| Want to bring small things into full-sized view? Turn to the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro lens, which can uncover detail that would otherwise be impossible to detect by the naked eye. Ideal for shooting extremely minute subjects such as insects or the petals of a small flower, the lens offers a nine-element design and a floating optical system that focuses down from infinity to one-half life size (0.5x). Despite these macro optics, however, the lens also functions beautifully as a general-purpose normal lens. And should you want to focus down to life size (1:1), you can add an optional Life Size Converter EF to increase the working distance--a valuable feature in close-up shooting. Other details include a 46-degree diagonal angle of view, a 0.8-foot close focusing distance, and a one-year warranty. Specifications
- Focal length: 50mm
- Maximum aperture: f/2.5
- Lens construction: 9 elements in 8 groups
- Diagonal angle of view: 46 degrees
- Focus adjustment: Front group linear extension system with AFD
- Closest focusing distance: 0.8 feet
- Filter size: 52mm
- Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches long
- Weight: 9.9 ounces
- Warranty: 1 year
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 Too much chromatic aberration for the digital age, but the lens is of a good value |
| Review Date: February 25, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Ryuji Suzuki, Cambridge, MA USA |
For less than $300, this is a pretty decent 50mm lens, but it's not the best choice unless you do simple, straight-macro work. Why? In my experience, for 1:10 or smaller magnification (focusing distance of about 0.6m or 2 ft), Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras provides better contrast and image sharpness than this lens at any aperture value. So, the only time this lens is the better choice is close distance macro work.
Now, when I use this lens at 1:2 to 1:5 magnification range, the resolution and contrast are good, but I noticed a bit too much chromatic aberration (CA) with shiny objects such as jewelries and silverware. The color is magenta and green, depending on the distance of the object in relation to the focusing distance. The CA decreased to some extent by stopping down. A significant drop of CA was seen at f/8 for 1:5 and f/11 for 1:2 magnification, although CA was still noticeable at those f-stops. Sure, at such magnifications, you would stop down to about that range anyway, due to very thin depth of field, but I would be happier of CA was lower from wider apertures for a bit more creative flexibility. Meanwhile, it's not impossible to correct for CA in professional image editing softwares, but that just means more editing work.
The lens is excellent for non-shiny small product shoots, such as hair accessories, cosmetic products, food, etc., although tilt shift would be useful whenever the image uses creative styling. Therefore, for creative macro work, TS-E45mm with extension tube and/or 1.4x extender would be more useful, although there is a price to pay in terms of dollars, pounds, and more demanding manual work. Whether 100mm macro is better or worse is not so much of an issue as other people say. EF100mm f/2.8 macro provides more working distance and flattens perspective (which may or may not be good for product photography), but not as different as what you can do with TS-E as a macro lens.
About the only thing this lens is superior to Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras at non-macro work is that this macro gives more pleasing bokeh than f/1.4. But for that matter 85mm f/1.8 or TS-E90mm is better, and so this isn't a good reason to buy this lens.
In short, EF50mm f/2.5 macro lens is good for simple, straight-forward macro work. If you don't do macro, buy Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras or Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. If you use more elaborate styling or creative work, buy Canon TS-E 45mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift Lens for Canon SLR Cameras or Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift Lens for Canon SLR Cameras. If you do macro work of jewelry or any other shiny or high contrast objects, be careful about chromatic aberration and stop down as needed. |
Macro Away.
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| Review Date: April 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mandy J. Stinson, Sav, GA |
| I use the lens for close up product shots for a business that my partner runs. I also use it for shots of my work for my portfolio. It is versatile and takes very clear pics. Overall I really enjoy using it. |
Nice little lens for the price.
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| Review Date: April 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Terri, Leesburg, VA United States |
I've been looking for a reasonably priced macro lens for taking pictures of my husband's scale models, and wanted to get all of the fine details that a macro lens can find.
This is a fairly decent macro lens, I haven't fully tested the lens but what I've done so far with it I'm liking it. I'd love it if I could get even closer sharper images, and sometimes its hard to have it focus on what I want it to focus on.
If you are on a budget, this is the lens for you. |
Wonderful Lens
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| Review Date: January 12, 2009 |
| Reviewer: V. Morris, Jacksonville, FL USA |
| I bought this for my adult daughter. She loves the lens and the pictures she has shown me using this lens have been awesome. I highly recommend this lens and it was great finding it here for $100 less than the link she provided. |
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro lens
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| Review Date: December 31, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Kimberly D. Metzger, york, pa |
| Great lens. I shoot with a Canon 5D Mark2. Great clarity from this lens for a compact macro it is very light weight. easy to carry and a great addition to my bag. Nice lens for the money. |
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