The 50mm lens is something of a middler.
Not quite telephoto, not quite wide angle, but close to the way that our eyes see the world (I think 43mm is our field of view equivalent).
50mm lenses are often seen as the quintessential prime lens for photographers, so the technology used to make them moved on leaps and bounds early on in the life of photography. In the current market, some decent ones are available for dead cheap.
I’m quite fond of my 50mm, I like the field of view, or just generally ‘the look’ it gives my pictures.
That being said as I creep closer to 40, I’m starting to consider my longevity, and whilst my Sigma 50mm 1.4 is awesome, it is heavy.
Once upon a time sharpness for me was king, but now things like size and weight have become an increasingly important factor.
Now, as I reconsider my kit, it felt like a fitting time to write this article as I’ll be doing all the research anyway, so come along too and see what we find.
There are so many options available from various manufacturers, from affordable models to high-end glass, so in this guide, I’m going to consider lenses from all manufacturers and even look to the past for vintage lenses that can be converted to fit my Canon’s.
I’ll take an in-depth look at the sharpest and best 50mm lenses from Canon, Nikon, Sony, and third-party options like Sigma and Tamron, as well as premium choices from Leica, Fujifilm, and Panasonic.
Whether you’re looking for the ultimate sharpness, beautiful bokeh, or value for money, I’ll cover it all looking for the lens that’s right for me, but hopefully helping you narrow down your search criteria too.
I photograph weddings, so autofocus speed matters to me. Naturally, a digital native 50mm lens would be the sensible choice.
That being said I’m also looking for character in my pictures, I’m generally quite bored of pictures that are only sharp and in focus, I’m much more in tune with how a picture should make the viewer feel at this point in my life, so I’m not going to rule out the possibility of a manual focus lens.
That being said, some parts of the wedding day I need to know that I’ve got bang on for sharpness and focus, so there’s a distinct possibility I may end up with two.
So basically I’ve no idea what I’m looking for, but I’ll know it when I see it.
Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC
My search has started with looking for an older lens that I can convert to fit My EOS mount bodies…because my assumption is that they’ll be cheaper and I’m not keen on spending money…
I’ve never been one to splash the cash for the latest tech, I’m always looking for kit that I need, so naturally the vintage lens market was a good place to start.
My dad used to take pictured of the family using a Canon AE-1 and an Olympus OM, so I’m familiar with those lenses and wanted to find the high end versions. Enter the SSC.
- Mount: Canon FD
- Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
- Optical Design: 7 elements in 6 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 45 cm (1.48 ft)
- Filter Size: 55mm
- Weight: 315 g (11.1 oz)
Sharpness: The FD 50mm f/1.4 SSC is known for its excellent sharpness and contrast, particularly from f/2 onwards. It has a classic, pleasing rendering that many photographers love.
Weight and Size: It weighs approximately 325 g (11.5 oz) and measures about 44 mm (1.7 in) in length, making it compact and sturdy.
Lowest Aperture: f/1.4, ideal for low-light conditions and achieving a shallow depth of field.
Adaptability: Although it uses the FD mount, adapters are available for use on mirrorless systems like Canon EOS, Sony E-mount and Micro Four Thirds, although infinity focus may be lost without a specialized adapter.
This video is by far and away the most comprehensive guide I’ve found to Canon FD lenses.
They use the same coatings and glass elements as their legendary K35 cinema lenses used to shoot the original Alien film.
Yes the high end versions will set you back a pretty penny, but the lower end versions are still exceptional quality and really good value.
Canon FD S.S.C. 55mm Aspherical f/1.2
The above lens is the 1.4 version, this is the 1.2 and is the darling of the FD series, yes it’s 55mm, but it’s close enough.
I’ve included this not as an option for me, but just to show you, because it’s so cool and in my research discovered it’s existence.
The ASPHERICAL element is the key part here. If that’s written on the front you have a $2000 lens.
If it’s the 1.2 version without aspherical written on it, it’s a few hundred.
- Mount: Canon FD
- Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
- Optical Design: 8 elements in 7 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 60 cm (1.97 ft)
- Filter Size: 58mm
- Weight: 620 g (21.9 oz)
The Canon FD S.S.C. 55mm Aspherical f/1.2 is one of the most remarkable lenses produced during the manual-focus era of Canon’s FD system. Introduced in the 1970s, it was considered revolutionary due to its use of an aspherical element, which was rare at the time for standard lenses. This aspherical design dramatically improved optical performance, reducing spherical aberrations and enhancing sharpness, even when shot wide open at f/1.2.
The lens is known for delivering excellent sharpness, contrast, and color accuracy. Wide open, it produces a beautiful, creamy bokeh, making it ideal for portraiture. Stopped down, it becomes razor sharp across the frame, making it a versatile choice for various types of photography, from portraits to landscapes.
Its Super Spectra Coating (S.S.C.) helps reduce flare and ghosting, even in challenging lighting conditions. Although it’s relatively heavy compared to modern 50mm lenses, the robust build quality, precision focus ring, and high-quality optical performance have made it a favorite among manual-focus enthusiasts and collectors. Moreover, it can be adapted easily to modern mirrorless systems like Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, and others using FD lens adapters, allowing contemporary photographers to enjoy its vintage charm and optical excellence.
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM
I will be honest, I saw the price tag on this and then immediately dismissed it as an option.
Lenses are broadly speaking *good enough* now. So this is just obscene.
The Sigma (coming up) is a beast of a lens for the money, this RF just doesn’t signify good value for me.
I’m sure it’s amazing, but I can’t justify the price, but here it is anyway.
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Canon RF
- Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
- Optical Design: 15 elements in 9 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 40 cm (1.31 ft)
- Filter Size: 77mm
- Weight: 950 g (2.09 lbs)
Performance and Sharpness: The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM is renowned for its extraordinary sharpness, even at its maximum aperture of f/1.2. It delivers stunning image quality with pleasing bokeh, making it ideal for portraits and low-light photography.
The lens also features Canon’s advanced lens coatings, reducing ghosting and flare, and ensuring excellent color accuracy.
I’m not too hot on the coatings they use, but the FD mount 50mm’s use the same lens coatings as the K35 Cine lenses, so if it’s absolute sharpness you want, there are other options.
I also don’t quite see the need for this lens because if you want the absolute highest quality you’d shoot medium format. A hammer looking for a nail?
Check out the DXOMark score as well…
I don’t see how a lens that only scores 38 can warrant so much money.
Compare it to the Sony for example. A clear winner emerges.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Often called the “Nifty Fifty,” the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is one of the best budget-friendly lenses available. Despite its low cost, it offers great sharpness, especially when stopped down to f/2.8 or smaller. It’s lightweight, compact, and perfect for those new to photography or looking for a reliable, everyday lens.
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Canon EF
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
- Optical Design: 6 elements in 5 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 35 cm (1.15 ft)
- Filter Size: 49mm
- Weight: 160 g (5.64 oz)
Affordable Quality: Any article on 50mm lenses simply has to include this.
It’s a 50mm f/1.8 which costs a FRACTION of it’s high end counterparts.
The trade off? There’s no weather sealing if that’s a deal breaker for you, the autofocus is decent but louder than the high end lenses, which isn’t ideal for me as wedding ceremonies are often silent.
BUT
This is an absolute beauty for the price.
f/1.8 will open up your world and give you the ‘pro’ look that camera phones try to emulate with blurring the background.
It’s light, compact, a perfect travel companion.
And if you break it? Well, it’s cheap to replace.
I broke my first one of these in 2004 at a boxing match. Because it’s plastic bits fly everywhere, but the pictures I got with it before that happened were awesome. It was a wonderful starter lens for me as it meant I was able to shoot a whole host of new subjects that don’t allow flash. Boxing in this case. Definitely consider if you need a good travel lens or are just starting out.
Consider this or the above mentioned FD mount lens if you don’t need autofocus.
Both can be found online for under £100
Check this. It scores a 35 vs the RF’s 38.
Of course the RF is better overall, but this is exceptional for the price.
Sigma
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
I currently use this and have been using it as one of my two main lenses for weddings. It’s wicked.
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Sigma SA
- Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
- Optical Design: 13 elements in 8 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 40 cm (1.31 ft)
- Filter Size: 77mm
- Weight: 815 g (1.80 lbs)
Art Series Sharpness: The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens is known for its exceptional sharpness and optical performance. It offers excellent resolution and contrast, with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion. It’s a bit heavy, but its build quality and image output make it worth the weight.
I’ve been using this lens for the last six years (I think). It is incredibly sharp, incredibly so for the price, all the way down to 1.4, it’s a brilliant piece of kit for the price.
I took this in August 2024, I’ve had to compress it quite a bit to help the page load a bit quicker, but hopefully you can see the charm of it. The sharpness is there and the background is beautifully rendered.
From this point on we venture into other lens manufacturers, so I have a confession to make.
I’m not au-fait with their tech or their lens quality, but I will include a generic overview of them for the benefit of people looking for options for a 50mm lens that’s not a Canon.
I’m also interested in these as conversion mounts for pretty much all lenses mean they are an option for me, but I can’t add any detail from personal use.
My second shooters use the Nikons and the Sony lenses, and I have to say the Sony lenses are exceptional.
They are light, bright and unbelievably sharp. The cameras however I always hated so I never made the switch.
Have a look at these scores against the more expensive manufacturers.
The Sony version scores a whopping 55:
Nikon
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Nikon Z
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
- Optical Design: 12 elements in 9 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 40 cm (1.31 ft)
- Filter Size: 62mm
- Weight: 415 g (14.6 oz)
Sharpness and Image Quality: This lens is part of Nikon’s premium S-line for their Z-mount mirrorless cameras. It offers incredible sharpness and clarity, with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion. The Z-mount’s large diameter allows for sophisticated optical designs, resulting in outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness and beautiful bokeh.
Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Nikon F
- Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
- Optical Design: 8 elements in 7 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 45 cm (1.48 ft)
- Filter Size: 58mm
- Weight: 280 g (9.88 oz)
Autofocus Speed and Performance: This lens provides a bright f/1.4 aperture, making it ideal for low-light situations and achieving a shallow depth of field. The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures smooth and quiet autofocus, while the lens delivers sharp images with pleasing background blur.
Sony
Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM
This lens I’ve used on a friends camera.
It is a BEAST.
That being said not too dissimilar to the Sigma in terms of size and weight, but the images it produces are stunning.
Really lovely and sharp, plus f1.2 to boot.
BUT – again it’s really stupidly expensive.
Weather sealing is a big bonus, plus pretty much silent autofocus, but for four times the cost of the Sigma, I don’t think it’s worth it.
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Sony E
- Aperture Range: f/1.2 to f/16
- Optical Design: 14 elements in 10 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 40 cm (1.32 ft)
- Filter Size: 72mm
- Weight: 778 g (1.72 lbs)
Bokeh and Sharpness Performance: This lens offers outstanding sharpness and beautiful bokeh, even at its widest aperture. It’s perfect for portraits and low-light photography, providing excellent subject isolation and creamy, out-of-focus backgrounds. Its fast, precise autofocus makes it a favorite among professional photographers.
Its optical design includes XA (extreme aspherical) elements and Nano AR Coating II to minimize chromatic aberration, flare, and ghosting, while ensuring edge-to-edge sharpness even at wide apertures.
The lens offers fast and precise autofocus thanks to Sony’s advanced XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors, which also make it suitable for video work due to its silent operation. The lens is relatively lightweight at 778 g (1.72 lbs), considering its f/1.2 aperture, and it’s also weather-sealed, making it durable in various shooting conditions.
Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Sony E
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/22
- Optical Design: 6 elements in 5 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 45 cm (1.48 ft)
- Filter Size: 49mm
- Weight: 186 g (6.56 oz)
Affordable Quality: While it’s a budget lens, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 offers surprisingly good image quality for the price. It’s lightweight, making it an excellent option for travel and everyday shooting. While not as sharp as Sony’s G Master lenses, it’s a great entry point for beginners or those on a budget.
Tamron
Tamron SP 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Canon EF, Nikon F
- Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
- Optical Design: 10 elements in 8 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 29 cm (11.42 in)
- Filter Size: 67mm
- Weight: 540 g (1.19 lbs)
Unique Features and Stabilization: This lens is slightly wider than a typical 50mm, but it’s known for its unique features, including Vibration Compensation (VC), which provides up to 3.5 stops of stabilization. It’s a great choice for handheld shooting, particularly in low-light conditions.
Leica
Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Leica M
- Aperture Range: f/2 to f/16
- Optical Design: 8 elements in 5 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 70 cm (2.3 ft)
- Filter Size: 39mm
- Weight: 300 g (10.58 oz)
Legendary Sharpness and Build Quality: The Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH is renowned for its unparalleled sharpness, contrast, and color fidelity. It’s often considered the best 50mm lens ever made. The lens delivers impeccable image quality and is built to last a lifetime, making it a top choice for discerning photographers.
Fujifilm
Fujifilm XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: Fujifilm X
- Aperture Range: f/1.0 to f/16
- Optical Design: 12 elements in 9 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 70 cm (2.3 ft)
- Filter Size: 77mm
- Weight: 845 g (1.86 lbs)
Extreme Bokeh and Low-Light Performance: This lens is the first f/1.0 lens with autofocus for mirrorless cameras. It offers exceptional low-light performance and incredibly shallow depth of field. The bokeh is smooth and dreamy, making it perfect for portraits. Its weather-resistant design also makes it durable for outdoor shoots.
Panasonic
Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4
Specifications and Features:
- Mount: L-Mount
- Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
- Optical Design: 13 elements in 11 groups
- Minimum Focus Distance: 44 cm (1.44 ft)
- Filter Size: 77mm
- Weight: 955 g (2.10 lbs)
High-End Performance and Build Quality: The Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 is designed for the L-mount system, offering superior sharpness and bokeh. Its construction is robust, with weather-sealing that makes it suitable for professional use in various conditions. It’s known for its fast, accurate autofocus and exceptional image quality.
Other vintage 50mm lenses that can be converted
If you’re not fussed on autofocus, then some of these are worth considering.
1. Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.4 ZF.2 / ZE*
Sharpness: This lens is renowned for its sharpness, especially when stopped down to f/2.8 and beyond. Wide open at f/1.4, it offers a slightly softer, more artistic rendering, which many portrait photographers appreciate.
Weight and Size: Weighing around 380 g (13.4 oz) with a length of 66 mm (2.6 in), it’s relatively compact and balances well on most cameras.
Lowest Aperture: f/1.4, allowing for good low-light performance and shallow depth of field.
Adaptability: Available in Nikon (ZF.2) and Canon (ZE) mounts, it can be adapted to mirrorless systems like Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X, and others with ease.
2. Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2
Sharpness: The Summicron-M is legendary for its sharpness and contrast. It delivers superb detail and edge-to-edge sharpness from wide open at f/2, with no need to stop down.
Weight and Size: At 240 g (8.5 oz) and only 43 mm (1.7 in) long, it’s incredibly compact and lightweight, perfect for travel and street photography.
Lowest Aperture: f/2, which balances good low-light capability with portability.
Adaptability: This lens can be adapted to most modern mirrorless cameras using a Leica M to respective mount adapter. It’s popular with Sony, Leica SL, and Fujifilm users.
3. Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.5 Aspherical VM
Sharpness: Known for its excellent sharpness and minimal distortion, the Nokton 50mm f/1.5 provides impressive image quality even wide open, with an attractive bokeh and good contrast.
Weight and Size: Weighing 220 g (7.8 oz) and with a length of 49 mm (1.9 in), it’s compact and well-suited for rangefinder cameras.
Lowest Aperture: f/1.5, offering a faster aperture than most 50mm lenses, which is great for low-light and portrait work.
Adaptability: Like many Leica M mount lenses, the Nokton 50mm f/1.5 can be easily adapted to modern mirrorless systems, making it a versatile choice for photographers who use multiple camera platforms.
4. Helios 44-2 58mm f/2
Sharpness: While not the sharpest lens in this list, the Helios 44-2 is loved for its unique rendering and swirly bokeh, which can add a creative touch to portraits and artistic photography.
Weight and Size: Weighing around 230 g (8.1 oz) and measuring about 58 mm (2.3 in) in length, it’s compact and feels solid despite its age.
Lowest Aperture: f/2, offering decent performance in low light and good subject separation.
Adaptability: The Helios 44-2 uses the M42 screw mount, making it easily adaptable to modern mirrorless systems like Sony E-mount, Canon EF-M, and others with inexpensive adapters.
5. Pentax SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4
Sharpness: This classic lens delivers exceptional sharpness, especially when stopped down to f/2.8 and smaller apertures. It’s known for its beautiful color rendition and contrast.
Weight and Size: At around 245 g (8.6 oz) and with a compact length of 45 mm (1.8 in), it’s small enough for convenient carry.
Lowest Aperture: f/1.4, providing great low-light capability and beautiful bokeh.
Adaptability: Like the Helios, it uses the M42 screw mount, making it versatile and easily adaptable to various modern mirrorless systems.
6. Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50mm f/1.8
Sharpness: Known for its high sharpness, even wide open, this lens also offers a pleasing bokeh and good color rendering, making it a favorite among vintage lens enthusiasts.
Weight and Size: Weighing 230 g (8.1 oz) and with a length of around 50 mm (2 in), it’s lightweight and easy to handle.
Lowest Aperture: f/1.8, offering a good balance between sharpness and low-light performance.
Adaptability: Originally designed for the M42 mount, it can be adapted to many modern systems with ease, providing versatility for today’s photographers.
7. Olympus OM Zuiko 50mm f/1.8
Sharpness: Known for its sharpness and contrast, especially at mid-range apertures, this lens provides excellent image quality for its small size and price.
Weight and Size: Weighing around 170 g (6 oz) and with a length of 33 mm (1.3 in), it’s one of the smallest and lightest manual focus 50mm lenses available.
Lowest Aperture: f/1.8, offering decent low-light performance and good subject separation.
Adaptability: The OM mount can be adapted to many modern systems, making it a great choice for compact mirrorless setups.
Conclusion
So what did I find?
Well, it turns out my research from years ago is still valid, the Sigma lenses are still really, really good value.
For that reason, I see no need to change it, as it won’t necessarily be an upgrade.
BUT, I do now want an FD lens.
The 50mm 1.2 SSC is now on the shopping list.
I’m hoping that in buying a high quality vintage lens that is manual focus it will show me something new and help to shift my style.
We are of course artists and we never sit still. I feel as if I’ve come to a natural conclusion with my current setup and need something to breath new life into my work.
Hopefully a bit of softer, inaccurate focus will help me capture the dream like photographs I’ve always loved.
FAQs
1. What makes a 50mm lens so popular?
The 50mm lens offers a natural perspective similar to the human eye, making it versatile for various photography genres, including portraits, landscapes, and street photography.
2. Are manual focus 50mm lenses still relevant today?
Yes, many photographers prefer manual focus lenses for their precise control and exceptional build quality, especially for genres like landscape, portrait, and fine art photography.
3. Why are some 50mm lenses so expensive?
High-end 50mm lenses often use premium materials, advanced optical designs, and meticulous manufacturing processes to achieve superior image quality, durability, and performance, which increases the cost.
But, if you read the article, you’ll see there are plenty of outstanding options for very little money.
4. Is there a significant difference between f/1.2 and f/1.4 50mm lenses?
The difference is in light-gathering ability and depth of field. An f/1.2 lens allows more light and can create a shallower depth of field, which is useful in low-light situations and for creating more pronounced background blur.
Truth be told the difference is negligible. The difference in light the lens can let in is not very great and the depth of field difference largely imperceptible. It will come down to how you use it as a photographer. Simple things such as your height, positioning, ability to light etc. will make a greater difference to your images.
5. What should I consider when choosing a 50mm lens?
Consider your budget, the type of photography you do, the importance of autofocus vs. manual focus, build quality and features like weather-sealing.