Canon EF 50mm f/1,4 USM Review
General information
This is a prime lens manufactured by Canon and the lens was released 1993.
The lens belongs to the category
standard prime lenses, a normal lens where you do not have the possibility to zoom in and out.
It's been a long time since the lens and this model first was launched. Before you buy an older (and perhaps used and pre owned) lens a recommendation is to check with the manufacturer and their service centers whether there still are spare parts available. Hopefully spare parts wont be an issue but imagine accidently damaging the lens and finding out afterwards that no spare parts exists. We therefore recommend that you, to be sure, check this prior to purchasing.
If you buy a new lens, in a store, you always have your warranty to fall back on, regardless of the age of the lens but if you are interested in buying a pre owned and used lens without warranty this may be even more important to look up because you might otherwise be left without both warranty and spare parts.
Product description from Canon
At launch 1993 Canon wrote this regarding Canon EF 50mm f/1,4 USM :
"Standard lens featuring superb quality and portability. Two 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.
This is an essential standard lens for EOS family. This lens starts with the optical design concept of the FD 50mm f/1.4, which has always been highly regarded for its superior sharpness and color balance. Two high-refraction glass lens elements minimize flare at maximum aperture and eliminate astigmatism. Improvements in the quality of the focused image and a beautiful, natural blur of the background are realized. A micro USM (Ultrasonic Motor) provides fast, silent AF and full-time manual focusing. Color balance is virtually identical to the ISO recommended reference values."
Compatibility, autofocus and focal length
This lens is constructed to fit all models of Canon cameras, regardless of camera model or type of sensor.
The ability to use autofocus is available for all cameras.
The lens has a focal length of 50 mm. Depending on which camera the lens is used, the experienced and perceived focal length will be different. Please visit the list of compatible cameras below, it will provide the equivalent focal length you get on each camera.
- See compatible cameras and perceived/equivalent focal length
- See a full camera compatibility chart for Canon EF 50mm f/1,4 USM
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
Lens brightness and image stabilizer
The lens brightness and aperture value is f/1,4.
This aperture value indicates that the lens is extremely bright. This will make it so much easier shooting in darker environments where you do not want or can use flash lighting, for example in churches or at different sports venues.
The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds. Since the lens is bright, with good aperture value, the lack of image stabilization might not be that big of a deal, although a image stabilizer is always an advantage to have.
Filter and Lens Hood
The lens has a traditional filter thread on the front and its measuring 58 mm which also the filter you will use must have. If you use for example an UV filter can be a cheap insurance against scratches and dust.
There is a lens hood that fits the lens (model name "ES-71II") but unfortunately this is something that is not included when purchasing the lens and must be ordered and bought separately, as an accessory.
Pictures (product and sample images)
In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.
Besides looking at product images it is also of interest to see pictures taken with this specific lens. This can give you a hint of what kind of images this lens can achieve, what the focal length will be like etc.
Things to consider before buying
Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.
- The lens brightness, f/1,4
- Works on all sensor types
- Light weight (290 gr)
- No lens hood is included
- The lens model is more than 15 years old
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Canon EF 50mm f/1,4 USM .
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| Image Quality |
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| Autofocus |
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| Sharpness |
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| Value |
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
Best deals on Canon EF 50mm f/1,4 USM
Make sure to check out our price information page for best offers on this lens.
Pictures (product and sample images)
In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.
Besides looking at product images it is also of interest to see pictures taken with this specific lens. This can give you a hint of what kind of images this lens can achieve, what the focal length will be like etc.
