 10–22mm EF-S 15–85mm EF-S 17–55mm EF-S 17–85mm EF-S 18–55mm EF-S 18–135mm EF-S 18–200mm EF-S 55–250mm

Ultra-wide zoom	EF 11–24mm EF 16–35mm EF 17–40mm

Standard zoom	EF 24–70mm EF 24–105mm EF 28–135mm EF 28–300mm

Telephoto zoom	EF 70–200mm EF 70–300mm EF 75–300mm EF 100–400mm EF 200–400mm

Wide-angle prime	EF 14mm EF 20mm EF 24mm EF-S 24mm EF 28mm EF 35mm

Standard prime	EF 40mm EF 50mm

Telephoto prime	EF 85mm EF 100mm EF 135mm EF 200mm

Super telephoto prime	EF 300mm EF 400mm EF 500mm EF 600mm EF 800mm

Distorting lenses	EF 8–15mm Fisheye EF 135mm with Softfocus

Tilt-shift	TS-E 17mm TS-E 24mm TS-E 45mm TS-E 90mm

Macro	EF 50mm Compact Macro EF-S 60mm Macro MP-E 65mm 1–5x Macro EF 100mm Macro EF 180mm Macro

EF-M zoom	EF-M 11–22mm EF-M 15–45mm EF-M 18–55mm EF-M 55-200mm

EF-M prime	EF-M 22mm

Lens accessories	Extender EF

Discontinued zoom	EF 17–35mm EF 20–35mm EF 22–55mm EF 24–85mm EF 28–70mm EF 28–80mm EF 28–90mm EF 28–105mm EF 28–200mm EF 35–80mm EF 35–105mm EF 35–350mm EF 55–200mm EF 70–210mm EF 80–200mm EF 90–300mm EF 100–200mm EF 100–300mm

Discontinued prime	EF 15mm Fisheye EF 1200mm

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