Canon EF 50MM DSLR Camera Lens: 3 Options Reviewed
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- Check out the newest Canon 50MM STM Lens here: amzn.to/3tHLkNX
This video details the 3 Canon 50mm EF 1.8 lenses produced by Canon. It goes through when they were released, what features standout in each model, differences between them, and showcases example pictures taken with lenses, with a focus on the newest Canon 50MM lens to the lineup, the EF 50MM 1.8 STM Lens. This is a compact little beast of a lens with incredibly fast performance, quick focusing, and pleasing bokeh/background blur. The 1st lens is the Canon 50mm 1.8 metal mount lens produced starting in 1987 through 1991, when the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II lens was released. The 50mm 1.8 II was produced for an amazing 24 years until 2015, when the canon 50mm STM lens was introduced. The most current STM version features some key benefits over the prior 2 versions. It adds 2 aperture blades compared to the prior 2 versions for more consistent and smoother bokeh. It also adds back in the metal mount missing from the 50MM 1.8 II. The build quality is just better, with a more robust feel, and less "plasticky". It is also able to focus about 4" closer to the subject than it's predecessors. And perhaps most importantly, the STM (step through motor) of the lens renders this a game changer for video production. Far less noise and super fast focusing depending upon your body too of course. So well worth it in terms of advancements if you are choosing between the 3 for most shooters. All three of these lenses are compatible with the Canon rebel EOS 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D, 70D, 80D, 90D, as well as the XT, Xti, XS, XSi, T1i, t2i, t3 t3i, t4i, t5 t5i, t6 t6s t6i, t7 t7i, t8i, 5d i ii iii, 7d ii, SL1, SL2, SL3, and more.
I also go through the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens:
amzn.to/4aZpZAz which is a lens near and dear to me as I have used it for many years. Great for still photography and produces great portraits and background blur. Even better but at a $1399 retail is the Canon 50mm F1.2L amzn.to/3H9pIgs a low light beast of a lens.
Lastly, I cover what to watch out for when buying lenses 1.) Autofocus issues 2.) Haze/mold inside that affects picture quality
For used lenses, a great option available in quite a few countries is eBay. I have bought and sold there for over 20 years and while it has it's quirks remains a go to place for me to buy and sell camera gear.
#photography #rebel #canon #canonphotography #dslr #camerareviews #lenses #ad
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in me earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon.
Good to see a review of lenses many of us are still using, and referring to camera bodies that again, many of us are still using.
I have a plastic 50mm f/1.8 II. I also have a EF-M Kamlan f/1.1 manual focus lens. I like the prices of these lenses. The APS-C sensors get a bit tight. A 50mm lens will make you focus with your feet. I also have a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 if I don't have enough room to move around. That was $500 and it is very heavy. The 50mm lenses were both under $100 each and are very lightweight. My 3 Canons are the SL2, the EOS-M and the M6 mark II.
Nice! I like your "focus with your feet" statement, quite true! That's a good assortment of Canon that you're shooting with!
That was very helpful, now I know the differences between all the 50mm lenses. Thank you
Glad it was helpful!
This is the most fascinating content I’ve seen in a while and I’m excited to see more content! Pear I’m happy to be a subscriber 🌵 🍐 📷
@TheDishSoapy That is very kind-thank you! I appreciate it!
Thanks very much. This was very useful. Keep up the good work.
You bet! I'm happy it was helpful.
Thanks for the video! I have the EF 50mm f/1.8 II that I bought in 2005, I never updated to the STM version. I just bought a Canon R8 mirrorless and trying to decide whether an upgrade to the RF 50mm f/1.8 might be good for me. Combining your video with others that compare the EF & RF STM versions gives me some idea of the benefits. I just have to figure out how important the 50mm focal length is to me presently, as this R8 is my first full frame body since my 35mm film days and when I used the kit 50mm almost exclusively. I still have that old Olympus Zuiko 50mm f1.8, which I plan to play with as well when I receive the OM-EF adapter today.
Of course! The R8 is an awesome camera, did you get the body or with the kit 24-50MM lens? I have heard nothing but good things about the RF version of the 50mm STM, so I think it could be a good choice, but dabbling again with the zuiko would give you an idea if 50mm is something you'd use often. I have an EOS R50 and recently bought and reviewed the RF 35MM STM lens, which I've been pretty pleased with for stills, but tends to hunt around when focusing.
@@pricklypearcamera I'm really enjoying the R8, it is awesome. I'm amazed with the AF compared to my 20D and Rebel SL1. There's so much capability in features with this camera to explore, it's a big upgrade. I got it body-only with the EF-RF adapter. I have several EF lenses, and moving to a full frame from crop gives me a new perspective on all these lenses. That R50 body reminds me of my SL1, it looks very compact. I seen a lot of positive things said about the RF 35.
My situation exactly. Same 50mm lens, and recent purchase of an R8. I'm adapting the EF 50 to my new R8 and using it more than I ever did before. If this enjoyment in the 50 mm focal length on a full frame body continues, I might consider the RF 50mm 1.8, even with duplication.
Hello! So on the web I found 50mm F/1.4 Breech Lock FL Mount Lens, and I am not sure what does mount lens means. Do I need another body besides the camera to use that lens? I do own Canon Rebel T-5i. Thank you
Hi! That's a vintage piece of glass! It was made for 35mm SLR Film Cmaeras that use FL mounts. Your T5i won't accept that lens as is, but there are 3rd parties that make adapters so you can use it on the T5i. Something like this for example: fotodioxpro.com/products/fd-ef-p
A big thing to note is that there is NO autofocus with these older manual focus lenses, so you'd need to manually focus the lens when you use it.
Nice video ! Descriptions of lenses were simple yet effective, and the comparisons between the 3 highlighted the most useful differences to know, thanks !
PS: Just one point that could be improved in the future would be to show web pages as screen recording instead of filming them with another device, then it would look nicer and the review would be perfect !
Thanks! I wholeheartedly agree with your recommendation- I have been looking for a good free video recording ap for my computer do you have any recommendations?
@@pricklypearcamera I think if you have a Windows PC, you can record the screen by holding Windows key+Alt+G together and for Mac by pressing Shift+command+5
Got it!@@Slovil_MCMXXXIV Thanks, will incorporate this in the next video.
@@pricklypearcamera You are Welcome ! 🤗
I LOVE TO USE IT FOR MY 5D M II FOR PHOTOS I LOVE THE OUTPUT FROM THE 50MM 1:8 STM
Nice! It's a great lens for the price, one of the best values IMO
I really wanted the Mk1 because of the distance scale, 52mm filter size (unlike the 49mm on the STM) and well, honestly its look lol (it would pair nicely with my analog Canon). I bought one, but sadly the seller packaged it very poorly and it arrived in non working condition. I sent it back and ended up with the STM version. Weirdly I think the STM motor is a hindrance for video shooting since I do mostly manual focusing (thus why I wanted the distance scale on the Mk1), but still, the image quality is quite good.
I have 1995 50/1.4 USM version on an EOS-1n. Was there an older or newer version of it as well?
Just the one version as far as I'm aware, there weren't multiple versions made of this particular model.
I am pretty sure, MK1 lens not only has metal bayonet mount, it also has metal body. At least when I removed bayonet mount, thread for screws made not in plastic, but in metal.
Thanks for the video! Do you suggest the 50mm f1.8 lens for food videography for making youtube content?
I currently have a normal 18-55mm f4.5-6 lens which does not create enough blur and I also own a 85mm f1.8 but bc of the 85mm I have to go way too far back to capture and I don’t have enough room
I do recommend the 50mm STM for foot videography, you Might also take a look at the 24MM STM, which if you have an APS-C DSLR Canon would give a focal length of around 35mm, and gives a bit wider angle, and has great bokeh/blur. Pretty affordable too!
I can hear the big difference about noise, but is the STM version actualy faster while auto-focusing?
Yep, faster for me for sure as a result of less hunting during focus.
I personally think I probably have an even better version of this lens. I own the Canon EF 50mm f2.5 macro version. The aperture is not to much worse than the f1.8 versions but you will get a decent close up macro performance. So you can get really close up photos which I qui5like. Unfortunately it's not possible to focus as close as more expensive macro lenses but it's still really close up. And it has really good build quality pretty much the same as the original first version of this 1.8 version lens mentioned in this video.
Good call! I like the 50mm F2.5 too, and still has the distance meter like the OG 50mm 1.8 metal mount. Don't see it nearly as often, but it's a fun one to shoot with!
The newest version of the 1.8 lens (lens on the right) is no longer available on Amazon. Do you know where else I can purchase it?
Hi! It might have gone out of stock briefly, but I'm showing it at least in the United States available here: www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-STM-Lens/dp/B00X8MRBCW
I use the 50mm on Canon 20D/40D with great results.
Nice!
This video has just made me realise I’ve bought a 50mm 1.8 II lens advertised as a STM lens on eBay 🤦♂️ I’m an idiot
No you re not 😂
And how is it? Any good?