While I doubt that many of my readers are looking for a 50mm f/1.8 for Canon mirrorless, I’d rather be thorough and confirm my conclusions with more than one series. Then I never need revisit the issue. This scene is excellent for showing just how the lens performs.
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a diminutive lens of only 160 grams. It therefore has potential as an ultralight lens for the backpacker/hiker, as with this view high up the trail to Pine Creek Lake. Can it deliver the goods?
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Aperture Series: Pine Creek Tungsten Mine, Aerial View
Includes images from f/1.8 to f/11 up to full camera resolution.
See also the same scene with the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L.
CLICK TO VIEW: Canon RF lenses
Pine Creek Tungsten Mine, Aerial View
f8 @ 1/320 sec EFC shutter, ISO 100; 2021-11-05 14:28:46
Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
ENV: Pine Creek, altitude 8400 ft / 2560 m, 45°F / 7°C
RAW: LACA corrected, +50 Shadows, +20 Whites, +20 Clarity
[low-res image for bot]
The Canon EOS R5 has erratic results with autofocus on the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, and likely the same problem with the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 STM. Perhaps with other lenses as well, because I have enough unexplained backfocus results that I have no other good explanation.
Issue: the camera focuses correctly on the first attempt, but initiating autofocus again (shutter AF or AF-ON) delivers a backfocused image that leaves the subject visibly blurred.
Inconsistent Focus with Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
I shown an example, with crops.
CLICK TO VIEW: Canon RF lenses
Aeriel view of Pine Creek Tungsten Mine
f1.8 @ 1/6400 sec EFC shutter, ISO 100; 2021-11-05 14:29:16
Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
ENV: Pine Creek, altitude 8400 ft / 2560 m, 45°F / 7°C
RAW: LACA corrected, vignetting corrected, pull 0.5 stops, +50 Shadows, +20 Whites, +20 Clarity
[low-res image for bot]
This aperture series from f/2.8 to f/8 is with the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM at 27mm use a typical landscape scene to show the overall performance near to far, and especially how the pronounced forward focus shift can be dealt with for best results.
Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L Aperture Series @ 27mm: Gilbert Lake and High Peaks
Includes images from f/2.8 to f/8 at up to full camera resolution, plus crops.
CLICK TO VIEW: Canon RF lenses
Gilbert Lake and High Peaks
f5.6 @ 1/500 sec, ISO 100; 2021-11-08 14:08:25
Canon EOS R5 + Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM @ 27mm
ENV: Gilbert Lake, altitude 10400 ft / 3170 m, 45°F / 7°C
windy
[low-res image for bot]
OWC Atlas S Pro SDXC
I’ve been a user/fan of OWC products for 15 years or so. Outstanding products like the OWC Thunderbay, OWC Thunderblade, OWC Accelsior 4M2, OWC Mercury Elite Pro, OWC Envoy Pro SX, and many more.
Very recently OWC introduced a line of SDXC camera cards. Some are on the way to me for evaluation, and I will report back when I’ve had a chance to use them.
Exceptional sustained write speed along with a 5-year warranty and enterprise-grade flash durability make these look quite attractive.
OWC tells me that the write speed can be sustained across the entire card capacity, which many cards cannot do, even ultra-fast CFExpress Type A cards. I will verify the performance when I have the cards for testing.
Pricing shown below is an introductory “doorbuster” instant-rebate price through Nov 29, for example $100 off the 256GB OWC Atlas S Pro SDXC card. Pricing thru Nov 30.
One thing I could do without is the write-lock tab, but OWC has included it, as with nearly all SDXC cards (Sony TOUGH cards omit it).
PROFESSIONAL GRADE PERFORMANCE WITH PREMIUM QUALITY RELIABILITY FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS
- Pro speed: Up to 276MB/s write and 290MB/s read real world speeds for shooting high-resolution photos, burst photo sequences, and recording up to 8K video
- Advanced: utilizes pSLC technology to provide consistent leading-edge performance, endurance, and reliability
- Efficient: fast write speeds let you offload data to computer for immediate file access and quicker post-production
- Tough: Impact, bend, shock, ESD, UV ray, and x-ray resistant
- Supportive: fully compatible with wide variety of DSLR, mirrorless, 360-degree, VR, and cinema cameras
- Flexible: backwards compatible with UHS-I SD devices and readers
- 5 Year OWC Limited Warranty
HIGHEST ENDURANCE WITH CONSISTENTLY FAST PERFORMANCE
To transition from capture to ingest with maximum efficiency, you need renowned OWC advanced storage technology trusted by professionals. At the heart of each OWC Atlas S Pro card lies advanced pseudo Single-Level Cell (pSLC) flash memory. This near enterprise-grade feature offers up to 10X higher memory endurance than common SD cards to protect your irreplaceable shots and footage. Additionally, you’ll enjoy up to 276MB/s write and up to 290MB/s read consistent performance over the card’s entire capacity. Start fast. Finish fast. No worries. That’s the Atlas S Pro difference.
TRUTH IN NUMBERS
Big theoretical performance numbers are certainly eye-catchers, but they are misleading when your workflow requires real-world speed. That’s why we take the extra time to run OWC flash storage solutions through intensive performance testing and share our test setup and parameters. Truthfully listing Atlas S Pro cards for reliable performance up to 276MB/s write and 290MB/s read speeds defines our commitment to the “OWC Difference” which ensures you’ll be completely satisfied these SD UHS-II cards will deliver the performance you are counting on.
SHOOT, STORE, AND SWAP WITHOUT LIMITS
OWC Atlas S Pro cards shrug off the toughest environmental challenges including x-rays, UV rays, shocks, drops, and extreme temperatures. Go ahead…shoot, store, and swap. Atlas S Pro cards have your work – and your reputation – well protected.
