Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM $200 vs $2000 Best lens for new photographers? Lens Review
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- Опубликовано: 7 июл 2024
- In this video, I review the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens which works on Canon’s new RF mount mirrorless system. I compare the RF 50mm 1.8 to the kit lens RF 24-105 f/4-7.1, versus the EF 50mm 1.8 STM and versus the RF 50mm 1.2L USM so that you can decide which lens is best for you! I look at the bokeh (background blur), sharpness, lens flare, STM motor, size, and how it works with the IBIS on my Canon EOS R5. I also give some of my best tips for this lens, like how to take great bokeh photos during the Christmas season, how to focus it manually, and how to make sure the autofocus motor doesn't get damaged. I think this is the best lens to buy if you are just starting out in photography and are using Canon’s new mirrorless system!
To help us make more videos like this one, click the links below to purchase any of the gear mentioned in this video!
Canon EOS R5: amzn.to/3fkXQXo
Canon EOS R6: amzn.to/3jOtQ7M
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: amzn.to/3a3UDeX
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2: amzn.to/2XKkoeb
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM amzn.to/2W8lb6r
Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter: amzn.to/2XO5RxN
Canon Mount Adapter: amzn.to/37QCHl2
Camera I used to record this video: Canon EOS R: amzn.to/2xc2ZA6
Lens I used to record this video: Canon RF 15-35 f/2.8L IS: amzn.to/2QXN5iQ
Lens I used to record this video: Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L: amzn.to/3qQtzWt
Mic I used to record this video: amzn.to/3njLvGY
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Despite it's limitations the RF 50mm 1.8 is a no brainer if the RF50 1.2 is beyond your pocket.
Totally agree Steve!
I just wish Canon accepted people would love a RF 1.2 quality at a 1.8 max aperture like Nikon did with its 1.8 lenses. I don’t need 1.2 and I don’t need a 1kg prime.
@@robmcd I REALLY hope they release a 50mm 1.4 with a quality between the 1.2 and 1.8 and a price closer to the 1.8!
The 1.8 is a photography lovers lens the 1.2 is a working pros lens.
Wasn't expecting to enjoy one of this wedding photography dude's video so much. You are really saving the image of wedding photographers as youtube reviewers with your content, explainative, concise, not boring to watch a 20 min video, hitting all the right points of comparison instead of useless ones, surprised me, liked it very much!
Hello! Sorry for the slow time to respond. I had to take a break from RUclips as I was super busy with photoshoots and family life. Really appreciate your kind comment! I try hard to make my videos in a way that I would want to watch myself with the info I would want to know. Again, thank you, and happy photographing!
Thank you for this video. While results not surprising it is great to see them side by side. Plus your little model made me smile.
Thanks for the kind comment! Agreed, the results are kind of what I expected going in. A little improved over the previous version but not on the same level as the L version. Glad she made you smile!
Thank you! Just what I was looking for in a lens. Great video!
Great video, love how easy to understand you make everything!
I appreciate that Jess! Glad it was helpful!
Great video, one of the best ones I’ve seen yet.
Thank you 🙌🏽
Thank you for putting this very thorough and helpful review together.
Glad it was helpful! Happy photographing!
Really great comparison. You put a lot effort onto this. Thanks a lot 🤩
Thank you! Really appreciate you noticing the time that went into it!
Incredibly useful as I was on the fence between the RF and EF lens. Probably going for the RF version because of this video!
Thanks for this review!
You bet! Thanks for the kind comment!
This was exactly the video I needed to watch. Thank you so much for doing this comparison. 👍🏻😊
Glad it was helpful! Have a great day!
Really excellent review, puts others in the shade......
Great comparison!! Thank you so much, I am really considering about the Rf 50mm f/1.8
Glad it was helpful! It is a great little lens to have!
I loved the review. You pretty much answered all of my questions and concerns. Great job. Subbed.
Thanks for the sub! Really appreciate it. And glad you got your questions answered!
Super nice video and super useful!! Thank you so much for posting it!
This is such a top notch review, from someone who really communicates extremely well, and their opinions can be trusted. This was a very confident review, and the speech was very well paced, in the very best documentary traditions, covering so much of what's key in a lens with very pertinent examples. Subscribed. I do not shoot Canon, a bit too expensive for me as a hobbyist, but if I was a pro, I think Canon would be on the shortlist and for the pros, this convinces me that the extra investment in an RF body and lenses, may pay for itself - at least give me confidence that my tools were as good as I could get them to be.
Wow! Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind comment! And thank you so much for subscribing!
This is really helpful. Thanks Shane
Glad to hear it! All the best!
Amazing Work Shane👌
Thank you!
This has been the most helpful review so far for me. The quick comparison to the kit lens was particularly useful. 🙏U.
Glad it was helpful! Really appreciate the kind comment!
I was debating on buy or not this lens but your this video really helped me to make a decision to buy it. Thx a lot for your videos
Glad it was helpful! Have fun!
I’ve watched a few of your videos now and love the way you present the content. I am taking the next step with my passion for photography I have used point and shoots, go pros and my phones. I am excited that have an R5 arriving this week. Keep up the great work I just subscribed 🙏🏽❤️
Nice!!! Has it come yet! You are going to love it! And thanks for watching my videos. Means so much!
Excellent stuff. Thank you for this.
You bet! Thanks for the kind comment!
Delighted to discover your reviews, Shane, especially as I am considering adding either an R5 or an R6 to my 5D4 and other Canon DSLRs. With that transition will, of course, come some almost intimidating decisions regarding lens choices. I've been enjoying your careful and common-sense comparisons, including addressing a choice many of us long-in-the-tooth Canon users (who embraced EOS in the film era!) will be having in terms of easing the transition expense by using some of our EF lenses (some non-IS but optically lovely) via the new adapters and relying on IBIS to at least partially level the playing field.
You strike a much appreciated balance between genuine enthusiasm and overbearing hype, with grounding in actual experience as a working photog.
Bravo to you, from a new (bell-activated) subscriber!
Hello Steve! Sorry for the slow response! I have been crazy busy over here with wedding season and haven't had time to check my RUclips comments. I really appreciate your thoughtful and kind comment!!! My goal is to make the kinds of RUclips videos that I would find useful if I was considering a lens/camera. I hope the transition is going well for you! The adapters really help bring new life into old lenses. I find even the manual focus lenses are so much easier to use now, and it makes them fun again! All the best! And thanks for subscribing!
I’ve been blown away by the 1.8 for $200. Incredible value. Great comparison!
Totally agree. Such a great lens for the price. And so fun to shoot with!
Shane, can’t thank you enough for this review. Looks like the first lens that I will go for in the RF series. I am already heavily invested in 7 EF lenses and will use the adapter for carrying on with them for some time.
You are SO welcome! Glad it was helpful! The adapted lenses work great too. Happy photographing!
Great review. Thanks.
Thanks for watching! Glad it was helpful!
Very useful video, thank you very much
Glad it was helpful!
Hey Shane! Fellow Minnesotan. Appreciate the video. I just picked up this lens for my Canon R8. New to this whole photography hobby.
Thank you for this amazing review video. This video makes my doubt more clear. 🙏
Glad it was helpful! All the best!
Great review , thanks for making. This will fit nicely inbetween my 15-35 and 70-200 👌👌
Glad it was helpful! It will fit perfectly between those lenses!
Took the RF 50 1.8 out a couple days ago, it’s great for the money and the compact size makes it a great carry anywhere lens.
Totally agree! Such a fun little carry anywhere lens.
Thank you, much appreciated!
You are welcome!
Very helpful! Thank you
It's really sad that the content creators that put out the best content (not clickbait) are often overlooked. This video explained everything I was looking into before pulling the trigger on the 1.2, after watching 10 or more other click bait videos with 200k to 1 million or more views. Thank you for the great content.
Excelente vídeo amigo, 👏👏👏Saudações do Brasil 🙌🇧🇷
Thank you amigo! Nice to meet you!
Brilliant articulation.. destined for lots of success.
That is super kind of you :)
awesome review! planning to get 50mm 1.8 rf.thank you
It is a fun little lens! Hope you like it!
great video. thanks a lot for the generous tips. the little girl has done an excellent job as well :)
Great video, I am only a hobbyist, and when the R6 was announced I was blown away, I struggled to find one here in the UK, but found one eventually ! The 50mm was the only RF lens I have bought so far, I have a few EF lenses, but still waiting for my EF to RF free convertor from Canon .
Very cool! Glad you finally found and R6. Such a great camera. Hope that adapter comes soon for you!
Nice done comparison and quality video! ;)
Thanks! 😀
Thank you for this video, Shane!👍🏻 Definitely an excellent economical alternative to the RF 50mm 1.2. Kudos to your daughter being such a sport to create this video with you.👏🏻 Peace and stay safe.✌🏼😷
Thank you Gareth! Totally agree! And yes, my daughter did such a great job! Recording videos takes a long time for a kid. Hope you are well too!
@@ShaneLongPhotography how about a video on how to keep your daughter interested in taking pics? Mine can't stay still for half as long as that.
Ha! Totally understand you there! Not sure how she does it, though the promise of hot cocoa afterwards does help ;)
Excellent video! Dig your communication style, voice, visuals work! Paid for art college shooting 100+ weddings/portraits over 4 years. Never did a wedding since 😎... needed the challenge of major magazine photojournalism. Can't wait to watch more of your videos...
Thanks so much! Really appreciate the kind comment! Great job funding your college with photography! Thanks for following along!
The rf 50 1.8 is so much better with backlight, flare and maintaining contrast. I love shooting portraits with backlight and that's the clear winner here.
Another great review Shane. As a primarily wildlife shooter, i haven't got a lot of use for standard primes, but as soon as this became available in the UK, i bought the RF 50 1.8
Cannot go wrong for the money, i have used it for a few everyday shots, and it's fantastic. As you say, it's super lightweight on the R5, i was photographing a garden waterfall feature at 1/2 sec handheld with no problem, blurred the flowing water nicely with the rockery really sharp. The tiny lens cap is a novelty, as i'm used to 77mm caps! Almost 3 months in with the R5, and it's the best camera on the planet. Blows my mind!!
Keep up the great reviews, and a happy Christmas to you.
Thanks you Steve! I bet you have a great time doing wildlife photography! And the R5 is a dream camera for it! I need to do more of that! Happy Christmas to you as well!
@Shane Long Photography thank you for this wonderful review. I recently sold off my RF50 1.2 as I couldn't keep up with the weight of the lens. I wish I knew the RF50 1.8 was out. I would have definetely took that one instead. Super cheap and great too. Cheers
Hello Frank! My pleasure! Yes it is a great lens for the price. Happy shooting!
Great video! While I have the Rf50 1.2 and love the quality coming out of it, the 50 1.8 for $200 is a no brainer for someone who’s on a budget and likes the 50mm focal length. Really want to see you review the rf85 f2 !!
Couldn't agree more! Thanks so much for watching! I would love to play with that 85 f/2 sometime! Canon is doing such a great job with these budget primes.
Excellent, Excellent review......thanks
Thanks SO much!!
excellent video as always. I have to say the SOOC colors with the Ef 50mm are much more pleasing that the RF equivalent and much closer to what the RF 1.2 delivers
Thank you! Great observation! I will have got back and look at that. All the best!
GREAT video!! Definitely subscribing!!
Thanks for the sub! That means so much!
Great video. Thank you. And what a superstar model!
haha! Thank you!!
Perfect... exactly what I wanted t know thank you. I have the EF 50 f 1.8 on my 5D Mk IV and was wondering if I should get the RF for my new R5. You convinced me to get the RF 50 even before I take delivery of the R5 body. Seems like a no brainer at the price even though it is double the cost of the EF 50 it's still peanuts for such a good lens.
Glad it was helpful! You are going to love that R5 and RF 50mm combo!
I'm a Sony user, but I absolutely love your videos lol great review!
Thanks for following along! Sony makes some amazing cameras and lenses too!
Thanks for the extensive comparison.
I (still) really love manual focus for video for the R5, I guess the nano-USM EF lenses are worth considering, offering nice manual focus and silent autofocus at the same time.
Thanks! I like manually focusing as well. So smooth and silent! And the focus peaking now is great.
Another great video - thanks. I think the 1.8 would also be very nice for street photography given its light weight and compact size for walking around with all day.
Totally agree Stela! I just took it to our Christmas candlelight service last night and it was amazing!
Thanks for comparing with the kit lens!! 👍
Sure thing! I was curious how they compared!
I hope your wonderful model got a big treat after doing such a great job! Thanks for the review, been wondering if the RF 50 1.8 is going to be a good addition.
Haha! I did! And yes, this is a great little lens!
such a great video, it's my 8th time watching it, i've been lusting over the f1.2 lens for a while, but realize for family candid and travel, the 1.8 works well, and reminds me it's the photographer and story telling not the gear, but man gear reviews are so fun to view. keep up the great work!
Thanks so much for watching!! Love that you have watched it like 8 times :) And yes, the 1.8 is a fantastic little lens. There is so much you can do with it! All the best!
1.2 is for making money
i thought i would be happy with just the old EF 50 STM on my R but seems like the RF version has some IQ improvement. have to ask Santa for one now! thanks for this review
Haha! Great idea to ask Santa :) Hope you have a great Christmas!
Thanks, great review--I have the old EF-50mm 1.8 with distance scale (1990's ?). Fun lens for wild flowers. I will try it with extension tube + adaptor to see if I get 1/2 life size as I do on dslr. That said, I'm seriously considering the new RF. Have the kit RF 24-105 non L and really enjoy it despite the slow aperture (4-7.1) Just a nice zoom range. Very comprehensive review. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Happy New Year to you as well! You can do a lot with both of those lenses! Really fun that you still have a copy of the old EF with the distance scale! Hold on to that thing forever!
What a great comparison video! Very concise
Glad you liked it! I try to get right to the points I would want to know!
Hi Shane! Do you happen to have a video of your best recommended canon r5 settings? I have a wedding coming up on the 22nd and can really use some tips on settings! Love your Chanel keep up the great content!
Hey Jose! I don't have that video made yet. Hoping to maybe later this winter when I get some free time. Thanks so much for following my channel! Have fun at the wedding!
I've heard RF lenses are sharper around the edges in part because the glass is much closer to the sensor (you're not using an adapter) and they're designed to take advantage of that variable. EF lenses were built with mirrored cameras in mind.
Also, you can use the control ring to manually focus with a primed shutter (half button push).
There's a setting in the camera to enable this. On my EOS RP it's under "Menu-> Camera-> 8".
Hey Kevan! I think you are spot on there! Fun to see those improvements in the new RF version!
this great review
Thank you!
Nifty Fifty... incredible!
Agreed!
9:16 damn the bokeh was so satisfying
Very-very nice comparison.. Good Job Bro..
Thanks a ton. All the best!
Cute little model
I think so too! ;)
Love your video helpfull
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the kind comment!
lovely model!
Haha! Thank you!
Subscribed!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!
I think you need both!
Agreed! I have the 1.8 as my backup!
Great video
Thanks!
What a fabulous review! Question for you - were you using the RF50 1.8 to film the video?
We love shooting with our RF 50mm 1.2 on our EOS R, but I'm always worried about it being damaged while on vacation or just out and about. We do have the RF 35mm, but often only use that for wide angle or macro product shots. The thought never crossed my mind to get the more affordable 50mm 1.8 as a backup to the 1.2! Thank you Shane for sharing that little bit of insight!
You are welcome! Isn't the RF 50 1.2 amazing?! But yeah having this little 1.8 is really fun!
I dont like that the rf 50mm 1.8 cant focus as presize as the rf 50mm 1.2. So there are sometimes shots that are not really sharp, because it can only focus 2 llayers but not between them. this also happened with oder Ef 50mm 1.4 and 1.8
I echo your feelings on the new RF 50mm f/1.8 lens. It's a really good improvement over the EF STM lens - despite what I've heard from many other RUclipsrs. The massive reduction in ghosting/haze in the corners was great to see. The EF was intended for me to be an everyday leisure 50mm lens, but the performance was atrocious. I just spent one day with the new RF just taking casual images and am extremely pleased. It's not the Sigma Art or RF 50mm L, but that's exactly WHY I bought it. I can take this with me everywhere and my Sigma can stay home. I've seen way too many reviews saying it's basically the same lens as the old EF STM....no, not at all. It's a big step up in corner performance and controls ghosting significantly better.
Agreed Kevin! I think a lot of people just wrote it off too quick and just assumed it was the same lens. For me, actually taking it out and taking real life side by side photos showed me that it did improve. Certainly enough to warrant the extra cost. My guess is the fact that it sits closer to the sensor is what helps it. But I am no lens engineer! Have fun out there!
I’m glad to read this. Just picked up the RF for its size, just for convenience of not having to use the adapter. Thinking it was identical optics repackaged, this is cool. Havent had a chance to use it yet.
Hopefully the young, little lady gets her royalties. 🙂
Thanks for this helpful comparison! 🙋♂️
Wonderful showcase it really helped, would you please share the other settings like single point, multi focus etc..
Glad it helped! I will have to make a video this winter on how I change focusing modes and how I go from One Shot, to Servo. Makes all the differences for sharp photos!
Thank you
Best photographer
Most welcome 😊 Thank you so much!
The difference in the field of view or "zoom" between the lenses is probably focus breathing. I put my camera on a tripod and if I changed the focal point of the scene I actually couldn't merge the photos in Lightroom.
Excelent lens, canon RF 50mm f / 1,8.
It sure is!
Great video 👌 sometimes I liked more EF 50mm because of colours :) but rf is more sharp! I would die to see a comparision of 85mm vs 35mm and macro photos. I wonder if the magnification is the same.
Great comment! I too started to notice the subtleties in the colors as I looked through the photos. Maybe someday I will get my hands on one of those 85mm macro lenses and will do a comparison! All the best!
nice job
Hi, interesting review, very detailed and “real world”. I already have the RF version having decided it was an essential after owning the EF version for some years on my DSLR’s . I’d have to say the EF looked aesthetically a bit odd on the front of the 5D4 (not that it really matters) but looks much more proportional on the R5 . I certainly like to use it in street photography as it feels less intimidating with the R5 than the 5d4. Subscribed to your channel :) Cheers Chris from NZ .
Hello Chris! Sorry for the slow time to respond. I had to take a break from RUclips as I was super busy with photoshoots and family life! Totally agree with you on the EF looking odd on the 5D4. But I think the RF looks pretty cool on the R cameras. Thanks for subscribing!!
I made the very weird decision to get the RF15-35, the RF70-200 and close the gap with the Rf50 1.8 since I shoot more wide and tele than in the standard zoom range. So far I am super happy with the 50mm 1.8!
That is a great set up! The 50 is so good for the price! Have fun!
good content.. thank you
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Loved this,new subscriber )
Thanks for subbing! Really appreciate it!
Dont forget that defringing can desaturate your edge greens and purples (or beyond) if mishandled - sometimes best to use brushes for defringe or combination...
This is true! Great tip!
What a nice content. Greetings from Russia, all the best, thx for videos.
Hello! Fun to meet someone from Russia! Thank you so much for the kind comment! I am glad you like the videos!
Very nice video
Thank you so much!
Very informative video. Thanks for sharing. I got an eos R recently and have been using EF 50 1.8 and wondering if should I get a RF 35 1.8 or RF50 1.8. 🤔
You are so welcome! You will take some great photos with it! If you already have the EF 50, I would add the RF35 1.8 so you get some macro ability and a little wider field of view! Hope that helps!
*Spoiler alert*
Save yourself $2100 and buy the RF 50 f/1.8 unless you zoom into 100% and pixel peep tiny details and bokeh on large monitors. The photos look nearly identical side by side at normal viewing sizes and print sizes
Thanks for the comment Michael! For social media and small/medium prints the 50 1.8 goes a long way! Such a great value. All the best!
For the money, this lens is a winner and will be a cheap legendary gem for a long time.
Totally agree!
I’d love to support your channel when I purchase the lenses. Thx 🙏 the great 👍 reviews! Can you post your B&H links?
Hello Allen! Thank you so much! That is super kind of you. I haven't yet set up affiliate links with B&H even though I love buying gear from them! I will have to check into their program sometime. Thanks for the idea!
Thanks for the video. I might buy this for my EOS Ra.
You bet! Oh man, astro photography is so much fun! Bet you would love that camera!
Amazing video, thank you! I was just wondering how the EF 50mm f1.2 L USM would perform with the EF adapter. I assume the EF 1.2L will perform better than the RF 1.8, right?
Hello! The EF 50 1.2 will have much smoother background blur than the RF50 1.8. That lens isn't super sharp at 1.2, but if you stop it down a little it improves. But with the face detection on the R5/R6, the EF 50 1.2 works a lot better than it did on DSLRs. Hope that helps!
I would have loved to see the addition of EF50 1.2 into this mix. I will be doing allot of low light, Night Club photos. Weight is a big issue for me so the RF 50 1.2 is out. However focusing is a bigger issue. Not sure if the extra ISO and light weight of the RF50 1.8 would be better than the EF 50 1.2 in a night club. We need super sharp focus. thanks for your help
Hello Nigel! Sorry for the slow time to respond. I had to take a break from RUclips as I was super busy with photoshoots and family life. I totally understand what you are taking about. I owned the EF50 1.2 at one point. My copy was soft until about f/2 so I sold it and went with the Sigma till Canon came out with the RF 50 1.2. I know some people like their EF 50 1.2, I wanted to, but it just didn't work great for me. That said I LOVE the RF 50 1.2! Hope you were able to make your decision. All the best!
Thanks, I was looking for this video, I have an R I’m not a profesional I’m just an amateur just a hobby, so I don’t think I need the R5 or the 5mm 1.2 thank you new sub
Hello Rey! Glad it was helpful! And thanks for subscribing!
Haahaa. You have such a lovely dauter )) She singing while you photoshooting her) So funny! Love your videos btw
Yeah she loves to sing random songs! Thanks for watching my videos! All the best!
Great review!!! , and I have a question . why RF f1.8 is smoother on vdo mode than RF f1.2? such as on 7.00min , thank you
Good question! I am not sure. I was single handholding them both at the same time and trying to keep them side by side so I might not have done the best job. It could also be that the RF 50 is smaller and shorter and thus was more subject to shake. Not really sure. I am sure thought that if you had two hands on the camera you could get much more stable footage than what I took there. Hope that helps!
I actually prefer the bokeh on the RF 1.8 and mostly I shoot on F4 ......I like the DOF at the F4 aperture ......