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Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II EF Mount Review

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II

Main Features

  • 50mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Canon EF Mount
  • Weight: 130g / 0.29 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 68mm x 41mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.45m
  • Max Magnification: 0.15x
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Canon 50mm f1.8 II Overview


Canon 50mm f1.8 II is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Standard Prime lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with EF Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Canon 50mm f1.8 II lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Canon 50mm f1.8 II is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeFair
SportsAverage
PortraitExcellent
TravelGood
StreetVery Good
WeddingExcellent
Walk AroundGood
VloggingGood
LandscapeGood
MacroPoor

Lenses in Canon EF Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM
Compare
35mm FF 159gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Autofocus
Fast Aperture
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
Light weight at only 130g / 4.6 oz
Report a correction

Buy Canon 50mm f1.8 II from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
No Weather Sealing
Hood is not supplied


Lens Mount

Canon 50mm f1.8 II is compatible with cameras that have a Canon EF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Canon EF lenses are Canon 1D X III, Canon 6D MII and Canon 5D MIV.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Canon 50mm f1.8 II has a maximum diameter of 68mm and total length of 41mm. It weighs 130g / 4.6 oz.

Canon 50mm f1.8 II has a filter thread of 52mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Canon 50mm f1.8 II:

  • 52mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 52mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 52mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Canon 50mm f1.8 II has a fixed focal length of 50mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.6x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 80mm.


Optical Image Stabilization

Canon 50mm f1.8 II doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Alternatively, you can check the Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD in Canon EF mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.

Lenses Similar to Canon 50mm f1.8 II With Optical Image Stabilization
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD
Compare
35mm FF 540gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Canon 50mm f1.8 II has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.15x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.45m. 0.15x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Standard Prime type Canon12 mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Tamron 45mm F1.8 Di VC USD: 0.3x - (Compare)
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: 0.21x - (Compare)
  • Canon 40mm f2.8 STM: 0.18x - (Compare)

Aperture

Canon 50mm f1.8 II has a max aperture of F1.8 and a minimum aperture of F22.0.

Optical Formula

Canon 50mm f1.8 II's optical formula consists of 6 elements in 5 groups .

Lens Hood

Canon 50mm f1.8 II doesn't come with a lens hood. You have to order the hood separately and the model number of the hood is ES-62.

Body Colour

Canon 50mm f1.8 II is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Canon 50mm f1.8 II

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Canon 50mm f1.8 II amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Canon 50mm f1.8 II Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM
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35mm FF 159 g / 0.35 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM
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35mm FF 290 g / 0.64 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM Lens Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM
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35mm FF 425 g / 0.94 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f1.8G Lens Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f1.8G
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35mm FF 185 g / 0.41 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM Lens Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM
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35mm FF 160 g / 0.35 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens Canon EF-S 10-18mm f4.5-5.6 IS STM
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APS-C / DX 240 g / 0.53 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM Lens Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM
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35mm FF 580 g / 1.28 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 80-200mm f4.5-5.6 II Lens Canon EF 80-200mm f4.5-5.6 II
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35mm FF 250 g / 0.55 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II Alternatives in Canon EF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Canon EF 35mm f1.4L USM Lens Canon EF 35mm f1.4L USM
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35mm FF 580 g / 1.28 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 35mm f2 IS USM Lens Canon EF 35mm f2 IS USM
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35mm FF 335 g / 0.74 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 35mm f2.0 Lens Canon EF 35mm f2.0
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35mm FF 210 g / 0.46 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 40mm f2.8 STM Lens Canon EF 40mm f2.8 STM
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35mm FF 130 g / 0.29 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM Lens Canon EF 50mm f1.2L USM
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35mm FF 580 g / 1.28 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Lens Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM
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35mm FF 290 g / 0.64 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f2.5 Macro Lens Canon EF 50mm f2.5 Macro
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35mm FF 280 g / 0.62 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon TS-E 50mm F2.8L Macro Lens Canon TS-E 50mm F2.8L Macro
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35mm FF 945 g / 2.08 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon MP-E 65mm f2.5 1-5x Macro Lens Canon MP-E 65mm f2.5 1-5x Macro
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35mm FF 710 g / 1.56 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon TS-E 45mm f2.8 Lens Canon TS-E 45mm f2.8
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35mm FF 645 g / 1.42 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM Lens Canon EF 35mm F1.4L II USM
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35mm FF 760 g / 1.67 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM Lens Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM
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35mm FF 159 g / 0.35 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens Samyang 50mm F1.4 AS UMC
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35mm FF 535 g / 1.18 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
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35mm FF 320 g / 0.70 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP 35mm F1.4 Di USD Lens Tamron SP 35mm F1.4 Di USD
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35mm FF 805 g / 1.77 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Lens Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
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35mm FF 527 g / 1.16 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC
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35mm FF 660 g / 1.45 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II Lens Voigtlander 40mm F2 Ultron SL II
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35mm FF 200 g / 0.44 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Zeiss Otus 1.455 Lens Zeiss Otus 1.455
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35mm FF 970 g / 2.13 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Zeiss Milvus 35mm F1.4 Lens Zeiss Milvus 35mm F1.4
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35mm FF 1174 g / 2.58 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Schneider PC-TS Super-Angulon 2.850 HM Lens Schneider PC-TS Super-Angulon 2.850 HM
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35mm FF 1400 g / 3.08 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Irix 45mm F1.4 Lens Irix 45mm F1.4
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35mm FF 925 g / 2.04 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35 Lens Carl Zeiss Distagon T1.4 35
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35mm FF 830 g / 1.83 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Lensbaby Burnside 35 Lens Lensbaby Burnside 35
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35mm FF 374 g / 0.82 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang XP 50mm F1.2 Lens Samyang XP 50mm F1.2
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35mm FF 1200 g / 2.64 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 235 Lens Carl Zeiss Distagon T 235
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35mm FF 570 g / 1.25 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art Lens Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art
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35mm FF 530 g / 1.17 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
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35mm FF 350 g / 0.77 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Lensbaby Velvet 56 Lens Lensbaby Velvet 56
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35mm FF 400 g / 0.88 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Hartblei Superrotator 40mm F4 IF TS Lens Hartblei Superrotator 40mm F4 IF TS
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Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD Lens Tamron SP 35mm F1.8 Di VC USD
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35mm FF 480 g / 1.06 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
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35mm FF 540 g / 1.19 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
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Canon 50mm f1.8 II Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Canon
Lens Type Prime
Lens Type Standard Prime
Lens Mount Canon EF
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 50mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black
Zoom Method No Zoom
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 1.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F1.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 5
Optics
Optical Elements 6
Optical Groups 5

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.45m
Max Magnification 0.15X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Micromotor
Full Time Manual No
Focus Method Extending front
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 130g
Diameter 68mm
Length 41mm
Materials Plastic barrel, plastic mount
Weather Sealing No
Filter Thread 52mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied No
Hood Code ES-62
Tripod Collar No
Optional Accessories Hard Case LH-B9 Soft Case ES-C9/LP1014
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II
is the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II
is the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II
Does Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II have Image Stabilization?
Does Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II


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