I get what you're saying. I really don't care what the barrel is made of. It could be made of wood as far as I'm concerned, just as long as it's tough. I look at the mount point. The EF 50mm f1.8 STM, has a metal mount. That's a huge improvement over its legendary predecessor.
People do like when products feel significant and heavy duty. Makes them feel like they got their money's worth if the construction feels more durable.
Regarding the lens not retracting when shutting its off. It actually does do it on my 80D. Its in the menu's as an option to retract lens when the camera powers off. I also do own a 5D mark III but not in the menus : ( I think from now on though all canon cameras will have it. 5D is a goodie..but its an oldie.
I bought the version ii non stm from a nearby thrift store for 20 bucks. Im very happy. It brought my 5dmkiii out of the closet. Its small and light weight. Dont want to carry around my sigma 1.4 at the park chasing my kids. Best $20 i ever spent!!!!
New photographer here.... I bought this last week and i went to a family gathering this weekend.... wow. The results were absolutely absurd!!! I am in love with this lens now!!!! Glad i bought it. Lens feels like decent quality(like build sort of well) But i wouldnt want to drop this thing. Takes bad ass shots ha ha.
Another thing to note is the AF accuracy, which is much improved with the STM version. The 50mm f1.8 mkII was known for it's inconsistent AF motor which would tend to miss focus from time to time. I lived with it since the lens was so cheap, and that the optical quality is quite good. Focus bracketing helped a lot, along with manual focus with a high precision screen installed. With the STM version I'm finding that I'm using it a LOT more since I can be more confident that it'll AF accurately.
Try it on a camera with dual pixel AF in video mode and you might find that it is silent. in photo mode it's loud because it is focusing fast, video focus is slower - more 'cinematic'. I don't own the 50mm STM, so can't comment authoritatively, but have found this with other lenses.
This lens is so great. The AF is beautiful. The picture looks awesome. I use the M50, so I had to get a mount adaptor as well. It's really great to use long term.
I have this lens and use it with autofocus on a focus corrected Canon 5D converted for infrared capture. It is an exceptional lens, nice and sharp when stopped down, with lovely bokeh and falloff at full aperture. And no hotspots anywhere at all on any aperture. So it is possible to use this camera for point and shoot, and for me it is a keeper.
I disagree with you on the quiet part I have this lens and t4i, 70d and 7d MK 2 and with the new movie servo AF on those cameras it's quiet when shooting video and that's what canon means when they say quiet. I'm not sure if you have used dual pixel AF but it's very awesome when paired with STM lenses. It's just a matter of context.
Yeah I've noticed that She lenses on bodies without the technology can't focus them silently and when they do they are only silent in video during stills it goes for speed over silence. Just my experience :)
Tobiel Lucas it will work just fine but you won't get that smooth focusing until you get a t4i or higher. On the t3i it's probably going to act like any other lens you own
You can not judge the lens sharpness with a shot of a flat surface. It is very disappointing that even pro photographers care about that. Lenses are designed to shot photos, not to scan flat surfaces. For documents you have scanner.
I'm buying my second lens and I think this one might be a good choice for me because it's price mostly but also because I'm still learning. I use a lot my STM lens to record video and the sound of the AF is super quite!
Nice to see an article about a great Dutch bier. I love La Trappe bier. Oh yeah, I almost forgot 🤭. The 1.8 STM "Nifty Fifty" is a fantastic lens. I use it on my EOS 600D/Rebel T3i. Taking into account the 1.6 crop factor, I get an equivalent of an 80mm on a full frame. Okay, the compression is a little different; however, it's easy to adapt to that. The EF 50mm f1.8 STM, is a splendid portrait lens on a APS-C body. Attach it to a 12mm extension tube and you have a blinder of close up/macro lens. It's a must have lens, plain and simple.
A way around the lens extension issue ( works with all STMs), is to simply press the shutter button with your palm in front of the lens. The lens will quickly extend all the way out, and then retract all the way back in... Try it.
Trying to decide between this EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and the EF 40mm f/2.8 STM. Have used the 50mm f/1.4 USM and really want to move to an STM lens instead for the greatly improved focusing. 50mm is a bit long on my crop sensor, but that f/1.8 vs. 2.8 is a lot of light & bokeh. Don't think I really need both.
What a great piece of kit, i bought my Canon 6D it was actually over my budget but the nifty fifty here was my first lens for it, if you stop it down to 2,8 or higher the images are actually great for the price, i got this lens brand new at the local store for just 60 bucks at a sale.
I didn't experience that at all. I used my nifty nifty on my T6i, when I turn off the camera, the lens will also comes back off. Wonder why in yours it stayed out?
I don't use a DSLR for any video recording. I use proper video equipment. Canon Vixia HF G40. All these complaints about recording with DSLR can be resolved by using proper video recording equipment. Canon has an amazing line of videography equipment for the prosumer to the cinematographer. If you're an actual professional photographer, one who earns all their income with your camera equipment, you likely have other 50mm lenses that are more suited to your type of photography.
I own a Canon Rebel T3i. It's my very first dslr camera. I bought it in January of this year. One of the 3 lenses I currently own is a Canon 50mm f1.8 prime lens. I've shot many photos with this lens and it's great. I like it. Someone recommended that I get a 24mm 2.8 lens. I might just do that. But for now, I like the "nifty fifty" that I own right now. It's pretty cool.
This is the perfect lens for me! Whenever I don't want to carry a camera because of weight, or lens size, etc... I throw this on and it's like not really carrying my camera. Superb performance and weight for 125 euros...
I was using my original 50mm 1.8 with AFD focus up until last week when it finally went belly up. I immediately ordered the 50 mm STM and I find it much quieter & faster focusing.
Don’t power off your dslr. That solves that problem. And pay the 20 bucks for the hood. It protects the lens barrel so you can toss it in a bag or set it down and not risk jarring the lens barrel. Just a suggestion.
Ted I love your channel because you do something I don't see anywhere else. You show us photographers and their images and history. I would love you to look at more photographers through your eyes and knowledge. Reviews on gear is already freely available. If you need to do it for sponsorship I fully understand but otherwise is it really what you want to do?
The Art of Photography I appreciate and thank you for it. I have been taking pictures for years but my knowledge of photographers is mostly due to your information which I use to seek out their images as inspiration. I guess I have become reliant on your channel for that knowledge. Keep up the great work.
This lens is pretty well build. Even such lenses like the 50mm 1.4 have plastic on it. This lens is light because it is small. But the outer plastic and metal mount feels way better than the mark II.
I have the 50mm 1.8 on my 80D and when I shut off the camera it automatically bring in the lens... plus it looks fantastic taking photos with this combination.
GREAT TIPS for the nifty 50 lens...My Nikon 50mm was lost and replaced with a used Nikon 55mm 2.8 macro lens with MANUAL focusing: it took me some time to get used to the manual focusing, but once I did, I fell in LUV with it! I have even used it as a portrait lens (3/4 length mostlly) and the 55mm is sharp and fast. But your tips still apply and I appreciate them... HG
With my T6i I do not have the problem of the lens sticking out when focusing. I brought it all the way out in manual focus and when I turn the camera off, it automatically brings the front element back in.
You don't have to switch it to MF to pull it in. If it is like the 40mm STM it has "focus override" where you can AF then turn ring to start MF and pull it back. Saves you from adjusting switch on lens.
I spent the extra money on the 50mm f/1.4 a couple of years ago. I almost bought the older version of this one but I've been really happy with the f/1.4. I still have a Sony SLT-A33 that I use with its 50mm f/1.8. I always tell people one of the first lenses they should get for their camera other than their kit lens that comes with it is a 50mm prime or 35mm prime lens :)
You just talking about the feeling when you use it and material i mean isn't just quality matter.That was my first lens and i recommend it to everybody who likes portrait pictures.
Thanks Ted for an unbiased review of the lens. The focus by wire is the deal killer for me. I have a 55mm f1.8 Super Takumar I use on my 60D and love the manual focus having spent my 40yrs of photography with manual cameras. I keep wanting an auto focus 50ishmm for portraits but keep getting disappointed.
***** Yep - I don't know what Canon was thinking. Its an incredible deal for the money other than that wire setup for manual. Unfortunately I do a lot of manual focus work.
You'd think they'd program the camera to pull the lens back in on power off. Mine automatically cleans the sensor when I turn it off, it could set the focus back to infinity or whatever at the same time too :O
your critique is spot on in line with mine. i felt somewhat disappointed after finding out that the stm focus was powered. it wouldn't have been a big deal if the focusing barrel was internalized like the classic 28mm 1.8. and the focus ring feels "artificial." but the benefits greatly outweigh the detriments. great video! i do enjoy the gear vid every now and then.
Mario Leal The old MkII one was generally called that, but I imagine we'll collectively call this the 'new' Nifty Fifty. I've just ordered the new one and I'm looking forward to using it. I also own the Shorty Forty which is very similar in terms of features and build compared to the new Fifty and it'll be a nice upgrade.
Mario Leal Yep. That still stands. I own both and new one is nicer and a bit better in all aspects, not much but it counts. It is not plastic fantastic any more, worst builds now exists.
people call 50mm a focal length most similiar to the nature field of view of the human eye. but does that only apply to a full frame sensor? if i want the same look, do I need a 35mm on an apsc?
Correct! A 50mm is about the same field of view as one human eye (but since we have two eyes it´s more like 28-35mm actually). With an aps-c sensor you have to multiply the focal length on the lens by 1,5 or 1,6 (depending on weather you are using Nikon or Canon), so that means you would need a 35mm lens to achieve a similar field of view as a 50mm on a full frame sensor.
I honestly think 24mm on a APS-C (35mm on Full Frame) most accurately captures closer to what your eyes see. Unfortunately, the better 24mm lenses are really expensive. Your second best option is a 35mm lens.
It s not about the field of view. A normal lens is defined so that in a normal viewing distance the image looks like the scene that is shot looks. Typically with the 35 mm film 50 mm is considered to be the normal. If you view the image at 30 cm (6 x 50 mm) then the image size should be 144 x 216 mm. One can also view thaw normal lens as somewhat arbitrary concept between wide handle and tele. For the Canon crop the equivalent focal range is 31 mm.The human field of view is much wider. For me it is about same as 11 mm on crop and I view glasses.
When i turn camera off this lens it retreats automatically on 760d.. No need to turn it back on for retreat. I like the detail this lens renders with 24 mpx.. Great work btw :)
Atleast on 750D (t6i) it brings the focus back when I turn the camera off even if I leave it on MF. I guess it's aimed more at the rebels and other cheaper canons.
I use this lens with the 200d, and when I turn the camera off the lens barrel comes back inside automatically. I don't understand why that is not the case with your camera.
I really appreciate the effort you take in your tutorials and I want to get a new 50mm 1.8 STM. I hope the build in the new one is sturdy and not as plasticky, as my last one known as the 'Plastic Fantastic' fell out my camera bag and broke while shooting a Concert. Heart breaking stuff... Also do model photography got some beautiful portraits with great bokeh and in low light it was pretty good too. Brilliant lens and I miss shooting with it. Manual Only. So this upgrade sounds great.Thanks
Very helpful review thanks. Looking forward to owning my first prime, shall mostly use it for family portraiture... just waiting on delivery next week.
I finally worked out how to comment! I have a nifty fifty and I love it. I really enjoyed your review though and I also keep on my (only) body and did use it on a recent trip as a one camera/one lens experiment. It was perfect and my back don't ache from taking every bit of kit I own! Always look forward to and enjoy your videos/podcasts. G x
my camera doesn't have video and plus my camera is 14 years old it's a canon 400d 10.1 megapixel camera. i want to get an up to date camera that can do everything plus video. so what you think about the 10-18 wide angle lens. so you said this is a much better lens and it will make my pictures better i don't know i want to spend that kind of money on a camera lens but if it's going to make my pictures solid then i will have to invest in one. i love taking pictures especially wide angle ones but i want to buy 2 more cameras i want your opinion on the canon sl1 and sl2
Thanks for sharing your view on this lens Ted. I have a 50mm F1.4 and it tends to miss-focus (if such a word exists) now and then when using it wide open and up to around F2.8. It doesn't get the focus completely wrong but it quite often times misses the correct focus just enough so the image is... well just not good enough. It happens more frequently than with my fabulous 85mm F1.8 for instance which has a similarly narrow DOF. How does this new 50mm perform when it comes to auto-focussing wide open and under low light conditions?
Bjorn Comhaire Its excellent. I have tried the 1.4 and agree - its got accuracy problems. I also love that 85mm ;-) The STM lens is very accurate - I haven't had any trouble. But if you use a lot of manual focus, that focus by wire is frustrating.
Thanks for your video- I just got the 50mm f1.8 STM lens- but I've found even in manual focus the focus ring has some friction to it and if in video you want to rack focus quickly the faster turning of the focus ring kicks in the friction and that friction makes quite a loud noise which could be picked up by a mic too- lessened if you want to rack focus slower but what about fast focus racking? Is this something you've noticed too or do I have a dud? Thanks for your feedback!
one comment on the issue you brought up around 5:00 , i'm using the lens on my T7i and it automatically retracts for me when i turn off the camera. must be a compatibility issue
I have the 24mm and 40mm pancake STMs and love shooting with them on my 70D. Do you think there's a large enough variation in focal length to pick up the 50?
Ryan Bishop The difference between 40 and 50 is very little. Perhaps a short tele? A macro lens? Depends what you like shooting, but if you have a 40 I wouldn't bother getting a 50
Is this better than the 50mm 1.4 USM? I am considering selling my 50/1.4 and buying this 50mm 1.8 STM for half the price. Should I replace my 50mm 1.4 USM for the new 50mm 1.8 STM, is it worth it for half the price?
I've used both and I must say I like the original canon 50mm f1.8 better than this STM version, but I have used the original more so I could be just used to it.
hello.. since u do video and u mentioned about the manual focusing for video around ( 5:25 ) , does it focus back where u left off? for example, say that ur thumb is at the side of the lens when the lens in focused, and then u do some focus adjustment, does it focus back at the same point from where u left off? hope u understand my question. i use helios 58mm f2 for my video work right now
Just a question, I use my dslr for mainly video, is the image going to be shaky with this lens or is the zoom so little that image stabilization isn't needed? Thanks!
Awesome - thank for this. Please tell me the setup you're using for this video? Camera / lens / mic...and how far away the camera was from you. All looks really excellent! Many thanks in advance
Would you recommend this lens for an aps c user? Because then it get's turned into an 80mm 2.8-2.9 lens, doesn't it? That alone isn't really a problem but are any other drawbacks?
It is not a good general purpose lens but works with the 24 mm f/2.8 to give more reach. If you want a good general purpose prime, look for the 24 mm pancake. This gives roughly same angle of view as the kit lens at the tele end but three fstops more light.
Glad you did a vid on this lens! I've always favored the 50mm...it's normally my go-to lens for low light and great depth of field images! Mine too...bit the dust "smash" style, when it fell..it was the more plastic one.
My Canon 1.4 / 50 mm lens needs an expensive repair. Your video helped make the difference in my next step. The 1.8 looks like fgh the answer Thanks. Great site. Will be back.
chidoiguan Don't try cleaning the mirror. I'm not 100% sure but I believe they are front silvered and so could be easily damaged. It doesn't end up in your photo so it's best to try ignore it. Same goes for things that get stuck to the focusing screen.
