Canon 50 mm F/2.5 Lens

The Canon EF 50mm “Compact Macro” is one of the most important lenses in my bag. I am finding that really close-focus photography is a fantastic way to capture truly interesting images. A whole new world is revealed when you look through this outstanding optical glass.

This is a “mid grade” model that is very affordable. It takes INCREDIBLY SHARP photographs, truly as sharp as a pro lens. It features a useful “distance scale window” with indications for macro ratios. It is well constructed and has the superior stainless steel lens mount. This fantastic lens has proven to be completely reliable.

The “Compact-Macro” features nine elements in a “floating” optical system for improved focusing accuracy, especially at very close distances. The front element extends as you focus, but it does not rotate, so circular polarizers and special effects filters are never a hassle. The front glass is deeply recessed behind the 52mm filter threads, so a hood is not needed, it’s “built-in”.

The Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro Lens has a 1:2 magnification factor. The “half life-size” images are awesome. You can make a coin look like a manhole cover. This is especially true on “small frame” digital SLRs like any of Canon’s Digital Rebels, 20D, 30D or the new 40D cameras. It becomes the equivalent of an 80mm lens on Digitals, which is an extremely useful focal length.

The Canon Compact-Macro is very comfortable to carry around, for hours on end. It “balances” beautifully on semi-pro camera bodies, making it a joy to handle.

I am amazed at how beautifully this model performs for non-macro applications. The six-blade aperture is fast enough for almost any “low-light” situation and the optics are incredibly free of distortions. Best of all, it is really, really sharp, and I mean “L class” sharp! Color and contrast are consistently superb and very pleasing to the eye.

This model employs the AFD “Arc Form Drive” auto focus design. It is not the quickest and not as quiet as a USM lens, but for the price it is excellent. Besides, for close-ups, you will want to use manual focusing anyway. Really tight shots require that you get the exact subject element that you intend to “feature” into crisp focus. The extremely fine focus adjustment gives you the ability to be incredibly precise.

This lens produces absolutely beautiful “bokeh”, thanks to the nice "fast" aperture. Portraits really have that vibrant 3-D quality, with the most pleasant blurred backgrounds that you will ever see from an affordable lens.

As a “walking around” lens, this is as good as any prime in its price range. The macro feature is like icing on the cake! It is faster and sharper than almost any zoom lens. It does a great job of performing many tasks extremely well. It’s a killer portrait lens, a great lens for “street” photography, it’s a fine choice for nature hiking and adventure photos. If it were not a Macro, it would still be worth every single penny, but fortunately, it is a Macro too!

Macro photography is where this lens really shines. To get the most out of it, you need to wake up your creative juices and look at things directly through its magical Macro eye. You can capture the most artistic shots that you have ever seen. Just glue your eye to your viewfinder and you will find beautiful things to capture everywhere you look.

If you want to have a lot of fun, get a Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact-Macro and turn yourself loose in a brand new small world!

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Macro from this lens is really great and sharp. However, wide open aperture is not the case you'll use often - just because of DOF. Someone could probably like 1mm depth-of-focus when shooting 1:2 macro still I prefer to have at least 2-3 times more. Stepping down barely makes center sharper but definitely does so for sides and corners.
Pros: sharp, light, compact, precise manual focus.
Cons: When raising lens up from macro to portraits AF needs you to literally give a helping hand - to jump on it first. Instant attempt to aim to 6ft away subject after shooting 5in macro dishearts lens completely. Just to mention - it's not the only lens I have that requires such help so shouldn't be actually cosidered as major disadvantage.

This Lens Is Perfect For Close Up Images. Focus Is Clear Crisp. The Lens Is Like No Other lens I have, It Is Compact And Light. Construction Of This Lens Is Top Of The Line. You Want Macro Shots This Is The Perfect Lens For That. You Cant Go Wrong With Canon Lenses. I Have Manny Other Lenses That Has The Macro Ability To Catch Fine Close Up Shots But Not Like This 50mm Can. Hands Down, I Love This Lens. I Baught This Lens Because I Like Getting Close To Very Small Objects, And Make Them Look Big. Like Bugs And Birds, And Just Anything That Is Small. This Lens Is PERFECT!!!Dislikes Are None.!!SAY CHEEZ, MONEY,BABY,HONEY,YEA-YEA..

In a pure simple term, It is one outstanding lens, to bad Canon stopped making it. It's sharp, compact simply a wonderful addition to anyone using a Canon EOS Slr. Film or Digital, you cannot go wrong.

I like it better than the 100mm f2.8, the only other alternative would be a Macro-Bellows. That will bring you so close, you won't believe your eyes. Your options are limited, you can spend 900 dollars to buy a Novoflex model, or look for something compatible online.

True macro photography is done with a bellows, for everyday the 50mm f2.5 Canon EF Lens cannot be beaten. Stay away from those cheap 30-40 Dollar China models, they don't work, if it looks to good to be true. It most often is, take care

I'm doing tests in different environments to see where I feel the most comfortable using this lens. I use it for some of my photography home-works. Surprisingly, I can focus on objects pretty far (example: 10 meters away). It is nice to see the focal length measures written directly on the zooming tube. It is nice that the lens is small and lightweight.
Though the focus ring feels a little narrow. The magnification scale, the distance scale and the depth-of-field scale are a little confusing (too many numbers in a small area). Plus this lens has no image stabilizer so a tripod is necessary to use it.