Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

[ahsanford]

The someday new 50 f/nooneknows IS USM is a $600 future state lens based on the 24/28/35 IS refresh price history, but there is such massive pent-up demand for an 9 out of 10 at everything 50mm with IS, not immense and heavy, modern/reliable/fast USM, etc. that I honestly believe they could briefly sell it for anywhere up to $1,000 at first offering and just clean up sales-wise.

Will love to see a new 50 f/nooneknows IS ring-USM lens too.

But since no-one-knows when the above is coming, I'll make do with the 50 f/1.8 STM for now.

One has to wonder that at such a low price (I'm guessing $149), Canon might think that people waiting for the 50 f/nooneknows IS USM might just buy now and buy later when the lens they really want arrives.

If that's part of their plan, I can't tell if that's clever or sadistic -- but it's money in Canon's pocket either way.

- A

 

[ahsanford]

[Sorry for this off topic]
Speaking about a possible future Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 IS: how fast is the current fastest IS (or VC or VR or OS) lens? Is it 2.0 (Canon 35mm) or even faster IS lenses exist?
AFAIK, a 50mm F/1.4 IS would be a new world record, but I might be wrong.
[End off topic]

For Canon, it's the 35 f/2 IS and 200 F/2 IS, I think. I want to say Sony has a 135 f/1.8 OSS, if memory serves.

- A

 

[cosmopotter]

When Canon updated the EF 24, 28 and 35mm they added IS at the expense of an F-stop or so but it was a good update in the intermediate lenses. It feels like the same update process should be coming for the EF 50 1.4, EF 85 1.8 and EF 100 2.0 as they are getting quite long in the tooth. I love my 50/1.4 and don't think I want the new 1.8 as I would prefer a photographic lens to a video lens. The STM lenses are great for video on my 70D but it's not my focus (pardon the pun).

 

[cosmopotter]

From back in 2010:

http://www.canonrumors.com/2010/03/ef-50-f1-4-ii-usm-cr2/

 

[ahsanford]

When Canon updated the EF 24, 28 and 35mm they added IS at the expense of an F-stop or so but it was a good update in the intermediate lenses. It feels like the same update process should be coming for the EF 50 1.4, EF 85 1.8 and EF 100 2.0 as they are getting quite long in the tooth. I love my 50/1.4 and don't think I want the new 1.8 as I would prefer a photographic lens to a video lens. The STM lenses are great for video on my 70D but it's not my focus (pardon the pun).

You are mistaken, sir. No IS refresh lens was slower than it's predecessor.

• 
  The EF 24 f/2.8 was obsoleted by the EF 24 f/2.8 IS USM.
  
• The EF 28 f/2.8 was obsoleted by the EF 28 f/2.8 IS USM.
  
• 
  The EF 35 f/2 was obsoleted by the EF 35 f/2 IS USM.

All are like for like speedwise. What confuses folks is that there is ALSO an EF 28 f/1.8 USM, so folks thought that the new 28 IS was a slower lens, when in fact both are still sold side by side.

And all of the above were entry level lenses without USM -- they had squeaky terrible AF motors and a host of issues.

The intermediate non-L, non T/S primes all have USM -- the 20 f/2.8 USM, the 28 f/1.8 USM, the 50 f/1.4 (Crappy) USM, the 85 f/1.8 USM, the 100 f/2 USM, etc. We still haven't seen Canon's plans for refreshing those, but the 50 is screaming for replacement.

- A

 

[degos]

Well I put my 40mm STM up for sale today, won't raise much but at least it will contribute something towards buying this lens!

I love the 40mm FoV on an APS-H but the f2.8 was just too slow.

This 50mm will overlap with the Sigma Art but as noted above I see them as two different tools; the Art for portaits and composed work, the 1.8 for walkabout snapping. At least it will work indoors to a reasonable degree, unlike the 40mm that went blind when the light dropped.

 

[lholmes549]

I'm very happy to see this. I just sold my 50mm f/1.4 for spares as the AF went, but couldn't bare to go back to the f/1.8 II with the plastic mount, buzzy AF and non-existent AF ring.
I really enjoyed the f/1.4 but I just am not ready to burn another £100 if the AF goes again.
I'd much rather buy this new 50mm f/1.8, as long as it's no more than ~£130, has slightly improved image quality and accurate, quieter AF.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

When Canon updated the EF 24, 28 and 35mm they added IS at the expense of an F-stop or so but it was a good update in the intermediate lenses. It feels like the same update process should be coming for the EF 50 1.4, EF 85 1.8 and EF 100 2.0 as they are getting quite long in the tooth. I love my 50/1.4 and don't think I want the new 1.8 as I would prefer a photographic lens to a video lens. The STM lenses are great for video on my 70D but it's not my focus (pardon the pun).

You are mistaken, sir. No IS refresh lens was slower than it's predecessor.

• 
  The EF 24 f/2.8 was obsoleted by the EF 24 f/2.8 IS USM.
  
• The EF 28 f/2.8 was obsoleted by the EF 28 f/2.8 IS USM.
  
• 
  The EF 35 f/2 was obsoleted by the EF 35 f/2 IS USM.

All are like for like speedwise. What confuses folks is that there is ALSO an EF 28 f/1.8 USM, so folks thought that the new 28 IS was a slower lens, when in fact both are still sold side by side.

And all of the above were entry level lenses without USM -- they had squeaky terrible AF motors and a host of issues.

The intermediate non-L, non T/S primes all have USM -- the 20 f/2.8 USM, the 28 f/1.8 USM, the 50 f/1.4 (Crappy) USM, the 85 f/1.8 USM, the 100 f/2 USM, etc. We still haven't seen Canon's plans for refreshing those, but the 50 is screaming for replacement.

- A

Not to mention that all of these lenses are technically brighter than their replacements (much better T-stop rating). The margin between the Sigma ART and the Canon 35IS in their T-stop is only about a third stop because the t-stop for the Canon is f/2 dead on.

 

[ahsanford]

When Canon updated the EF 24, 28 and 35mm they added IS at the expense of an F-stop [Truncated]

You are mistaken, sir. No IS refresh lens was slower than it's predecessor.

[truncated]

The intermediate non-L, non T/S primes all have USM -- the 20 f/2.8 USM, the 28 f/1.8 USM, the 50 f/1.4 (Crappy) USM, the 85 f/1.8 USM, the 100 f/2 USM, etc. We still haven't seen Canon's plans for refreshing those, but the 50 is screaming for replacement.

- A

Not to mention that all of these lenses are technically brighter than their replacements (much better T-stop rating). The margin between the Sigma ART and the Canon 35IS in their T-stop is only about a third stop because the t-stop for the Canon is f/2 dead on.

All. That. Said...

I think I'm not the only one who is bracing for bad news with the max aperture of the 50 f/nooneknows IS USM. I am not expecting f/1.4 with that lens, because a proper corner to corner sharp, modern AF lens at f/1.4 and with IS will be a clear and present danger to 50L sales, plain and simple. I see Canon nerfing that lens -- perhaps with a 50 f/1.8 IS USM or even 50 f/2 IS USM offering -- to keep the price of the 50L up.

I fully, fully recognize that there is more that differentiates the 50 f/1.2L to a future refresh of the 50 f/1.4 than a fraction of a stop and a weathersealing gasket, but Canon will have to work much harder to maintain L price with such a juicy product sitting well below it in price.

- A

 

[ecka]

Whaa.. a budget lens with "unique" 49mm filter thread? Crazy . Seems just as awkward as the "one of a kind" 55mm thread on EF-M 11-22.
There is a cure though - a 49mm-to-58mm(or whatever) adapter, which adds like $15 to the price.
Maybe 49mm (cheaper) makes sense for "24/7 UV filter lovers" (not me), but for any other kind of filter it would cost extra .

Next stop - 62mm?
:

 

[ahsanford]

Whaa.. a budget lens with "unique" 49mm filter thread? Crazy . Seems just as awkward as the "one of a kind" 55mm thread on EF-M 11-22.
There is a cure though - a 49mm-to-58mm(or whatever) adapter, which adds like $15 to the price.
Maybe 49mm (cheaper) makes sense for "24/7 UV filter lovers" (not me), but for any other kind of filter it would cost extra .

Next stop - 62mm?
:

Again, my original question stands. With their relatively modest FOV needs of 35-50mm FF equivalent, why do any of the Canon pancake lenses (this one included) with those uber-tiny front elements need a filter any bigger than a US quarter (i.e. around 25mm)?!

- A

 

[Proscribo]

I think I'm not the only one who is bracing for bad news with the max aperture of the 50 f/nooneknows IS USM. I am not expecting f/1.4 with that lens, because a proper corner to corner sharp, modern AF lens at f/1.4 and with IS will be a clear and present danger to 50L sales, plain and simple. I see Canon nerfing that lens -- perhaps with a 50 f/1.8 IS USM or even 50 f/2 IS USM offering -- to keep the price of the 50L up.

I fully, fully recognize that there is more that differentiates the 50 f/1.2L to a future refresh of the 50 f/1.4 than a fraction of a stop and a weathersealing gasket, but Canon will have to work much harder to maintain L price with such a juicy product sitting well below it in price.

- A

I don't think the 50mm 1.4 replacement will be f/2.0, it can however be 1.8 with IS and USM as those features will make it "superior" to this 50mm STM.

Although it indeed means, that the current 50mmL requires an update, but then again, from what I've heard the 50mm 1.2L isn't really THAT good lens, so maybe it's a wise move to upgrade it? Propably no IS but some Sigma 50mm Art -like IQ without AF hassle and with a red ring?

Anyhow I personnally hope that canon updates their whole 50mm line, I have the f/1.4 version and I wouldn't hesitate buying and updated version of it, with IS and better optical performance (esp. wide open), of course.

 

[ahsanford]

Although it indeed means, that the current 50mmL requires an update, but then again, from what I've heard the 50mm 1.2L isn't really THAT good lens, so maybe it's a wise move to upgrade it? Propably no IS but some Sigma 50mm Art -like IQ without AF hassle and with a red ring?

Anyhow I personnally hope that canon updates their whole 50mm line, I have the f/1.4 version and I wouldn't hesitate buying and updated version of it, with IS and better optical performance (esp. wide open), of course.

The 50L is a great lens if you are looking for bokeh/draw/color/"magic" and such. I personally think it's a complete waste of time after f/2.8 or so, where more general photographic pursuits happen. I value sharpness over magic, yet I choose the current 50 f/1.4 as I detest pickle jar sized primes like the Art series.

The problem has long been in view -- it's easy to quantify sharpness, but it's a bear to quantify "magic" or rate bokeh quality. So the 50L is commonly flogged by forum dwellers looking at resolution numbers while those who love the 50L just roll their eyes at us and keep nailing great shots. Neither is right, neither is wrong -- different strokes for different folks, I guess.

- A

 

[ecka]

Whaa.. a budget lens with "unique" 49mm filter thread? Crazy . Seems just as awkward as the "one of a kind" 55mm thread on EF-M 11-22.
There is a cure though - a 49mm-to-58mm(or whatever) adapter, which adds like $15 to the price.
Maybe 49mm (cheaper) makes sense for "24/7 UV filter lovers" (not me), but for any other kind of filter it would cost extra .

Next stop - 62mm?
:

Again, my original question stands. With their relatively modest FOV needs of 35-50mm FF equivalent, why do any of the Canon pancake lenses (this one included) with those uber-tiny front elements need a filter any bigger than a US quarter (i.e. around 25mm)?!

- A

Because having a separate set of filters for each lens is insane? Although, this could be their plan exactly ...
It may be reasonable for professional grade optics, but not for $100~$200 lens. If they can put a 49mm thread instead of 25mm, then not making it 52mm or 58mm is just offensive.

 

[ahsanford]

Because having a separate set of filters for each lens is insane? Although, this could be their plan exactly ...
It may be reasonable for professional grade optics, but not for $100~$200 lens. If they can put a 49mm thread instead of 25mm, then not making it 52mm or 58mm is just offensive.

This is one reason of many why my 50 f/1.4 keeps getting used and my 40 f/2.8 does not.

- A

 

[ecka]

Because having a separate set of filters for each lens is insane? Although, this could be their plan exactly ...
It may be reasonable for professional grade optics, but not for $100~$200 lens. If they can put a 49mm thread instead of 25mm, then not making it 52mm or 58mm is just offensive.

This is one reason of many why my 50 f/1.4 keeps getting used and my 40 f/2.8 does not.

- A

I've got an adapter (52-to-58) for mine . I like using CPL and it works fine.

 

[slclick]

Because having a separate set of filters for each lens is insane? Although, this could be their plan exactly ...
It may be reasonable for professional grade optics, but not for $100~$200 lens. If they can put a 49mm thread instead of 25mm, then not making it 52mm or 58mm is just offensive.

This is one reason of many why my 50 f/1.4 keeps getting used and my 40 f/2.8 does not.

- A

Funny, as soon as I got my 40 Pancake I stopped using my 50 1.4. It had nothing to do with filters and everything to do with IQ.

 

[traveller]

Small, light, cheap and probably excellent performance (if maybe not quite up to Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art standards).

Bravo Canon, this is just the kind of lens that most people need. I'm almost certain to buy one to keep in my jacket pocket (not that I wear a jacket much in the country I currently live in ). This is the sort of lens that Canon needs to make more of, if they aim to fight off the competition.

Canon seems to be developing three lens lines, the L-series, the non-L USM and the STM series. They finally seem to be releasing some interesting low end lenses, rather than just endless kit zoom updates. Maybe they are realizing that this is where the real danger from mirrorless cameras systems is coming from?

 

[Etienne]

So far, the most luminous lens has Image Stabilizer is only F2 aperture. If this new 50mm STM had stabilization, it would have been a world record and could not be a lens so small and cheap as expected to be.

Sony seems to have 50mm f1.8 OSS lens.

The upcoming Zeiss Batis 85/1.8 is also stabilized.

85 1.8 Stabilized ! Thanks for the info, you've just re-energized my interest in the Sony A7 system!

Sony is starting to come out with nice looking lenses.
16-35 f/4 IS
an innovative 28mm that converts to 21mm and fisheye
A couple of good 50mm primes
And now a stabilized 85 1.8!

 

[traveller]

So far, the most luminous lens has Image Stabilizer is only F2 aperture. If this new 50mm STM had stabilization, it would have been a world record and could not be a lens so small and cheap as expected to be.

Sony seems to have 50mm f1.8 OSS lens.

The upcoming Zeiss Batis 85/1.8 is also stabilized.

85 1.8 Stabilized ! Thanks for the info, you've just re-energized my interest in the Sony A7 system!

Sony is starting to come out with nice looking lenses.
16-35 f/4 IS
an innovative 28mm that converts to 21mm and fisheye
A couple of good 50mm primes
And now a stabilized 85 1.8!

Soon, all lenses will be stabilised on the Sony system because of IBIS (as the internet now calls it -and there was me thinking that an Ibis was a bird, like an Otus apparently!).

On a serious note, the fact that Sigma, Tamron and Zeiss are now making lenses that directly compete with the OEM versions must be a serious concern to all the camera manufacturers. How long before AF versions of Zeiss' ZE and ZF lines come out?