Canon RF 50mm f1.8 - real world view from a professional photographer

I’ve always thought a 50mm prime belongs in every photographers bag, so I’m going to take a look at the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens and show why I think it’s really not a tough choice.
An alternative to this lens, the 50mm EF 1.4: • Canon EF 50mm F1.4: A ...
👉 Gear shown in this video:
RF 50mm f1.8 STM: amzn.to/3ZO3XKc
EF 50mm f1.4 USM: amzn.to/43dIjlg
👉 Color graded with GAMUT Canon LOG BaseLUTs: gamut.io/?gamut=haywardhaywar...
👉 The gear I most often use:
Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478D-U Light Meter: amzn.to/3AqPSat
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Flash with Barndoor Kit: adorama.rfvk.net/YgY7ER
R2 Trigger: adorama.rfvk.net/RyoKb7
TTArtisan LENS product line: ttartisan.myshopify.com/?ref=...
My Go-To Godox flash modifier: amzn.to/32ahT9l
#Canon EOS-R: amzn.to/3e5D0w3
EF lens adaptor: amzn.to/3GSwNzZ
Here is the current version of the tripod I use:
amzn.to/3siINGI
And this is the newest version of the grip head I use:
amzn.to/3p7YXke
Manfrotto combi-stand: amzn.to/3FFT84x
_____________________

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

I've wondered about this little lens for a long time and I decided to try it out. No big surprises, but it can do the job within certain expectations!

[@MindYaBizz_Whiz]

Been running this lens since it came out. Use it all the time. For the price, it’s awesome. I feel like every photographer on the RF amount should have it in their bag, even as a back up. I use it for car photos, Street, portraits, and just when I’m hanging with family and friends.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@Terrilltf]

I have 3 versions now. The ef 1.2L, the ef 1.4 and the new rf 1.8 the latter 2 you just showcased. The 1.4 will always be my favourite but the new rf does pretty good. I only use the 1.2L for weddings and portraits.

[@TC_Conner]

The RF is the Thrifty 50, the EF is the Nifty 50. 😎

[@joeyrobertson4926]

I was pleasantly surprised by this lens. Some of my best shots were taken with the rf 50 f/1.8. Great lens for the $$

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

I’ll probably have to get one. Lol. Thanks for watching!

[@gregsmith6373]

Ive been just thinking to buy this one for my r5. Im using Sigma art 50mm and its big and heavy especialy for street photography After this video im going to buy this one. Thank you for this video and cheers from Norway :)

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

A bonus with the R5 is that you have IBIS too! That sigma is no doubt a better lens, but for street work, this thing is really small and light :). Thanks for watching!

[@MannyScoot]

The RF is sharper and I got tired of using an adaptor and the 1.4f on my EOS R ......It's just a burden using the EF and adaptor when using the Eos R and BG-E22 Grip ....

[@derekbrown467]

I have the 1.2 and it’s my most used and favorite lens. But when I was still using Canon’s DSLRs, I had the EF equivalent of the RF 1.8. If you’re starting out or want to use your resources elsewhere, the 1.8 performs far beyond its price point. The 1.2 is better of course, but most clients will never know the difference. DO NOT cheap out on your 70-200 by getting the f/4. This one, you can go cheap out on if needed.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Agree with your points. The 1.2 is spectacular, but a lot depends on the end result to see the benefits. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelajoseph6856]

Thank you for this review! The lens is great on my Canon R8. I can carry it all day long!

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

thanks for watching!

[@yadirarodriguez2012]

Ordering one now! 🤭I am convinced!

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Thanks for watching!

[@LBenjamin322]

I’ve gotten around the no AF/MF switch by mapping the video record button on the camera to turn on/off auto focus. Not ideal, but better than digging through the menus. I’m using the new Canon eos R8, but I would assume you could do that on the R as well.

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Yep, I can do that. It’s not a deal breaker for me per se, I’m just waiting/hoping they come out with an RF 50mm f1.4 to get a bit more quality. Thanks for watching!

[@nigelwest3430]

I had the EF version on my old 7D and adapted onto my M5, I now use the RF version on my R and will also be using it on my new R3 (Sometimes)

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

I’ve never tried adapting the EF 1.8, the 1.4 works pretty well for me. Congrats on the R3 - thanks for watching!

[@TalGivoly]

I too have the 50mm ef stm lens. And am an R7 user. So crop sensor, effectively 80mm or so… debating whether worth the $100 to get the rf version. I’d imagine optics and mechanics are nearly identical. It’s just removing the lens adapter and losing the manual focus switch (which I actually use fairly often)… the switch could be replaced with configuration to be the unused depth of field button… so that can be compensated for… but do I really need this if I have the ef stm?

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

Need is a hard question. If you have the ef 1.8 I think this lens is a little better especially since you get to lose the adapter and I think it’s a little better built . For me having the 1.4, it’s not so clear. Optically the 1.4 is a little better so it’s not as clear of a push. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@BracaPhoto]

I've been so happy with the RF 85mm 2.0 that i really don't think i will pickup the f1.2 honestly

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

A friend of mine has the 1.2 and, yes, it is incredible, but at a price :)

[@BracaPhoto]

For the portraits I've seen shot at f1.2 but i don't "love" the look necessarily - it's a bit niche

[@CoffeeandPhotographyTalk]

@@BracaPhoto Agree... and they do NOT print large well at all. Thanks for watching!

[@Space1833]

😊

[@kai64]

I have 50mm F1.2 and this F1.8 and I shoot on this over F1.2 way a lot more.

[@paulo7200]

This is exactly the problem with Canon: no pro-level, reasonably-sized 50 1.4 forthcoming and third-party lens development has been blocked for years on the RF mount.

[@dantecooper4705]

I feel that it will be blocked until they have made what they can make from native lenses once the lineup is pretty close to complete. 3rd party will cut into your profits

[@ForrestWest]

For me the noise and vibrations coming from the rf50mm lens as it's focusing make it very unpleasant to shoot with. It distracts from the experience. My Sony primes all focus quickly and silently and inspire me to go out and shoot.