New 50mm Compact Macro on the Way? [CR1]

[Canon Rumors]

We’re told that Canon will updating one of it’s niche macro lenses, the 50mm f/2.5 compact macro. As with most lens rumors, no timeline was given for an announcement.</p>
<p>The current 50mm f/2.5 compact macro is very popular with for reproductions and copywork.</p>
<p>We’ve always expected the EF 180mm f/3.5 to be the next macro to get an update.</p>
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[JonAustin]

Finally, my little 50CM may be getting some upgrade love. Even if true, I probably won't buy its successor, especially if the Canon EF 50mm f/whatever IS USM AHSANFORD SPECIAL gets produced. 8)

 

[jolyonralph]

This is one of my favourite lenses. When focusing it does sound like a bag of angry bees, but it is the sharpest 50mm lens that Canon have made (which, to be fair, isn't saying much.)

One has to wonder why Canon would be remaking this niche lens, the only reason I can think of is that a 1987 design is probably quite expensive for them to keep the manufacturing tools in order for, and that a more modern design would be cheaper for them to make.

It wouldn't surprise me though if the optics inside were identical.

 

[ahsanford]

Finally, my little 50CM may be getting some upgrade love. Even if true, I probably won't buy its successor, especially if the Canon EF 50mm f/whatever IS USM AHANSFORD SPECIAL gets produced. 8)

I can't win. Every new 50mm thread involves a sideline camera dedicated to my reaction like I'm a football coach.

- A

 

[j-nord]

Great lens, I've always assumed it would eventually get upgraded because it has real world professional use. It's a great lens for copying/reproduction (as mentioned by the OP) but also an excellent, cheap product photography lens. It's perfect for small businesses to photography their merchandise.

 

[ahsanford]

That this lens even exists (alongside all the nutty one-offs Canon has in its lineup) is both a blessing and a curse.

Blessing: If you want something nutty, chances are Canon has it.

Curse: If you don't want something nutty, chances are Canon might be working on something nutty instead of what you want.

I appreciate that the 50mm macro is even older than the 50mm f/1.4 USM, but I have wonder what small sliver of a market that macro lens even has today. Is it even 1/5th of the 50 f/1.4 share? 1/10th?

- A

 

[ahsanford]

As far as that focusing noise is concerned:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo8w2Na2x9k

- A

 

[Maximilian]

Funny!
Now we have at least every old 50 mm lens rumored.
But absolutely no release day or at least something looking like [CR2].

Looks like the pink unicorn seems to be a herd of 50 mm high/long/wide unicorns now
(or is it the lengh of the horn? :-\ )

Finally, my little 50CM may be getting some upgrade love. Even if true, I probably won't buy its successor, especially if the Canon EF 50mm f/whatever IS USM AHANSFORD SPECIAL gets produced. 8)

I can't win. Every new 50mm thread involves a sideline camera dedicated to my reaction like I'm a football coach.

- A

Heads up, ahsanford!
In the end you'll win. (at least if you can give up the IS )

 

[NancyP]

If this is a really sharp lens at macro / close up, I could go for it.

 

[StudentOfLight]

Good focal length for food photography, e.g. top-down shots

 

[mb66energy]

If this comes true: Canon EF 2.0/50mm IS USM Macro
... this will probably my missing "wide angle to go" (100mm is standard for me).

I like the 2.8 40 but: Not close up enough and no distance scale (necessary if you are shooting experimental setup/data in school for later investigation like falling balls, rotating things, waves, spectra, etc.)

 

[chrysoberyl]

Interesting...if f/2, very sharp, with a nice long throw. I have been eyeing the 60mm for my 80D, but I'd rather have a 50mm for my 6D and 80D, even if half-macro. The current 50mm macro is out of stock whereas the 180 is still in stock; that lends a bit of credence to the notion an update coming.

 

[ahsanford]

Interesting...if f/2, very sharp, with a nice long throw. I have been eyeing the 60mm for my 80D, but I'd rather have a 50mm for my 6D and 80D, even if half-macro. The current 50mm macro is out of stock whereas the 180 is still in stock; that lends a bit of credence to the notion an update coming.

Has Canon ever offered an f/2 macro? I thought they all ran f/2.5 to f/3.5.

- A

 

[rfdesigner]

Makes sense to me.

50mm f2.? IS STM macro
&
50mm f1.4 ringUSM

 

[ahsanford]

Makes sense to me.

50mm f2.? IS STM macro
&
50mm f1.4 ringUSM

Certainly possible, but I still contend that the 20 f/2.8, 28 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8, 100mm f/2, (i.e. 'early 90s better than budget') lenses will get the IS refresh treatment. (Perhaps not all of them, but the 85 for sure and hopefully the 50 as well.)

- A

 

[cellomaster27]

Makes sense to me.

50mm f2.? IS STM macro
&
50mm f1.4 ringUSM

I hope both are USM. Especially for macro and an EF lens. Personally, the only advantage to having STM is for autofocus video. That's it really. now I don't have any comment on the new nano usm. It seems good on paper. maybe that's the new thing we will be seeing?

 

[rfdesigner]

Makes sense to me.

50mm f2.? IS STM macro
&
50mm f1.4 ringUSM

I hope both are USM. Especially for macro and an EF lens. Personally, the only advantage to having STM is for autofocus video. That's it really. now I don't have any comment on the new nano usm. It seems good on paper. maybe that's the new thing we will be seeing?

I've done very little macro work, how does ringUSM help with that. The few times I have played macro I've had all the time in the world.

 

[ahsanford]

I've done very little macro work, how does ringUSM help with that. The few times I have played macro I've had all the time in the world.

If the macro doubles as a standard prime for non-macro work, you want USM. I love the 100L as a short tele for portraits, kids or pets playing outside, etc.

If you only want to shoot dedicated tripod macro with it, AF is just a convenience to help you 'find' the basic neighborhood you want to focus on, but you still will likely switch to MF to nail what you want.

For 'not serious' / impromptu / handheld / shoot on the fly macro work, the AF situation changes. Handheld macro work benefits from USM to relatively quickly find your target, but I usually still end up switching to MF, doing an FTM override or sticking with the original one-shot AF half-shuttered and then moving my hands in and out to taste on particular details I want in focus.

But if you told me that my 100L's AF only worked at non-macro distances, I'd be totally fine with it. AF on that is only vital for non-macro work, IMHO.

- A

 

[ahsanford]

Makes sense to me.

50mm f2.? IS STM macro
&
50mm f1.4 ringUSM

I hope both are USM. Especially for macro and an EF lens. Personally, the only advantage to having STM is for autofocus video. That's it really. now I don't have any comment on the new nano usm. It seems good on paper. maybe that's the new thing we will be seeing?

And if the non-macro 50mm f/1.4 replacement doesn't have USM (or Nano USM), I will buy one and then kill it with a hammer. "Bad Canon. Stop that, Canon." I will say.

If their fix for 20 years of iffy/fragile focusing with the EF 50 f/1.4 micro USM is to abandon USM altogether, I'll absolutely lose my s---. What needs to be done is painfully clear and possible to do.

- A

 

[wsmith96]

Funny!
Now we have at least every old 50 mm lens rumored.
But absolutely no release day or at least something looking like [CR2].

Looks like the pink unicorn seems to be a herd of 50 mm high/long/wide unicorns now
(or is it the lengh of the horn? :-\ )

This group of 50mm's shall now be known as "The Herd" from this point forth....