Product Description

Compact and high-performance, this standard lens is the lightest EF lens of all at a mere 4.6 oz. (130g). Its Gaussian optics provides sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens.

Product Details

• Brand: Canon
• Model: 2514A002
• Dimensions: 1.60" h x 2.70" w x 2.70" l, .50 pounds

Features

• 50mm standard lens with f/1.8 maximum aperture
• Traditional Gauss-type optical design is extremely sharp
• Focuses as close as 18 inches for extreme close-ups
• Ideal for natural-looking shots; excellent color balance
• Measures 2.7 inches in diameter; 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Lightweight and affordable, the Canon EF 50mm lens--which offers a fast f/1.8 aperture--is an excellent lens for people who prefer a fixed focal length. Canon's lightest EF lens at a mere 4.6 ounces, the lens boasts a traditional Gauss-type optical design that delivers a sharp performance even when wide open. As a result, the lens provides an image that's extremely close to how your eye perceives a subject, making it excellent for portraits and images that require a natural depth of field. In addition, the lens focuses as close as 18 inches, helping you take extreme close-ups. Finally, the lens offers an excellent color balance. As with all Canon lenses, the lens carries a one-year warranty.

• Focal length: 50mm
• Maximum aperture: 1:1.8
• Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 46 degrees
• Focus adjustment: Overall linear extension system with Micromotor
• Closest focusing distance: 1.5 feet
• Filter size: 52mm
• Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter, 1.6 inches long
• Weight: 4.6 ounces

From the Manufacturer
Lightweight and affordable, this sharp lens with a fast f/1.8 aperture is an excellent first lens for those who prefer a fixed focal length, and makes an excellent addition to any photographer’s system for available-light shooting. A traditional Gauss-type optical design ensures sharp performance even wide open, and it focuses as close as 18 inches/0.45m.

A medium telephoto lens with a large aperture brings the subject closer, creates excellent background blur, gives a longer flash range, and affords a faster shutter speed to freeze the action. A standard zoom lens, with its natural angle of view and perspective, captures the subject plainly, with no special effects. However, you can use standard lenses in creative ways by varying the subject distance, aperture, and angle.

Customer Reviews

Simply Amazing!
This is one amazing product that I bought for my camera. At first I was so hesitant to buy this lens but it's all worth it. The picture came out nice and crisp.

Great lens for portraiture
There are several aspects of this lens that I love and really only one that I don't like - I've shared my views of the cons and pros below:

Pros -

-The lens is extremely quick with a maximum f-number of 1.8 this allows for the use of very fast shutter speeds under lower ISO (meaning lower noise) conditions. Another primary advantage of this is that the large aperture creates a very shallow depth of field - a desirable quality for portraits. This is also a great advantage for anyone that wants to shot their kids or pets playing around in their backyard. Note that canon does make a "big brother" for this lens in the form of the 50mm f/1.4 USM (USM indicates the incorporation of Canon's ultra sonic motor).

-The sharpness on the lens is great even when shooting wide open, especially since the lens costs under 100 dollars. Sure it's not an L lens but it's also not 1000 dollars.

-The cost in general is very nice, you're not going to find another lens of this quality at the 100 dollar price point.

-Weight - the lens weighs very little and isn't very long which is nice because it won't be straining you.

Cons -

-As several other reviewers have noted, the build quality on the lens seems sub-par. The body is made out of plastic and it feels cheap. However, if you take care of your lens, especially when removing it from and mounting it to your camera, you'll be fine. But don't expect this lens to be able to take a beating because it won't be able to.

One of the first lenses you should add.
Yes. It really is an awesome lens. I have moved up to an intermediate photography for-hire level because of the work this lens has allowed me to accomplish. I have read books and reviews recommending this lens. Everyone said the same: that it is a fast, crisp glass, giving a pro appearance. So I bought one.

Right away, I could tell the difference from the basic lens that came with my Canon EOS XTi. I could finally shoot indoors on "A" without camera shake. What I didn't expect was the difference between my favorite travel lens the Canon EF-S 28-135 Zoom and the 50mm. Although the glass on my travel lens is great, the glass on this sub-hundred dollar lens was better. I mean better by "more depth."

True, it is a composite housing, but for under a hundred bucks don't listen to feedback that complains that the quality is not good.

Using this lens has given me more confidence to get the money shot. Use it for fast portrait shots. Because it is a prime lens, you will find yourself moving around a bit more. The reward is a beautiful, professional looking shots.