Canon Normal EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro Autofocus Lens

The Canon EF 50mm “Compact Macro” is one of the most important lenses in my bag. I am finding that really close-focus photography is a fantastic way to capture truly interesting images. A whole new world is revealed when you look through this outstanding optical glass.

This is a “mid grade” model that is very affordable. It takes INCREDIBLY SHARP photographs, truly as sharp as a pro lens. It features a useful “distance scale window” with indications for macro ratios. It is well constructed and has the superior stainless steel lens mount. This fantastic lens has proven to be completely reliable.

The “Compact-Macro” features nine elements in a “floating” optical system for improved focusing accuracy, especially at very close distances. The front element extends as you focus, but it does not rotate, so circular polarizers and special effects filters are never a hassle. The front glass is deeply recessed behind the 52mm filter threads, so a hood is not needed, it’s “built-in”.

The Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro Lens has a 1:2 magnification factor. The “half life-size” images are awesome. You can make a coin look like a manhole cover. This is especially true on “small frame” digital SLRs like any of Canon’s Digital Rebels, 20D, 30D or the new 40D cameras. It becomes the equivalent of an 80mm lens on Digitals, which is an extremely useful focal length.

The Canon Compact-Macro is very comfortable to carry around, for hours on end. It “balances” beautifully on semi-pro camera bodies, making it a joy to handle.

I am amazed at how beautifully this model performs for non-macro applications. The six-blade aperture is fast enough for almost any “low-light” situation and the optics are incredibly free of distortions. Best of all, it is really, really sharp, and I mean “L class” sharp! Color and contrast are consistently superb and very pleasing to the eye.

This model employs the AFD “Arc Form Drive” auto focus design. It is not the quickest and not as quiet as a USM lens, but for the price it is excellent. Besides, for close-ups, you will want to use manual focusing anyway. Really tight shots require that you get the exact subject element that you intend to “feature” into crisp focus. The extremely fine focus adjustment gives you the ability to be incredibly precise.

This lens produces absolutely beautiful “bokeh”, thanks to the nice "fast" aperture. Portraits really have that vibrant 3-D quality, with the most pleasant blurred backgrounds that you will ever see from an affordable lens.

As a “walking around” lens, this is as good as any prime in its price range. The macro feature is like icing on the cake! It is faster and sharper than almost any zoom lens. It does a great job of performing many tasks extremely well. It’s a killer portrait lens, a great lens for “street” photography, it’s a fine choice for nature hiking and adventure photos. If it were not a Macro, it would still be worth every single penny, but fortunately, it is a Macro too!

Macro photography is where this lens really shines. To get the most out of it, you need to wake up your creative juices and look at things directly through its magical Macro eye. You can capture the most artistic shots that you have ever seen. Just glue your eye to your viewfinder and you will find beautiful things to capture everywhere you look.

If you want to have a lot of fun, get a Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact-Macro and turn yourself loose in a brand new small world!

Copyright © 2006