Editorial Product Review:Item Description:Compact and high-performance, this standard lens is the lightest EF lens of all at a mere 4.6 oz. (130g). Its Gaussian optics provides sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens.
Amazon.com Item Description:Lightweight and affordable, the Canon EF 50mm lens--which offers a fast f/1.8 aperture--is an excellent lens for people who prefer a fixed focal length. Canon's lightest EF lens at a mere 4.6 ounces, the lens boasts a traditional Gauss-type optical design that delivers a sharp performance even when wide open. As a result, the lens provides an image that's extremely close to how your eye perceives a subject, making it excellent for portraits and images that require a natural depth of field. In addition, the lens focuses as close as 18 inches, helping you take extreme close-ups. Finally, the lens offers an excellent color balance. As with all Canon lenses, the lens carries a one-year warranty.
- Focal length: 50mm
- Maximum aperture: 1:1.8
- Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
- Diagonal angle of view: 46 degrees
- Focus adjustment: Overall linear extension system with Micromotor
- Closest focusing distance: 1.5 feet
- Filter size: 52mm
- Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter, 1.6 inches long
- Weight: 4.6 ounces
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Buyer Reviews
Average Buyer Rating:

Customer Rating: 
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Simply Amazing!
This is one amazing product that I bought for my camera. At first I was so hesitant to buy this lens but it's all worth it. The picture came out nice and crisp.
Customer Rating: 
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Great lens for portraiture
There are several aspects of this lens that I love and really only one that I don't like - I've shared my views of the cons and pros below:
Pros -
-The lens is extremely quick with a maximum f-number of 1.8 this allows for the use of very fast shutter speeds under lower ISO (meaning lower noise) conditions. Another primary advantage of this is that the large aperture creates a very shallow depth of field - a desirable quality for portraits. This is also a great advantage for anyone that wants to shot their kids or pets playing around in their backyard. Note that canon does make a "big brother" for this lens in the form of the 50mm f/1.4 USM (USM indicates the incorporation of Canon's ultra sonic motor).
-The sharpness on the lens is great even when shooting wide open, especially since the lens costs under 100 dollars. Sure it's not an L lens but it's also not 1000 dollars.
-The cost in general is very nice, you're not going to find another lens of this quality at the 100 dollar price point.
-Weight - the lens weighs very little and isn't very long which is nice because it won't be straining you.
Cons -
-As several other reviewers have noted, the build quality on the lens seems sub-par. The body is made out of plastic and it feels cheap. However, if you take care of your lens, especially when removing it from and mounting it to your camera, you'll be fine. But don't expect this lens to be able to take a beating because it won't be able to.
Customer Rating: 
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One of the first lenses you should add.
Yes. It really is an awesome lens. I have moved up to an intermediate photography for-hire level because of the work this lens has allowed me to accomplish. I have read books and reviews recommending this lens. Everyone said the same: that it is a fast, crisp glass, giving a pro appearance. So I bought one.
Right away, I could tell the difference from the basic lens that came with my Canon EOS XTi. I could finally shoot indoors on "A" without camera shake. What I didn't expect was the difference between my favorite travel lens the Canon EF-S 28-135 Zoom and the 50mm. Although the glass on my travel lens is great, the glass on this sub-hundred dollar lens was better. I mean better by "more depth."
True, it is a composite housing, but for under a hundred bucks don't listen to feedback that complains that the quality is not good.
Using this lens has given me more confidence to get the money shot. Use it for fast portrait shots. Because it is a prime lens, you will find yourself moving around a bit more. The reward is a beautiful, professional looking shots.
Customer Rating: 
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Great camera shots, breaks easily
I have bought two of these lenses and both have broken in the same way after a few months of use. However, there is a reason I bought it again even after it broke the first time - it takes amazing shots with beautiful focus and a tight depth of field. This is a great 'first' lens, but now that I've had two I'm ready to move on to a metal lens. It's unbelievably inexpensive for the quality of the shots, but it makes up for the price in how cheaply it's built. It might as well have came free with a couple proof-of-purchase-es of Fruit Loops cereal.