Disadvantages

A cheap price comes with its catches!

Plastic Lens Mount

The plastic lens mount is not much of a big deal but it does make me kind of nervous every time I hit the lens against a hard object such as a flying fist. Although being made out of plastic does make it lighter compared to metal lens mounts, the EF 50mm F1.8 ii plastic mount can be easily damaged or destroyed.

 

Loud Slow Focus

The loud slow focus is something none of us can’t fight Canon for the low price tag that comes with this lens. The focus can be heard when set to auto-focus but it gives a mechanical robotic noise that some may actually like. The slow focus however can be annoying especially in low light areas. Most of the time I prefer to use manual focus but this brings me to another disadvantage.

Small Manual Focus Ring

The small manual focus ring is probably the only thing I don’t like about this lens. If you look at the picture above, you only have a 1/4 of an inch to hold and turn to focus. What makes it worse is that the ring is on the outer edge of the lens, so sometimes I can see my fingers in several of my shots.

Bottom Line

I’d buy one, period! I already have one and I can attest that this lens is a good lens. It doesn’t matter if you are a pro or an amateur. It’s not the camera / lens that produces great photographs… it’s the photographer! Not to be cliché but its true!

If you’re just beginning photography or need a really good spare lens I’d definitely get one. Many hobbyists I know use this lens for taking great photographs for stock photos and what not. I as well like to use this lens for video in low light/ indoor shoots and for those shots where I like to emphasis depth-of-field.  The EF 50mm F1.8 is worth every penny and can amount to a lifetime of learning with primes before going all out with a 2000 dollar prime lens. Then again, if you can afford better lens, I would definitely get the most coveted prime… the EF 85 F1.2 prime. But remember, it’s not the gear that makes the best photographs… it’s the person seeing through the lens.

BTW, I didn’t really go over the video capabilities in detail but just looking around youtube, I’m amazed how many people use the 50mm F1.8 for video. In this short film, chidzy182 uses the Canon 7D and the featured EF 50mm F1.8 lens. Just one of many potentials with this cheap yet very handy lens.

*All the nature shots were taken by Kumi with a 40D and the EF 50mm F1.8 Mark 2 Lens.

*For official specs of the 50mm… check out Canon US…