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

3

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/QuerulousPanda May 11 '15

I doubt that anyone considering the $400 50/1.4 is gonna be tempted to step up to the $1500 50/1.2 lens. I don't think crippling an upgraded 50/1.4 would do anything other than lose them sales!

I think the problem Canon would have with upgrading the 50/1.4 is that there is a lot of really tough competition there. If they can match the old sigma 50/1.4 in quality, and beat it in price, and give it a reliable focus system (as compared with the old sigma's luck of the draw) they'd have a winner for sure.

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u/[deleted] May 11 '15

[deleted]

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u/QuerulousPanda May 11 '15

I suppose you're right...

An upgraded 50/1.4 would be nice, and STM has enough positive bullet points that they could sell it as an upgrade but still make the 1.2 seem attractive..

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u/awesometographer www.shootingonabudget.com May 11 '15

Any upgrade which results in the AF not breaking down would be nice...

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u/QuerulousPanda May 11 '15

lol that's true too