Preorder: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

[mackguyver]

I think this might be a nice pano lens, assuming that distortion is low. I'm going to hold off for the reviews as I imagine this lens won't have the stock issues of the recent L lenses.

 

[dboris]

EDIT: The optics are virtually identical.

Is this confirmed?

The glass isn't the same size .-.

I hope it will be sharper open wide.

 

[ajperk]

Canon UK has some sample images. http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/product_finder/cameras/ef_lenses/fixed_focal_length/ef_50mm_f1.8_stm/

Wide-open the bokeh looks about the same as it did on the 50mm mkII, especially see the 8th sample image. Lots of outlining on the out-of-focus highlights. Second image looks better. I suppose it doesn't matter how many blades the aperture has when you're wide open anyway. Still looking forward to getting one and checking it out.

 

[bereninga]

Wide-open the bokeh looks about the same as it did on the 50mm mkII, especially see the 8th sample image. Lots of outlining on the out-of-focus highlights. Second image looks better. I suppose it doesn't matter how many blades the aperture has when you're wide open anyway. Still looking forward to getting one and checking it out.

Yeah, bokeh looks a little nervous. Nevertheless, for those interested, this is a moderate upgrade for MkII owners if you're only looking for quieter focus, better build quality and and a slightly smaller package. I'd wait to see the results of IQ comparisons though.

 

[mackguyver]

Here are the full-sized images:

http://www.cameraegg.org/ef-50mm-f1-8-stm-lens-sample-images/

 

[Brymills]

Wow, it has been released quickly and with a low price tag!

Now all I want is image quality slightly improved and accurate AF and we're onto a winner again!

Anyone know where I can pre-order in the UK?

Wex, £129

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-stm-lens/p1572990

 

[JonAustin]

I presume that with the introduction of this new lens, Canon will discontinue the 50/1.8 II?

Odd that they would go down to a 49mm filter thread, considering that the 50/1.8 II, 50/2.5 CM and 40/2.8 STM all have 52mm threads ...

As for the optional hood, I've seen so many photographers shooting L lenses without hoods, that I wonder how many just leave it in the box upon purchase. It's no surprise to me that lenses are optional purchases for Canon's non-L lineup. At the prices Canon charges for them, though, you have to really want them!

 

[Dylan777]

For $125 I don't expext much of WOW. However, I just pre-ordered one through Adorama by using CR link.

It's 1stopish faster than 40pk

 

[lw]

Wow, it has been released quickly and with a low price tag!

Now all I want is image quality slightly improved and accurate AF and we're onto a winner again!

Anyone know where I can pre-order in the UK?

All the usual places have it for pre-order - Wex, Park, etc

But you will be paying pounds for dollars...

In the US it seems that most posters are surprised that it is so cheap, and not priced too distantly from the existing 50mm lens.

Whereas in the UK you will be paying a lot more (about £50 more) for the STM version than you can pick up the current lens for brand new.

 

[lholmes549]

Wow, it has been released quickly and with a low price tag!

Now all I want is image quality slightly improved and accurate AF and we're onto a winner again!

Anyone know where I can pre-order in the UK?

Wex, £129

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-canon-ef-50mm-f1-8-stm-lens/p1572990

Thanks! Seems a bit excessive for a lens that is $125...I could see matching pound to dollar but actually going higher is having a laugh.

All the usual places have it for pre-order - Wex, Park, etc

But you will be paying pounds for dollars...

In the US it seems that most posters are surprised that it is so cheap, and not priced too distantly from the existing 50mm lens.

Whereas in the UK you will be paying a lot more (about £50 more) for the STM version than you can pick up the current lens for brand new.

I'm happy to pay a bit more than the existing lens, but when a $125 lens is being sold for £130 I think it's going a bit too far!

 

[lw]

I'm happy to pay a bit more than the existing lens, but when a $125 lens is being sold for £130 I think it's going a bit too far!

It seems the cheaper the lens, the more markup Canon want to make on UK/EU prices.
The various STM primes have all been much higher cost than the US.

The worst was the EF-S 24mm STM which is $149 in the US, but was introduced at a whopping £179 in the UK. So even more than £ for $.
At least it has now settled down to £136.

But it will be a while before the 50mm STM drops in price I guess. So be prepared to pay an early adoptor premium

 

[ashmadux]

Oh wow, $125. I was expecting at least $200.

They will make up the difference with the hood purchases by tourists. 3 shops, 3 different prices - great stuff.

 

[slclick]

Actually the price is less than I'd expected. (Should we say thanks to Sigma at some point? )

More likely thanks to YongNuo.

I tried a YongNuo and I could not afma it. It must have been a -35 with FoCal. Love using Amazon Prime for my not refurbished lens purchases these days. Free return shipping.

 

[Steve Balcombe]

In the US it seems that most posters are surprised that it is so cheap, and not priced too distantly from the existing 50mm lens.

Whereas in the UK you will be paying a lot more (about £50 more) for the STM version than you can pick up the current lens for brand new.

Pricing strategy is different - in the UK launch prices are slightly higher (don't forget a big part of the difference is VAT) but after a few months it should drop by 25% or more. If you don't need it straight away just bide your time and you'll get it for £99 soon enough.

 

[lholmes549]

It seems the cheaper the lens, the more markup Canon want to make on UK/EU prices.
The various STM primes have all been much higher cost than the US.

The worst was the EF-S 24mm STM which is $149 in the US, but was introduced at a whopping £179 in the UK. So even more than £ for $.
At least it has now settled down to £136.

But it will be a while before the 50mm STM drops in price I guess. So be prepared to pay an early adoptor premium

Yeah I'm not really in any hurry to get my hands on it. In terms of great glass £30 is nothing, but when it comes to a lens like this the price is half the enticement.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

You can now preorder the brand new Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Shipping of the new lens is slated to begin May 21, 2015.</p>
<p><strong>Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM $125: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1143786-REG/canon_0570c002_ef_50mm_f_1_8_stm.html/BI/2466/KBID/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/CA5018STM.html?kbid=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X8MRBCW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00X8MRBCW&linkCode=as2&tag=canorumo-20&linkId=VNB2NIVLZBSNT7XT" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Canon ES-68 Lens Hood: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1143787-REG/canon_0575c001_es_68_lens_hood.html/BI/2466/KBID/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo $26.95</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/CAES68.html?kbid=64393" target="_blank">Adorama $34.95</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X8MS0JA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00X8MS0JA&linkCode=as2&tag=canorumo-20&linkId=4QGK6XBRGDWCM5XN" target="_blank">Amazon $29.00</a></strong></p>
<p>You can also preorder a protective filter from Canon for the 49mm filter thread.</p>
<p><strong>Canon 49mm Protect Filter $29.95: <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1143789-REG/canon_0577c001_49mm_protect_filter.html/BI/2466/KBID/3296" target="_blank">B&H Photo</a> | <a href="http://www.adorama.com/CA49UVN.html?kbid=64393" target="_blank">Adorama</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X8MSROS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00X8MSROS&linkCode=as2&tag=canorumo-20&linkId=JIEMOVVYFR35XLCP">Canon 49mm Protect Filter</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=canorumo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00X8MSROS" target="_blank">Amazon</a></strong></p>

I will wait for reviews of the new lens. It offers some improvements in AF, bokeh, flare and contrast but, MTF charts of both lenses are identical so, the optical formula is almost the same.

 

[lw]

Pricing strategy is different - in the UK launch prices are slightly higher (don't forget a big part of the difference is VAT) but after a few months it should drop by 25% or more. If you don't need it straight away just bide your time and you'll get it for £99 soon enough.

That's somewhat true, but I don't see why it should be that way. If the US can have it introduced at the same price as the existing lens, then so should we!
I dislike this 'early adopter premium' approach.

Still, it will be available via Hong Kong soon enough at a much cheaper price, and with a low cost lens like this there is little to worry about importing one, warranty wise. So the only losers are Canon UK and their UK dealers...

 

[neuroanatomist]

That's somewhat true, but I don't see why it should be that way. If the US can have it introduced at the same price as the existing lens, then so should we!

I dislike this 'early adopter premium' approach.

I don't see why people in the US should pay nearly double the prescription medication costs of people in the UK (ok, I do see why but that's country specific laws and international commerce for you).

I dislike this 'pay up if you want to maintain your health' approach.

I guess it's all about perspective…

 

[nielyee]

Just spoke to a local Canon(Malaysia) distributer, where the lens is manufactured, and they informed me that the lenses are well stocked and good to go. They're just waiting for the go ahead from corporate to release it out of the gates.

 

[lw]

I don't see why people in the US should pay nearly double the prescription medication costs of people in the UK (ok, I do see why but that's country specific laws and international commerce for you).

I dislike this 'pay up if you want to maintain your health' approach.

I guess it's all about perspective…

not quite sure what relevance that has.

This is nothing to do with taxation or health care.
Merely that Canon UK chose to over-inflate the price of new products knowing that some early adoptors will be prepared to pay a premium. And that they seem to be doing it by a greater margin than Canon US do.
It's this marketing ploy I dislike, not the price differential between UK and US, and the extra we pay in taxes.