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Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens USA

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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.

Performance
Focal Length 50 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/1.4
Minimum: f/22
Camera Mount Type Canon EF
Format Compatibility 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor
Canon (APS-C)
Angle of View 46°
Minimum Focus Distance 1.5' (45 cm)
Magnification 0.15x
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 1:6.6
Groups/Elements 6/7
Diaphragm Blades 8
Features
Image Stabilization No
Autofocus Yes
Tripod Collar No
Physical
Filter Thread 58 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 2.9 x 2.0" (7.37 x 5.08 cm)
Weight 10.23 oz (290 g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens
 
4.7

(based on 1975 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (1441)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (472)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (43)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (10)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (9)

98%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (1342)
  • Fast / accurate auto-focus (1165)
  • Consistent output (1035)
  • Durable (776)
  • Easily interchangeable (776)

Cons

  • Slow focus (166)
  • Weak casing (67)
  • Blurry focus (35)
  • Heavy (26)
  • Difficult to clean (18)

Best Uses

  • Low light (823)
  • Night photography (787)
  • Portraits (729)
  • Weddings (559)
  • General purpose (502)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Photo enthusiast (567), Semi-pro photographer (478), Pro photographer (240), Casual photographer (223), Enthusiast (187)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (1058), Yes (83)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

Great indoor lens

I bought this lens for the holidays to take pictures of our family and guests at each of our gatherings. I have a 50D and I take mostly sport shots. Indoor, non-moving targets are...Read complete review

I bought this lens for the holidays to take pictures of our family and guests at each of our gatherings. I have a 50D and I take mostly sport shots. Indoor, non-moving targets are new to me. I have 3 kids that all play hockey and lacrosse so I have the 2.8 70-200 usm II and the 2.8 24-70 both L series and both incredible lenses. I didn't go for the 1.2L series because one of my friends is a professional wedding photographer and she knows people with both and found the difference slight. Please keep in mind when talking to my friend I was referring to non-professional use. It has done quite a nice job. I have been using it with a 580ex flash, so the pictures really do "pop". If you are in the market for a reliable, decent - indoor lens - I would recommend it. I have also taken some really nice sunset shots. The colors are very true. This lens is perfect for the price and the results. In this case - you may actually get a little more than you pay for...One thing - in low or filtered light, you better have a good flash, a tripod or a ridiculously steady hand - even at 1.4.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

Not Sharp at f/1.4, Looks Great at f/2.0

I mainly use this lens for weddings & portraits. The first thing I noticed was the green & magenta bokeh fringing. Green behind the plane of focus, magenta in front. I dou...Read complete review

I mainly use this lens for weddings & portraits. The first thing I noticed was the green & magenta bokeh fringing. Green behind the plane of focus, magenta in front. I doubt that many clients would ever notice, but I certainly did. Also, this thing is NOT sharp at f/1.4. I had heard from several people that is was, but in my experience I have found that not to be true. If you stop it down to f/2.0 it is very sharp and tracks well using AI Servo. The focusing is decently fast unlike the 50mm f/1.8. If you can live without shooting your f/1.4 lens at f/1.4, then you will be pleased with this lens.

Reviewed by 1975 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-20

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4.0

working as expected

By Leo

from Toronto,ON

About Me Casual Photographer

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Lightweight

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Portraits

    Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

    I am a Casual photographer. This lens definitely meets my expectation.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    Great lens for it's size.

    By Photo Limey

    from Quad Cities, IA

    About Me Photo Enthusiast

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easy To Use
    • Fast Recycling
    • Lightweight
    • Versatile

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • General Use
      • Night Photography
      • Photojournalism
      • Portraits

      Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

      Great not to need the large zoom lens indoors.
      Fantastic in low light

      • Was this a gift?:
      • Yes

      Share this review

       
      4.0

      Great addition to any kit

      By Thorpeland

      from Dallas, TX

      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Consistent Output
      • Durable
      • Easy To Use
      • Lightweight
      • Versatile

      Cons

      • Slow Focus

      Best Uses

      • General Use
      • Night Photography
      • Photojournalism
      • Portraits

      Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

      Overall, this is really a nice lens. My primary use for this lens is portraits, low light events and as a general walk around shooting. With the exception of sports, this really is a do-everything, versatile piece of glass. Because it's a prime lens, with no moving parts, it quite sharp at all apertures. Although, as expected f/1.4 its softest. I'll often shoot in a low lit bar/pub at f/2.0, ISO 1600 @1/50th and people are amazed at the candid shots i take.

      Things that aren't so great? Well id really be nit picking. The focus does hunt in very low light. Sometimes unable to grab a focus lock. But thats really about it. On a crop sensor you're looking at an actual range of about 85mm and can be a little too tight for group photos. But on a full frame camera the images truly are beautiful.

      In short, I love this lens and it spends a lot of time on my 5Dmkii. Its well worth the money and when you learn when/how to use it correctly, its a killer lens.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Share this review

       
      4.0

      Fantastic Product. DSLR staple

      By jman999

      from nyc

      Verified Buyer

      Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

      Really excellent. Great photos. Could have better zoom ring quality.

      Share this review

       
      5.0

      Great Fixed Lens

      By Al

      from Kingsport, TN

      About Me Photo Enthusiast

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Consistent Output
      • Durable
      • Easy To Use
      • Lightweight
      • Powerful Output

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • General Use
        • Night Photography

        Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

        Its a great lens over all! Love it! Only thing I am unsatisfied with is the exclusion of at least f16 and f11 on the depth of field scale.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Share this review

         
        5.0

        Very High Quality at a Great Price

        By Snoopypood

        from Grand Rapids, MI

        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

        See all my reviews

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Durable
        • Easy To Use
        • Lightweight

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • General Use
          • Night Photography

          Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

          I am a prime lens shooter and needed to fill the spot between may 35mm f1.4 and my 85mm f1.2m I rented the 50mm f1.2 and found that the quality of this lens at 1.4 and above to be as good if not better than the far more expensive faster lens. It is light weight and it focuses quickly. As with all non-L lenses, you need to buy the lens hood separately.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

           
          5.0

          50 MM Lens

          By MichaelFL

          from Tampa, Florida

          About Me Semi-pro Photographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Consistent Output
          • Durable
          • Easy To Use
          • Fast Recycling
          • Lightweight
          • Powerful Output
          • Versatile

          Cons

            Best Uses

              Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

              I use my lens for close up, low light areas, photographing bugs, flowers etc. I find that it works well in a low lighting setting, it focuses quickly, lightweight and it's a Canon (enough said). I do not have any negative's with regaurd to the lens or any of my Canon equiptment...very proud to say I shoot with a canon.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Share this review

               
              4.0

              Great...but no IS

              By Video Guy

              from Boston, MA

              About Me Pro Photographer

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Amazing clarity
              • Durable
              • Solid
              • Versatile

              Cons

              • No IS

              Best Uses

              • Fill Flash
              • General Use
              • Night Photography
              • Photojournalism
              • Portraits

              Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

              I am using my 60D mostly for video, and heard this was a great prime lens to start with. Seems like a no-brainer, and there was a rebate for $50 around the holidays. It's great, and definitely worth the extra price versus the 1.8, but the lack of IS definitely shows. For video, I got spoiled with my EF-S 17-55mm, as it has great IS, and makes a noticeable difference. As soon as I picked up the 50mm 1.4, everything seemed shakier, and took some getting used to. Obviously this is fine if you are stationary or have a Steadicam, but keep in mind this lens is WAY less forgiving with motion than a lens with IS...

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Share this review

               
              4.0

              Great Lens!

              By whitey

              from Colorado

              About Me Photo Enthusiast

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Easy To Use
              • Lightweight
              • Versatile

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • General Use
                • Portraits

                Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                I primarily use this lens indoors for taking pictures of my son. It's sharp, focuses fast, and is good in low light. We have a small house and it's wide angle enough to shoot in tight spaces.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                 
                5.0

                SWEET

                By GENEO

                from Walla Walla

                About Me Photo Enthusiast

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Consistent Output
                • Durable
                • Lightweight

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Night Photography
                  • Portraits

                  Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                  This is a sweet lens.Very nice in low light,picture quality is very sharp.The price was very nice also.CAN'T GO WRONG ON THIS LENS.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Share this review

                   
                  5.0

                  I LOVE with this lens!!!

                  By Sarah K

                  from Hockinson, WA

                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Durable
                  • Easy To Use

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Portraits

                    Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                    This lens is such a fun lens to use. It is very well made. Wonderful bokahing!

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

                    Share this review

                    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    5.0

                    Awesome lens, now my main lens

                    By em

                    from Evanston, IL

                    About Me Casual Photographer

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Consistent Output
                    • Durable
                    • Easy To Use
                    • Versatile

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • General Use
                      • Night Photography
                      • Portraits

                      Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                      After taking a lot of pictures with a kit lens and not thoroughly happy with it, I realized it is time to grow up and buy a serious lens. I researched a lot from L lens( I am a Canon user) and prime and decided to start slow within my budget to go for the popular 50mm prime lens. Then I deliberated between the f1.8 and f1.4 which was a big enough difference in price.
                      I knew I wanted the 50mm basic prime. There really wasn't any reason why I should settle for lesser aperture, plastic built, no distance scale, 5 blade on a f1.8 II when I knew I wanted a good prime. I was not going to spend $1000 on f 1.2 besides it's too heavy. So the decision was f1.4.
                      It was a great decision. I was so impressed with this lens. I started test shooting in all different conditions with different apertures. My range of subject is vast. Usually a lot of travel photography with portraits, landscape, indoors/outdoors, details and candid shots. It is so fast, versatile and clean.
                      I have heard some comments about the auto focus getting stock and it fishes around. I usually use manual but even when I shoot in auto, usually center focus, I have not had any problems with the quick response and creamy smooth look. Also I have heard wide open is soft. I believe it gets better at f2 but I love the soft blur with such shallow depth of field. One thing though, naturally wide open it can get overexposed when there is too much light.
                      The picture quality is simply sharp, expressive, creative and beautiful. The lens is sturdy but small and light enough. It is very easy to handle. It is hard to believe a picture could look so different by simply switching lens. This is the lens that certainly delivered.

                      Final note on B&H photo. I was first going to buy used for money and the possibility that it was tried and tested already. But I am very glad that I chose B&H and got a new one. First the price was great which I purchased with a b&w UV filter, second it was super fast delivery, and perfectly safely packaged and the lens was in superb condition with a warranty.
                      My only regret is not getting this sooner. I have no idea why I deliberated so long...

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

                      Share this review

                      (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      3.0

                      Finally have a 50mm

                      By Pablo

                      from Vancouver canada

                      About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                      See all my reviews

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Easy To Use
                      • Lightweight

                      Cons

                      • Slow Focus

                      Best Uses

                        Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                        I have many lenses but did not have the most common 50mm. This is not quite as fast as I thought it would be in focusing but I do like the image results. I decided on the 1.4 rather than 1.8 simply because I like more blur options and you can get more with the 1.4

                        • Was this a gift?:
                        • No

                        Share this review

                         
                        5.0

                        A dream lens

                        By David

                        from Ellensburg, WA

                        About Me Photo Enthusiast

                        See all my reviews

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Easy To Use
                        • Lightweight
                        • Powerful Output

                        Cons

                        • Slow Focus

                        Best Uses

                        • General Use
                        • Night Photography
                        • Portraits

                        Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                        I have a SIGMA 50mm F1.4 lens before, but it is not totallt satisifed for me. The SIGMA's shapeness in F4 is great, however, it is not acceptable under F2.8, that is too soft.
                        I am so happy for the Canon 50mm F1.4, compare with the SIGMA, the shapeness is very good. The weakness in SIGMA did not display in this lens.

                        • Was this a gift?:
                        • No

                        Share this review

                         
                        4.0

                        Great for Sports/Action

                        By Julie the photo gal

                        from Washington, Ga

                        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Consistent Output
                        • Durable
                        • Fast Recycling
                        • Versatile

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • General Use
                          • Sports Photography

                          Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                          I use this mainly for basketball games. It gives me the right perspective and the right depth of field for my shots. I have also used it in portrait photography with great results.

                          • Was this a gift?:
                          • Yes

                          Share this review

                           
                          5.0

                          Best value without doubt

                          By georgei

                          from westbrook, ct

                          About Me Photo Enthusiast

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Consistent Output
                          • Durable
                          • Easy To Use
                          • Lightweight
                          • Versatile

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • General Use
                            • Night Photography
                            • Photojournalism
                            • Portraits

                            Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                            This is a great lens for taking candid shots of children, pets, etc. Also great portrait lens on a crop sensor dslr. Its fast, has quick focus, great bokeh, very good in low light situations. I have it on the camera more than any other lens. And with f/1.4 you have great control of depth of field. And well under half the price of the f/1.2.

                            • Was this a gift?:
                            • No

                            Share this review

                             
                            5.0

                            Must-have lens for shooting in low light

                            By SteveG

                            from Jericho,NY

                            About Me Photo Enthusiast

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                              Cons

                                Best Uses

                                • Indoor Photography

                                Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                                This is a great lens for shooting indoors without flash or outdoors at dusk. Excellent control over depth of field too.

                                • Was this a gift?:
                                • No

                                Share this review

                                 
                                5.0

                                Great lense/great price

                                By Schinel_no_5

                                from Phoenix

                                About Me Casual Photographer

                                Verified Buyer

                                Pros

                                • Easy To Use

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                  • General Use

                                  Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                                  This lense is what I was hoping for!!! It came so quickly and takes amazing pictures!!

                                  • Was this a gift?:
                                  • No

                                  Share this review

                                   
                                  5.0

                                  The Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens

                                  By Jen G.

                                  from Atlantic Beach, FL

                                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                                  Verified Buyer

                                  Pros

                                  • Consistent Output
                                  • Durable
                                  • Easy To Use
                                  • Fast Recycling
                                  • Lightweight
                                  • Powerful Output
                                  • Versatile

                                  Cons

                                    Best Uses

                                    • General Use
                                    • Night Photography
                                    • Photojournalism
                                    • Portraits

                                    Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                                    I recently bought this amazing Lens and I don't know why I haven't bought it sooner! I use this lens for photographing Newborns, maternity sessions, boudoir and weddings! I absolutely LOVE how crisp and clear all the photos are and I rarely have to use a flash at all! This lens is perfect for low light photography indoor and outdoor! I am going to be trying my hand at Birth Photography and I KNOW this will be the lens I use for the low lighting atmospheres in the Birthing rooms.
                                    I can't tell you how IN LOVE I am with this Lens! I'm so happy I decided to spend the extra money on this and not the 1.8. I hear soooo many people tell me how they wished they would've purchased THIS lens instead of the 1.8... I'm sure glad I did! Best investment EVER! :)

                                    • Was this a gift?:
                                    • No

                                    Share this review

                                     
                                    5.0

                                    very nice lens

                                    By Chris

                                    from Evansville, Indiana

                                    About Me Casual Photographer

                                    Verified Buyer

                                    Pros

                                    • Does awesome in low light
                                    • Durable
                                    • Lightweight

                                    Cons

                                    • none

                                    Best Uses

                                    • General Use
                                    • Night Photography

                                    Comments about Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Autofocus Lens:

                                    This lense produces crystal clear pictures. I also like to take video, and this lense does awesome in low light. With the wide aperture i can bump the iso down and take clear video at night with no noise

                                    • Was this a gift?:
                                    • No

                                    Share this review

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