Canon have three very capable 50mm lenses over quite a large price range. The very latest addition to this range is the 50mm f1.2L which if I am honest, is one of the most beautiful lenses I have ever used. But at around £930/$1,400 - You’d kind of hope it would be...
There are of course 3rd party 50mm lenses you can look at - which, whilst I will list them, I won’t comment on them, as I haven’t used them personally. I have generally stuck with Canon lenses throughout my career for our Canon bodies, as they have never let me down and I have always been very impressed with what you get for your money.
However, it now appears that Zeiss are getting in on the act for supplying lenses for both Canon and Nikon - So keep watching this space - As I may have to get my hands on a 50mm f1.4 Planar with EOS fit and have a damn good play with it, as I suspect it will be very, very nice if the experience with our Hasselblad lenses are anything to go by.
So - Back to the Canon range...
Click to read on after the jump...
Canon 50mm f1.8 MkII (make sure you buy a MkII version!)
To kick off with, the entry level model offering from Canon is the 50mm f1.8 which comes in at an eye-watering £67/$100.
So, what do get for this colossal sum? Well, to start with you get a lens that appears to be constructed from recycled Bakelite telephones from the 1960’s and with the construction finesse of a 1970’s Russian car. The first time you lift it to your eye and half depress for focus, the pure shock of the noise it creates will destroy any form of composition you may have had and, you will then need to recompose yourself before returning to the shot at hand (our advice is to just shoot something you couldn’t care less about to start with until you have got over the shock). Not only does it have the construction characteristics of a 1970’s Russian car - It pretty much sounds like one when it tries to find something to focus on - which often can take a while.
So given that when you pick it up out of the box, it very much feels like it is pretty much what you would expect for the price. And when you start to use it it sounds like you probably actually did pay too much for it - then, when you try to focus quickly in low light it grinds away as it is hunts for what you want it to focus on. You have to wonder, is this lens worth spending any money on at all, as it really does, at first glance, appear to be a very real piece of crap.
Is it worth spending hard earned money on? Hell yes!!!
If you are operating on a budget; don’t need professional level optics or a very fast and silent USM (Ultra Sonic Motor) - This lens, quite frankly rocks!
The image quality is utterly astounding for the price tag and will have tears welling in your eyes at how amazingly professional your shots of your kids are when shooting in your lounge on a lazy Sunday afternoon. And for next to no money too! Yes you will have a fair percentage of your shots not quite in focus when you have the aperture right open. And yes, if you have a full frame sensor the edges won’t be quite to your liking.
But, if you can afford a body with a full frame sensor, you can afford a better lens. If you have a cropped sensor in your body and don’t need to accuracy required when your pictures are your income. This lens is not only perfect for the job - It will exceed all expectations. Just be aware that if you use it late at night, you may end up with a visit from the noise abatement team from your local authority.... ;-)
50mm f1.4 USM (this is my main 50mm lens)
There actually isn’t a great deal to say about this lens... Coming in at about £220/$330 it’s the sort of price you would expect to pay for a 50mm from Canon without the nice red line around the end of the barrel.
It’s pretty much silent with it’s USM, optically excellent across the range, very fast focusing and wholly reliable. For the price point, you still probably get more for your money than you’d expect as you do with the f1.8 (but admittedly, not quite as much).
It has a slightly wider aperture than the f1.8, which is more noticeable if you have used the f1.8 previously.
It is basically an excellent work horse which will do exactly what you want and when you want to, from a 50mm prime lens.
Like I say, there isn’t a great deal to say about this lens as it is just excellent at what it does and at a price point that is about right. If you are looking for a 50mm prime, this is definitely a very good buy.
50mm f1.2L USM
Now this is the leader of the pack when it comes to the range of Canon 50mm primes. And coming in at £930/$1,400, you would kind of hope that it is.
Optically, this little puppy is awesome and a very great pleasure to use. It is extremely fast, provides near silent focusing with a lock-on pretty much guaranteed each time. It also looks sensational on the camera with it’s owl eye like presence, which will almost mesmerise your subject.
Of all the lenses, this is without a doubt the best and provides a level of quality you would expect from an L lens... For the price tag however, I really would have expected some optical image stabilisation thrown in too though.
But - It is incredibly expense when compared to the f1.4 and I have to be very honest when I say that the price difference of over £700/$1,000 cannot be justified by its presence, abilities, quality and wider aperture alone.
If the money isn’t an issue for you to internally justify the price of this lens, then I would say of all the lenses here, you should get this one.
Conclusion...
All of these lenses are great in their own way. And, here is how feel the lenses best fit with users:
Best Buy...
50mm f1.8 MkII :: On a budget, very occasional use, still quite inexperienced.
Best bang for buck...
50mm f1.4 USM :: The best balance for quality, price and functionality.
Just the best...
*50mm f1.2L USM :: If money isn’t overly important and outright image quality required
So there you have it - Our opinion for what it is worth... Sadly, it is you that must decide. So having read this, run a search for some more thoughts and opinions that are out there before taking the leap.
Whichever of these lenses you decide to go for - You will love it - All have their plus points and minus points - It’s just a case of deciding what you want out of your lens and what you are prepared to pay for it.
Here are some alternatives to Canon’s ‘prime’ offering...
Sigma 50mm f1.4 EX DG HSM - Canon Fit
Sigma 50mm f2.8 EX DG Macro Lens - Canon Fit
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 1,4/50 ZE
*If you are seriously thinking about getting the 50mm 1.2L USM, why not sit back and think for a while - look at possibly getting the 50mm f1.4 USM and a 16-35mm f2.8L lens too for pretty much the same price. The latter is an absolutely awesome lens that I can guarantee you will love - Or failing that, perhaps the 17-40mm f4L as a slightly cheaper but slower option - But still, a very capable lens.
i have a 50mm f1.8 and have been amazed by the quality of pictures it produces. without a doubt it is the best dollar for dollar lens available...i can't get over the fact it is only $80. i'd recommend one to anyone!
Posted by: 50mm Lens User | March 22, 2009 at 07:59 PM
nice review. I have a 50mm f1.8 and would agree with you that it is a great starter lens for beginners. they should sell canons with the 1.8 instead of the 18-55 kit lens. I'd love to try out a f1.2 though!
Posted by: 50mm f1.8 user | April 03, 2009 at 05:37 PM
It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.
Posted by: MBT Sandals | July 16, 2011 at 01:11 PM