[Review&QnA] Canon Portrait and Travel Two Lens Kit with 50mm f/1.8 and 10-18mm Lenses
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[Review&QnA] Canon Portrait and Travel Two Lens Kit with 50mm f/1.8 and 10-18mm Lenses
About this item
- EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact, lightweight fixed focal length lens ideal for everyday photos, and with a large f/1.8 aperture, a perfect lens for low-light photography and creative background blur
- EF-S10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM is an EF-S ultra-wide zoom lens with an impressive starting focal length (16mm in 35mm equivalence). For expansive scenery from tall buildings to inspiring mountain ranges, the wide angle of view from the EF-S 10–18mm f/4.5–5.6 IS STM helps you achieve vivid colors and details during your travels
- A stepping motor (Gear-type STM) supports the Movie Servo AF function in providing smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording, as well as when shooting photos
- EF 50mm f/1.8 STM:Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 ft. (0.35m); maximum magnification of 0.21x. EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM:Full-time manual focus allows manual focus adjustment while in AF Mode
- Use the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens with your full-frame Canon DSLR, or the EF-S 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM lens with any Canon DSLR with an APS-C sized sensor. The EF 50mm can also be used with an APS-C sized sensor camera, however, it is best utilized with a full-frame sensor model for optimal performance.
- EF-S ultra wide zoom lens with an impressive starting focal length (16mm in 35mm equivalence).
- Compact design made possible by a new 4 group zoom optical system.
- A stepping motor (STM) and newly-designed focus mechanism support the Canon EOS Movie Servo AF function to provide smooth and quiet continuous AF during video recording, as well as when shooting photos.
- A large diameter element and an aspherical lens element help correct aberration to achieve higher image quality.
Reviews
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
Possibly the best value in all of photography
Ah, the “nifty fifty”! This is without question the best-selling lens from Canon, maybe even of all lenses. Its high price to performance ratio is the reason for this. It can be useful on both crop and full frame, and should probably be every beginners first upgrade lens, which I will discuss more in the review. As with all WOFG reviews, I will cover the pros and cons, offer advice for how to use the lens, and give some suggestions at the end.
Let’s pro/con this thing!
Pros
1. Price – Right at the top of the list is the price, typically 125 USD, though sometimes it can be had new for as little as 100. There are few lenses in this price range that can perform at the level this lens can. Most come with large compromises; lack of or poor auto focus, increased aberrations or fringing, soft when wide open, terrible build quality, etc. The Canon F1.8 STM has minimal compromises. This is not to say there aren’t better lenses, just none in this price class. The closest is probably the Yongnuo 50mm F1.8, which is a cheaper lens (about 50 USD). Realistically though, the Canon outperforms it by enough to be worth the additional 50 dollars or so that it cost. AF performance alone makes it a better choice; the Yongnuo is spotty at best for AF.
2. Image quality –Sharp lens, even when wide open it stays fairly sharp (wide open meaning when shooting at F1.8). Colors and contrast look good. If you are using an APS-C/crop camera like one of the Rebel series, you will see a clear difference in image quality with this lens over the 18-55mm lens that likely came with your camera. Full frame users, I personally feel like the F1.8 is a more practical option than the 50mm F1.4 USM, which I will breakdown later in the review as to why. The very good IQ combined with the low price is the reason I suggest this lens more than any other lens as the first upgrade to your camera. I cannot stress enough the value this lens has for either crop users or full frame users. Possibly the best value in all of photography.
3. STM focus for video – If you are not familiar with the Canon STM focus, it is a silent focusing system made for video. It is also good for still photos as well, but depending on what you are doing it might be a little slow (see cons). In any case, when I put it to the test on an 80D and a 5DmkIV, it was very quiet in video; no sound could be heard as the lens focused. Note – Not all Canon cameras support the silent focus feature of STM. Any model older than the T4i does not support it. Also, the base models do not support it, even the latest versions (T5, T6, T7, or older). The lens can still use AF; it just might not be silent. One other note, STM requires power to be supplied to focus, even in manual. So keep that in mind if you plan to use accessories like extension tubes or other adaptors. Not all of them supply power to the lens.
4. Great focal length – On a full frame camera 50mm is what you might call the most “classic” of focal lengths. Very useful for general photography as well as portraits that have a bit of context to them (meaning more of the surroundings are in the photo). It is also the most popular focal length for street photography (though I admit I don’t really get into that). On an APS-C camera it takes on a more specific role. The crop factor narrows this to 80mm equivalent focal length, which is just about perfect for portraits that have that classic “isolated” look. Think in terms of 8x10 portraits on the wall, or even senior portraits. Combined with the F1.8 aperture I would say it is the best choice for portraits on any APS-C camera for shooters on a budget. It will make similar photos on a crop camera as an 85mm will do on a full frame. A note on 85mm lenses – you have probably heard that 85mm is the best portrait lens. This however considers that you are using a full frame camera, where it is one of the most popular choices for portrait work. On a crop camera the 85mm lens is not as ideal for this purpose. One of two things will happen. You will have to frame everything too tightly (mostly headshots and bust ups), or you will have to move further away to correctly frame your subject. The added distance from you to your subject robs the 85mm of all the things that make it special for portraits when used on a crop (background blur). It isn’t just about being able to shoot at 85mm, it’s being able to do it from the distance it takes to frame a classic portrait, while shooting with a wide aperture to gain the background blur that it creates from that distance, while still having enough depth to keep the main subject in sharp focus. Moving further away decreases your compression and also loses detail. For the classic look you want to be close, and the 50mm gives you that on a crop sensor camera so much more than an 85mm will. This is why I recommend the 50mm focal length for portraits if you have a crop sensor/APS-C camera. It is much more about the distance to your subject with portraits, and knowing the length that works best for that based on your sensor size will take you quite far.
5. Fast aperture – For those that have only used the lens that came with your camera, this right here is the main reason I think you should get this lens (other than price). The F1.8 aperture is pretty fast for a lens, offering not only a significant increase in light throughput but also will create the coveted bokeh effect for portraits as described previously. If you’ve not experienced what a wide aperture can do, this is one of the least expensive ways to do it, and fortunately it’s also a good one!
6. Compatible with all EOS cameras – I am adding this here mostly for people’s info, since I frequently see people asking about “will this fit on my camera?” This lens is EF, so that means that it will work on all of Canon’s EOS cameras. That is the full frame models; 1D, 5D, and 6D. The crop sensor/APS-C models; all the Rebels, the mid-range models from the 10D to the 80D, and the 7D. It is also able to be used on the mirrorless cameras as long as you have the adaptor for EF lenses. It will even work on older film EOS cameras, going back to the very first ones released in 1987!
7. Good minimum focus distance – At just over a foot, this lens can be pretty close to a subject and still focus. I find that on crop sensor cameras that makes it pretty good for close up work. Not as good as a true macro or even the EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM, but still pretty good. Add an extension tube and you have a budget macro setup! (I suggest Kenko Extension Tubes)
8. Other stuff – 49mm filter thread means cheap filters if you are into that. Not a common size, so it might be better to use a step down ring with a larger filter. Metal lens mount. Full time manual focus override (you have to “wake” the camera by half pressing the shutter button before turning the focus ring). Overall improved over the older model, the EF 50mm F1.8 II (see comparison later). Very lightweight, especially when compared to other fast 50mm primes.
Cons. Most of this is for your information and is not worth the removal of a star. I will say why if I remove a star for any reason. Otherwise it is up to the user to know what they are getting and how to use it.
1. Not ideal wide open (F1.8) – Even though it is better wide open than the older F1.4 model, it still suffers from a slight loss in clarity when shooting at F1.8. Not a big deal since most shots will need stopped down a little to increase depth of field anyway (meaning shooting at a narrower aperture). I shoot at F2-F2.8 a lot for portraits, and appreciate the increase in sharpness without losing too much exposure or background blur. I think this is more noticeable on a full frame camera than a crop, since it’s around the outer edges where it is the worse (A crop camera doesn’t really see the outer edges of this lens). The center sharpness is still pretty good at F1.8. I didn’t notice any serious chromatic aberration issues either, but then I don’t use the lens in strong backlight scenarios where those problems become the most pronounced. I haven’t heard from others that it is a problem, whereas on the F1.4 model it is. (See comparison for more info)
2. A bit soft in the corners – As to be expected on a lens like this, it loses clarity around the outer edges of the frame. This is most noticeable at F1.8, and is more pronounced on a full frame camera than it is on a crop camera. Once you stop down to even F2 you see an improvement, though it really never becomes as sharp on the edges as it is in the center at wider apertures. I don’t see this as a deal breaker though. This would be the biggest difference in image quality when comparing it to lenses like the EF 50mm F1.2, or the Sigma 50mm F1.4, both lenses known for their high level of optical performance. But those lenses are significantly more expensive. The Sigma is 950 USD, and the Canon is 1400! You get the “nifty 50” because the compromises vs price are just worth it, at least until you know if you want to invest more into a higher quality lens.
3. Focus by Wire – Since this is an STM lens, there is no mechanical connection to the focusing gears. What this means is that as you turn the focus ring, instead of that tuning the focus, the camera is sent an electronic signal to tune it instead; it’s not as precise as mechanical focus. I don’t use manual focus on this lens so for me it’s not that big a deal. If you do a lot of manual focus, you might prefer the F1.4 model. Again, focus by wire doesn’t bother me, but I do not know even one photographer that prefers it over mechanical.
4. No IS – Does not feature image stabilization. This is really only an issue when you want to shoot at shutter speeds slower than 1/50 sec (1/80 on crop). Since this lens has such a fast aperture there are not a lot of times that is going to be an issue. It makes it less ideal for vlogging though, but the focal length already makes it not ideal for that (vlogging is done from wider angles than this). For me this really didn’t matter since there was no scenario where I would be using this lens that having IS would be a benefit. But if someone wants a 50mm lens with IS, then this isn’t it. Canon doesn’t make one, and I don’t know of any third party 50mm lenses that have it either. Even so, adding IS tends to cause a slight loss in overall sharpness due to the floating element that performs the stabilizing, a definite increase in price, and probably a loss in overall max aperture. So I don’t think I would even want it on a lens like this, since the price, fast aperture, and IQ are the main reasons I am suggesting it.
5. Other stuff - No hood is included; I suggest Promaster for hoods (cheaper than Canon and work just as well). For the price of the lens I really didn’t expect a hood. Hood is reversible but covers the entire outside of the lens, making it a bit larger in diameter. Mostly plastic design with a metal mount. Not fragile by any means, the casing still feels solid. No weather or dust sealing. STM focus isn’t as quick as USM, so it’s not really ideal for sports, but not impossible either (shoot in continuous focus mode for sports).
I really don’t have anything negative to say about this lens that isn’t also washed by its price. Just a great value for the performance you get from it.
Conclusions
What a great little lens! It’s so good no matter what kind of Canon you have. I have used it on anything from the entry level SL2 to the professional 5DmkIV. Always gives me good images. Sometimes I switch between the Canon F1.8 and the Sigma 50mm F1.4, and there are times when I am going through the photos and I have to check which lens took what shot. It compares pretty well. In the end the Sigma outperforms it in overall image quality, but as I said before that lens is very expensive. I am a pretty serious shooter these days, and sometimes I even get paid for my work. So I can justify the more expensive Sigma lens. But I cut my teeth on the Canon F1.8 to get to that point. If you are someone that is looking to get more serious, or even just wants to improve over the quality of your kit lens, the 50mm F1.8 is probably the best way to go without having to break your budget. Anyone could afford it, and you will see an immediate improvement in image quality. Just know how to use it to its best purpose on your camera as described earlier in the review. I see no reason someone couldn’t use this lens to eventually move into higher levels of shooting, or just keep using it if it does all you need.
Compared to the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II – You may have seen this lens around for about the same price as the STM model. I really don’t suggest this lens. It’s the previous version of the “nifty 50” and is outclassed by the STM model in all ways. If you already have it then it probably works well enough. For about the same price I would take the STM model every time. I won’t even bother with a breakdown since the older model has no advantage over the new one; the STM model is the clear choice. Even if you can get the F1.8 II cheaper, the STM model is so inexpensive that I can’t see it being worth saving a few bucks. This is also why I don’t recommend the Yongnuo 50mm F1.8. You can get it as cheap as 45 USD, but you really get what you pay for. If it’s all you can afford then I would think you can make it work, but 100 USD probably isn’t out of reach for anyone that has already spent 400 or more dollars on a camera.
Compared to the Canon EF 50mm F1.4 – This is the real battle here. The F1.4 model is a lens people also like, since it is fairly inexpensive for its class (about 300 USD). Side by side, it does have the advantage of the F1.4 aperture, which is 2/3rds stops more than the F1.8 (theoretically 66% more light, though reality is probably more like 33%). What this does is lets you shoot at faster shutter speeds or lower ISO, and also gives a shallower depth of field (DOF), but there are some compromises here. For one, the F1.4 has known soft focus and chromatic aberrations when shot wide open. To avoid these issues, you have to stop down to about F2-F2.8. So really, you don’t get more from the F1.4, since the F1.8 STM is still fairly sharp wide open and without aberrations, and is technically sharper at F2-F2.8 than the F1.4 lens (in testing that is, in the real world there is no obvious difference). For the difference in price, I just don’t see the “advantage” of F1.4 being enough to be worth almost 200 USD in additional cost. However, some people actually like the soft focus look of the F1.4 model, which is something you can’t get from the F1.8 STM without using some kind of software, filter, or other method (I’ve seen chapstick used on a UV filter to do this, LOL). So if you want that, then the 50m F1.4 isn’t a bad choice and is also fairly inexpensive. If you are just looking to add a better lens to your kit for a low cost, then there is no practical advantage the F1.4 has over the F1.8 for the money. I don’t think there is any situation where the additional light or shallow DOF will make a mind blowing difference, and for good quality images you will be shooting at about the same settings anyway. The F1.4 model is just a really old lens (released in 1993), and has never been updated. The F1.8 is much newer and has more recent engineering and lens coatings that make the 50mm F1.4 almost obsolete. I can’t think of one time that I suggested it over the STM model. I do like it more than the 50mm F1.8 II model. From a practical point of view, the EF 50mm F1.8 STM is Canon’s best budget 50mm lens. If you already have the 50mm F1.4 then just keep using it, it is also a good lens as long as you know how to make it work. If you don’t have either, save some money and get the F1.8 STM model instead and put the money into another lens!
Other Suggestions – It wouldn’t be a WOFG review without suggestions! I’m going to do this a little differently since really there is no other lens I suggest for a 50mm that is in this price class, for crop or full frame. Instead, I am going to list my “4 lenses to buy first for Canon APS-C/crop cameras”, to help people acquire a more diverse kit of lenses. The list is only good for crop users though, as the 50mm F1.8 is the only one that can mount to a full frame. I really don’t have such a list for full frame users, but I do have a couple suggestions for other lenses that might be useful to full frame shooters on a budget.
For crop users - I’m just going to post the whole list, including the 50mm, and the reasons I suggest each lens.
1. EF 50mm F1.8 STM – The lens under review. Great for portraits on a crop camera. No other lens with this quality, speed, or sharpness is available at this price. The review should be pretty clear as to why.
2. EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM – Best telephoto for less than a grand. Beats the 75-300mm in all categories except overall reach. Can be bundled with new cameras for about 200 USD, or found used/refurbished/white box “bulk packaging” for about 150.
3. EF-S 10-18mm F4.5-5.6 IS STM – For landscapes, architecture, large equipment, or whatever needs a wide angle. Good for video too, especially vlogging, not only thanks to the wide angle but also the IS (one of the only wide lenses Canon makes with that feature).
4. EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM – Adds F2.8 to your shooting for a low price (130-150 USD). This makes it possible to shoot at faster shutter speeds than the kit lens can, making it better for moving subjects. Nice that it has a wider angle than the 50mm F1.8, so it’s more versatile for framing.
Each of these lenses adds something different to your kit, is highly rated, and is affordable (under 300 per lens). If you are a beginner and looking to expand what you can do, this setup adds a lot of diversity to your kit. Always invest in lenses before getting a new camera! If interested in more info on these lenses, just go to my profile and find my reviews of them. Simply click on my name and then scroll until you find the review.
For Full Frame
1. EF 40mm F2.8 STM – Not as fast as the 50mm, but a little bit wider angle, and a lot more compact. Easy to shove into a pocket or purse when you are out and about. Just a nice lens, for about 150-180 USD.
2. EF 24-105mm F4L IS II USM – This is actually a pretty expensive lens, but for those that want one lens that can do the work of a couple lenses this is it. At 105mm you can get pretty good compression, making up for the lack of a wider aperture, so in some ways it can take the place of a portrait lens if you just want to shoot your kids or other family members. Its 24mm wide angle makes it great for most general shooting. It’s basically the kit lens for full frame Canon’s. There are a couple versions, the latest is the best (IS II), but the older model is cheaper and isn’t too bad. Sigma makes one that is nice and is much sharper than the Canon models, but has sketchy AF. Probably fine for most users.
I really only list these since I know they are good lenses that people like to use. I still suggest the 50mm F1.8 to all full frame users. I keep mine in spite of having much more expensive lenses, so that I can use it at times that I might be afraid to risk my Sigma or my 24-70mm lens, since I could pretty much throw away my 50mm F1.8 and get a new one. But these other lenses are pretty useful too, and I think someone that can’t really afford a lot of lenses can benefit from them.
That is all I got, all that is left is to check out the images. Thanks for reading my review! If you liked this review, be sure to check out my profile for more reviews on other camera gear, and if you found this helpful please remember to click that helpful button. Thanks again!
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
LOW LIGHT SHOOTING
So here is the review that I think a lot of people are looking for. How does the 50mm f/1.8 REALLY work in a low light setting.
My experience, this lens is epic. I bought it specifically for live event shooting and it was a pain in the butt searching all over the internet looking for reviews on this topic. So I am doing it for anyone else out there who was in the same boat as me.
I LOVE THIS LENS FOR LIVE EVENT / INDOOR / NIGHT SHOOTING!
I attached a photo I took of Ashley Monroe when she was in LA. This venue was pitch black, only lighting was shining down on stage. If you are going to shoot a live event with this lens I found for a super dark venue that f/3.5 was perfect. Then you can tweak the ISO settings and what not depending on what light you are dealing with.
This photo I took while standing, I was in Manual shooting, my settings were F3.5 - my ISO at 1600.
This lens does great in very very low light. It does a fantastic job at focusing and capturing the light as long as you are aiming your crosshairs right on your target and you are able to hold your breath long enough to fire off 2 or 3 photos before exhaling.
If you bump it down to f/2 or f/1.8 you will need a tri pod. but even with a tri pod I don't think you would get great results in low light.
Hope this helps someone out there!
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
So affordable & perfect lens upgrade!
LOVE this lens. I'm a beginner photographer, using a Cannon Rebel T6. I wanted to up my game with depth of field. This lens is amazing for portrait & up close pictures. It's so affordable & the quality turns out great. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for an affordable, easy to use lens to up your photo game.
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
Worth more than what you pay
This lens absolutely blew me away. I have the Canon f/1.2L and used to have the f/1.4 and simply got this to see if the STM version was an improvement from the original nifty fifty. The lens now has a metal mount, which gives it an all better look and a bit more sturdiness in the hand. It is still pretty "plasticky", but you're paying $125 for it, what more do you want? Performance wise I can 100% guarantee you will see little to no difference when compared to the f/1.4, definitely not a $200 difference! The only difference is that you get not even half a stop more of light. If you're teetering on whether to get the f/1.4 or this lens. Get this lens. It may not look as pretty or aesthetically pleasing as the f/1.4, but you will get the same results, and they are stunning. I won't go as far to say it's better than 1.2L, but I don't think you'll find you need any need to upgrade, whatsoever, unless you have an occupation that calls to. Don't forget to perform micro adjustments with your lenses, this back focused so I had to adjust it to -5.
Update 6/26/18: I have had this lens for 2 years now and still stand by everything I said above! Because this lens is so light I always have it in my bag and a lot of the time, on my camera. Crazy versatile and still sharp 2 years later.
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
A massive upgrade from the 50 1.8 - if you have one, it's time to upgrade :)
BUILD QUALITY: Let’s first talk about the build quality of this new lens. The 50 STM has had a massive upgrade in this area, and feels absolutely fantastic. From the moment I picked up the lens, I knew that it was a complete redesign from the old model, and it sure needed it.
On the rear of the lens we now have a metallic mount, something I’m so glad to see. Moving up from the plastic mount has increased it’s weight slightly, but also hugely increases the longevity of this lens. On the front we’ve now got a 49mm filter thread, which is even smaller than the old 52mm thread.And even the little things like the AF/MF switch has gotten an upgrade. It’s no longer a little button that seems like it could break easily. Which is just great to see.
FOCUS RING: One of the old nifty fifty’s worst parts was it’s focus ring. It was small, fiddly and in the wrong posititon at the end of the lens.
And fortunately on the new 50 stm it’s all been changed. The new focus ring is fantastic. The new focus ring is very similar to the ones used in the 24mm STM and the 40mm STM, and is wider now making it very easy to pull focus with. Something that was almost impossible to do on the old version. It’s still a focus by wire system, but I quite enjoy that these days. Not only that, but it’s now also full time focus which means no more breaking the lens when you forget to take it out of Autofocus.
MACRO: Now this is definitely not a macro specific lens, but one area in which they did upgrade this lens is it’s minimum focus distance, which means you can get a little closer to your subject. Where as on the old nifty fifty the closest you could get was 45cm away, now the new model you can take photos from around 35cm. And paired up with a crop sensor body like the Canon 70d, you can really get some nice close up shots with lens before investing in a dedicated macro solution.
BOKEH: Now even though the nifty fifty was a cheap lens, it still produced some fantastic images with a very shallow depth of field. It’s bokeh was a little funny though because it only had 5 aperture blade. On the new 50 stm this has now been upgraded to 7 rounded aperture blade and I’ve found that it produces some lovely bokeh. It’s very smooth and very creamy, and because it’s not a funny shape, it’s also not so distracting. Now to me it’s not a huge deal because I didn’t mind the old 50’s bokeh shapes, but I guess it is a nice upgrade.
AUTOFOCUS: Of course one of the biggest new changes to this lens is the inclusion of an STM or stepping motor. Now I’ve used the 24 stm, 40 stm, 18-135 stm and I’ve been impressed with them all. And I can safely say the 50mm STM is just as good, it's very fast and snappy and a massive upgrade from the old version.
IMAGE QUALITY AND SAMPLES: So it’s all well and good to talk about the lens, but I always think it’s good to take a look at a few sample images to see just how good it is. Please take a look at the attached images on this review to see. From my testing I’ve got to say I’ve been so impressed with this lens. Especially for $125.
The bokeh looks fantastic, chromatic aberation has been greatly reduced compared to the old version, and vignetting if almost no existent.
Once you knock it down to around f2.8 this lens is about as sharp as you’d get for any lens around this price range.
Colours are handled very well as well and can really pop if you get them in the right conditions.
So overall I've loved the new 50 STM, what a brilliant lens.
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM GREAT BOKEH!!!
This is a must have lens for your camera bag. The lens comes with protective covers for both ends. I have been taking excellent portrait shots with it and it is basically my go-to lens for street photography. I almost went with the f/1.4 but personally I couldn't find a big enough difference between the two for what I do. This lens is a bit slower to focus than the f/1.4 and the motor is louder but with portrait photography that makes no difference to me. If you are doing video with this lens an external mic should eliminate the sounds of the motor. One of the best things about the lens is the amazing bokeh effects that I have been able to produce (that blurry background/foreground) and that makes for some awesome shots. Again the STM is a bit loud and the focus a bit slow but for the price and the quality of this lens, it is completely justifiable. I use this on the Canon Rebel T6i. If you're a Youtuber, this is a great lens as long as your camera is mounted to a tripod, not so much for walk around vlogging. When shooting video who uses autofocus anyway. If you are a portrait shooter, you will love this lens and it will surely become one of your favorites! If you have found my review helpful, please let me know! Happy shooting!
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
I'm so pleased with the new STM version
I just ordered this lens and I tried it out right away!! I'm a portrait photographer and I've always had a 50mm 1.8 in my bag! My older one was dropped and so I needed a new one! I'm so pleased with the new STM version!! GORG colorful, crisp images!
★★★★★
Style: Two Lens Portrait/Travel Kit | Verified Purchase
This is my favorite purchase on Amazon
This is my favorite purchase on Amazon. The 50mm Len is great for portraits with that beautiful bokeh back ground and the 10-18 is great for landscape photos and Vlogging. Amazon And Canon did a great job when they created an payment plan for this product making it easily accessible to people with lower budgets. I wanted it but didn’t feel good about spending that much at the time but that payment option made me immediately tap the purchase button! budgets. I mean who here would pay almost 400 bucks up front if they had a $60 a month payment option? It was a great deal for me and I’m sure it will be for thousands of others as well. 🙌🏿
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
Great lens - a must have.
This lens is a must have. The price is affordable so there is no reason every photographer should not purchase this lens. This is my first experience with a f/1.8 lens. My other two lenses are kit lenses. They work but there is not comparison. Photos are sharp and clear with this lens. Blurring the background is no problem. I heard a lot of people saying photos get messed up with this lens mainly due to depth of field of the subject not being equal distance from the lens. I used the lens for about a week taking shots of anything and everything I could to get use to it. Once you are familiar with the lens you will love it. No issues in shipping or delivery. I did purchase the warranty just in case.
★★★★★
Style: 50 mm Lens | Verified Purchase
Wonderfully sharp, fast focusing and petite
HIGHLIGHTS: excellent image quality, compact form factor and affordable pricing, but with few concessions in build and AF performance.
CONSTRUCTION: Slightly smaller and heavier than the prior model, EF 50 1.8 II, aka nifty-fifty, but with significantly better build quality. Improvements include metal mount, sturdier barrel and AF/MF switch, larger focus ring, grippy matte finish and stepping motor (STM). Unfortunately, it has an odd filter size, 49mm, rather than 52 or 58mm common to small Canon lenses.
OPTICAL QUALITY: It's the same optical formula as the nifty-fifty, but with tweaks to lens coatings and improved close focus ability. Wide open it's tack sharp center frame, sharper than my nifty-fifty. Corners on full frame, e.g., 6D, are darker and softer than center but equalize by F2.8. On APS-C cameras, e.g., 70D and Rebel, there is little corner darkening or softness since nearly half the image circle is cropped out. Optimal sharpness is at F5.6. Chromatic aberration (CA) is mild and reduced over the nifty-fifty. In short, image quality is excellent open wide, even better stopped down and one ups the nifty-fifty in both sharpness and control of CA.
BOKEH: I love the soft whirl of a defocused background, and this seven-blade diaphragm does not disappoint, rendering smooth bokeh and pleasantly round specular highlights. The smooth bokeh combined with pin sharp center frame really make subjects pop at larger apertures. This a great portrait lens!
AUTO FOCUS speed and reliability is markedly better than the nifty-fifty. It's accurate and rarely misses focus even in low light. Focus is achieved by front element extension (nested barrel. The STM motor is quieter than the prior model, albeit not completely silent.
VIDEO FOCUS on a 70D is not as fast as STM zooms but buttery smooth and great for touchscreen pulls and Movie Servo. Focus noise, while low volume, was recorded by my 70D's built-in mic during quiet video clips. The workaround is to use an external mic or prefocus.
MANUAL FOCUS is focus-by-wire: the ring merely activates the focus motor and is not mechanically coupled to the lens. Manual focus is smooth, but control isn't as good as a mechanical ring. The MF ring is thin but wider than the nifty-fifty's ring and better positioned. Like USM lenses, it has Full-Time Manual (FTM), allowing AF override without flipping a switch: simply turn the MF ring. Unlike USM lenses, FTM is only active when the shutter button is half-depressed.
HOOD: The groove on the barrel is for the
Canon ES-68
, locking bayonet hood. It attaches to the outer barrel, protecting the protruding inner barrel from frontal impact and flare. It's pricy but a worthwhile investment. Update (8/16/2015): The
JJC LH-68
, a clone of the ES-68, is now available at less than half the cost of OEM.
FINAL BLURB: The natural perspective and fast aperture make the EF 50 1.8 STM ideal for low light, travel and street photography with a full frame camera (6D). On a cropper, e.g., Rebel or 70D, it's a short telephoto and perfect for portraits, indoor sports and stage. Canon got everything right with this redesign: accurate and snappy AF, sturdy build and, most significantly, vivid and sharp images wide open.
Question & Answer
Question :
If I have the EFS 18-55mm that came with my Rebel T1i how will I benefit from getting this lens? Is there a difference?
Answer :
You will have a much better lens. The optical quality of the 50mm is much better than your kit lens. There will be next to zero geometric aberration (straight lines come out as curved with the 18-55), excellent low-light performance, and a much shallower depth of field (a much blurrier background to help your foreground stand out). Both the latter come from the faster lens - f/1.8 vs f/3.5, a full 2 stops.
The only thing is that it is a fixed lens, so you cannot change your field of view. However, it's something you will get used to very soon. I started out with the 28-135mm USM, and basically stopped using it after I got the nifty fifty.
Question :
Is this the same as the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens?
Answer :
Build quality is better on the new model, and the STM focus is better for video. IQ for stills is about the same, with the new STM model having a little better color and less aberrations at wide open apertures. So if you don't have either, get the STM model. IF you have the older molder, then it is only worth the upgrade if you plan to do a lot of video.
If you would like more information about the 50mm STM model, you should check out the review I have on my profile. It covers the pros and cons, offers advice for how to use the lens, and also has a breakdown comparison with the 50mm F1.8 II and also the F1.4 model. There are also sample images taken with the lens (though keep in mind some are from a full frame and some are from a crop). Here is a link to the reivew.
Question :
Is this compatible with the canon eos rebel sl1?
Answer :
Totally, your camera can fit all EF and EF-S lenses. This is a good lens too, unmatched in sharpness and speed at its price point. It’s ideal for portraits, and also performs well in low light. Not wide enough to be your go to walk around lens, so hang on to your 18-55mm if you have one. If not, I would suggest pairing this with the EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM for your wide shots, as it has a lot of the same advantages of the 50mm with a wider angle of view. Both are about the same price, 125-150 USD.
If you would like more information about either the 50mm F1.8 or the 24mm F2.8, you should check out my reviews I have on my profile. All WOFG photography reviews cover the pros and cons, offers advice for how to use the gear, and has comparisons or suggestions for other gear. There are also sample images taken with the lenses. Here are some links to the reviews.
For the 50mm –
For the 24mm –
For my profile just click on my name!
Question :
Will this fit on my Canon Rebel 3Ti?
Answer :
Totally, your camera can fit all EF and EF-S lenses. This is a good lens too, unmatched in sharpness and speed at its price point. It’s ideal for portraits, and also performs well in low light. Not wide enough to be your go to walk around lens, so hang on to your 18-55mm if you have one. If not, I would suggest pairing this with the EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM for your wide shots, as it has a lot of the same advantages of the 50mm with a wider angle of view. Both are about the same price, 125-150 USD.
If you would like more information about either the 50mm F1.8 or the 24mm F2.8, you should check out my reviews I have on my profile. All WOFG photography reviews cover the pros and cons, offers advice for how to use the gear, and has comparisons or suggestions for other gear. There are also sample images taken with the lenses. Here are some links to the reviews.
For the 50mm –
For the 24mm –
For my profile just click on my name!
Question :
Would this be a good lens for astro-photography ? Taking pictures of stars, etc..
Answer :
this lense will do fine shooting astrophotos. The extremely fast aperture will allow you to capture more light and less time per exposure, resulting in less issues while tracking. Now, as some other people pointed out, the sweet spot for astrophotography lies in the wide angle lenses (for milky way shots) or teles (200mm and up) for moon and deep sky objects. With a 50 mm you will still be able to shoot constellations and they will look great, paired with the fast 1.8 aperture you will get good results with less time and less shots (if you are planning to stack). Regarding dark skies, I shoot with a 300mm lense in northern Delaware with some horrid light pollution and still get shots of Andromeda and ring nebula without a problem, light pollution will not let you "see your target" or dimmer stars near the target, so you will have to know your skies well enough to almost shoot in the dark, but if the camera can see it, the camera will record it.
Question :
Does it come with front/rear lens caps?
Answer :
According to Canon the lens does come with front and rear lens caps.
Question :
I have a Canon t5, how do I know if this lens fit in my camera?
Answer :
It's a Canon lens made for Canon cameras. It will fit.
Question :
Will this lens be more useful to get for my film camera compared to the 50mm II ? Can it use the new stm technology to better effect?
Answer :
If you already have the 50mm II there is little difference in picture quality. The STM focus is mainly an advantage for video, so neither has an edge on a film camera. If you already have the 50mm II I would stick with that. If you don't and might also use the lens on a DSLR, then I would suggest getting the STM.
Question :
i have the ef 50mm1.8 w/ range scale metal mount + the version II, is this version's AF any quieter?
Answer :
It's a lot quieter than the EF 50 1.8 II but not silent like my USM primes. I makes a soft electronic "sheeck" sound similar to the EF 40 2.8 STM. So with the camera next to your head you can hear it in a quiet room. Out on a city street or at the beach I can't hear it at all. The mic on my 70D picks up the focus sound during quiet video clips so you need to use an external mic or outboard audio.
Question :
What uv filter and nd filter size do i need for this camera?
Answer :
Its just the lens and thr filter size is 49mm
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