Canon Introduces New EF 50MM F/1.8 STM Lens

[Solar Eagle]

Or are we getting the same glass elements from the same production line as the 50mm F1.8 II, just with the added lens coating? - I feel that this is the most likely option, but am just curious to hear your opinions.

I was thinking the price on the new model is probably so low because of that reason. There is only slight improvement on the MTF charts which a number of people have suggested would be accounted for by the better coatings.

Somebody called the nifty fifty the gateway drug of the Canon lens lineup, so it would not surprise me if they are not making much/any money on the new version. I mean for the same price EVERYTHING has been replaced/upgraded but the glass itself.

I think the fact that the optics did not change is a testament to how well tuned that design is. I mean if they could make it sharper, without making it making it larger or more expensive, they would have.

 

[Solar Eagle]

If you want an all around lens for your 6D I'd suggest the 40. Shooting at 2.8 on full frame provides some noticeably attractive narrow depth of focus. And 40 is almost 35 which is a typical rangefinder, cell phone, moderate wide, safety length. And the 40 has great optics.

I don't use my 40 much cuz I have the 35 IS, and he had the 35 IS but sold it, so I'm not sure he'd like 40. All these lens choices... Definitely first world problems. lol

 

[degos]

I don't need anything wider than 2.8 for light gathering because of my 6Ds high ISO capability but then I'm stuck thinking the reason I have a full frame camera is to be able to embrace my inner bokeh whore as needed, and the 40mm just doesnt offer that for most situations where I'm hoping the 50 1.8 does.

ISO is good but really no substitute for pure light-gathering.

I used a 40mm STM on a 1D Mk IV and sold it due to anemic performance indoors. You really do notice the difference shooting at ISO1600 versus 3200.

Yes, the 6D has lower high-ISO noise but it is still noisy compared to what you could be using if you had f1.8 or f2 available.

The 40mm was so weak in poor light I ended-up using the 85mm f1.8 in its place ( I didn't have a 35 or 50mm at the time ) and having to keep distance from the subject. Not ideal but better than all that noise.

Out and about in the outdoors the 40mm is great, however, and a handy catch-the-moment substitute for a lens-cap.

 

[Loswr]

ISO is good but really no substitute for pure light-gathering.

Pure light gathering is good but really no substitute for sufficient depth of field.

 

[Marsu42]

ISO is good but really no substitute for pure light-gathering.

Pure light gathering is good but really no substitute for sufficient depth of field.

+1 for that, the (English) term "fast lens" really cons into thinking it's all 'bout getting a nice and fast shutter speed, while the tradeoff is a ridiculously thin depth of field. The usual f4-zoomy-something is mostly working in every situation, but <=f2 makes a severe difference.

Of course dof is all subjective and so much depends on output size and subject isolation also depends on camera-subject-background distance. So essentially a "fast" lens is great for having more freedom of choice, but there's a reason you can still stop it down other than maxing out your shutter speed.

 

[slclick]

I don't need anything wider than 2.8 for light gathering because of my 6Ds high ISO capability but then I'm stuck thinking the reason I have a full frame camera is to be able to embrace my inner bokeh whore as needed, and the 40mm just doesnt offer that for most situations where I'm hoping the 50 1.8 does.

ISO is good but really no substitute for pure light-gathering.

I used a 40mm STM on a 1D Mk IV and sold it due to anemic performance indoors. You really do notice the difference shooting at ISO1600 versus 3200.

Yes, the 6D has lower high-ISO noise but it is still noisy compared to what you could be using if you had f1.8 or f2 available.

The 40mm was so weak in poor light I ended-up using the 85mm f1.8 in its place ( I didn't have a 35 or 50mm at the time ) and having to keep distance from the subject. Not ideal but better than all that noise.

Out and about in the outdoors the 40mm is great, however, and a handy catch-the-moment substitute for a lens-cap.

The 40's handling of CA blows the 85 out of the water. I guess you just need to buy and carry lots of lenses eh? Oh and weak in low light? Pish posh...

 

[slclick]

Just checking on the Amazon page for the lens....Wow, a #1 and it's just a preorder.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Just checking on the Amazon page for the lens....Wow, a #1 and it's just a preorder.

I would not be surprised if the new Canon 50mm STM become the'll sold lens (from any manufacturer) for the next five years.

That seems like a Bokeh-per-dollar ratio really unbeatable.

 

[meywd]

Just checking on the Amazon page for the lens....Wow, a #1 and it's just a preorder.

I would not be surprised if the new Canon 50mm STM become the'll sold lens (from any manufacturer) for the next five years.

That seems like a Bokeh-per-dollar ratio really unbeatable.

Although I agree, it seem that Amazon list it as a newer version of the 50 f1.8 II, and another thing, its listed #1 in film SLR cameras lenses, while the 50 f1.8 II as #1 in digital camera lenses

 

[Marsu42]

That seems like a Bokeh-per-dollar ratio really unbeatable.

Not quite - The Yn clone of the 50/1.8 II is only $55, and if you don't care about the 80s af sound the bare bones iq probably isn't that different for small export sizes: http://www.135shot.com/lens-accessories/standard-medium-telephoto-lens/yongnuo-yn-ef-50mm-f-1-8-af-lens-with-extra-large-aperture-for-canon-slr-cameras.html

 

[SpuTTer]

First review I've seen is out, but its in chinese. Google translates it well enough.
http://dcdv.zol.com.cn/521/5210900.html

 

[dboris]

Omg I'm so disapointed.. I thought it would have internal focusing like all stm lenses

 

[Sporgon]

Omg I'm so disapointed.. I thought it would have internal focusing like all stm lenses

If your 40mm and 24mm STM have internal focusing they are likely to be broken

 

[NorbR]

Not all STM lenses, the pancakes have a similar extending barrel (including the EF-M).
This just confirms that this 50mm is essentially an extra-thick pancake. So let's not expect miracles regarding AF speed.

 

[Marsu42]

The pancakes have a similar extending barrel (including the EF-M). This just confirms that this 50mm is essentially an extra-thick pancake.

The width of the extension makes a difference for sturdiness b/c of the lever. If you bang against anything with a fully extended 50/1.8 plastic prime, chances are it's broken. I don't own ef-m or the 40mm pancake, but I imagine the physical extension is shorter on these.

 

[ahsanford]

I just checked every STM lens' listing at TDP:

All STM zooms have internal focusing.

All STM primes are not internally focusing. Keep in mind they don't catalogue EF-M, so they only have listings for the EF-S and EF pancakes and not the 22mm EF-M.

- A

 

[slclick]

That seems like a Bokeh-per-dollar ratio really unbeatable.

Not quite - The Yn clone of the 50/1.8 II is only $55, and if you don't care about the 80s af sound the bare bones iq probably isn't that different for small export sizes: http://www.135shot.com/lens-accessories/standard-medium-telephoto-lens/yongnuo-yn-ef-50mm-f-1-8-af-lens-with-extra-large-aperture-for-canon-slr-cameras.html

Ugh I tried a YN clone, it was R U B B I S H. Noisier than the Mark2 and forward focused so much it would have taken -40 AFMA. You get what you pay for.

 

[Marsu42]

Noisier than the Mark2 and forward focused so much it would have taken -40 AFMA.

Magic Lantern allows you to set afma values outside Canon's limits ... and if this would be a Canon lens, it would be argued that probably your individual lens sample was broken and you should get it replaced on warranty. As it's a Yn lens, of course we Canon folk know this is a deep, systemic problem :->

 

[slclick]

Noisier than the Mark2 and forward focused so much it would have taken -40 AFMA.

Magic Lantern allows you to set afma values outside Canon's limits ... and if this would be a Canon lens, it would be argued that probably your individual lens sample was broken and you should get it replaced on warranty. As it's a Yn lens, of course we Canon folk know this is a deep, systemic problem :->

Nah, Amazon Prime, sent it back with paid shipping.

 

[bereninga]

Omg I'm so disapointed.. I thought it would have internal focusing like all stm lenses

This definitely looks like it extends further than the 40mm STM. It's probably as much as the 50 f/1.4 even. Just make sure the lens is contracted before turning off the camera and storing. Saw this coming a mile away since it looks just like the pancake.