EOS Documentation Project

EF 50mm f/1.8 II

by Julian Loke

Contents

• Introduction

  Parts  Description 

• Operation

  Mounting  Removal  Manual Focus  Auto Focus  Aperture 

• Accessories

  Lens Cap  Hood  Filters  CloseUp  Teleextender  Extension Tubes 

• Incompatibilties

  EF-M body 

• Precautions
• Lens Care

  Storage  Service 

• Specifications

  Released  Dimensions  Weight  Filter Mount  Optics  Focus mechanism  Rotating Filter Mount  Focus Range  Autofocus Motor  Focal Length  Magnification  Aperture blades  Aperture Range 

• Revision History
• Comments

Introduction

Parts

From front to back: Front lens cap; 52mm filter thread; Focussing ring; AF/M lens mode switch; Raised Red Dot for lens-to-camera alignment; EF Camera mount; Rear lens cap

Description

This lens is a lightweight general purpose standard fixed focal-length lens. With an angle of view that is close to natural human vision, the f/1.8 aperture provides a bright viewfinder image that not only permits rapid autofocus and also allows adequate shutter speed for handheld shooting in low available light without flash or tripod.

Easily the cheapest sharpest lens in the Canon Autofocus line, this lens replaces the optically similar EF 50mm f/1.8 which has a slightly different focussing ring, and slower focusing motor, but had a metal camera mount, and distance scale with DOF and IR marks.

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 3: Autofocus accuracy can be enhanced by using the autofocus assist beam on some camera bodies and on some flash units.

Auto Focus

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 autofocus fails, switch to manual focus instead.

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

52mm clip on (part number E-52) [Included]

Hood

The ES-62 hood attaches to an Adapter Ring that screws onto the 52 mm filter mount. [Hood and adapter are NOT included with the lens] The lens cap and accessory filters can be attached to the front of the adapter ring.

The ES-62 hood can also be attached in reverse for storage.

Filters

Compatible with accessories that have 52  diameter screw-thread.

Note: Stacking more than 2 filters might block light from entering the sides of the lens and may result in unwanted vignetting.

CloseUp

Close-up lenses with 52 mm diameter screw-thread
+4 diopter: Canon 250 or 250D
+2 diopter: Canon 500 or 500D

See also: Two-element close up diopters online
Most of these can be used with Canon lenses, but some may require an adapter ring.

Teleextender

This lens is not compatible with either Canon EF 1.4x or EF 2x Tele-extenders that 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

Incompatibilties

EF-M body

The EF-M camera does not have autofocus sensors. All EF lenses operate in manual focus mode only. It is neccessary to switch it to the "M" position for use.

Precautions

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.

Specifications

Released

1990 December

Dimensions

Maximum Diameter × Length:
68.2mm × 41mm / 2.7in x 1.6in

Weight

130g / 4.6oz

Filter Mount

52mm threaded mount for front mounted accessory filters

Optics

6 elements in 5 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. The lens is shortest when focussed at infinity.

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 polarizers.

Focus Range

The lens is specified to focus down to 0.45 m = 1.5 ft but the lens can physically focus down to 0.4 m = 1.33 ft

Autofocus Motor

MicroMotor

Focal Length

50mm

Magnification

	Maximum Magnification (times)
	50mm
Lens alone	0.15
12mm extension	0.39~0.24
25mm extension	0.68~0.53
with 250D lens	0.36~0.20
with 500/500D lens	0.25~0.10
1.4x teleconverter	0.21
2x teleconverter	0.30

Aperture blades

5

Aperture Range

f1.8 ~ f22

Revision History

v0.2b2002Sep04 jul: minor reformat; href target fix
v0.2 2001May21 jul: Pictures added, Fixed many typos in specs
v0.1 2001Jan12 jul: Draft

Comments

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