Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens

by Canon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 3.7 x 3.2 inches ; 12 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006I53V
• Item model number: 2537A003
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #75 in Camera & Photo > Lenses > Camera Lenses
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 22, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Want to bring small things into full-sized view? Turn to the Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 compact macro lens, which can uncover detail that would otherwise be impossible to detect by the naked eye. Ideal for shooting extremely minute subjects such as insects or the petals of a small flower, the lens offers a nine-element design and a floating optical system that focuses down from infinity to one-half life size (0.5x). Despite these macro optics, however, the lens also functions beautifully as a general-purpose normal lens. And should you want to focus down to life size (1:1), you can add an optional Life Size Converter EF to increase the working distance--a valuable feature in close-up shooting. Other details include a 46-degree diagonal angle of view, a 0.8-foot close focusing distance, and a one-year warranty.

Specifications

• Focal length: 50mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.5
• Lens construction: 9 elements in 8 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 46 degrees
• Focus adjustment: Front group linear extension system with AFD
• Closest focusing distance: 0.8 feet
• Filter size: 52mm
• Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches long
• Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Product Description

50mm macro lens for Canon cameras

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great macro and prime for the price, May 12, 2005

By 

L. Jones "OCwildlife" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens (Electronics)

I never thought a $250 lens could be so good. I have been trying to buy lenses that are light-weight for my 20D, due to a neck injury problem, and this 50mm fits the bill.

Great in low light, and agree also, the bokeh is sweet. I do alot of bee chasing and manage some great macros with bees in flight with this one. All hand held. Can also take great indoor shots without flash, with a steady hand.I chose it also because it was one of the least expensive high rated canon 50mm's.

It goes well with another inexpensive canon lens, the 55-200mm ef f4.5-5.6 II, which also does well outdoors, including macro.

I am very pleased with both, and wouldn't part with them!

63 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Canon EF 50mm f/2.5, October 10, 2006

By 

Rose Thompson (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens (Electronics)

I bought this lens to go with my Canon Digital Rebel XT. I absolutely love this lens. I got it to try some insect and other macro shots and it has served this purpose very well. With some practice this lens will produce fantastic macros with some great bokeh to boot.
I read the other reviews and must say that I have never scared an insect away with the noise as mentioned before. And I have taken countless insect shots with this lens. It is a bit louder than the other lenses I have but I don't see it to be a problem. The one problem I do encounter is when using the autofocus in a busy closeup scene it often will focus on the background instead of say a closer insect on a flower. When this happens I just flip it to manual and focus that way. No big deal.
Overall, great lens for an even greater price. Definitely worth it. (I submitted a photo of a bee that I took a couple of days ago with this lens as an example.)

74 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine lens, but not one without its limitations, June 2, 2006

By 

S. Casper - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Lens (Electronics)

I purchased this lens back in March of 2005 to shoot static "Warhammer models" with my 10D. I found that longer lenses such as the Sigma 105mm, the Canon EF 100mm, and the Tamron SP Autofocus 90mm all were "too long" with the 10D's 1.6 focal crop and would result in requiring me to use a lot more physical space that what I had room for to get the shot.

The Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 is nearly a perfect match with the 10D for this purpose. Its small, its compact, and its short focal length do not require that I be standing three feet away from the model I'm shooting.

As far as shooting at non-static objects, such as insects, the lens is slow to focus and loud, in both noise and vibration, which results in "startled" subjects and missed shots.

The same also applies for non-macro shots as well. Its slow focus makes it a poor choice for action photography, and its loud enough to draw attention to you when you are attempting other shots as well.