Comparison of Canon 50mm f/1.8 vs II vs MKII

[video_hobby]

Does anyone know the differences between the 3 lens on the subject line? If you would, please do a comparison.

 

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Any information is greatly appreciated!

[marcus2]

Well for a start the II and the MkII are the exact same lens. Just

written different.

 

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As for the MKI Vs the MKII, the lenses are (if I remember correct)

optically identica, although old MKI lenses have only a 5 leaf

diaphram (vs 7 in later lenses). The MKI has a metal mount, the MKII

has a plastic mount. Not exactly a big difference on such a light

lens.

 

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I think they use different autofocus mechanisms. Not sure on the

details, but later (MKII) would probably be better. Guessing here

though.

 

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Hope it was some help.

[hung_james_wasson]

Tony T.,

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I'm a little confused by your post, but here goes...

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There are 3 Canon EOS EF 50mm lenses in common use (<i>I'm not

counting the <b>EF 50mm f/1.0 USM</b>, Which almost no one has!</i>):

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<li> <b>50mm f/1.8</b> (commonly refered to as the Mk I, after the Mk

II came out)- This lens has the same optics as the Mk II, but is

considered to be mechanically better made. It has a metal lens mount

& nicer focusing ring. Canon stopped making it in when they came out

with the lighter & cheaper Mk II model.</li>

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<li> <b>50mm f/1.8 Mk II</b> - the cheaper but still optically

identical lens that replaced the above item. <i>The general concensus

is that if you find a Mk I in reasonably good shape, get it --

otherwise be happy with the Mk II.</i></li>

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<li> <b>50mm f/1.4 USM<b> - the slightly faster & much more expensive

50mm fixed focal length option. The lens sports a micro-USM motor

rather than the cheaper micro-motor, but yet somehow manages to

retain Full Time Manual focusing (<i>which otherwise is seen only on

the more expensive ring-USM motored lenses</i>). It has a metal

mount, a limited depth of field scale & a nicer to use focusing ring.

It runs 3 or 4 times more in price than the 50mm f/1.8.</li>

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I hope that answered your question. The short form: In 50mm f/1.8,

there is only the original EF lens (often called the Mk I) and the

replacement called the Mk II (II & Mk II mean the same thing).

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<i>In case you care, the </i>50mm f/1.0 USM<i> lens sports the ring-

USM motor, is MUCH bigger & heavier than the f/1.4 and f/1.8

lenses...and only runs about 35 times more expensive than the 50mm

f/1.8 Mk II!</i> :-)

[hung_james_wasson]

</b>Are you looking at getting a Mk I used? If it's in good shape &

at a reasonable price, snatch it up!

[hung_james_wasson]

Okay, </b> </b> </b> Did I manage to turn off bold printing this

time???

[video_hobby]

Hi James,

 

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I am glad to find someone who actually owns the len. Thank you for

the information - very through. I am looking to buy the that len. I

didn't know you are selling it. Where can I find out more info about

it?

 

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Thanks.

[puppy_face2]

Hey Dudes,

 

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Besides all of the above, the original EF 50 1.8 has a distance window

in meters and feet and depth of field markings for F11 & 22. This is

very important if you like to manually prefocus on the hyperfocal point

for max depth of field.

 

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I think the AF motor is slightly louder and slower than the MK II. The

focusing ring is nicer on the MK I because it actually has one!

However, it is rather gritty. The Mk II is even cruder as it requires

you to turn the front of the lens.

 

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The MK I takes a clip on hood and doesn't require a hood adapter like

the MK II. Unfortunately, ordinal hoods (ES-65) for the MK I are hard

to come by. However, the ET-65 (II) and the EW-65 (II) hoods fit and

work fine. I prefer the ET65II because it's larger.

 

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You can buy a MK I off eBay for about $75-$100 depending on the

condition, although the bids often go too high. I got a mint one from a

used photo shop in Honolulu 2 years ago for $75.

 

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The last MK I was made in 1990 so they're getting old but nevertheless

are very reliable. The MK II is light and very plastic. I've heard many

stories of them sucking in plenty of dust and breaking in half.

 

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Aloha

[stormfront]

Just a quick thanks for making my mind up for me. Plenty of mkIIs around but I will try and get the mkI instead.