This is absolutely one of the best 50mm macro lenses available; highly recommended.

NOTE: This lens is an EF mount and works with all Canon EOS cameras. While the caution I offered previously regarding the EF-s mount macro lens still stands (see below), the list of cameras available that can use it has grown to include the 30d/40d, 400d/450d aka XTi/XSi.

Original review as posted in 2005….

First I do not have this lens yet but I am buying it. It is reportedly an excellent lens with very little distortion along the edges (which is why I’m buying it). I will update this review after I have the lens, however, I feel that people should be warned about a big error in another well received review because it will only lead to frustration.

Do not listen to John Kwok’s suggestion to buy the Canon 60mm macro lens UNLESS you you own the 20d, 300d, or 350d/Rebel XT. The lens is an EF-S lens and as of September, 2005 it will ONLY fit those cameras – it has NOT been optimized for all Canon DSLR’s as he states. On the other hand, the 50mm macro here will fit all Canon 35mm film cameras and all digital SLR’s.

Another arrow in my quiver so to speak. As a “semi-professional”, I shoot portraits at charity events as fund raisers and have purchased both the f/1.8 50mm and 85mm for portraits, the 28-135mm IS as a walkaround lens, and inherited the kit lens and an older USM f/4 135mm telephoto from my older Digital Rebel (300D) purchase of 3 years ago. This pretty much handles the portrait side of the house and the general photography I like to do (using the 28-135mm kit lens).

This 50mm f2.5 finally meets the needs of my macro photography hobby and makes using my light box a joy. As in Internet watch forum mod, I shoot photos of 50 watches or more a year to share with our online membership. The macro capabilities of the 28-135mm weren’t getting the job done and I looked through a series of Sigma and more expensive Canons in the 100-105mm range not finding anything that gave me joy. The 50mm f/2.5 is a perfect focal length for light box use – even with the partial frame 1:1.6 sensor of my 40D and 300D cameras. Enough ‘f stop’ and depth of field to use my light box without additional lighting for all but my largest watches.

I have two portrait lenses that are tack sharp – a walkaround lens adequate for most opportunity photography and now a dedicated macro lens with ‘enough’ sharpness and depth of field to make my watch photography come alive for internet and most publishing use.

Slow focus on macro photos is very desirable – manual focus for tight shots is even more desirable to ‘frame’ depth of field results (if only Canon had a better LCD on the 40D)… as well as a tripod and remote shutter release completes my shooting bag for macro work.

Canon continues to sell their lenses ‘stripped’ – without a pouch or (not needed for macro work in this case) a lens hood.

5 of 5 stars and well worth your $250 as a macro lens only. Keep this lens to macro work only and you will never regret the purchase.