Lens Review - Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM
Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM
Canon’s Nifty Fifty gets an upgrade! The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens is a versatile prime lens designed for Canon's mirrorless RF-mount cameras. This lens is known for its compact size, affordability, and good optical performance. With a bright maximum aperture of f1.8, it also excels in low-light conditions and offers beautiful background blur for striking subject isolation. Its STM (Stepping Motor) autofocus system ensures fast, smooth, and near-silent focusing, making it ideal for both still photography and video recording. Additionally, its lightweight design and versitile focal length make it a perfect everyday lens for capturing portraits, street scenes, landscapes. The older EF 50mm f1.8 was a favorite first buy for many new Canon photographers and I’m sure this RF version will follow in its footsteps.
LENS SPECS
Release Date: 2020
Format: 35mm
Mount: RF
Filter: 43mm
Aperture Blades: 7
Aperture Range: f1.8 - f22
Min Focus Distance: 0.30m
Weight: 160g
Lens IS: No
Weather Sealing: No
Optical Design: 6 elements in 5 groups
APS-C Conversion Approx.: 80mm
Design and Build Quality
The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM is designed with a focus on practicality and portability, making it a great choice for both amateur and professional photographers. The lens features a compact and lightweight build, weighing just 160 grams. The exterior is primarily made of high-quality plastic, giving it a durable feel while keeping the weight down. A nice upgrade from it’s predecessor is that the RF version of this lens now has a metal lens mount so thumbs up to Canon for that. The control ring operates smoothly, and the lens incorporates a stepping motor (STM) for quiet and fast autofocus, suitable for both stills and video work. However, while it offers decent build quality for its price point, it lacks weather sealing, which may limit its use in challenging conditions. Overall, the RF 50mm f1.8 STM strikes a good balance between affordability and performance, appealing to those seeking a reliable standard prime lens.
Special Features
The Focus/Control switch on the side of the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens is a practical feature that enhances its versatility. This switch allows users to toggle between two modes: manual focus and a customizable control ring function. In manual focus mode, photographers can easily adjust the focus by turning the focus ring. When switched to the control ring function, the ring can be assigned to adjust various settings, such as aperture or exposure compensation, offering quick access to adjustments without needing to take your eye away from the viewfinder.
I want to take a moment and have a mini rant at Canon. This lens does not come with a lens hood in the box. Why a company like Canon can’t put a plastic lens hood that costs pennies to manufacture in the box is crazy to me. Personally I don’t think it reflects positively on the brand. But for those of you want a lens hood there are plenty of third party options on Amazon.
Gear Shots
Focusing
I have no issues to bring up when it comes to focusing. It works great, it’s quiet and reliable. Focus tracking also works as expected.
Optical Performance
The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens is an appealing option for photographers seeking a compact prime lens, but its optical performance merits a closer look, particularly regarding its construction materials. One notable aspect of this lens is the use of optical acrylic elements along with glass elements in its design (more info here). While this choice can help reduce production costs, it also raises questions about image quality, especially when compared to traditional glass elements.
Light travels differently through plastic than through glass, which can influence various optical characteristics, including micro contrast. Acrylic elements generally have a lower refractive index than glass, potentially leading to a softer image quality with less defined transitions between light and shadow. This can affect the lens's ability to render fine details, particularly in high-contrast scenes where sharpness is paramount. On a side note if acrylic elements turn you off of this lens may I point you in the direction of an older 50mm that also sits at the sub $200 price point. The EF 50mm f1.4.
Despite these considerations, the RF 50mm f1.8 STM delivers commendable overall image quality. The lens produces sharp images, even wide open at f1.8, with a pleasing bokeh that enhances the subject isolation typical of prime lenses. While there may be slight compromises in micro contrast compared to more expensive models with all-glass construction, the RF 50mm f1.8 still captures vibrant colors and well-defined details.
One peculiar characteristic observed in images taken with the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens is the occurrence of out-of-focus areas that appear smeared rather than transitioning smoothly into soft bokeh. Under certain conditions, these blur effects can manifest as a somewhat chaotic, blurry mess, which is less than desirable for photographers aiming for a polished look. While this phenomenon doesn't happen frequently, when it does, it can be quite noticeable and detracts from the overall aesthetic of the image. This issue may be linked to the use of acrylic elements in the lens, which can influence how light is rendered in the out-of-focus regions. As a result, this optical quirk serves as a reminder that while the lens performs admirably in many respects, it can also present challenges in achieving the ideal background blur.
It's important to consider the intended use of images captured with the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens. For high-end portrait work or commercial projects, this lens might not be the go-to choice, as more premium options typically offer superior optical performance. However, this lens is designed as a budget-friendly option for new photographers, and the images produced are likely to find their way onto social media platforms or websites. The good news is that when images are resized for social, many of the micro contrast issues that may have been present at full resolution tend to diminish, resulting in sharper, more appealing visuals. Therefore, if you're looking to enhance your Instagram portfolio without breaking the bank, this lens serves as an excellent, cost-effective choice.
This lens creates a pleasing bokeh. Bokeh circles are nice and round when shot wide open. The circles start to stretch out towards the edges of the frame. One this to note is the circles are very clean and well defined. There is no onion ring batter or strange glowing edges.
In conclusion, the optical performance of the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM reflects a balance between cost-effective design and image quality. While the use of acrylic elements may lead to subtle differences in micro contrast, the lens ultimately offers an impressive performance for its price, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of photographic applications.
Versatility
The Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens is remarkably versatile, making it an excellent choice for various photographic styles. Its 50mm focal length strikes a balance that is ideal for capturing everything from stunning portraits to emersive landscapes. This makes it a valuable addition to any photographer's kit, whether you’re shooting close-up headshots with beautifully bokeh backgrounds or wide scenes that require a natural perspective. Additionally, the lens's compact and lightweight design enhances its portability, allowing you to easily carry it wherever you go. This ease of transport means you can always have it on hand, ready to seize spontaneous photo opportunities without the burden of a bulky setup. Whether you’re wandering through city streets or exploring the great outdoors, this lens ensures you're well-equipped to capture a diverse range of images.
User Experience
My user experience with this lens so far has been great. Other than the odd strange smearing background blur this lens is great and when you consider it’s price point it’s hard to find a better value for money deal out there.
Sample Photos
Final Thoughts
Is this RF 50mm f1.8 worth investing in? It’s obviously not an RF 50mm f1.2 L but you can still get fantastic portfolio building shots with this lens which could in turn land you more clients which in turn grows your business. Considering this lens is priced below $200 you can easily book a headshot sessions and pay it off with one booking and after that it’s all profit. The first wedding I ever shot was with a EF 50mm f1.8 II and that turned into a wedding photography business. So in conclusion this lens isn’t perfect but it can be a stepping stone to much better things.
