Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
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| I own it | I want it | I had it |
Originally produced as a 'standard' lens for film cameras, the EF 50mm f/1.8 II is the least expensive lens in Canon's lineup. Don't let the cheap plastic construction and unrefined autofocus put you off - optically it's very good indeed, and the fact that if gathers four times as much light as the average 'kit' zoom makes it ideal for low-light shooting. It's a great companion to Canon's entry-level SLRs for buyers on a budget, although those with more to spend should also look at the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM.
| Lens type | Prime lens |
| Focal length | 50 mm |
| Image stab. | No |
| Lens mount | Canon EF |
| Max aperture | F1.8 |
| Min aperture | F22 |
| Min focus | 0.45 m (17.72″) |
| Max magnification | 0.15× |
| Weight | 130 g (0.29 lb) |
| Length | 41 mm (1.59″) |
This is a lens which we'd encourage any Canon DSLR owner currently shooting with 'kit' zooms to try. The overall image quality when stopped down a bit is very impressive indeed, and the fast maximum aperture offers creative options which are well worth exploring. It's a pity about the build quality and harsh bokeh, but ultimately this lens hits a price:performance ratio that's very difficult to beat.
Good for: Inexpensive and sharp, this 50mm prime punches above its weight when it comes to image quality, and functions well as a standard 50mm on full-frame and a portrait-friendly 75mm (equivalent) on APS-C
Not so good for: Build quality isn't great (you get what you pay for). Autofocus is slow and unrefined, and bokeh can be somewhat harsh when images are examined critically.
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