Despite the fact some videographers consider the cheap and plastic “Nifty Fifty” 50mm f/1.8 II more as a toy rather than a professional lens and only don’t take it seriously, many video enthusiasts and DSLR shooters that are just starting out still prefer it. They’d rather get their hands on the small entry-level 50mm 1.8 in the first place mainly because of the ridiculously low price and the decent optical quality it provides at the same time.
Actually, it was my initial choice of glass back in 2009 when I got my first DSLR the Canon 7D. To be honest, I was really pleased with the sharp and bright images it delivers along with the beautiful bokeh it produces when shooting wide open. The biggest downside for me, though, was not the build quality of the lens, but the inability to properly pull focus in manual mode. The small plastic focus ring on the front is simply atrocious and definitely unusable.
Fortunately, the solution might be coming with the upcoming 50mm1.8 STM Lens, the replacement for the popular and affordable 50mm f/1.8 II “nifty fifty” lens. The first image of the new lens just leaked.
Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM Leaked Specs
- Full-frame compatible
- Digital optimized coating
- STM/Stepping motor
- Full-time manual focus
- Length: 39.3mm
- Weight: 160g (1.55″)
- 49mm filter thread
- 6 optical elements in 5 groups
Looking very similar in style and design to the more expensive STM line-up of Canon primes, the new 50mm lens will feature 6 elements in 5 groups (similar to the current model), a lens coating designed for digital cameras, a stepping motor (STM) for smooth and quiet autofocus, a 49mm filter thread, and full-time manual focus. In terms of physical size and weight, the new “Nifty Fifty” lens should be 39.3mm long weighing 160 grams. The new metal mount is another great add-on to the lens.
As expected, the leaked specs have not been officially confirmed yet by Canon. However, I’m sure that many enthusiasts are already eager to test the new focus ring. Even though it is still not large enough, it should improve pulling focus in manual mode and hopefully make it doable to a certain degree. From the weight increase and from the leaked product shot, probably it’s safe to assume that the lens will have better overall build quality than its predecessor as the new lens will be a little bit heavier and shorter in size.
According to Canon Watch, the new Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM should be officially announced “very soon”.
[via Peta Pixel, SLR Lounge, source: Canon Watch, Digicam-info]
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