Question 1

Is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM good for night photography?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the f/1.8 maximum aperture lets in a large amount of light, which means you can keep your ISO lower in dark environments compared to slower lenses. This reduces digital noise and helps you get cleaner shots in bars, streets at night, or dimly lit venues. Pair it with a steady hand or a surface to lean against, since the lens has no image stabilisation.

Question 2

What is a 50mm lens not good for?

Accepted Answer

A 50mm isn't ideal for close-up macro work — the minimum focus distance is 0.35m and the maximum magnification is only 0.21x, so small subjects like insects or product details won't fill the frame. It's also not the best choice for compressing distant subjects or isolating athletes at a sports event, where a longer telephoto focal length would do a better job.

Question 3

What's the difference between the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM and the older EF 50mm f/1.8 II?

Accepted Answer

The STM version uses a Stepping Motor for autofocus, which is significantly quieter and smoother than the micro-motor in the older Mark II — especially useful for video. The STM also has a more solid build with a proper focus ring and a rounded 7-blade aperture diaphragm that produces rounder bokeh highlights compared to the 5-blade design of the II.

Question 4

Which Canon cameras is the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM compatible with?

Accepted Answer

It fits any camera with a Canon EF mount — that covers the full range of Canon EF DSLRs from entry-level bodies like the Canon 1000D all the way up to full-frame bodies. It also works on Canon EOS M mirrorless cameras via the EF-EOS M adapter, and on Canon RF bodies using the EF-EOS R adapter.

Question 5

What filter size does the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM use?

Accepted Answer

The filter thread is 49mm. That's a fairly small and common size, so filters are easy to find and tend to be more affordable than larger thread sizes. A UV or slim circular polariser in 49mm is a good first addition if you want to protect the front element.

Question 6

Is buying a used Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM worth it?

Accepted Answer

It's one of the most popular second-hand lenses around precisely because so many photographers own one and eventually upgrade. A pre-owned copy in good condition performs identically to a new one — the optical formula hasn't changed. Every used lens on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually inspected and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty, so you're covered if something isn't right.

Question 7

Can I use the Canon EF 50mm 1.8 STM for portraits?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. On a full-frame body the 50mm focal length gives natural-looking perspective without the distortion you'd get from a wide-angle. Stop the aperture down slightly to around f/2.5 and the 7-blade rounded diaphragm produces smooth, creamy background blur while keeping the subject sharp. On APS-C the effective focal length is closer to 80mm, which is right in the classic portrait sweet spot.

Question 8

Does the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM work on mirrorless Canon cameras?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but you'll need Canon's EF-EOS R adapter to use it on an RF-mount mirrorless body. Autofocus continues to work through the adapter, including the STM continuous AF that makes it useful for video. If you're already shooting on a DSLR with a Canon EF mount, no adapter is needed at all.

Mount	Canon EF
Focal range	Standard
Prime / Zoom	Prime
Focal length (min)	50 mm
Focal length (max)	50 mm
Max. aperture	f/1.8
Stabilisation
Sensor format	Full Frame
Weight (Grams)	160
Year of release	2015

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Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

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About the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Key Specifications

Who is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for?

Frequently asked questions