I am just a child in this world of master photographers. Though it had been my desire to take up photography as a hobby since I was a boy, I had to make do with point an click cameras back then due to bad finances. But around this time last year I bought the Canon EOS 1200D and have been clicking away ever since.
Further research on this matter of photography informed me that prime lenses are much better at taking pictures compared to the kit lenses. To keep matters economical, I zeroed in on canon 50mm f/1.8 II prime lens and was thinking about buying it just when canon went out an announced the 50mm f/1.8 STM prime lens, the successor and an upgrade.
This new lens is priced just around the old lens so basically canon is aiming to discontinue the old noisy, plastic mount lens. The old lens may be available for lesser price in coming days under clearance sales.
Meanwhile, people in India who wish to get their hands on the new stepper motor driven, metal mount lens can buy it at Amazon.
Salient features an upgraded of the new lens as below:
- Stepper motor in lieu of micro motor used in old lens, less noisy during autofocus(Non-consequential during still photography unless you do not want the subject of the photo to realise. Still a welcome change
- Full time Manual focusing capabilities (FTM) without flicking the autofocus switch.
- Metal mount gives the lens more sturdiness.
- Focus distance reduced from 0.45 m to 0.35 m. That’s 10 cm closer to the subject. Imagine what this will do to your macros.
- Diaphragm blades increased from 5 to 7
- 160g as compared to 130g in the old lens. But then it has the metal mount.
The lens elements have been kept the same but the lens coatings have been optimised to reduce light flare. A promising entry level prime lens for canon cameras. Sadly, image stabilisation may be missed when clicking without tripod.
Buy this at Amazon
Buy the older lens at Amazon
Other Lenses at Amazon