How to identify 50mm Mark I and II

[leo11877]

hi
i just recieved a Canon 50mm F1.8 Lens. I bought it on a very very low price. From the pictures that the seller gave me it looked like a Mark I , I kept shut and bought the lens. :twisted:

Now I got the package today, and tried it on my D30. It makes quite some noise. and the build quality looks cheap. I doubt it is a MARK II
The Lens is in Mint Condition.
So my question is what is it? Based on the clues below.
1) It has a Manual Focus Ring (very loose)
2) There is nowhere written on the lens that its MARK II
3) I tried to scratch (very lightly :roll: ) the mount with a Knife tip and it doesnt look like plastic

If is indeed a Mark I then should it be really that noisy???

Experinced users please let me know.

Thanks
Leo.

[DocFrankenstein]

I've had both.

Dude... Mk1 had a METAL MOUNT! Meaning it's reflective and smooth.

MkII has a plastic mount. Meaning it's black and opaque.

Mk1 also has a range scale for manual focusing.

Which one is it?

[leo11877]

I've had both.

Dude... Mk1 had a METAL MOUNT! Meaning it's reflective and smooth.

MkII has a plastic mount. Meaning it's black and opaque.

Mk1 also has a range scale for manual focusing.

Which one is it?

It has a shiny steely mount not black
it has a distance scale.

the only thing that bothers me is the NOISE and the RING. The ring is real loose. How ever the Lens is in almost new condition. So i am confused. Does it have a USM ??

[leo11877]

I've had both.

Dude... Mk1 had a METAL MOUNT! Meaning it's reflective and smooth.

MkII has a plastic mount. Meaning it's black and opaque.

Mk1 also has a range scale for manual focusing.

Which one is it?

What do u say about the noise in your MK I?

[mmartinfan]

Speaking of the 50mm MlI what is a good filter for it?

[dtrayers]

I've had both.

Dude... Mk1 had a METAL MOUNT! Meaning it's reflective and smooth.

MkII has a plastic mount. Meaning it's black and opaque.

Mk1 also has a range scale for manual focusing.

Which one is it?

It has a shiny steely mount not black
it has a distance scale.

the only thing that bothers me is the NOISE and the RING. The ring is real loose. How ever the Lens is in almost new condition. So i am confused. Does it have a USM ??

No, the Mk1 has a Micro Motor (MM). They're a lot noiser than a USM and they're not Full Time Manual (FTM) lenses.

However, they're tack sharp and the build construction is better than the MKII. What did you pay for it?

[leo11877]

No, the Mk1 has a Micro Motor (MM). They're a lot noiser than a USM and they're not Full Time Manual (FTM) lenses.

However, they're tack sharp and the build construction is better than the MKII. What did you pay for it?

That explaings the Noise in the Lens. I had heard and seen a lot about this lens thats why I got one.

I bought a Canon EOS 650 + CANON 300EX Flash + 50mm Lens + SKYLIGHT Filter All for $140 including shipping.

Everything in very good shape. I am thinking of selling the Camera Body and Flash.

[slin100]

That's a great price. People are paying close to $140 just for the Mk I alone. I paid almost that much for mine. It's only later I realized that I could have gotten a better deal buying it attached to a film camera. I did just that when I got my 28-135 with an EOS 650 attached to it. :D

[DocFrankenstein]

No, the Mk1 has a Micro Motor (MM). They're a lot noiser than a USM and they're not Full Time Manual (FTM) lenses.

However, they're tack sharp and the build construction is better than the MKII. What did you pay for it?
They both have MM... Even the 300$ 50mm/1.4 is not a true USM

But the Mk1 is much noisier than mkII. It also focuses slower... a bit.

Cheers

[ron chappel]

Hi Leo.
Yep,those things you describe are completely normal for the mkI.

The focus ring does feel loose at best and full of sand at worst! :shock: :lol:
And all the early arc form drives made a noise like a course dentists' drill

As for which version is best...My experience matches that of others on the net-that the optical performance is identical except for extremely subtle differences related to multicoating.
Basically you just buy the cheap mk II unless you want/need a metal mount &/or focus scales

[Belmondo]

FWIW, the sharpest photo I have ever taken was with a Mk I 50mm f/1.8 on my 1D Mk II. I credit the lens primarily.

BTW, I bought the lens from a pawn shop in Reno, NV, for $75.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Wow,. good deal!

The Mk I price has been going up steafdily.. it's alomost funny how pricey it's gotten.. people re paying so much for it they might as well get a 50mm f/1.4 :shock:

You got a great deal.

[Belmondo]

CDS:
The funny thing is, I have the 50mm f/1.4, but if I didn't need the extra speed, I'd probably grab the f/1.8 Mk I first. It's that sharp.