EDP Manuals

EOS Documentation Project

  EDP Home
  Who
  Manuals
  Legal
  Links
  Join
  Credits

EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

by Gary Fisher

Contents

Introduction

Parts


    Click above images to view larger versions
>From front to back: Front lens cap; 58mm filter thread; bayonet fitting for lens hood; Distance scale in ft and m; f22 Depth of Field marks; Focusing ring; IR focus adjust red dot; AF/M lens mode switch; Raised Red Dot for lens-to-camera alignment; EF Camera mount (metal); Rear lens cap.

Description

This lens is a fast standard prime lens with autofocus and electronic diaphragm for use on Canon EOS series cameras. The lens is suitable for general and low-light photography. The lens features an Utrasonic Motor (the USM in the lens title), which provides quick silent autofocusing capabilities. There are two types of USM motors; this lens features micro USM, and is the only EF lens with Micro USM to feature full time manual (FTM) focusing without the need to change into manual focusing mode on the lens. FTM is normally found only on lenses with Ring type USM.

Features

The only EF lens with a micro USM motor to feature Full Time Manual (FTM) focusing.

  EDP Home
  Who
  Manuals
  Legal
  Links
  Join
  Credits

Operation

Mounting

Prepare camera body by removing body cap or previous lens (see next section). Match the raised red dot on the lens with the red dot on the camera. Gently twist the lens clockwise until the lens locking pin clicks into place. Ensure that the lens is securely locked before using the camera.

Removal

Depress the lens release button fully. Rotate the lens counterclockwise until the raised red dot on the lens matches the rot dot on the camera. Remove the lens carefully.

Warning: Do not rest the lens on the camera mount, otherwise damage can occur to the delicate electronic contacts. When not mounted on a camera the rear lens cap should always be in place to prevent damage to the electrical contacts and the rear glass element of the lens.

Manual Focus

Note 1: When photographing at very close range, it may be easier to focus by leaving the focusing ring set to the closest focus setting, and moving the camera back and forth until sharp focus is achieved.

Note 2: On some camera bodies a custom function allows autofocus activation to be shifted from the shutter release to the AE-Lock button on the rear of the camera.

Note 3: Autofocus accuracy can be enhanced by using the autofocus assist beam on some camera bodies and on some flash units. 		Switch Image Slide the lens mode switch on the lens to "MF". This disengages the autofocus motor. Look through the camera viewfinder at the subject, then rotate the focusing ring on the lens until you see the viewfinder image is as sharp as possible1. The front part of the lens does not rotate during focusing, although it does move in and out (i.e. backward and forward). If you manually focus while holding the shutter release button half-depressed, the focus sensors in the camera may indicate in the viewfinder when sharp focus is detected in a focusing zone.

Auto Focus

Switch Image Slide the lens mode switch on the lens to "AF". This engages the autofocus motor. Look through the camera viewfinder and position a focusing zone over the subject. Hold the shutter release button half-depressed to activate autofocus2. The front part of the lens does not rotate during autofocus, although it does move in and out (i.e. backward and forward). When sharp focus is detected, the camera will indicate in the viewfinder with a light, and may also beep softly. If the autofocus sensors cannot detect sufficient detail, the viewfinder focus indicator will blink, indicating out-of-focus3. When the lens is switched to "AF" mode, it is possible to focus manually without first setting the lens mode switch to "MF". This feature is commonly used in conjunction with a custom function on the camera body (CF4) which shifts the autofocus activation from the shutter release to the AE-Lock button on the rear of the camera.

Full Time Manual Focus

As this lens has full-time manual (FTM) focusing, it is not necessary to switch it to the "MF" position. The user is able to focus manually when the lens is switched to "AF" mode without first setting the lens mode switch to "MF". This feature is commonly used in conjunction with a custom function on the camera body (CF4) which shifts the autofocus activation from the shutter release to the AE-Lock button on the rear of the camera.

Aperture

All Canon EF lenses have an electronic diaphragm, which means that the lens aperture is controlled electronically from the EOS camera body, rather than by the traditional aperture ring. For instructions on changing the aperture setting of any Canon EF (or EF compatible) lens, please refer to the operating instructions for the camera body.

Accessories

Lens Cap

58mm part number E-58U

Hood

Bayonet hood part number ES-71

Filters

58mm thread for filter accessories. Multiple filters should not be used simultaneously to avoid vignetting (vignetting is a darkening of the corners of the resulting photgraph due to the rims of the stacked filters blocking part of the field of view of the lens).

CloseUp

58mm close-up lenses 250D (part number C543871), 500 (part number C543931) & 500D (C543891). The 250D is the recommended choice as it is suited to lenses with a focal length in the range of 30mm to 135mm. The 500D and 500 are more suitable for lenses with a focal length the range of 70mm to 300mm.

Teleextender

This lens is not compatible with either Canon EF 1.4x or EF 2x Tele-extenders which have a protruding front element. Third Party teleconverters designed for Canon Autofocus mount can be often be used successfully, but compatibility is not guaranteed.

Extension Tubes

Compatible with EF-12 and EF-25 extension tubes

Case

LHP-C10 (Hard Case) or ES-C9/LP1014 (Soft Case)

Incompatibilties

EF-M body

The EF-M camera does not have autofocus sensors. All EF lenses operate in manual focus mode only. As this lens has full-time manual focusing, it is not neccessary to switch it to the "MF" position.

Precautions

Note 4: Adaptors may be available to allow the use of EF lenses on other camera bodies but care should to taken to ensure that no damage results from their use. Do not rest the lens on the camera mount, otherwise damage can occur to the delicate electronic contacts. When not mounted on a camera the rear lens cap should always be in place to prevent damage to the electrical contacts and the rear glass element of the lens.

Do not disassemble the lens - there are no user serviceable parts inside.

As with all precision electrical and mechanical equipment do not expose the lens to water, particularly salt water.

Do not attempt to mount the lens on any camera body other than a Canon EOS series camera as this could result in damage to both the lens and camera body4. Please note that earlier model Canon cameras using FD or earlier mounts are also not compatible with EF lenses.

Lens Care

Storage

When not mounted on a camera body, store with the front and rear lens caps in place to prevent accidental scratching or other damage.

Store in dry conditions to prevent the possible build up of fungus between the glass elements of the lens.

Service

There are no user serviceable parts - please return the lens to an authorised Canon service centre for adjustment or repair.

  EDP Home
  Who
  Manuals
  Legal
  Links
  Join
  Credits

Specifications

Released

June 1993

Dimensions

Maximum Diameter x Length:
73.8mm x 50.5mm / 2.9in x 2.0in

Weight

290g / 10.2oz

Filter Mount

58mm threaded mount for front mounted accessory filters

Optics

7 elements in 6 groups

Focus mechanism

This lens focuses using the front lens elements. The front elements move in and out (i.e backward and forward) during focusing.

Rotating Filter Mount

The front element and inner lens barrel do not rotate during focusing. This makes it suitable for use with filters such as polarisers.

Focus Range

0.45 metres / 1.5 feet ~ infinity.

Autofocus Motor

Micro Motor type UltraSonic Motor (USM)

Full Time Manual

This is the only EF lens with Micro USM to feature full time manual (FTM) focusing.

Focal Length

50mm

Magnification

Lens aloneMaximum 0.15
12mm extension0.39-0.24
25mm extension0.68-0.53
with 250D lens
with 500/500D lens

Angle of view

Angle of view

Diagonal 46°
Vertical 27°
Horizontal 40°

Aperture blades

8

Aperture Range

f1.4 - f22

Revision History

v0.15b 2002Sep04 jul: minor reformat
Version 0.15   16 Jan 2001   Run asp code through new template version, include sidebar notes instead of inline notes.

Version 0.14   07 Jan 2001   Remove some table formatting.

Version 0.13   05 Jan 2001   Changes for new version of Lens template plus minor revisions.

Version 0.12   03 Jan 2001   Now uses EOS Documentation Project - Lens template, plus minor revisions.

Version 0.11   28 Dec 2000   Minor corrections and revisions.

Version 0.10   26 Dec 2000   First Draft

Comments

The hood you mention (ES-71) is correct, but is been replaced by the ES-71-II. The difference is that the II has flocking on the inside, because the original reflected a lot. The original one has been available for just a sort time and been replaced almost immediatly by the II. So the original isn't available anymore and should be avoided.
drikus van der veen 09/05/2001 12:31:33

Where I live, I could only manage to get the ES-71 hood, but you can easily modify it to avoid reflections. Get a cheap $1 piece of felt cloth and stick it inside the hood. Make sure it's stuck firmly and there are no loose ends. I did that, and it works perfectly.
Matthew 02/01/2002 08:42:34

EOs 50 mm 1.4 is a very good lens. And I could not travel without. Silence woorking!

Can somebody give me the electrical drawing in AF and MF modes please of these mens ?

Thank's. And happy new year !
henri 12/26/2002 7:27:53 PM

How to disassemble and possibly repair a Canon EF lens?
-> http://www.pmb.net/projects/canon_lens.html
defdef 6/6/2003 8:03:02 AM

OK, just curious, do you need the lens hood? do you need anything else to operate this lens.


thanks
Uriah 8/20/2003 2:55:31 PM

>>OK, just curious, do you need the lens hood? do you need anything else to operate this lens. <<

..half a brain; it's among the top 3 sharpest EF lenses Canon make. The lens hood makes little difference.
Al 2/14/2004 9:05:25 AM

For the poor disparager above, a lens hood doesn't affect sharpness at all, but it does limit flare, which helps keep contrast.

Yes shoot with a lens hood, it reduces the interference with your glass.

With a deeply recessed front element, in a prime lens, it's less significant, but if there are any light-sources ( bright reflections, etc. ) in front of you, it will likely make a difference.
First Last 2008May25 23:25:10 -1000


© 2002 Sep 04 Gary Fisher for EOS Documentation Project. All Rights Reserved.

Redistribution of any EDP document, text, image, or code, or any work derived therefrom, in any form, electronic or printed, is not allowed without prior written permission from EDP. Copyright notices, including this notice, must remain intact. Use of this document constitutes agreement to our terms and conditions.