The EF 50mm F1.4 USM is Canon's mid-level offering in a range stuffed full of 50mm primes, covering all budgets from the ultra-cheap 50mm F1.8 mkII through to the stratospherically-priced 50mm F1.2 L USM. Although it was introduced in June 1993, fully seven years after the birth of the EOS system, it can actually trace its roots back much earlier, being based on the classic manual focus FD 50mm F1.4 design of 1971. As such, it's designed as a 'standard' lens for the 35mm full-frame format, with an angle of view offering none of the 'perspective distortion' associated with wideangle or telephoto lenses. More recently, with the popularization of APS-C as the dominant DSLR sensor size, it's taken on a new role, and behaves like a short 'portrait' telephoto on this format.
The lens uses a conventional optical design for its class, with 7 elements in 6 groups, two of which are made from high-refraction glass. Focusing is achieved by an ultrasonic motor system, with full-time manual override; however unlike Canon's other mid-range primes, this is of the micro-USM (as opposed to ring) type. Canon claims the lens produces a 'beautiful, natural blur of the background', an important attribute for a fast lens capable of a high degree of subject isolation. The company is also keen to point out that the lens's colour balance is virtually identical to the ISO recommended reference values.
The Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM has always occupied a slightly precarious position in the Canon line-up, with the F1.8 lens offering remarkable value for money below it in the range. It now faces fresh pressure from Sigma's 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM with its brand-new, bang up-to-date optical design (albeit currently at a far higher price). So is this lens an obsolete throwback to the silver halide era, or worthy of serious consideration in the high resolution digital age?
The pictures below illustrate the angles of view on 35mm full frame and APS-C camera bodies:
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| 50mm (35mm full-frame) | 50mm (APS-C; 80mm equivalent) |
|---|
| Street price | • $325 (US) • £235 (UK) |
|---|---|
| Date introduced | June 1993 |
| Maximum format size | 35mm full frame |
| Focal length | 50mm |
| 35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C) | 80mm |
| Diagonal Angle of view (FF) | 47º |
| Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C) | 31º |
| Maximum aperture | F1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Lens Construction | • 7 elements / 6 groups • 2 high refraction glass elements |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 8 |
| Minimum focus | 0.45m (1.5 ft) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.15x |
| AF motor type | • Micro-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus |
| Focus method | Unit focus |
| Image stabilization | • None |
| Filter thread | • 58mm • Does not rotate on focus |
| Supplied accessories | Front and rear caps |
| Optional accessories | ES-71 II hood |
| Weight | 290g (10.2 oz) |
| Dimensions | 73.8mm diameter x 50.5mm length (2.9 x 2.0 in) |
| Lens Mount | Canon EF only |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read some of our Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / recommendation / ratings are based on the opinion of the author, we recommend that you read the entire review before making any decision. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of them, click to display a larger image in a new window.
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Dpreview use calibrated monitors at the PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally also A, B and C.
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Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras | Too low to display |
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras | Too low to display |
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens | Too low to display |
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras | Too low to display |
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras | Too low to display |
Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras | Too low to display |
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens with 3 UV/FLD/CPL Filters + Hood + Cleaning Kit for EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i Digital SLR Cameras | $354.95 |
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras | $1,479.00 |
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras | $449.00 |
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLRs | Too low to display |
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens with Backpack Case + 3 UV/FLD/CPL Filters + Lens Hood + Cleaning Kit for EOS 60D, 7D, 5D Mark II III, Rebel T3, T3i, T4i Digital SLR Cameras | $369.95 |
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