Canon Canon EF Prime

EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

50mm
f/50.0
Prime
290 g
Min focus 0.45 m

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Quick answer

A fast standard prime from the 1990s with a ring-type USM motor and a metal mount. It sits between the f/1.8 models and the L-series f/1.2 in speed and build.

Pros

f/1.4 aperture
Ring USM with full-time manual focus
Metal mount and solid build
Compact for its speed

Cons

Soft and hazy wide open
Not weather sealed
Older optical design

Verdict

Gives the extra stop over the f/1.8 without L-lens size. Expect best sharpness at f/2 or smaller.

About this lens

This 50mm f/1.4 fast standard prime lens from Canon fits Canon EF mount cameras, with ultrasonic-motor autofocus. A fast standard prime that offers a wider aperture than the f/1.8 version for low-light work and shallow depth of field.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM specifications

Brand: Canon
Mount: Canon EF
Focal length: 50mm
Maximum aperture: f/50.0
Lens type: Prime
Format coverage: full-frame
Released: 1993
Optical construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
Aperture blades: 8
Autofocus motor: USM
Minimum focus distance: 0.45 m
Maximum magnification: 0.15x
Filter thread: 58 mm
Weight: 290 g
Length: 50.5 mm
Diameter: 73.8 mm

Specification source: global.canon

What can you shoot with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM?

Portraits
Available-light photography
Street and documentary

Its smaller maximum aperture favours daylight shooting and keeps the lens compact.

Full-frame equivalent and field of view

Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.

Sensor	Crop	Equivalent	Horizontal FOV	Diagonal FOV
Full frame	1.0x	50mm	39.6°	46.8°
APS-C	1.6x	80mm	25.4°	30.3°

Try the field-of-view calculator

Frequently asked questions

Is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM full-frame?

Yes. It is designed for full-frame EF bodies and also works on APS-C, where it frames like an 80mm lens.

Does the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM have full-time manual focus?

Yes. The ring-type USM lets you turn the focus ring to adjust focus at any time, even in AF mode, without switching to MF.

EF 50mm f/1.4 USM or f/1.8 STM?

Choose the f/1.4 for the faster aperture, metal build and full-time manual focus. Choose the f/1.8 STM if you want a smaller lens with quieter, newer AF.