• 50mm standard lens with f/1.8 maximum aperture
• Traditional Gauss-type optical design is extremely sharp
• Focuses as close as 18 inches for extreme close-ups
• Ideal for natural-looking shots; excellent color balance
• Measures 2.7 inches in diameter; 1-year warranty

This is considered the standard lens for use with Canon SLR cameras

Lightweight and affordable, the Canon EF 50mm lens--which offers a fast f/1.8 aperture--is an excellent lens for people who prefer a fixed focal length. Canon's lightest EF lens at a mere 4.6 ounces, the lens boasts a traditional Gauss-type optical design that delivers a sharp performance even when wide open. As a result, the lens provides an image that's extremely close to how your eye perceives a subject, making it excellent for portraits and images that require a natural depth of field. In addition, the lens focuses as close as 18 inches, helping you take extreme close-ups. Finally, the lens offers an excellent color balance. As with all Canon lenses, the lens carries a one-year warranty.

• Focal length: 50mm
• Maximum aperture: 1:1.8
• Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 46 degrees
• Focus adjustment: Overall linear extension system with Micromotor
• Closest focusing distance: 1.5 feet
• Filter size: 52mm
• Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter, 1.6 inches long
• Weight: 4.6 ounces

This lens is great it's currently the only lens that I use. It's not the best built lens but at this price if it breaks buy another one.

Well, for the money I spent this lens is wonderful. A little flimsy, as other reviewers have noted but almost heroic in its capacity for good pictures. I wouldn't take it on safari, but with the pop-up flash on my 40D this thing will take a passing portrait in a nearly dark room. The kit lens does not compare, speedwise. A drawback might be that when you really need the USM autofocus other lenses offer, this lens stutters a bit.

All in all, a great value for the price and a handy one to have for low light photography. Be gentle, though! I don't think it would survive even a minor impact.

I read somewhere that the nickname for this lens is the "Plastic Fantastic" and it surely is!

I wanted a lens that was faster than my 2.8mm but didn't want to spend over $600. A friend recommended this one to me, and it was less than a $100. Somewhat skeptical, I read tons of reviews to see what others who own it have to say about it's performance and don't think I saw a bad review on it.

Takes great photos, and you won't find a lens this fast for the price.... Highly recommended if you want to save some money and still have an excellent lens.

this lens is amazing for the price. ive had it for a little over a month now and havent had any problems with it before. however, be warned at f/1.8 the pictures are a little soft. so if you're looking for extremely clear crisp pictures you should bump it up to 3.2 or so. other than that i have absolutely no complaints about this lens.

I recieved my new lens two days ago and I haven't been able to stop taking pictures! Really does what I want!!