Canon 50mm f2.5.

[woof woof]

I see that Ken Rockwell is almost gushing in his praise of this lens and says that it's Canon's sharpest 50mm lens.

I can't comment on it being Canon's sharpest as it's the only Canon 50mm I've tried. Mine is sharp though and if f1.4 (or wider) or ultimate speed of operation aren't too important I think that this sharp, compact and arguably often overlooked lens is well worth considering even if it is one of Canon's older designs.

I had one which caused the dreaded error 99 but my second copy seems to be a good one. I use mine for "macro" (it's not really) and for general stuff and I use my Sigma 50mm f1.4 when I think that I might need a wider aperture or faster operation.

Any other Canon 50mm f2.5 fans here?

 

[Canon Bob]

It's a classy little lens and always worth popping in the bottom of the bag in case a macro subject pops up when out looking for bigger things. I've also got the Life Size Converter to make it into a true macro setup if need be.
The LSC is marketed as a dedicated accessory for the 50CM but it will work very effectively on a host of other lenses (although it doesn't double the magnification if the focal length is greater than 50mm).

Bob

 

[AndyWest]

Anyone know how it compares with the 60mm f2.8 macro?

 

[woof woof]

"The LSC is marketed as a dedicated accessory for the 50CM but it will work very effectively on a host of other lenses (although it doesn't double the magnification if the focal length is greater than 50mm)."

I didn't know that.

 

[petersmart]

TBH I can't see the point of buying this lens when the 50mm f1.8 and Kenko extension tubes will easily give you a 1:1 setup and much cheaper - especially if bought s/h on here.

I bought those 2 items on here for less then £160.00 which is less then just the cost of the 50mm 2.5.

This shot was taken with that arrangement:

​

Large size here:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4530729376_8ce7bbd633_o.jpg


And this one was also taken on the Canon 50mm f1.8 using Kenko extension tubes:

​

Large size here:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4553749331_a805762c7d_o.jpg

so was this one:

​

Large size here:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/4557171519_1def624e82_o.jpg

The 50mm f1.8 is a very underrated lens but as I hope these pictures show one which is capable of extremely good results at a fraction of the price of their more expensive counterparts.

 

[woof woof]

"I can't see the point..."

I know what you mean. It is quite an old design and IMVHO it's slow in operation, I'm sure that a more modern lens will be much faster in operation and I expect that a USM / HSM lens would blitz it but on the positive side it seems to be pretty well made and the optical quality is superb.

As I said, I have no direct experience of other Canon 50mm lenses but looking on the net the general consensus is that the f2.5 is a sharp lens which produces a pleasing image and that optically it compares well against the other Canon 50's.

I'm not really into macro, the closest (groan....pun not really intended) I get to macro is a few "close up" shots so the fact that it isn't a true macro doesn't really affect me. If anyone is looking for a lens for "close up" or just general stuff I think that this little sleeper is worth a look as optically it's very nice indeed.

So, I think that the point is optical quality, with bit of build quality too.

 

[petersmart]

Well the optical quality of the 50mm f1.8 is superb - slightly soft wide open but stop down amd it's extremely sharp.

And stop down to match the 2.5 the sharpness is virtually the same if not better:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

Build quality isn't as good as the more expensive lenses obviously but at a fraction of the cost of the other 50mm lenses it's a real winner - IMO.