Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard and Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, Fixed
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Availability:
Only 4 left in stock, order soon!
Arrives
Sep 6 – Sep 8
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Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
Features
- Standard focal length 50 millimeter lens is effective in a multitude of shooting situations and ideal for day-to-day shooting
- Elements, Groups: 7 by 6, Diaphragm: Blades 8, Filter Thread: Font 58 millimeter. Minimum focusing distance: 17.8 inch
- An f 1.4 maximum aperture provides clear imaging in low light situations and shallow depth of field
- Ultrasonic autofocus motor (USM) operation is fast, smooth and virtually silent
- 2 high-refraction lens elements and new Gaussian optics eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference
- This large aperture standard prime lens has superior peripheral brightness even at the maximum aperture
- Lens construction: 8 elements in 6 groups, Filter size: 77 millimeter
- Optimized for Digital super multi-layer coating minimizes flare and ghosting a common problem of digital cameras
- The optimum optical design and molded glass aspherical lens elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations, including coma aberration, resulting in superior optical performance
- The Hypersonic Motor (HSM) ensures silent, high speed auto-focusing as well as full time manual focusing capability
Description
Standard lens Featuring superb quality and portability. 2 high-refraction lens elements and new Gaussian optics eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference. Crisp images with little flare are obtained even at the maximum aperture. Filter size: 58 mm, Closest Focusing Distance: 1.5 feet. The 50mm f/1.4 standard lens is a terrific choice for both casual and professional photographers. The lens is outfitted with 2 high- refraction lens elements and new Gaussian optics, which combine to eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference. As a result, the lens obtains crisp images with little flare even at the maximum aperture. The lens's f/1.4 speed, meanwhile, is perfect for available-light shooting. And as a bonus, this lens is the only lens in the EF system to offer an extra-small Micro Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) while still providing a full-time manual focusing option. Other features include a close focusing distance of 1.5 feet, a 58mm filter size, and a one-year warranty.what's in the boxCanon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens, E-58U 58mm Snap-On Lens Cap, Lens Dust Cap E (Rear) and 1-Year Warranty. Specifications. The 50mm f/1.4 standard lens is a terrific choice for both casual and professional photographers. The lens is outfitted with two high-refraction lens elements and new Gaussian optics, which combine to eliminate astigmatism and suppress astigmatic difference. As a result, the lens obtains crisp images with little flare even at the maximum aperture. The lens's f/1.4 speed, meanwhile, is perfect for available-light shooting. And as a bonus, this lens is the only lens in the EF system to offer an extra-small Micro Ultra Sonic Motor (USM) while still providing a full-time manual focusing option. Other features include a close focusing distance of 1.5 feet, a 58mm filter size, and a one-year warranty. what's in the box Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens, E-58U 58mm Snap-On Lens Cap, Lens Dust Cap E (Rear) and 1-Year Warranty. Specifications Focal length: 50mm Maximum aperture: f/1.4L Lens construction: 7 elements in 6 groups Angle of view: 46 degrees Focus adjustment: Overall linear extension system with USM Closest focusing distance: 1.5 feet Filter size: 58mm Dimensions: 2.9 inches in diameter and 2 inches long Weight: 10.2 ounces Warranty: 1 year
Brand: Canon
Focal Length Description: 50mm
Lens Type: Standard
Compatible Mountings: Canon EF
Camera Lens Description: EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard
Focal Length Description: 50mm
Lens: Standard
Compatible Camera Mount: Canon EF
Maximum Focal Length: 50 millimeters
Minimum Focal Length: 0.45 millimeters
Lens Design: Prime
Focus Type: Auto Focus
Lens Fixed Focal Length: 50 millimeters
Lens Coating Description: No Coating
Zoom Ratio: 111.111
Image stabilization: no
Real Angle Of View: 40 degrees
Minimum Aperture: 22
Number of Diaphragm Blades: 8
Compatible Camera Models: Canon EOS
Photo Filter Size: 5.8 centimeters
Lens Mount: Canon EF
Lens Color: Noir
Screen Size: 4.17 inches
Color: Black
Compatible Devices: SLR
Exposure Control Type: Automatic
Media Type: ProductImage
Water Resistance Level: Not Water Resistant
Brand: Canon
Camera Lens: EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard
Model Name: 2515A003
Number of Packs: 1
UPC: 400002885214
Number of Items: 1
Manufacturer Part Number: EF5014U
Global Trade Identification Number: 14, 28, 42, 63, 19, 37
Unit Count: 1 Count
Built-In Media: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens, E-58 II 58mm Lens Cap, Lens Dust Cap E (Rear), Warranty
Item Part Number: 2515A004AA, 2515A012AA, 2515a012
Item Weight: 290 g
Item Type Name: Canon usa 2515a003 ef 50mm f/1. 4 usm lens.
Manufacturer: Canon Cameras US
Warranty Description: 1 year coverage for labor, 1 year coverage for parts
Model Number: 2515A003
Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Sep 6 – Sep 8
Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
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Top Amazon Reviews
Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
I hope I can add something meaningful...I am by no means a professional or even advanced amateur (bought my first DSLR a few months ago). Pros: Solid Quiet Fast Auto Focus Full Time Manual Focus Beautiful Bokeh Amazing colors Sharp Cons: More expensive than 1.8 (how much does full-time manual focusing, construction, quiet auto-focus matter to you?) Lacks IS (I know it is not a huge deal but I think it could be helpful) Should include a free lens hood This is my first lens besides the kits lens that comes with the T2i so I hope this review might be helpful to those deciding to branch out beyond the kit lens. The lens is amazing just not perfect... maybe I had too high of expectations (or more likely I am just an ignorant novice photographer). Nevertheless, as soon as I took this thing out of the box I told my wife, "I am never using the kits lens again". (I have had this lens for a couple of months and did put the kit lens on once to take an indoor group picture because there just wasn't enough room at 50mm... however as soon as the picture was taken this lens was back on my camera.) First off this lens is amazingly solid (makes the plastic kit lens feel like a toy). I swear it doubles the weight of my camera (not in a bad way)... I now understand the reviews which said that the T2i feels cheap. I don't do a ton of videography but like taking an occasional video and was hoping the quiet auto-focus would eliminate the annoying sound picked up by the internal mic when focusing... it doesn't (it might be slightly less but still just as annoying). Nevertheless the silent auto-focus is very nice and makes the kit lens sound like a semi (that might be too drastic but you get the point). Before this lens I was still familiarizing myself with the camera and only shot in the basic modes. If you have no intention of branching out beyond the basic modes you may want to hold off on purchasing this lens since most of the benefits come with learning the manual modes and using a low aperture. Expect a little bit of frustration as you try to learn the advanced modes and get non blurry photos that are completely in focus. It can be frustrating but well worth the learning curve. When this thing hits the photos are beautiful the bokeh is awesome, the colors pop, and everything is perfectly sharp. I thought the full time manual mode would be incredible no longer having to flip a switch on/off. I was wrong... maybe I am stupid but searching the web I found other people would try to manually focus in AI Servo. Don't be an idiot like me and others. AI Servo focuses continually so you have to change modes to manually focus (unless you want to grind against the gears). Maybe it is just me but it would be nice if the camera could tell you were manually focusing and disable the auto-focus regardless of what mode you are in. Don't get me wrong the manual focus is nice just not as perfect as I thought it might/could be. The low aperture although very helpful will not do miracles... I find myself desperately longing for a flash (I hate the on board flash) in some lighting conditions. The low aperture helps a lot but is only one piece of the puzzle. The low aperture does more for bokeh than it does in eliminating the need for light. If your primary concern is crappy lighting ... get a flash. If your primary concern is crappy quality (sharpness, bokeh, color) get this lens. Or get both (which I plan to do shortly). Some people state they no longer need a flash with this lens which may be true for some but I find in my horrible lit apartment it is almost impossible to get decent pictures without using one even when the lens is stopped down to 1.4. Part of me really wished this lens had IS (except for the increase in price that would go along with it) it really would make this great lens incredible. The kits lens although having far worse image quality and color is a little more forgiving with the IS. I think this may be why some people complain about non sharp photos. I have found the camera can take amazingly sharp photos even when wide open at 1.4 but it requires a lot more skill (steady hands or a tripod and spot on auto focus). A random tip I found helpful when taking pictures of my daughter was to use AI Servo but to track her movement for a second or two before taking a picture. It gives the auto-focus time to properly track her constant movement and results in a ton more sharp pictures than taking a picture immediately after focusing. I also purchased a filter (included for free with purchase) and a lens hood. The filter is close to a waste of money and I could only see myself using it if I was in a harsh environment and seriously worried about particles getting into the lens since it destroyed image quality. The lens hood is amazing (I bought one of the non name brand hoods)... I could be wrong but I think it helps the lens auto-focus quicker in some lighting conditions. Additionally, it looks good and provides a decent level of protection without loss of photo quality (pick one up). Purchase Price: $346.00 Brand New
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Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2010 by Benjamin
Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
At this point, this lens has such a strong backing that I'm just another voice in the wind. *If you want this lens, GET IT. You will NOT regret it if you want a fast, sharp, well-built investment in glass.* Keep in mind that when shooting with APS-C cameras (7D, 4/5/60D, T1/2/3/4/5i, SLi) this is a wonderful PORTRAIT lens, that gives you a head-and-shoulders frame at five feet, while on a full-frame camera (5D1/2/3, 6D, 1D3/4/5/X/C) it is a stunning STANDARD lens, with a full-body frame at five feet. It is well-built: the body is made up of a solid plastic that has survived a few bangs and falls already. I have it insured, so I have the peace of mind of not worrying about little things, but remember to put a cheap UV filter on it. *A scratched filter costs a LOT less to replace than a scratched lens. Buy a filter with this lens!* It is FAST: The USM is quick and snappy. It is the older version of Canon's USM, so it will 'hunt' in low light if you place a single AF point onto a black background or surface. Get around that by focusing on a lit subject and then recomposing, using either single shot AF or AF-lock. It is BRIGHT: or 'fast', but I didn't want to get confused between AF and aperture. If you are upgrading from a zoom lens, whether it's your kit 18-55 or your professional 24-70 F/2.8, you will INSTANTLY notice how bright and clean 1.4 is. It GOBBLES light at nighttime and indoors, and coupled with the high-ISO performance of almost every Canon DSLR right now, you can get stunning shots with this lens in the toughest of conditions without a flash. And, because of how fast it is, the depth of field (amount of your subject in focus) is razor-thin. You will find that someone's nose pores will be visible while their eyes will be blurry, which might ruin a shot for you: always confirm that what you want to be in focus, is. This is a VERY powerful tool for creative or portrait photography. It is SHARP: focus, movement, light, camera shake, and shutter speed all can alter the sharpness of your photo, which is the most important facet, but the fact is that this lens will not hold you back if you're looking for the sharpest photo possible. It is RAZOR sharp when stopped down, and center sharpness is stunning all the way to F/1.4. Anything from F/2 and up will be sharp all around, at at F/5.6 the entire frame is sharper than a lot of L lenses. The only reason people pay five times as much for the Canon 50mm F/1.2L is because they either need the build quality, aperture speed, or consistent sharpness. You can easily get equally stunning results from this lens, at 1/5th the price of its niche L brother. And, for creative photos and especially video, it creates wonderful creamy BOKEH. If you're looking at this lens you probably know what 'bokeh' means: all it references is the quality of the out-of-focus areas of your photo. Your subject, whether a face or a sign or a car or a person, will be sharp and in focus, while at F/1.4 the area from a few inches in front of and behind the subject become a wonderfully pleasing blur. Now, as far as competition goes, this lens competes with the Sigma 50mm F/1.4 and Canon's own 50mm F/1.8. The Canon 50mm macro lens doesn't count as a 'fast fifty', as at F/2.5 it is an entire stop slower than the other 50's. The Sigma is a better and newer lens than the Canon 50mm F/1.4, with better sharpness wide open and barely better bokeh. However, it costs slightly more, and it doesn't have the support of Canon software, hardware, and editing plugins. Their results are nearly identical, and bokeh is a personal preference. You will be perfectly content with either lens, though Canon's autofocus has been reported as being superior to Sigma's, with quality control issues and failing AF on early models of Sigma's 50mm's. The 50mm F/1.8 is well-known for its optical quality and fantastic value. However, it is also made up of plastic, and as such, it WILL break. The focus ring is also miserably bad for video. So, if you have the extra $200 to spend, GET THE 1.4. The build quality, USM focusing, and proper focus ring will last you years, wheras the 'nifty fifty' will last you until you drop it, or the cheap AF dies. Now, always remember that your lens is a creative tool: this one is a fantastic and versatile tool, but you still can't expect it to do anything it's not built to do. For example, while F/1.4 is a wonderful tool, you will find yourself missing focus at times. Stop down to F/2.8 not only for more accurate DOF and focus, but better sharpness. And, if you want stunning detail, or you're in bright sunlight, stop down to F/5.6 for nearly perfect sharpness for when you have a lot of light, a flash, or are set up to do portraits. And, when you need stunning bokeh or fast shutter speeds, crank it open. So, in conclusion: this is a wonderful lens that is sharp, fast, well built, and has excellent optical qualities when used right. If you think you want it, get it, and you won't be disappointed.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2013 by Marcus Okun
Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
The 50mm/f1.4 and 50mm/f1.8 are the BEST PORTRAIT LENSES that Canon offers. I own a Canon Rebel 2000 and Digital Rebel XT and have used both these lenses for several months. Pictures have been outstanding and my professional customers frequently cite the sharpness, light balance, depth of field, color reproduction, and "bokeh" (intentional blurring of background in portraits) from these lenses. Some people question the usefulness of a 50mm lens on digital SLRs with a 1.6x crop factor (i.e., 50mm lens = 80mm on a dSLR like the Digital Rebel XT)... I can vouch that the range is beautiful and relevant, focusing more closely on key subjects in portraits. WHAT DO THESE LENSES HAVE IN COMMON? They are both fast (the f1.4 is blazing fast - dSLR can hardly keep up!), details are incredibly sharp (you can see individual hair strands), virtually no chromatic (color) aberration, no dithering or shadows in the corners, focusing is rapid and quiet (thanks to Canon's patented Ultrasonic USM technology) and photo quality parallels even my professional Canon "L" lenses. These fixed aperture lenses also provide superior pictures than telephoto lenses at 50mm because of better glass and aspherical elements. HOW ARE THESE LENSES DIFFERENT? Having tested both lenses across 1500+ pictures, there are 5 key factors that make the f1.4 superior (justifying the $300+ price tag). 1) FASTER ESPECIALLY IN LOW LIGHT: Extra f-stop makes the f/1.4 better for indoor photos or low light. Great companion to the 480EX flash. I was able to take nearly 40 pics/min with flash and the fastest Sandisk 1GB Ultra II CF card 2) NO CHROMATIC ABERRATION, whereas the f/1.8 has slight yellowing of photos under certain lighting conditions or where edge definition is low 3) FULL AUTO/MANUAL FOCUSING RANGE: f/1.8 requires flipping between auto and manual using a switch, while f/1.4 can be manually "hot" focused/tweaked after auto focusing 4) SUPERIOR BUILD QUALITY: The f/1.8 is plastic and feels cheap, like it might fall apart anytime. The f/1.4 is metal, weighty, and is for the proud lens owner 5) CLEANER "BOKEH" - f/1.4 produces beautiful blurring of background in portraits ("bokeh") while the f/1.8 leaves less clean edges. Canon reviews suggest this is due to the f/1.4 having 8 lens elements vs. 5 elements for the f/1.8 WHICH LENS SHOULD YOU BUY? This is a question of utility vs. value. The f/1.4 costs over $300 while the f/1.8 can be acquired for under $75. The f/1.4 will last forever while the f/1.8 will probably break under normal use in a year. Does this justify the 4x price tag? If you are a budding photographer looking for a "play lens" then the f/1.8 will more than over-deliver. If you are a photo enthusiast who looks for "the perfect shot," you will want the f/1.4 because it surpasses every expectation (and so you're not left wondering, "what if"). If you are a photo professional, you already have the f/1.4 lens among your bag and are not reading this review. :-)
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Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2005 by S. Banerjee
Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
First I must say that the my review is from a hobbyist photographer as I my living is not tied to taking pictures. I would start by saying that for the price of this lens it is worth a buy. For 300 $ you should not have any complains from this lens. On holding in your hand it feels very well built (not cheap feeling kit lenses, although not so great as L-Type lenses quality). I had a lot of thought before bying this lens and am not regreatting my decision. GOOD IN LOW LIGHT CONDITION, yes this is a very fast kens with f 1.4 for such a great price. I can attest that one can take good pictures in low light situations even without a flash. SHARPNESS. It is very sharp at the f value of between 2 and 2.8. Yes there is some loss of light at that aperture. Even at 1.4 there is acceptable level of sharpness for a non professional photographer like me. It's a Prime lens so better than most expensive zoom lens in comparison, I must say. GREAT BOKAH. Especially with the aperture dialed down to F 1.4. Makes the pictures look professional appearing. SHOULD I BUY canon 50mm 1.8 (100$ range) vs this Lens: This was the dilemma that I was in before buying this lens. I had already used Canon 50 mm F 1.8 before I bought this lens and for the of that lens it is a good lens. I had just read the reviews on this lens. I can now say that if you can dishout 200 additional $ its totally worth the price. Way better than the Canon 50mm f 1.8 (which by the way do not take me wrong is a noce lens for its price point). So anyone facing the same situation, I will say go for this lens.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2016 by TT
Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
This is a fun lens and recommended for beginners and serious enthusiasts alike. Why such a broad spectrum of users? Primarily because of the value you get with this lens. Is it perfect? No. Can you get great results? Yes, with practice and an understanding of its limitations. If you just started shooting with your SLR, make sure you read up on why prime lenses are so cool. In summary, they provide simpler optics as well as more compact form factors. The simpler optics improve image quality and cost (less glass). The compact form factor makes it easier to carry as well as allows more flexibility for the manufacturer to incorporate wider apertures within desired weight and cost goals. The wide aperture (i.e. "fast lens") is a big deal because it gives you flexibility to be creative. Wide apertures give you beautiful bokeh as well as "hand holdability" in low light situations. In bright light, you get great "high speed stopability" for fast moving subjects. The downside to the ultra-wide aperture when used is the shallow focal plane--anything behind or in front of your focus will be blurred out. Lastly with prime lenses, you have zero adjustability on focal length; you are the zoom as you move closer and away from the subject to frame. I've had this lens for about five years now and use it on my main body, a Canon 5D Mark II. On a full 35mm frame body, I find this focal length perfect for indoor events and street photography. It can work as a portrait lens, but I find myself too close to the subject and can distort the face too much (features too pronounced). For animal portraits, this focal length is OK. For a crop sensor body, this would be a fantastic portrait lens. In general, the image quality is good. The main problem I have with this lens that will offend some will be the very soft focus on certain apertures. The soft focus is most pronounced on the widest apertures, where you will likely be since you probably purchased this lens because of its wide aperture. The focus sharpens by around f2.4 which is where I spend most of my time with this lens if IQ is the priority. But for fun shooting my friends at a party or street photography, I will typically run it wide open and accept the soft focus as part of the overall look of the picture. Just be aware when purchasing this lens that the sharpness is not that great at f1.4. The other issue I have with the lens is build quality. It just feels cheap in the hands. There is a lot of slop in the focus ring. The focus ring doesn't move smoothly and feels like there is plastic-on-plastic friction. It is also very light and hollow plastic feeling adding to that cheap feeling into the hands. HOWEVER, I consider this all reasonable considering the price you pay for it. You have all heard the adage, "you get what you pay for". Well it holds true here. Lastly, I dislike the fact that the lens barrel extends as you adjust focus. I see this being a problem if you are not careful with your lenses, as a bump while it is extended will likely break something. Before I pack it away, I always make sure to manually adjust the focus so that the barrel is completely retracted and haven't had any issues yet. So why four stars despite these arguably large shortcomings? Let's go back to how I started the review--value. It's just a cheap lens that anyone can pick up to start getting serious into photography or as a beater lens if you are more seasoned. I'm in the latter category, and it's just a blast shooting wide and taking it to the streets without much worry about the lens itself. You can produce some very pleasing images once you learn its limitations. You could spend more money on another Canon prime L glass, but for a quarter of the price this will get the job done 90% of the time unless your income relies on that perfect shot. Another alternative in a similar price range is the Sigma 50mm f1.4. It's usually a little more expensive, but the build quality is superior.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2015 by mastacio
Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens is not merely a piece of camera equipment; it's a gateway to photographic excellence. Garnering a well-deserved 5-star rating, this lens stands out as a versatile, high-performance tool that caters to both professional photographers and enthusiasts alike. Its combination of a wide aperture, superb image quality, and compact design makes it a go-to lens for various photography styles, particularly in portraiture and low-light situations. One of the most striking features of this lens is its f/1.4 aperture. This wide aperture allows for an impressive depth of field control, enabling photographers to create stunningly sharp subjects with beautifully blurred backgrounds. The bokeh produced by this lens is smooth and aesthetically pleasing, adding an artistic quality to your shots. The image quality produced by the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is exceptional. Images are crisp and clear, with excellent contrast and color rendition. The lens performs remarkably well in low-light conditions, thanks to its wide aperture, making it ideal for indoor photography or during the evenings. The Ultrasonic Motor (USM) focusing system is another highlight. It provides fast, smooth, and quiet autofocus, which is crucial when shooting in situations where noise can be a disturbance, like during ceremonies or wildlife photography. The ability to switch to manual focus instantly is also a handy feature, giving photographers creative control over their shots. In terms of build and design, the lens is compact and lightweight, making it an easy addition to any camera bag. Its build quality is solid, ensuring durability and reliability in various shooting environments. TL;DR: The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens is a masterpiece of optical engineering, perfect for photographers looking for a high-quality, versatile lens. Its wide aperture, exceptional image quality, fast and quiet autofocus, and compact design make it an excellent choice for portraiture, low-light photography, and general use. This lens is not just an accessory; it's an essential tool for capturing the world in all its beauty.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024 by Digital Donkey
Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
As someone approaching this lens from a newbie’s perspective, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM feels like a big step up and a confidence booster right away. It’s the kind of lens that makes you feel like you’re finally getting “real camera” results. ——— What I Like The first thing I noticed is how fast this lens is. The f/1.4 aperture makes a huge difference compared to a kit lens. Photos come out bright even indoors, and the background blur is beautiful—subjects really stand out, especially for portraits. Faces look sharp and flattering, and the overall image quality feels professional without much effort. Autofocus is quick and accurate, which is reassuring for a beginner who’s still learning how to frame and focus properly. The lens also feels well-built and solid in hand, so it doesn’t feel fragile or cheap. It’s lightweight enough to carry around easily, and the 50mm focal length is very natural, making it great for everyday shooting and learning composition. ——— What Could Be Better For a beginner, shooting wide open at f/1.4 can be tricky. The depth of field is very shallow, so it’s easy to miss focus at first. I also noticed that images can look a bit soft when fully wide open, which may surprise new users expecting perfect sharpness all the time. Stopping down slightly helps a lot, but that takes some practice and understanding of aperture. The lens design feels a bit old, and it doesn’t have modern features like image stabilization or weather sealing. The focus ring works fine, but it could feel smoother and more refined, especially for someone trying manual focus. ——— Final Thoughts Overall, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is an excellent lens for beginners who want to move beyond their kit lens and start taking more creative photos. It’s fast, sharp, and produces stunning portraits with beautiful background blur. While it does require some practice to master, that learning process is part of what makes this lens so rewarding. For anyone new to photography and looking to level up, this lens is a fantastic choice.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2026 by John Book
Style: Lens Only
Pattern: Single
I love this Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM standard and medium telephoto lens for Canon SLR cameras! It has an Ultrasonic type auto focus with full time manual focusing. It’s exciting to know that every time I use this lens I get no side chromatic aberrations. The lens is lightweight and perfect for travelling. Compared to other prime lens like the L series, this lens is a winner as it goes for only $399.00. If you are accustomed to shooting in low light or indoors shoots, then use this lens. Admittedly, this is the only lens in the Canon EF system that combines with the micro USM and still manages to pull off a full-time manual focusing with the lens! Of course there are times when you will need to change focus slightly and this lens is a smash hit that allows you to do so. Canon 50mm focal length lens has a way of producing natural looking shoots the same way your eyes would see images in real life. The only thing that should be of concern is that this lens is prone to vignetting at wide apertures of between F1.4-1.8. Barrel alteration is also common when shooting at wide apertures. This though shouldn’t worry you too much as it would require a keen eye to notice that there was barrel distortion while viewing the images. Flaring tends to happen as well. To counter this, you could use a short lens hood together with the lens. I noticed that flaring reduced considerably. For outdoor shooting, a circular polarizing filter normally does the trick of capturing vibrant clear pictures (Note: Keep in mind as you purchase the filter that the lens ring is about 58mm). If you have moving subjects, this is the fastest lens that you can use to capture the subjects. I also did experiment by taking black and white photographs and the results were mesmerizing. I wonder why I had qualms about it as I was deciding between this one and the f1.8. If this lens seems too expensive then you might consider using a bounce flash when shooting in low light environments! Overall, I recommend using this lens if you are shooting in low light conditions or if you need close up shots of subjects. This is an indispensable lens for Canon bodies that is easy to use and also very affordable and I would recommend it to anybody who is thinking of purchasing one.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2015 by Momof2