Canon ef 50mm 1.8 STM or something else: I'm amazed at how inexpensive the ef 50mm 1.8 stm lens is, and on paper it seems to be as sharp as any 50mm lens in the under $1000 category.

bleirer

I'm amazed at how inexpensive the ef 50mm 1.8 stm lens is, and on paper it seems to be as sharp as any 50mm lens in the under $1000 category. Even the 1.4 doesn't look sharper on paper especially at the center.

Is there something better for 50mm in this price range? I don't particularly need a fast lens.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

You might take a look at the older EF 50mm f2.5 Macro. Not currently manufactured, but there are plenty of used copies. Tack sharp, flat field and a good 1:2 Macro. You can convert it to a 1:1 Macro with the life size converter. The food editor at our local paper uses this as her go-to lens for food photography.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

the Canon 60mm macro is very SHARP also !

bleirer

TriX wrote:

You might take a look at the older EF 50mm f2.5 Macro. Not currently manufactured, but there are plenty of used copies. Tack sharp, flat field and a good 1:2 Macro. You can convert it to a 1:1 Macro with the life size converter. The food editor at our local paper uses this as her go-to lens for food photography.

Thanks, Just got one at keh but sent it back. It was sharp, but side by side with my rf 24-105 at 50mm I subjectively thought the 24-105 had a slight edge.

rodpark2 Loc: Dallas, Tx

The 50-1.8 STM is a best buy, don't hesitate! It's better build quality than the previous one, and actually sells for the same or less. Regardless of $$, you can't do much better.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I had a post earlier this year looking at the EF 50mm f/1.8 (the original 1987 version) vs the EF 50mm f/1.2L. The newest STM version is cutting edge technology, still in a $125 package. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-629455-1.html

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

You may want to read this:
https://kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f18-stm.htm

There is a good summary at the end.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

bleirer wrote:

I'm amazed at how inexpensive the ef 50mm 1.8 stm lens is, and on paper it seems to be as sharp as any 50mm lens in the under $1000 category. Even the 1.4 doesn't look sharper on paper especially at the center.

Is there something better for 50mm in this price range? I don't particularly need a fast lens.

The 40/2.8 pancake is similar priced and a very good performer, its so light and small, makes you think you don't even have a lens on your camera!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

speters wrote:

The 40/2.8 pancake is similar priced and a very good performer, its so light and small, makes you think you don't even have a lens on your camera!

The 50mm stm is also very light weight, although obviously bigger and heavier than the 40mm stm pancake. The advantage of the 50mm f/1.8 STM is of course its 1 & 1/3 stop wider aperture. According to DXOMark tests the 50mm STM is sharper and has significantly less chromatic aberration. Each lens serves a useful purpose.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

imagemeister wrote:

the Canon 60mm macro is very SHARP also !

I guess it would help to know if we were actually talking about full frame exclusively ....

bleirer

imagemeister wrote:

I guess it would help to know if we were actually talking about full frame exclusively ....

Sorry, Canon RP with the adaptor.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

for $125 you can't beat that lens. I own one and it is as sharp as you could ask for any lens.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

bleirer wrote:

Sorry, Canon RP with the adaptor.

Unless you have to have a 50mm for some immediate need, I'd hold off until they have a nifty RF 50 released, something I saw on Canon Rumors. Of course, the f/1.8 is a minimal enough expenditure to be a valid selection now.

bleirer

CHG_CANON wrote:

Unless you have to have a 50mm for some immediate need, I'd hold off until they have a nifty RF 50 released, something I saw on Canon Rumors. Of course, the f/1.8 is a minimal enough expenditure to be a valid selection now.

I did not know that.
https://www.canonrumors.com/nifty-50-and-or-a-pancake-lens-are-coming-to-the-rf-mount-in-2020-cr3/

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

Take a look at the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM lens. I have one and find I like it's field of view better than the 50mm. Similar price range as well.