hooray you're in!

Best 50mm lens


The Sharpest and Best 50mm Lenses We've Tested

Lots of folks love the nifty 50. But those aren’t the best 50mm lenses. Some folks consider the ratings to be based on sharpness. And while we know that that’s not all that makes a great lens, we’re happy to say that we’ve tested pretty much all of those lenses. And more importantly, we’ve got enough authority to help people figure out what the sharpest and best 50mm lenses are on the market. So dive into this roundup with us to see our favorites!

Table of Contents

How We Chose the Best 50mm Lenses for This Roundup

These are some of the best 50mm lenses you’re going to get. And here’s what to know about this roundup!

  • This roundup of the best 50mm lenses contains 50mm lenses tested by us. But you’re in luck because we tested the vast majority of modern 50mm lenses available and of note. All the product images and sample images were shot by our staff.
  • The best 50mm lenses that we’re featuring in this roundup are the sharpest for each mirrorless camera system. We’re very much in love with them.
  • Some of the best 50mm lenses are massive. That’s just the result of what happens when things have image quality that’s that good.
  • Shoot with these lenses wide open or stopped down, and you’ll like the results. We surely did!
  • The best 50mm lenses are well worth it for anyone to step up to if they want better 50mm focal lengths.
  • No matter what lenses you use, you’ll need to keep them clean to get the most out of them. Take your lenses out and inspect them before every shoot and give them the once over. Remove any excess dirt, grease, fingerprints, or dust that you can. This will prolong the life of your lenses and will save you time during post. You don’t need an expensive cleaning kit either? This one has everything you need.

Panasonic 50mm f1.4 Lumix S Pro

Pros

  • Very sharp
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Nice colors
  • Sharp images
  • With Panasonic’s latest firmware updates, it focuses surprisingly quick.
  • Well built
  • Super well weather sealed

Cons

  • Deserves better autofocus camera bodies
  • That price, oof!
  • It’s very big

In our review, we said:

“The Panasonic 50mm f1.4 Lumix S Pro is a truly exceptional lens. It really delivers where it counts with image quality. This lens is not only very sharp but also delivers beautiful bokeh. Portrait photographers will appreciate the colors, as will wedding photographers and photojournalists.”

Buy now: $2,097.99

Leica 50m f2 Summicron APO

PROS

  • Very compact
  • Versatile
  • Contrast
  • Sharp images that retain some of the Leica character
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Easy to focus
  • Excellent build quality

CONS

  • Has less of the Leica “look” than other 50mm Leica lenses
  • It is expensive for a 50mm lens

In our review, we said:

This is one of the sharpest 50mm lenses I have ever had the pleasure of photographing with to date. At f2, the sharpness extends from the center and remains in focus from edge to edge. This sharpness is only improved upon by stopping down. Frames that I barely miss focus prove to be sharper than a lot of the usable images I have captured on DSLR 50mm lenses over the years.

Buy now: $2,595

Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM

In our review, we said:

All of these lenses have a beautiful look to them, but I’d argue that the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM has a bit more pop and beauty to it. (Then I’d highly rate Sony’s Alpha lens.) The bokeh on all of them is nice; but I’ve seen that the Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM’s bokeh isn’t always perfectly round.

Buy now: $2,299

Fujifilm 50mm F1 R WR

PROS

  • Stunning bokeh
  • While big for a Fujifilm prime, it handles very well
  • For as much glass as there is to move, it focuses quickly in most situations
  • Nice, natural color renderings
  • Weather sealing
  • It’s not cheap ($1,499. 95), but it’s well priced for an innovative f1 lens

DISLIKES

  • The autofocus motors are quite loud
  • At f1, the center is sharp, but the edges are a little soft
  • Some flaring and contrast issues when shooting into the sun

In our review, we said:

“Wide-open at f1, you’re going to get some of the best bokeh you’ll ever see on the APS-C platform. It’s a must-have for portrait photographers. Sharpness at f1 is great in the center of the frame, but stop it down a hair, and you’ll get edge-to-edge goodness. Portrait photographers will love the way the lens renders colors too.”

Brett Day – Gear Editor

Buy now: $1,499

Nikon Z 50mm f1.2

PROS

  • Excellent balance between sharp and sterile
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Accurate colors
  • Weather-sealed
  • Digital lens info display

CONS

  • Long and heavy
  • Autofocus is slower than the competition.

In our review, we state:

Like other Z mount lenses, the Z 50mm f1.2 S is impressively sharp, even wide open. At f1.2, I could capture enough sharpness to differentiate individual eyelashes, which quickly gives way to a soft blur for the nose and ears. I thought the sharpness level was just right — not overly sharp or too soft.

Buy Now: $2,097

Sony 50mm f1.2 G Master

PROS

  • Fast to use on both the Sony a7r III and the Sony a7r IV
  • Weather sealing
  • Nice render
  • Very sharp
  • Wow, Sony actually listened to us and allowed a little bit of flare in. Bravo!
  • I actually think that over $2,000 is a fair price.
  • Pretty lightweight

CONS

  • A few autofocus issues with strong backlighting
  • Two different hard function buttons are a bit odd.
  • Still has this render that’s nowhere as gorgeous as Canon’s

In our review, we said:

“The Sony 50mm f1. 2 G Master is a fantastic lens overall, objectively speaking. The autofocus performance is quick and accurate in lots of cases. It will serve street photographers, portrait photographers, and any other professional or passionate photographer well. As we saw, it’s going to also stand up to the elements pretty well. Within the FE lens lineup, it’s the fastest aperture lens. It also has incredibly smooth bokeh, sharp optics, and decent color.”

Chris Gampat – Editor In Chief

Buy now: $1,999.99

The Phoblographer’s various product round-up features are done in-house. Our philosophy is simple: you wouldn’t get a Wagyu beef steak review from a lifelong vegetarian. And you wouldn’t get photography advice from someone who doesn’t touch the product. We only recommend gear we’ve fully reviewed in these roundups. If you’re wondering why your favorite product didn’t make the cut, there’s a chance it’s on another list. If we haven’t reviewed it, we won’t recommend it. This method keeps our lists packed with industry-leading knowledge. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best 50mm lenses for Canon in 2022 (8 Top Picks)

Ahh, the good old nifty-fifty–such a classic lens! The 50mm prime is a quintessential piece of equipment every photographer should own at least once in their lifetime. And, today we’re looking at the best 50mm for Canon mount cameras:

Images from Amazon

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Bestseller

Wide f/1.8 aperture, Continuous AF for movies, Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography;

CHECK PRICE

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Canon Our Pick

Very sharp at F1.4, Pro level all-around performer, Fast and accurate focus;

CHECK PRICE

Canon 50mm f/1. 2L USM Also Great

Fastest and widest aperture 50mm lens from Canon.

CHECK PRICE

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

A good budget pick for Canon full frame cameras.

CHECK PRICE

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon Mount

Creates sharp images with high contrast, Large Aperture, Very affordable;

CHECK PRICE

Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZE

Very sharp lens, Manual focus design, Weather-resistant construction;

CHECK PRICE

Yongnuo YN50mm f/1.4

Faster than the f/1.8 lens. Value for money.

CHECK PRICE

Yongnuo YN50 f/1.8

A Great third party option: Fast aperture. Value for money.

CHECK PRICE

Best

50mm Lenses for Canon:
  • 1. Canon EF 50mm f/1. 8 STM
  • 2. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
  • 3. Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM
  • 4. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
  • 5. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon Mount
  • 6. Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZE
  • 7. Yongnuo YN50 f/1.8
  • 8. Yongnuo YN50mm f/1.4

If you’re a Nikon shooter, don’t worry, just check our post on the best Nikon 50mm lenses.

When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. We evaluate products independently. Commissions do not affect our evaluations.

1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

The 50mm f/1.8 is a neat little package for the budget photographer. At under $150 it is the cheapest EF lens that you could buy right now.

Aside from its great quality, one of the biggest advantages of the lens is the STM auto-focusing motor. This is one of the first lenses to have this particular AF motor. The STM technology is geared to work in tandem with Canon’s dual pixel CMOS auto-focusing. That makes this a great choice for shooting video.

Related Post: STM vs USM Lenses – What’s the Difference?

In terms of build quality and weather sealing, this is not the finest. It’s primarily made of plastic, with only the lens mount made up of metal. The overall weight is under 1-pound. Which, consequently, should be a giveaway of the build quality.

The 50mm f/1.8 STM contains 6 elements arranged in 5 groups. There’s no image stabilization on the lens. The lens diaphragm is made of 7 rounded diaphragm blades, which, to be honest, is good enough. We pick this as the best 50mm for Canon on a budget.

2. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

After much deliberations, we decided upon the best 50mm for Canon. The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens!

This Sigma gives the Carl Zeiss Milvus (listed below) a run for its money.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Some words on the build quality of the lens. Seriously, the Sigma 50mm f/1. 4 DG HSM A is a well-built lens. It is made out of thermally stable composite material. The dimensions of the lens stay the same regardless of the temperature in which it operates.

It consists of a total of 13 elements arranged in 8 groups. This includes three special low dispersion elements. Consists of 9 rounded aperture blades that form the nice rounded aperture diaphragm. At 815 grams it is a shade under the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZE.

The lens has a ring-type auto-focusing mechanism. Plus, full-time manual focusing override.

Sigma’s Art series lenses have always inspired and excited us. The 50mm f/1.4 is no different. As a matter of fact, it beats the smaller sibling to the best lens for Canon EF mount.

3. Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

The fastest, the widest aperture 50mm lens in the Canon stable, the Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM is a fantastic lens to work with. Sure it is pricey. It is pricier than even some of the telephoto lenses that Canon makes. But at the end of the day, you get a wide-open aperture of f/1.2.

There is, however, a catch in all these. The wide-open aperture of f/1.2 can also give you a lot of problems when nailing focus. The slightest bit of hand movement, or your body leaning forward or backward at the precise moment you push the shutter release, can cause image blur.

Notwithstanding, if you can manage shooting with such wide aperture lenses you would love the quality of bokeh produced by the massive wide aperture and the 8 rounded aperture blades.

Construction of the lens includes a total of 8 elements arranged in 6 groups. It includes one aspherical element. Additionally, the lens also has a Super Spectra coating to ensure the suppression of ghosting and flares in poor lighting conditions.

Size-wise the lens dwarfs the likes of the 50mm f/1.8 STM. It is heavier too. And that brings us to the build quality of the lens. This lens comes with weather sealing. It is not going to be affected by the vagaries of Mother Nature. A little bit of drizzle or a little bit of snow, nothing will impact the lens.

Our Pick

Image from Amazon

Canon 50mm f/1.2L USM

Best 50mm for Canon

Fast aperture. Superb image quality.

$1,399.00 from Amazon

4. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard and Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Canon has a less expensive 50mm prime. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. That one is significantly cheaper than the f/1.2 L USM that we just read about. But just being one-third stop slower doesn’t make it a deal-breaker. On the contrary, we feel that if you don’t need an f/1.2 lens then there is no point in spending an obscene amount of money.

The EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is a simple construction. It consists of 7 elements arranged in 6 groups. The lens features a Gaussian optics design. It includes two high refractive index elements. These elements are responsible for the suppression of spherical aberrations and other distortions. Super Spectra coating has also been used for suppressing lens flare and ghosting increasing overall contrast and color rendition in the final images.

The aperture diaphragm is composed of eight rounded blades. The quality of the bokeh is surprisingly good. One of the primary reasons you would want to use a fast prime is so that you can use the maximum aperture to produce wild background blur. Completely obliterating the background and thereby bringing the subject into prominence in the image.

This technique also helps you when the background isn’t necessarily interesting and adds nothing to the entire composition. Normally, you wouldn’t want to completely blur out a background if it is half-interesting. Slightly out of focus, yes. But completely blurred out, no.

Best Budget Pick

Image from Amazon

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Best Budget Pick for your Canon Full-frame

Excellent aperture. Value for money. Great image quality.

$399.00 from Amazon

5.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Canon Mount

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM is great auto-focus lens for those of you who want a lens with an AF motor.

Plus, you have full-time manual focusing override. Full-time manual focusing override allows you the advantage to tweak the focus manually. This is even when auto-focusing mode is engaged.

Sigma art lenses are an affordable way to get an art lens.

Let’s take a look at the construction of the lens.

The lens is composed of 8 elements arranged in 6 groups. This includes 1 aspherical element. The 9 rounded diaphragm blades create a beautiful round aperture opening.

The front element of the lens is quite large. Not surprising since the lens uses a 77mm filter thread. For a 50mm prime, this is quite big.

This is one of the lighter constructions on this list. Weighing just 1.1 pounds, it’s at par with some of the other lenses on our list of best 50mm for Canon mount cameras.

But the build quality is not at par. Unfortunately, this is not a weather-sealed construction.

6. Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZE

Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 ZE. The lens has a sleek profile and is built tough.

Let me start off by saying, this Zeiss lens is designed like a tank. The lens has a total of 10 elements arranged in 8 groups. All of which are perfectly protected by the lens’ completely weather sealed design.

Something to keep in mind, however, is this is a manual focus lens. That means no auto-focus, which could be a deal breaker for some.

Distortion is very minimal if any. If you shoot charts inside a studio you would see a slight amount of barrel distortion. But that’s negligible and easily corrected in post-production.

On the flip side, you do can exactly the same thing with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 that you could do with the Zeiss Milvus. And at a cheaper price and a less bulkiness to boot.

For many photographers, the lack of auto-focusing is the end of discussion. There are plenty of photography moments where you need accurate fast focus lock. Moments where there is no time to dilly-dolly with a manual focusing ring. This is where the Zeiss Milvus narrowly misses out on the crown of the best 50mm for Canon.

7. Yongnuo YN50 f/1.8

YONGNUO YN50mm F1.8 Lens

Yongnuo makes some decent photo accessories including continuous lighting, triggers, flashes, and lenses. The Yongnuo YN50 comes with a maximum aperture of f/1.8. It is quite a fast lens. In even reasonable quantity light you can use it to produce beautiful background blur. You can completely obliterate the background, thereby bringing the subject into prominence.

Nighttime photography with such wide aperture lenses is very easy. They capture several stops of additional light when compared to similar kit lenses. That allows you to use faster Shutter Speed and capture sharper images in any kind of lighting situation.

This particular lens is a rather simple construction. It consists of only 6 elements arranged in 5 groups. There is a multi-coated glass element that ensures that the lens is able to counter flares and ghosting when shooting with the sun lower at the horizon.

The aperture diaphragm is composed of a total of seven aperture blades. The quality of the bokeh is decent but not comparable to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM.

Great Third-party Pick

Image from Amazon

Yongnuo YN50 f/1.8

Great third party option

Fast aperture. Value for money.

$82.00 from Amazon

8. Yongnuo YN50mm f/1.4

YONGNUO Standard Prime Lens YN50mm F1.4 AF/MF 0.45M Lens

Yongnuo also has a f/1.4 lens for the Canon EF mount. This is a slightly more expensive lens. Costing almost three times the price that you pay for the f/1.8 lens. But you also get one-third additional light when shooting. So if that additional one-third light is absolutely important for you, go for it by all means.

If that additional light is something that you can manage using a slightly higher ISO number or using the exposure sliders in your favorite photo editing software then there is no reason to pay extra.

Let’s talk about the construction of the lens and the composite elements. The lens has a total of 9 elements arranged in 7 groups.

The construction of the lens includes four ultra-high refractive index elements. These elements ensure that the lens is not plagued by distortions and aberrations too much.

Additionally, a multi-layer coating has also been used. This takes care of lens flares and ghosting. Especially when working in difficult lighting situations.

Aperture diaphragm is composed of seven blades. Bokeh quality is nice but we still prefer the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L that we listed here.

Excellent Choice

Image from Amazon

Yongnuo YN50mm f/1.4

Fast aperture

Faster than the f/1.8 lens. Value for money.

Buy from Amazon

Conclusion – Which one is “the Best”?

A 50mm lens is the standard prime for 35mm format cameras. This versatile piece of optics delivers when it comes to shooting every day, street, events, and family photos. Choosing the best 50mm for Canon shouldn’t be too difficult as all the lenses we’ve listed here are outstanding.

First, just establish your budget and narrow down your choices that way. Then decide on what’s important to you.

  • Is it build tough enough for your usage habits?
  • Do you need autofocus and so forth?

Before long, you’ll have chosen the perfect lens to add to your collection.

Did we miss one? Let us know what your favorite 50mm for Canon lens is in the comments below!


As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Certain content was provided "as is" from Amazon daily and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Best Canon 50mm Lens [Review 2023]

As an Amazon partner, we earn on eligible purchases.

The 50mm lens is the versatile tool you need when shooting real estate. By purchasing the best 50mm lens for Canon, you will increase its performance and be able to take outstanding images. However, not all Canon 50mm lenses are the same and below are our top picks.

Quick Navigation

  • Our best 50mm lens for Canon. Reviews
    • Canon EF 50 mm F / 1.2
    • Sigma 50 mm F / 1.4
    • Yongnuo yn 50mm f / 1.8
    • Canon EF 50 mm F / 1.8
    • Canon EF 50 mm F / 1.4
    • Zeiss Milvus 50mm f f f F / 1.4
    • Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.4
  • Conclusion

Our best 50mm lens for Canon. Reviews

The 50mm lens blurs the background for more creative shooting options. This review of the best 50mm lens for Canon will help you make an informed decision. nine0003

Brand

Canon EF 50 mm F / 1.2

SIGMA 50 mm F / 1.4

Yongnuo yn 50mm f / 1.8

Product

9000

millimeters 50

millimeters 50

millimeters 50

Price

Check price

Check price

Check price

Brand

Canon EF 50 mm F / 1.2 9Ol000 focal length

Millimeters 50

Price

Check Price

Brand

Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1. 8

Product

Lens Type

Prime

Maximum Focal Length

Millimeters 50

Price

Check Price

Here is a quick overview of our recommended Canon 50mm lens listed in this article. In this table, we have also included an overview of their main features.

Product Optics aperture Weight (lb)
Canon EF50mm

However, the wide aperture makes precise focusing difficult. This is because movement when pressing the shutter release can blur the image. While the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 is not as heavy as the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, it still weighs in at a significant 1.28 lbs, which may not be practical to carry or shoot for long periods of time.

Pros
  • It has the widest aperture on our list, producing quality bokeh. nine0214
  • It comes with a weather seal to protect the elements
  • It has a Super Spectra coating to help reduce flare and ghosting.
Cons
  • While not as heavy as the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, it weighs 1.28 pounds and is harder to carry around.
  • A wide aperture makes it difficult to focus on the subject.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Ultra-Fast Standard...

  • Lens hood and case included
  • State of the art ultrasonic motor (USM) for fast and near-silent auto focusing
  • Permanent override focus / 45cm minimum focus distance

Sigma 50mm f/1.4

figma company The / 1.4 is incredibly economical thanks to its high-quality, heat-resistant composite construction. As a rule, it maintains the same dimensions regardless of operating temperatures. nine0003

Unlike the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 consists of 13 elements grouped into 8 groups, including three unique low dispersion elements to reduce chromatic aberration and improve image quality.

It has a ring-type autofocus function with continuous manual focus override for better focus control. At 1.8 lbs, it's 0.4 lbs lighter than the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4, making it a little more manageable when shooting. nine0214

Unlike the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 has nine rounded aperture blades that form a nice round aperture. In addition to a maximum aperture of f/1.4, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 delivers beautiful bokeh and excellent low-light performance.

Pros
  • Stable thermal design makes it easy to maintain dimensions regardless of temperature.
  • Contains 13 elements, most of the items on our list to minimize distortion.
  • It comes with ED elements to eliminate chromatic aberration.
Cons
  • Even though it is lighter than the Zeiss Milvus, it is still hard to carry around.
  • Its bokeh quality is not as good as the Canon EF 50mm f/1. 2.

Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art DG HSM lens for Canon

  • 50mm focal length
  • 75mm equivalent focal length for APS-C cameras, 80mm equivalent focal length for Canon APS-C cameras
  • maximum aperture F1.4; Minimum F16

Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8

If you're looking for an alternative, the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 might be the best choice on our list. Image quality is good, with autofocus and constant manual override functions.

With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, this is impressively fast, and you can create beautiful background blur with a reasonable amount of light. nine0213 Unlike the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 has a simple design consisting of six elements grouped into 5 groups.

In addition, the multi-coated glass element helps resist flare and ghosting, especially when shooting scenes with the sun on the horizon. The aperture diaphragm has 7 blades, which makes the bokeh quality less impressive than the Canon EF 50mm f/1. 2.

Pros
  • It comes with both autofocus and manual focus, unlike the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4. nine0214
  • It has a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and is impressively fast.
  • It comes with multi-coated glass elements to prevent glare and ghosting.
Cons
  • The bokeh quality is less impressive than the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2.
  • It has fewer elements to reduce distortion than the Sigma 50mm f/1.4.

YONGNUO YN50mm F1.8C large aperture lens...

  • F1.8 huge aperture, virtual background that makes photography more interesting.
  • Supports autofocus and manual focus, full frame cameras and APS-C cameras, 5 groups of 6 slices...
  • Supports M/AV/TV/P and other camera shooting modes, and can display aperture data in...

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8

Although it weighs the least on our list, this item was not found. has excellent image quality. It is one of the first lenses to use an STM AF motor specifically designed to work with Canon's Dual Pixel AF. nine0003

The product was not found.

Unlike the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, it features six elements in 5 groups to help reduce chromatic aberration and color fringing. Although it is primarily made of plastic, the build quality includes weather protection that is conducive to harsh weather conditions.

Great for night photography with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and a 50mm focal length. It weighs less than a pound and is easy to carry around. nine0003

Although the lens aperture has seven rounded blades, they are less impressive than the 9 blades of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2. . In addition, it does not have image stabilization, which affects the image quality.

Pros
  • Unlike the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4, it uses both autofocus and manual focus for better focus.
  • It includes a weather seal to protect 9 elements0012
  • Weighs less than a pound, easy to carry
Cons
  • Unlike the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 has only six elements, which affects the resulting images.
  • Plastic construction is not durable.

Product not found.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 is compact and very handy, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a wide aperture. It features Gaussian optics, Super Spectra coatings and high refraction elements for distortion-free and bokeh-free images. nine0003

With a maximum wide aperture of f/1.4, it's great for shooting indoor real estate and places where more exposure is needed. It also features manual micro ultrasonic autofocus for improved focusing.

Unlike the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 has a simple design of 7 elements in 6 groups. with two high refractive index elements. Similar to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2, Super Spectra coating reduces ghosting and flare and improves image color reproduction. nine0214

Pros
  • The f/1.4 maximum wide aperture is great for indoor shooting.
  • It comes with a Super Spectra coating to reduce ghosting and flare.
  • It has both autofocus and manual focus, unlike the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4.
Cons
  • The bokeh it produces is less impressive than the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2.
  • Unlike the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 has fewer elements to reduce distortion. nine0214

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Fixed...

  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras - Fixed
  • B+W 58mm Clear UV Haze with Multi-resistant Coating (010M)

Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.

4

The Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 features outstanding design such as weatherproofing and perfect protection of all lens elements. nine0213 Unlike the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4, the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 features ten elements grouped into 8 groups to reduce distortion and improve image quality.

The floating construction of the Zeiss Milvus 1.4mm f/50 lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.4 delivers clear, bright and precise images. This all-metal lens is ideal for outdoor real estate photography as it is resistant to harsh weather and dust. nine0003

However, at 2.22 pounds, it is the heaviest lens on our list. which makes it unsuitable for long term use as it could hurt your wrists. Unlike the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.4, the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 only has manual focus, the being its biggest drawback.

Pros
  • It comes with a weather seal to protect the elements.
  • Unlike the Canon EF 50mm f/1. 8, it comes with a solid metal body. nine0214
  • Floating lens design for sharp images.
Cons
  • It's the heaviest on our list, so it shouldn't be carried around.
  • Unlike the others on our list, it only comes with manual focus.

Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50 ZE, Camera mount: Canon...

  • Creative photography and video shooting with precise manual focus: Zeiss Milvus lenses feature...
  • A future-proof solution for high-resolution camera systems: excellent image quality...
  • Excellent image quality even in low light conditions: all lenses feature Zeiss T anti-reflective coating...

Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.4

Yongnuo The YN 50mm f/1.4 features a quality composite construction and four ultra-high refractive index elements to eliminate distortion and aberrations. It has a multi-layer coating to reduce ghosting and flare, increasing versatility, especially when shooting scenes in low light conditions. nine0003

Although the aperture diaphragm has 7 blades, the has less impressive bokeh than the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2. Compared to the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8, the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.4 features nine elements grouped in 7 groups and a wide aperture of f/1.4 for a third of the extra illumination.

The extra lighting is its biggest advantage over the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8. It weighs 1.69 pounds, which is less convenient as it can be too tiring to carry around or hurt your wrists if you use it for long periods of time. nine0003

Pros
  • It has more elements to reduce distortion than the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8.
  • It provides more light than the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8.
  • It comes with both auto focus and manual focus for better focus.
Cons
  • Harder to carry around
  • Bokeh quality is less impressive compared to the Canon EF 50mm f/1. 2. nine0214

YONGNUO YN50mm F1.4N E Standard lens with fixed...

  • YN50MM F1.4N has a built-in electromagnetic aperture that supports shooting modes M/Av/Tv/P/B....
  • Real bokeh Background blur helps easily select an object. Even in low light conditions, you...
  • This lens is equipped with a USB port. To maintain the best performance and compatibility of this lens, you...

Conclusion

If you are an amateur or experienced photographer and want to enhance your Canon photos, consider using a 50mm lens. While choosing the best 50mm lenses for Canon is tricky due to their varying specifications, you can't go wrong with any of the options above.

Fast "fifty kopecks": why the 50mm lens is so good and how to use it | Articles | Photo, video, optics

Photo: Harold Wijnholds / explorecams.com

What do you think is the most versatile lens: a professional f/2. 8 zoom or a more compact but dark travel zoom? But no! "Fifty kopecks" can replace a whole scattering of "glasses" in your backpack (unless, of course, you are going to photograph birds somewhere in Madagascar). In this article, we'll talk about how you can use a fast 50mm lens and why it's almost the perfect next step after a whale lens.

What “fifty kopecks” will we talk about

Have you just purchased your first fifty dollars or are you just thinking about what lens to add to your photo arsenal? Make no mistake about the decision: this particular family of lenses can immediately improve the quality of your pictures if you know how to use these "glasses" correctly.

50mm lenses are also referred to as "normal" lenses because they provide the most natural perspective, close to that of human vision.

In this article, a 50mm lens will refer to 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 on full-frame cameras and 35mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 on APS-C, i.e. any fast “glass” with a 50mm equivalent focal length . All popular brands have such models: Canon (f/1.8, f/1.4) and Nikon (f/1.8, f/1.4), Sony (f/1.8, f/1.4) and Fujifilm (f/1.8, f/ 1.4). In general, this material will also be useful to those who work with slightly wider-angle fast lenses with EGF equal to 35 mm. nine0003

Why a prime

A prime is a lens with a fixed focal length. That is, unlike zoom, you will not be able to zoom in and out of the picture by simply turning the wheel: to zoom in on an object, you will have to stomp your feet. But this "inconvenience" has its positive sides.

World through the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 is one of the most popular fifty dollars. Photo: Adam Hinett / flickr.com

A good prime lens can help you become a more thoughtful photographer: you will consciously choose the position, body and camera position to get the composition and picture you want. nine0003

There are also objective advantages: ceteris paribus, fixes (especially fast ones!) produce a more beautiful image than zooms. In addition, lenses with a fixed focal length are often more compact and lighter than the zoom brothers.

3 Ingredients for Bokeh

Many people like photos with soft blurred backgrounds. Perhaps you've been wanting to take these shots for a long time, but your kit lens (especially the 18-55mm) is simply not capable of this. So, the fast “fifty kopecks” is a real bokeh machine! nine0003

Because it has a fairly wide maximum aperture, you already have the first of three ingredients for great bokeh:

  • Set your camera to aperture priority (or manual) and open the aperture to full.
  • Make sure you're photographing the subject close enough to the camera (for example, in a mountain range shot at f/1.8 you won't have blurry clouds and distant mountains in the background).
  • Check that there is some distance between the subject and the background (in particular, if a person is leaning against a wall, f/1.8 won't blur the bricks). nine0012

Blurring the background with this “glass” is as easy as shelling pears. Photo: Tenis Dimants / flickr.com

How to maximize sharpness

If you spend even a couple of minutes reading about lenses on the Internet, you will surely notice that sharpness is their most talked about characteristic.

Many budding kit lens photographers look to the big professional zooms at f/2.8. But before you spend your savings, just take a look at the small "fifty" - it takes shots no less, if not more "sharp" than professional zoom monsters with a six-figure price tag. nine0003

One of the great things about fast fifties, especially when compared to kit lenses, is that you don't have to stop down too much to maximize sharpness.

"Sweet spot" is what photographers call the aperture value (or aperture range) at which the lens achieves maximum sharpness. On a kit lens, this is usually something around f/8 or f/11. On a fast prime, the sweet spot can be around f/2.8, f/4, or f/5.6. But (even better) your "fifty" most likely shows amazing sharpness in the center of the frame when the aperture is wide open or covered one stop from the maximum value. nine0003

Center sharpness is a hallmark of "normal" large aperture lenses (taken with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM). Photo: Gary Wolstenholme / ephotozine.com

Try shooting wide open - f/1.8 or f/2 (for a lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8) to see how sharp the picture will be in the center. And if you want edge-to-edge sharpness across the frame, set it to f/4 or f/5.6.

Darkness is no problem - shooting in low light

With a narrow maximum aperture, the biggest limitation of a kit zoom lens is its low-light performance.

On a sunny day, in this regard, you will have approximately the same results. But, when you decide to shoot late at night or indoors, the fast aperture will be ahead by two heads.

The wider the aperture is opened, the more light will reach the film or sensor. You can capture your significant other by candlelight in a restaurant, take a photo of your child playing in a nursery at dusk, or take a beautiful street shot under the light of a lantern. nine0003

When leaving the house with a "fifty" after sunset, simply open the aperture more and more to maximize the amount of light passing through the lens. And if it's already maxed out and the shutter speed starts to get slower when blurring appears, increase the ISO to compensate.

Night street shooting - the element of high-aperture "fifty kopecks". Photo: Iskra Photo / flickr.com

Also keep in mind that when shooting at night with a tripod, you don't need to open the aperture all the way (unless you want a shallow depth of field). With a tripod, you can shoot in the sweet spot at f/4 or f/5.6 to maximize sharpness in low light. nine0003

Shooting light

You don't have to carry several kilos of lenses (or one lens weighing several kilos) all the time to take a great photo: you don't have to try to cover all available focal lengths from ultra-wide to super-telephoto at once.

Take a fifty-kopeck piece and try to go out with only it - you will feel how liberating such an experience can be.


Learn more

© SUSIE Hadeed PHOTOGRAPHY | designed by rachael earl

@susieHadeedon instagram »

expect your free download link shortly!