50mm 1.8 noise (audible) question

[mwt]

I jsut received my 50mm 1.8 lens and I have a question. I read several threads before I purchased it , which btw is why I purchased it and I never came across any mention of the noise it makes while focusing.

This thing sounds like a busted chainsaw while focusing.

Is this common?

???

[liquefied]

Yes. It doesn't have USM.

[coreypolis]

yup, pretty much. both copies I had did that

[purelithium]

Crap focusing, but decent quality. It's either that or pay 200 more for the USM version...

[rich-hud]

Does that mean that the 1.4 USM version should focus quietly? The reason I am asking is that my 50mm f1.4 sounds rough when focusing. Is this normal or is there something wrong? It is not loud but it is loudering that any other lens I have?
richardh

[freakeystyley34]

The 1.4 usm will be pretty much silent. I have the 1.8 and it makes a bit of a racket!

[hooookup]

What do you expect for $75?

[mwt]

What do you expect for $75?

Probably not a smartass answer from you:rolleyes:

[purelithium]

Probably not a smartass answer from you:rolleyes:

:lol:

[basroil]

I jsut received my 50mm 1.8 lens and I have a question. I read several threads before I purchased it , which btw is why I purchased it and I never came across any mention of the noise it makes while focusing.

This thing sounds like a busted chainsaw while focusing.

Is this common?

???
buzzing chainsaw.... yup, sounds like your 50 is a-okay.... go chop down some trees while you are at it... 50 is probably the loudest lens i know, even louder than a 20 year old 28-70 3.5-4.5:rolleyes:

[jleins]

try turning it on MF mode via the switch on the lens. It will be smooth then

[Ashleighsmommy06]

I also notice that not only is it loud, but it doesn't really ever stop hunting. It always slightly searches for that focus on AF... you can hear it ticking. I think i should just go invest in the 1.4...

[thedjo]

it is loud, but i'm always satisfied with the results the nifty gives.

[whoever]

Go on - someone take an audio recording of this thing focussing...

[sickmore]

Buy the 50 1.4 or 50 1.2 to solve this problem!

[EOS Man]

Mine gives a similar buzzing noise like the 35-80. It's time to get the f1.4 USM.... in my dreams

[mrtopbanana]

mine turned up today - yes, it's noiser than my other lenses, but a) I don't think it's too intrusive b) it costs £50 ! c) mine doesn't appear to hunt
Taken a couple of shots before it went dark - very impressed for such a simple cheap lens.
I'll have to take some side by side comparisons with my other lenses !

David
30D
16-35 2.8L
70-200 2.8L IS
50 1.8
extenders & stuff

[Headcase650]

My 50 Mk II is noisy but not nearly as noisy as the MK I version or the 28 2.8.

[Double Negative]

It's the original version of Canon's AF known as "AFD" or "Arc Form Drive." It buzzes like a hornet. The 35mm f/2.0 also has this, for example. Usually found on inexpensive lenses (though optically they could be great as in these two lenses).

USM came later and can be found on the 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8, for example. Better lenses use this system, as identified by the gold ring on the barrel.

Then there's the L version, which also uses USM - but the very best version for speed and accuracy. This can be found on the 50mm f/1.2L or 85mm f/1.2L, for example. The best ("L") lenses use this system, as identified by the red ring on the barrel.

As noted above though, even though the AF motor is old and dated, the optical quality of the lens is fantastic. Same thing with the 35mm f/2.0, one of my favorite lenses.

[JeffreyG]

You want a loud 50mm, Try the 50mm f/2.5 Macro. It has the same noisy AFD motor and the front element moves about 30mm from 1:2 Macro to infinity. Point it at a low contrast feature and just enjoy the lens as it cranks away back and forth.

Whirrrrr....clunk....whirrrr....clunk.....whirrrr. .....clunk.

Then there's the L version, which also uses USM - but the very best version for speed and accuracy. This can be found on the 50mm f/1.2L or 85mm f/1.2L, for example. The best ("L") lenses use this system, as identified by the red ring on the barrel.

You don't have to buy an "L" lens to get the best quality Ring USM. A few of the best quality consumer lenses also have Ring USM like the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. A lot of consumer lenses also have the nice but not the best micromotor USM so check the spec sheet closely. For that matter, some of the older L lenses don't have Ring USM if memory serves.

[treeshugger]

The 50 is loud, sounding kinda like a kid's toy, but the thing that really weirded me out is that the angle of view changes in focusing. Huge changes are going as you focus like some kind of wave is washing in on you. The same thing happens with my friend's new (for him) 28-105 nikon lens which is also kinda loud and I figured that its probably related. My lenses just have a gentle blurring of foreground or background which eventually leads to the foreground being invisible or transparent (wish I knew why) and if you try to af where you think there is nothing you will be surprised. Also the focus ring on the 50 and 28-105 appears to be engaged to the af motors

My 50mm lens is now my loupe for examining negatives and it makes a bloody good one

One last thing: IS is magic

[Double Negative]

You don't have to buy an "L" lens to get the best quality Ring USM. A few of the best quality consumer lenses also have Ring USM like the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. A lot of consumer lenses also have the nice but not the best micromotor USM so check the spec sheet closely. For that matter, some of the older L lenses don't have Ring USM if memory serves.

Good point... You don't necessarily need an "L" to get that. The lens specs are the best resource to determine what's onboard. I think mostly all new USM designs use the better USM these days.

[S.Horton]

Normal.