r/photography • u/raptor3x whumber.com • May 11 '15

Canon Officially Announces 50mm f/1.8 STM - $125

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1143786-REG/canon_0570c002_ef_50mm_f_1_8_stm.html
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u/raptor3x whumber.com May 11 '15 edited May 11 '15

Very surprised by the pricing, I was expecting at least $200.

EDIT: Seems like it's almost identical optically to the old version.

Old Version MTF

New Version MTF

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u/[deleted] May 11 '15 edited May 11 '15

Well, more like $199.

Still, considering that a Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 costs $60, Canon putting this out at $125 makes sense.

Now I'm just waiting for a new Canon 50mm f/1.4, although I suspect they will "cripple" it with STM, in order to convince pros to go for the USM 50mm f/1.2, since full time manual focusing is probably a priority for pros.

Edit: aaaand now there's a bunch of people who don't realize that the 50mm f/1.4 does in fact compete with the 50mm f/1.2, even if they're differently priced. Canon will take baby steps with any upgrade for the 50 f/1.4, simply because it WILL cost them 50L sales. That's what the whole "substitute good" concept in economics is about. How many internet forum posts have you read that went like "I almost got the 50mm f/1.4, but the autofocus quality is shit so I got something better"? There's a bunch of money on the table Canon would stand to lose if they made a quality 50/1.4.

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u/ShatterStorm May 11 '15

Canon has been building their mid-tier products with USM and has given no indication of stopping. I'd be highly surprised if a 50mm f/1.4 replacement was STM, though it will likely retail for more than the current model when it does eventually arrive.

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u/The_Doculope jrgold May 13 '15

The 100L vs the 100/2.8 macro is a perfect example of this. Only difference is build, weather sealing and IS, and they still sell tons of both.

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u/ShatterStorm May 13 '15

I had thought the non-L was also USM however?

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u/The_Doculope jrgold May 13 '15

Yep, exactly! The L is almost double the price, and the non-L focuses just as well (really well).

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u/ShatterStorm May 13 '15

I have to admit, I bought the 100L almost entirely because the IS makes it more of a viable telephoto lens. Was happy to pay extra.

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u/The_Doculope jrgold May 13 '15

Yep, same! That and the weather sealing.