The CHEAPEST Canon Lens That's Great at EVERYTHING! - Canon RF 50mm 1.8 STM Long Term Review

[@Maximilan20]

I had the EF 1.4 version. When I sold it for the RF, I saw a NOTICEABLE difference. Love how light and incredibly sharp it is. It's always in my bag along with my RF 35 if I don't want to carry the heavy RF 24-70

[@qqsrx]

Could you elaborate the differences between the 1.4 vs RF 1.8? I have the 1.4 thinking to buy the 1.8

[@dannymolns3573]

​@@qqsrxI also have the 1.4 EF that I used a lot with my 6D. Got an R8 last year and got this 1.8 as well but haven't shot with it yet. Would love to hear the differences you found as well

[@Maximilan20]

@@qqsrx it is noticeably crisp and MUCH sharper. You see way more details and will immediately think your EF is soft. When you stop down to the sweet spot f/2.8 holy molly it's tack sharp.

[@Weaztek]

Agreed. I used to have that lens and it's soft in modern (high megapixel) cameras. I keep hoping Canon replaces it with an RF 1.4 (non L) at some point.

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

I couldn’t agree more with you! Especially for personal photography this lens is a real gem. I captured so many beautiful moments with this lens and it performs wonderfully. I have to admit that I am not a pixelpeeper though and I couldn’t care less about things like corner-sharpness or minor optical flaws.

[@bogdanperovic2001]

Thanks for the shoutout James🙌🏻 Hope to see you here in MNE again! Great video, agree with your review/opinions totally! (Also, I love the "analog film frame" on travel videos, keeps it interesting and different) Just imagine if we had the quality of sharpness, focus precision and speed in the day with the old nifty fifties on EF I think it's so easy to get a budget friendly but excellent performing kit these days, don't you?

[@JamesReader]

Thanks again for the opportunity Bogdan! You and your team were amazing

[@kevindiossi]

I don't think this lens gets enough love. Thanks for making the video - lovely images. I own the 50L and picked this up for travel/leisure photography and it's spectacular. I can remember my old "nifty 50" on EF mount having a lot worse image quality loaded with chromatic aberration...this still has some, but it's controlled a lot better and the sharpness, coatings are noticeably improved.

[@JamesReader]

Thank you Kevin! Totally agree - a very useful yet under appreciated lens for sure

[@teayasymone]

You have by far the best channel when it comes to Canon overall. It’s bc if you that I made my purchase of the Canon EOS R6 Mark ii. And I LOVE IT! However,I do not like the kit lens at all. I mean it’s doable, but now that I’m getting more advanced with my camera I’m realizing that it’s just not doing what I want it to do, it is very limited. As a beauty influencer that makes videos my overall goal is that Bokeh background. Unfortunately, most lenses are so expensive, but with some research I think the 50mm is a very good start, and then your video comes recommended so I think I’m going to go with this one. Thank you for your thorough , and incise reviews. You are the best . 💙

[@QKvox]

My most used RF lens for my personal photography by a long shot, great little thing. The rendering is particularly nice to my taste

[@herpityderp]

Personally my fav is the RF 35 f1.8, use it for portraits, walkaround and almost everything.

[@tedbrown7908]

I have this lens and it is fantastic. Very sharp and unbelievable for black and whites.

[@kazzzyamauchi]

Thanks for the video) 50mm is indeed an incredibly versatile focal length, and everyone should have this inexpensive lens. However, I will not hide that I am waiting for version 1.4, which may become the same favorite and even more universal for many. I love evening shooting at sunset, and I can't say that 1.8 is always enough, sometimes I want a slightly lighter lens, but King 1.2 is of course insanely good, one day I want to try to take it for shooting

[@JamesReader]

I really hope we see a 1.4 version soon! I think it will be a hybrid lens like the new 35mm 1.4.

[@FelipeCardoso-zv7vh]

My first RF prime lens. Not using as much as the 35mm but still one of my favourites!

[@Weaztek]

I think you should be commended for your honest review here. So many professional photographers are so insecure about using non L glass that it's almost a cliché at this point. I would suggest adding an optional lens hood to get a bit more contrast and prevent certain kinds of lens flare. The main difference I've found between this lens and the L versions are in the bokeh (and water resistance). Your assessment was spot on.

[@evdabbler]

Nice video and great shots. Maybe 80% of the photos I have taken in the last 10 years were on the combo 6D + EF 50 1.8 so really not surprised that the RF equivalent comes highly recommended!

[@exiacyn4621]

Fantastic review, love this lens so much on my R5. Can't believe you were outside my workplace, amazing shots.

[@JamesReader]

Thank you so much! That’s crazy, do you work in London?

[@exiacyn4621]

@JamesReader yup right where you were at Horse Guards, your channel has been inspirational for pursuing photography. Love my R5 and 50mm though usually only have my s24 ultra.

[@77dris]

Great vid as always. Presentation is always so good I watch even though I don't need a new 50.

[@JamesReader]

Thank you so much DRIS!

[@PhilippeDHooghe]

You are better than any Canon salesman I ever saw :-). And to know I turned down the package deal with the R8... instead I took the deal with a carry case, an extra battery, an SD card and some more stuff. I sould have gotten the R8 sooner, thanks to you I have it, I otherwise might never have. And because your advice turns out to be so good, I am now contemplating getting it. Stopped down a bit it is indeed amazing. But I can see why Pros go for the 1.2L, the zoomed in image of Rachel is quite a bit better in many areas though 1.2 may be a bit too much blur, I like that at 1.8 more of the head is in focus. The cheapest lens I have is the Pentacon 50mm f/1.8 on M42 mount. Bought it as kit lens with the Pentor Super TL in the mid seventies. I guess it won't compare to the modern RF lens... in the more modern corner I own the RF 28 pancake and this one's value is just bonkers. Not for portraits though. Thanks for the video. Again beautifully made, I had a good time watching it!

[@JamesReader]

Thanks so much Philippe! 28 + 50 is a great little combination - I recently took this combo to Italy and it worked so well. That 28mm is really fantastic for travel.

[@PhilippeDHooghe]

@@JamesReader Compelling! 28 for street, 50 for portrait. Portable. Low cost. Great Value. Thanks.

[@guyphoto9437]

I'm a Canon user and I have two of the "nifty fifties." They are amazing lenses for the price. I have not found a flaw in them, color, contrast, etc. It's probably one of the best lenses you can have in your bag for any type of photography.

[@michaelcoussement4335]

I always bring mine on vacation, along with the RF 24-105 F4L. My 50 F1.2L and 135 F1.8L stay at home so I am not worrying too much about those. Perfect travel combo.

[@JamesReader]

That was my exact travel combo too! Worked great

[@michaelcoussement4335]

@skynet_cyberdyne_systems low light mainly, and if you want more background blur (bokeh). F4 is fine outdoors but can be too dark with a reasonable shutter speed (1/125 or 1/160 for people, which is my area). Usually, you don't want to crank the ISO up too much (unless you want the grain in your images).

[@jdpst20]

Love mine! 50mm prime makes you work and that’s part of the joy imo. I have the 14-35 f4 and 70-200 f4 and I love the size of this lens bc it takes up no room in the bag. I usually shoot it at f2.8 most of the time anyways.

[@ChadHensiak]

Great video! I own both the RF and EF versions of the nifty fifty. I truly love them both. I use the RF version on both my R6 and R5 for photo work and the photos look amazing. I use the EF version on my older DSLRs for photo and video and on my R5 and R6 when shooting video with an EF to RF adaptor with drop in filters (this way I can use ND and pro-mist filters) and again, the footage looks great. Autofocus is also amazing. You really cannot go wrong with these lenses!

[@JamesReader]

Totally agree Chad! The EF version is indeed still a gem with really nice rendering

[@robertvideochannel]

Grear Review. Greetings from Vienna Austria Robert

[@hasanali948]

Very useful review. Thanks so much.

[@JamesReader]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@craigcarlson4022]

Thanks for this. Am back in the Canon RF system with a R6ii and trying to decide which prime to get first, the 35 1.8 or 50. I can imagine appreciating both focal lengths for differing reasons.

[@DanYosua]

Great shots! An excellent value for just about everyone

[@JamesReader]

Thank you Dan! Totally agree

[@ZPOLLAK]

My only gripe, is with this and the 35, is the chattering and pulsing when in servo. Makes it unusable in servo for me. Otherwise, it's excellent.

[@mjztx]

I have this lens and the RF 50mm 1.2 L. I enjoy this lens for casual shooting and travel. It is great on my Canon RP body. However for portraits, I didn't love the colors, especially in brighter sunlight (which we get way more often here in Texas probably). Also, any kind of backlight and it got rough. I'm obviously a little bias now because the RF 1.2 is a dream!

[@JamesReader]

The 50 1.2 really is hard to beat!

[@michaelmottlau5941]

At f1.8 on my Canon R6 camera this lens has a little less sharpness, contrast and saturation, but if you step down to f2,8 the sharpness, contrast and saturation improves a lot. The lens is very good at f3.5. It is perfect for street photo, because it is small and lightweight. Excellent for travel. My Sigma 50 mm f1.4 DG lens is sharper at f.1.4 with better contrast and saturation. A wonderful lens, but to heavy for me for street photos for many hours. And it can be intimidating for some people when a I approach them with such a big pro lens. With the 50 mm f1.8, you easier "go undercover" as an ordinary "amateur" photographer. That is good for me. I've just spend 7 days in Belgium, France and Holland taking photos for many hours every day.Thanks to this lightweight lens. I have great results with this lens at even 1600 iso f.3,5 shutter speed 1/1000 sec in full daylight shooting portraits on the streets. Especially close up. the background is beautiful blurred while the faces are very sharp.

[@JamesReader]

Totally agree Michael. I used the Sigma for a long time and it was a great lens but quite large especially on the adapter. I'm happy enough with the RF 50 1.8 but hope we see maybe a more moderately sized RF 50mm 1.4 in the future

[@jablon77]

100% agree since I bought this lens I love using it.and i also bought r8 to pair with it to make perfect travel kit.I do have r6 and more expensive lenses like 24-70 and 70-200 and of course those are amazing lenses but when you need something smaller something that won’t make you stand out from the crowd something that has so much quality then this is the one !!! I recently bought also 16mm 2.8 witch is basically same size as 50 1.8 .that lens does not have the quality of the 50 but i still like to use it for a few wide shots wherever I go.

[@JamesReader]

Totally agree, sometimes all you need it the 50! How are you finding the 16mm in general? I’ve yet to try one

[@harkpt]

Excellent video!

[@JamesReader]

Thank you so much!

[@AlexMattersberger]

Really love your editing style of your pictures. Any chance you share how you do it? Any special LUTs for Lightroom oder maybe even some tutorial on how you edit would be very much appreciated. Great work and videos, thanks!

[@JamesReader]

Thanks so much Alex, I'm planning on releasing a bit of a tutorial around my editing soon.

[@savagucunski6069]

Sir can I use this lens on Canon R50 for sport no stabilization? Thanks

[@lizzago7325]

For travel and taking pictures myself and my friends Do u recommend the 28mm f2.8 Or the 50mm f1.8?

[@benjamin5126]

I tried shooting with a 50mm years ago but it was just a little bit too tight for my taste. Maybe I should give it another try. Your photos look fantastic!

[@JamesReader]

Thank you Benjamin! It can be a bit tight for travel for sure! But when it works the results are worth it

[@classic.cameras]

Such a good lens for sure. I wish Sony had something like this (instead of a Minolta A mount with built in E mount adapter that is literally meh).

[@saptarshidas2245]

This lens made me spend a fortune. Liked the Focal Length so much that it made me buy the 50MM F1.2.

[@igorrutsch]

😂I might follow the same path ! I would love a compact canon rf 1.4 alternative....or ...Sigma....one can dream

[@saptarshidas2245]

​@@igorrutschGood news! You now have the option of going with the new RF 50mm f/1.4.

[@igorrutsch]

@@saptarshidas2245 yes ! it's still too expensive IMO. and I'm still happy ish with the 1.8, at least enough to wait for a sigma ;)

[@24_meamu]

i own the same combo.. use it with my r5.. can I see ur raw photos as well.. i struggle for proper skin tones.. can you make a video on it too..how to achieve stunning color tones like yours?

[@JamesReader]

I have a video coming out this week where I'll share some RAW files with this combo for portraits and more. I'm working on a video regarding my editing soon too, hopefully in the next few weeks.

[@joshualennox5798]

Great lens but secretly I'm here for your watch gains. Seiko, Tissot, Tudor, Rolex.. Yes please!

[@JamesReader]

Well spotted Joshua! 👀 thank you!

[@h.o.j2375]

From other reviews the 50mm seems less sharp compared to the 24mm and 35mm. There’s also a 3-4 month waiting period ordering from canon in my country.

[@JamesReader]

The 24 in particular is quite a bit sharper. I'm comparing this 50mm to the RF 35 1.8 in the next week or so. Shame to hear there's such a wait, what country is this in?

[@gregmonforton4103]

Except for well-lit outdoors or for portraits (where it shines) I just miss Canon’s great lens stabilization. When lighting isn’t ideal I’d rather use the 35mm 1.8 with the R7 than the 50mm 1.8 with the R8 if I’m going for similar focal length.

[@JamesReader]

The 35 is hard to beat!

[@livingwholewithless]

I have the same lens but it is the Canon EF 50 mm 1.8 STM. Does anyone know why it is taking so long to focus when it is on AF? Especially with subjects that are moving fast. I want to use it for a small wedding but I'm worried the focus will take to long when it's "hunting".

[@HiddenPufferfish01928]

I’m getting this soon And I’m just watching these videos for hype And I’m glad it is judged a a fucking sick lens

[@JamesReader]

You're gonna love this lens!

[@HiddenPufferfish01928]

@@JamesReader I think I will

[@anphiibian5013]

This lense is so good, cheap and sharp, ive done so many jobs with it

[@JamesReader]

Totally agree!

[@richieb74]

i got the refurbished one, my ski is slightly different its 4515c011 and normal brand new is 4515c002, anybody know what the difference is?

[@scotthunter4]

If you already own the rf35 1.8, rf85 f2 and rf 70-200 f4 L, would there be any point in buying this lens?

[@JamesReader]

Hmm I think you are pretty well covered with that setup. I would say only get it if you want something a bit smaller and lighter than the 35

[@dan.knows.photography]

RF King 👑

[@JamesReader]

🙏🙏

[@DavidSenteno]

If I was stranded on an island this would be the lens I would want with me. I actually have to force myself to use my 35mm.

[@jhonyglennzamoramonzon7047]

Es recomendable con la CANON R7 que es una APSC?

[@designSenji]

On r7 it will be equivalent of 80mm, so it will be great portrait lens, so if this what you want is great, but not as versatile as explained in the video, due to becoming much tighter, if you want equivalent of 50 go for 35mm 1.8.

[@JamesReader]

The R7 has a very demanding sensor for these budget lenses. I would definitely test it first to see if you are happy with the performance. It will also be quite a bit tighter in terms of its focal length on the R7

[@JamesReader]

My recommendation for a prime on the R7 is always the 24mm 1.8 if your budget can stretch to that

[@jhonyglennzamoramonzon7047]

@@JamesReader cuento con el SIGMA ART 18-35 F1.8. ¿vandra la pena por el rf 24?

[@vibrasieve]

this lens is high cost performance, 160 usd in China

[@johnallen3423]

I bought one today from Cex in Manchester.

[@JamesReader]

Awesome! Let me know what you think of it John

[@johnallen3423]

@@JamesReader a must have lens paid £109 + voucher exe condition in box

[@akashvirenprasad]

But how do you cut out that autofocus motor noise from your microphone?

[@JamesReader]

I think it’s actually quite a bit quieter in video mode. The STM motor slows down a bit so I don’t think you’ll have that issue unless with a really sensitive mic

[@akashvirenprasad]

@@JamesReader Thanks for your reply…I used a 35mm f1.8 IS STM lens and 24mm f1.8 IS STM lens on my Canon R8…footage was unusable due to the tremendously disappointing focus motor noise from both lenses with the Sennheiser MKE 400 microphone attached to the hotshoe. Switching back to Sony.

[@josephfernandes9039]

will this lens fit canon M100?

[@mjztx]

no it's for RF camera bodies

[@mikekerry5466]

I have had this lens in my bag for a while. I have been reluctant to use it relying on my 24-105 F4. However this video has inspired me to get it out and put it through its paces. I take lots of portraits and landscapes and tend to visit National trust sites when this lens could be particularly useful. Thanks James another great video.

[@terrydear4038]

Interesting. I would rate my RF50 f1.8 as average at best. I find the colours using it on my R6 flat and uninspiring. Maybe it’s just the R6?

[@michaelmottlau5941]

At f1.8 on my Canon RS this lens has a little less sharpness, contrast and saturation, but if you step down to f2,8 the sharpness, contrast and saturation improves a lot. The lens is very good at f3.5. It is perfect for street photo, because it is small and lightweight. Excellent for travel. My Sigma 50 mm f1.4 DG lens is sharper at f.1.4 with better contrast and saturation. A wonderful lens, but to heavy for me for street photo for many hours. And it can be intimidating for some people to with such a big pro lens. With the 50 mm f1.8, you easier "go undercover" as an ordinary "amateur" photographer. That is good for me. I've just spend 7 days in Belgium, France and Holland taking photos for many hours every day.Thanks to this lightweight lens. I have great results with this lens at even 1600 iso f.3,5 shutter speed 1/1000 sec in full daylight shooting portraits on the streets. Especially close up. the background is beautiful blurred while the faces are very sharp.

[@JamesReader]

I do wonder if there’s some sample variation with this lens as I have heard others say they haven’t been too happy with the performance

[@designSenji]

By no means it's great, especially considering price, but rf35f1.8 is just superior.

[@JamesReader]

Both are great - I have a video comparing the two in the next week or so.

[@bamsemh1]

Ef version is almost half the price

[@JamesReader]

Also a great buy!

[@designSenji]

You are about those half that you need to spend on rf to ef mount ring?

[@bamsemh1]

Adapter is kit if you know where to shop cameras. ​@@designSenji

[@designSenji]

@@bamsemh1 it's not everywhere, nor kit cost unequal to just a body.