50mm f/1.8 MKii better than the MKi??

I had a 50mm f/1.8 MKii & just picked up a minty MKi at almost the same price as a new Mkii. What a great deal I thought.

As soon as it arrived and inspected the optics I posted the Mkii for sale (which lasted a few hours) & mailed it out this morning.

Now after playing with the Mki I've noticed a few things.

Build: Definately better. Not only the metal mount but the body feels more rigid too. There is a little more weight to it, but not much.

Optics: A few test shots I'm happy with the IQ. pretty much the same as the MKii...sharp but with a funky bokeh that you get with a 5 blade aperature.

Autofocus: This is the question that's popping up. Is it me or is the focusing noticably slower than the MKii? I can't do a direct comparision under similar conditions b/c the Mkii is already out and shipped.

I was using the 50 f/1.8 MKii on a 5D I remember it being pretty fast. Haven't used it on my 40D though.

Now with the Mki on the 40D it just seems slower. Does anyone have both that have tested the autofocus directly. I've always heard the MKi is slightly slower but not this feels more noticable.

The Af on the Mk I is slightly slower, but seems more accurate. However, the latter is a feeling, not something I tested when playing with a bunch of 50 F/1.8 IIs.

The Mk I has an AFD drive, the Mk II a micro motor, which probably causes the difference in focusing speed.

Did you check the the turning angle required between Mk I and II from infinity to closest focus? I didn't, but if there is a difference, this may also account for difference in focusing speed.

Kind regards, Wim

The Mk I is slower, but I like it better overall then the Mk II

I didn't really do any specific test. I was just shot a few quick snap shots and it just seemed slower. But to tell you the truth, I haven't shot with the 50mm MKii in a long time. So maybe I'm just used to the speed of USM lenses or because of the lighting or just being paronoid.

drjiveturkey wrote in post #3980667
I didn't really do any specific test. I was just shot a few quick snap shots and it just seemed slower. But to tell you the truth, I haven't shot with the 50mm MKii in a long time. So maybe I'm just used to the speed of USM lenses or because of the lighting or just being paronoid.

Well, I must say I find that after using USM lenses, I don't necessarily want to use anything else anymore, unless it is a very, very special lens. I think I'll sell my 50 Mk I again, and maybe even quite soon.

Kind regards, Wim

The optics are identical so the images should look the same under same conditions.
The Mk I version has USM with FTM focusing, so I'm a bit surprised that it AF's slower, but the MK II version does AF fairly fast, so I wouldn't be surprised either. The MK I's are all getting pretty old, could it be due to a failing AF motor?

Tee Why wrote in post #3984851
The Mk I version has USM with FTM focusing,

??????????????????? Mine doesn't.

Tee Why wrote in post #3984851
The optics are identical so the images should look the same under same conditions.
The Mk I version has USM with FTM focusing, so I'm a bit surprised that it AF's slower, but the MK II version does AF fairly fast, so I wouldn't be surprised either. The MK I's are all getting pretty old, could it be due to a failing AF motor?

I think you are confusing this lens with another. We are talking about the 50 F/1.8 here. There was/is no USM 50 F/1.8, and neither of the two have/had FTM.

Kind regards, Wim

Sorry, it doesn't have USM, but I thought this had FTM, no?
http://www.canon.com …tandard/ef_50_1​8.html?p=1

No. Generally only "Ring Type" USM lenses have Full Time Manual focus.

Maybe you are thinking of the 50mm 1.4

The 50mm 1.4 actually has a cheap "Micro Motor USM, but it also has a slip clutch mechanisms which let you use FTM in a fashion similar to a ring USM lens.