Canon 50mm f/1.8 Camera Lenses

Prime Shooting with 50mm f/1.8 Lenses

Canon EF is one of the preferred brands when it comes to digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and, whether you're buying a professional-level body or an entry-level camera lens kit, you may want to consider investing in a few additional lenses. While the kit lens gives you a basic understanding of the ins and outs of your camera, they're limited when shooting in lower light, with a wider viewpoint or capture engaging up-close shots. A 50mm lens is one of the first additional lenses to consider, with the 50mm f/1.8 offering a wide aperture for you to capture sharp subjects and beautifully blurred backgrounds.

What Should You Look for When Buying a 50mm Lens?

The 50mm lens you select depends on the camera you own and your individual budget, with Canon EF lenses the standard for most entry-level and mid-range cameras manufactured by the brand.

• Look for autofocus features on EF 50mm lenses to get crisp and sharp shots, as well as STM lenses that have a stepper motor and help to eliminate noise during video recording.
• The EF 50mm f/1.8 aperture is preferable for its wide aperture, but you can also find prime 50mm STM lenses with narrower apertures.

Which Shots Can a 50mm Lens Be Used For?

An EF 50mm f/1.8 lens is great for low light photography, with the maximum aperture much wider than what you find on your kit lens.

• Prime lenses, such as the 50mm lens, often produce a much nicer bokeh, which refers to the aesthetically pleasing blur created in the out-of-focus areas of the image.
• Fewer moving parts in prime lenses and their fixed focal length means they're often much sharper than zoom lenses and allow you to shoot at faster shutter speeds in lower light conditions while eliminating any camera shake.
• A 50mm lens is also generally lightweight, which makes it a useful addition to your photography travel kit to capture beautiful portraits of people you meet along the way.

Should You Buy a Branded or Third-Party 50mm Lens?

Branded lenses are compatible with the mount on their associated cameras, but there are also third-party 50mm lenses that you may want to consider.

• When buying third-party lenses, it's important to check that its functions are going to be compatible with your camera body. Most third-party lenses will indicate with which brands and models of camera they are compatible.
• You can also consider purchasing older EF lenses, but be aware that the autofocus and auto-exposure may not function properly with a newer camera body model.