info sought for lens marked "CANON LENS EF 50mm 1:1.8

[JackCollins]

I am new to Canon. Camera is 40D. Own a 18-135mm lens. Bought EF 50mm 1:1.8 lens used. Great condition. I am trying to find info on this lens. 

[RobertTheFat]

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@JackCollins wrote:

I am new to Canon. Camera is 40D. Own a 18-135mm lens. Bought EF 50mm 1:1.8 lens used. Great condition. I am trying to find info on this lens. 

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Some say it's a very good lens. ("Nifty fifty" is a term I've seen used.) Others consider it mediocre.

It could be a decent portrait lens on a 40D.

[kvbarkley · Accepted solution]

What about it?

There have been several versions of this lens. Here is the standard Canon stuff for the latest:

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/lenses/ef/standard-medium-telepho...

Here is an article that goes into the history:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f18-stm.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f18.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f18-ef.htm

So it depends on how old your is. The optics are all pretty much the same, they vary mainly in focus and lens mount.

[JackCollins]

Thanks for the help. My lens compares to the 1987-90 version, http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f18-ef.htm,\. I have been very happy with it and, apparently got a heck of a deal.

Thanks again,

Jack 

[ebiggs1]

The ef 50mm f1.8 is probably the most common prime lens you will ever come across in the Canon line.  It is a love it or hate it lens.  Some swear by it and some swear at it.  I am in the latter category but if it does it for you, more power to you.  Use it and make some great pictures.

[ScottyP]

I had one of the previous model with the atrocious plasticky build and the hideous slow hunting loud buzzy autofocus.  It also had only 5 aperture blades, all perfectly straight, so the bokeh with OOF highlights was a bunch of weird little pentagons.  

It had lots of issues. But it was also great to have because it lets you use wide apertures for low light, and a narrow depth of field which is a revelation if you have only kit lenses.  It could make images the kit lenses cannot.

It it is actually sharper at some apertures than the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4.  Not significantly worse at any. 

The new version is notably better.  Better build quality. Quiet STM autofocus. 7 aperture blades which are now rounded. And still just $120.00.  I gave mine to a relative after I got the Sigma Art 35 but I'd buy it again if I used a crop camera, on which it is a great portrait lens for the incredible price. 

[JackCollins]

Fro a previous online reference, I hve determined that mine is the 1987-1990 build.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/50mm-f18-ef.htm

It has a metal mount and the apperas to be the same. Mine is quiet(er) and takes decent photos. And the price was very attractive. Found it in a bag of photo stuff at Goodwill and they said I could have it for $5, so I said OK.

[ScottyP]

Now THAT is a deal. Even Ernie has to like a nifty fifty at just $5.00!

[ebiggs1]

"Even Ernie has to like a nifty fifty at just $5.00!"

Let's see a $5 dollar 50mil or 1/4 pounder an fries at MacDonald's.  Hmmm,... choices, choices ..........