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

Any information is greatly appreciated!

-- Tony T (videohobby@yahoo.com), September 14, 2001

Answers

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

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.

I think they use different autofocus mechanisms. Not sure on the details, but later (MKII) would probably be better. Guessing here though.

Hope it was some help.

-- Marcus (citizensmith@hotmail.com), September 14, 2001.

Tony T.,

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

There are 3 Canon EOS EF 50mm lenses in common use (I'm not counting the EF 50mm f/1.0 USM, Which almost no one has!):

50mm f/1.8 (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.

50mm f/1.8 Mk II - the cheaper but still optically identical lens that replaced the above item. The general concensus is that if you find a Mk I in reasonably good shape, get it -- otherwise be happy with the Mk II.

50mm f/1.4 USM - 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 (which otherwise is seen only on the more expensive ring-USM motored lenses). 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.

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).

In case you care, the 50mm f/1.0 USM 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! :-)

-- Hung James Wasson (HJWasson@aol.com), September 14, 2001.

Okay, Did I manage to turn off bold printing this time???

-- Hung James Wasson (HJWasson@aol.com), September 14, 2001.

Hi James,

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?

Thanks.

-- Tony T (videohobby@yahoo.com), September 14, 2001.

Hey Dudes,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Aloha

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), September 14, 2001.