Canon EF50mm f/1.8 II

• Specifications
• Reviews
• Sample Images
• Initial launch information.

Canon's (1990) successor to the (1987) EF50/1.8 (aka the 'Nifty fifty') replaces many of the older lens's metal structural parts with plastic, reducing weight.

At over 20 years old the performance still compares well with many modern lenses, particularly when you consider its low cost.

Available from: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | B&H | Adorama

Lens specifications

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	50mm 1:1.8
Lens Construction	6 elements in 5 groups
Diagonal Angle of View	46°
Focus Adjustment	Overall linear extension system with Micromotor
Closest Focusing Distance	0.45m / 1.5 ft.
Filter Size	52mm
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	2.7" x 1.6", 4.6 oz. / 68.2 x 41.0mm, 130g

A quick guide to MTF charts (which only measure contrast and resolution. Canon's guide to their MTF charts) Black lines reflect lens performance at widest aperture. Blue lines show the performance at f/8 Thick lines indicate lens contrast Thin lines indicate lens resolution Dashed lines: Lens performance with meridional lines. Solid lines: Lens performance with sagittal lines Closer sagittal and meridional chart lines indicate more 'natural' out of focus areas. Remember that MTF charts are good for comparing similar lenses, so comparing ones from the 14mm f2.8L and 300mm 2.8L won't tell you much at all, whilst comparing the EF14 2.8L with the EF14 2.8L II will show meaningful differences. Note that other manufacturers may have different ways of displaying such information that may or may not match up with the Canon figures.

EF50mm f/1.8 II reviews and articles

• Canon UK / US Information Page
• Amazon
• Northlight Images
• Canon CPN article
• Fred Miranda
• Lens Tip
• Digital Picture
• PhotoZone
• SLR Gear
• Lens Review
• ePhotozine

Written a review? Contact us and we'll add it to the list.

Sample images

Product launch

No launch information available for this 1990 lens