YONGNUO YN50mm F1.8C Lens, Large Aperture Auto Focus Lens, 50MM F1.8 for Canon EF Mount EOS Cameras Black
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AI Verdict
This 4.2-ounce, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens with AF/MF is for Canon EF mount users on a tight budget who want to experiment with shallow depth of field.
This lens is a situational fit, offering a wide f/1.8 aperture and 50mm focal length at a very low price, which is ideal for beginners to experiment with shallow depth of field. However, its all-plastic build and inconsistent, noisy autofocus limit its reliability for demanding photographic tasks.
If you need more consistent autofocus and better build quality, look for lenses with an STM (Stepping Motor) or USM (Ultrasonic Motor) focusing system and a metal mount.
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Pros
- The f/1.8 aperture allows for significant background blur and low-light shooting.
- Extremely lightweight at 4.2 ounces, making it easy to carry.
- Offers both AF Auto Focus and MF manual Focus functions.
- Accepts common 52mm filters.
- Provides a 0.15 magnification, useful for closer subjects.
- The low price point makes it accessible for beginners.
Cons
- Autofocus is slow, noisy, and inconsistent, often hunting in low light.
- Build quality is entirely plastic, including the mount plate, giving it an inexpensive feel.
- Images are often soft when shooting wide open at f/1.8, requiring smaller apertures for sharpness.
- Noticeable chromatic aberration and vignetting are present at wider apertures.
- The manual focus ring is not smooth and can have play.
- Older versions may not be compatible with some Canon film bodies, leading to errors.
Dimension Scores
Image quality is decent when stopped down, but it exhibits softness wide open, along with noticeable chromatic aberration and vignetting.
Autofocus is consistently reported as slow, noisy, and inconsistent, often struggling to find focus in low light conditions.
The noisy and slow autofocus would be distracting for video recording, and the manual focus ring is not smooth.
Weighing only 4.2 ounces and measuring 2 inches in length, this lens is exceptionally light and compact.
Best For
- Budget portrait photography to achieve background blur.
- Beginners learning to use a prime lens and manual focus.
- Photographing still subjects where autofocus speed is not critical.
- Casual photography where a lightweight setup is preferred.
Not Recommended For
- Professional photography requiring consistent, fast, and accurate autofocus.
- Capturing fast-moving subjects or action photography.
- Users who require critical sharpness at f/1.8.
- Owners of older Canon film cameras due to potential compatibility issues.
Watch Out For
- The autofocus can be inconsistent and slow, often hunting in low light, making it challenging to capture sharp images quickly.
- Build quality is entirely plastic, including the mount plate, which users report feels cheap and less durable than lenses with metal mounts.
- Sharpness at f/1.8 is frequently reported as absent, with images appearing soft, necessitating stopping down to smaller apertures for clearer results.
- Significant chromatic aberration and vignetting are present, especially at wider apertures, which may require post-processing correction.
- Some older Canon film bodies may experience compatibility issues, such as mirror lock-up or false low battery warnings, with this lens.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0722SK43M |
| Brand | YONGNUO |
| Lens Type | Standard |
| Item Weight | 4.2 ounces |
| Manufacturer | HK YONGNUO LIMITED |
| Item model number | YN50mm F1.8 C |
| Product Dimensions | 3.27 x 0.71 x 0.71 inches |
| Compatible Mountings | Canon EF |
| Camera Lens Description | 50mm F1.8 Lens for Canon EF Mount EOS Cameras |
| Focal Length Description | 50mm F1.8 Standard Prime Lens for Canon |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
Many users find this lens to be a cost-effective way to achieve shallow depth of field and experiment with a 50mm prime, despite its noticeable compromises. The autofocus system is frequently cited as a major drawback, being slow, noisy, and prone to hunting, particularly in dim conditions. While it can produce pleasing bokeh and decent sharpness when stopped down, shooting wide open at f/1.8 often results in softer images with visible chromatic aberration and vignetting. The all-plastic construction, including the mount, contributes to its lightweight feel but also its perceived fragility.
“Look, for fifty bucks, it gives me that blurry background I wanted for my portraits, but man, the autofocus sounds like a dying robot and sometimes just gives up.”
Common Praise
- Produces pleasing background blur (bokeh).
- Extremely low price point.
- Lightweight at 4.2 ounces.
- Allows for experimentation with a fast prime lens.
- Decent image quality when stopped down to smaller apertures.
Common Complaints
- Autofocus is slow, noisy, and inconsistent, often hunting.
- Softness and lack of sharpness when shooting wide open at f/1.8.
- All-plastic build, including the lens mount, feels cheap.
- Noticeable chromatic aberration and vignetting at wider apertures.
- Manual focus ring is not smooth and has play.
- Some older film camera bodies are incompatible.
Ownership Tips
- The autofocus motor can fail after a period of use, sometimes due to internal loose plastic pieces.
- Color fringing can be more pronounced than on Canon's equivalent lenses, but is often fixable in post-processing.
- Requires stopping down to f/2.8 or f/4 to achieve acceptable sharpness across the frame.
- The lack of weather sealing means it's not suitable for harsh or unpredictable environmental conditions.
- The lens can produce unique flare effects when direct light hits the front element.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work with my Canon EOS camera?
It works with many Canon EF mount EOS cameras like the 5D, 7D, 60D, 70D, T3, T3i, T5, T5i, and more. However, older film bodies might have compatibility issues, causing mirror lock-up or battery errors.
Is the autofocus fast?
User reports indicate the autofocus is generally slow and noisy, especially in low light, and can be inconsistent, often hunting for focus.
What is the build quality like?
The lens features an all-plastic construction, including the mount plate, which contributes to its light weight of 4.2 ounces but also its inexpensive feel.
Is it sharp at f/1.8?
Many users report that sharpness is often lacking when shooting wide open at f/1.8, and images tend to become sharper when stopped down to smaller apertures.
Can I use filters with this lens?
Yes, the lens accepts 52mm filters.
Is it suitable for portrait photography?
Its f/1.8 aperture allows for pleasing background blur, making it suitable for budget portrait photography, especially with still subjects.
What is the minimum focus distance?
The minimum focus distance is 0.45 meters (1.48 feet).
Buying Guide
This lens is a budget-friendly way to get a 50mm f/1.8 prime for your Canon EF mount camera. It's often called a 'nifty fifty' because of its versatility and ability to create background blur. You'll get a very wide aperture for low-light shooting and subject isolation, but you'll trade off build quality and autofocus performance for the low price.
lens_type: Standard
This means the 50mm focal length on a full-frame camera approximates human vision, making it a versatile lens for many types of photography. On APS-C sensors, it acts more like a 75-80mm lens, making it ideal for portraits.
weight: 4.2 ounces
This is incredibly light, making the lens easy to carry all day without adding significant bulk to your camera bag, similar to carrying a small smartphone.
F1.8 aperture
This refers to how wide the lens can open. A lower number means a wider opening, allowing more light in for shooting in dim conditions and creating a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background beautifully, making your subject stand out.
Mounting type: Canon EF
This specifies that the lens is designed to attach directly to Canon cameras with an EF mount, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of Canon DSLR bodies, just like a key fits a specific lock.
Alternatives
If you need faster, more consistent autofocus, better build quality with a metal mount, and sharper images wide open, look for a 50mm f/1.8 lens from a major camera brand with an STM (Stepping Motor) or USM (Ultrasonic Motor) focusing system.
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