Features:

• 50mm standard lens with f/1.8 maximum aperture
• Traditional Gauss-type optical design is extremely sharp
• Focuses as close as 18 inches for extreme close-ups
• Ideal for natural-looking shots; excellent color balance
• Measures 2.7 inches in diameter; 1-year warranty

Editor Reviews:

Product Description:
Compact and high-performance, this standard lens is the lightest EF lens of all at a mere 4.6 oz. (130g). Its Gaussian optics provides sharp delineation from near to far focusing distances. The color balance is excellent for a standard lens.

Amazon.com Product Description:
Lightweight and affordable, the Canon EF 50mm lens--which offers a fast f/1.8 aperture--is an excellent lens for people who prefer a fixed focal length. Canon's lightest EF lens at a mere 4.6 ounces, the lens boasts a traditional Gauss-type optical design that delivers a sharp performance even when wide open. As a result, the lens provides an image that's extremely close to how your eye perceives a subject, making it excellent for portraits and images that require a natural depth of field. In addition, the lens focuses as close as 18 inches, helping you take extreme close-ups. Finally, the lens offers an excellent color balance. As with all Canon lenses, the lens carries a one-year warranty.

• Focal length: 50mm
• Maximum aperture: 1:1.8
• Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 groups
• Diagonal angle of view: 46 degrees
• Focus adjustment: Overall linear extension system with Micromotor
• Closest focusing distance: 1.5 feet
• Filter size: 52mm
• Dimensions: 2.7 inches in diameter, 1.6 inches long
• Weight: 4.6 ounces

Rating : - Superb optics in crappy plastic box
I have been using the EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens for almost 2 years now. Bought for about $70 from JR. As many reviewers have stated, plastic case is cheap, focusing ring is obscure and it may not survive a drop from couple of feet on to a hard surface, but it does take super sharp pictures. On a cropped sensor camera like Digital Rebel or 40D, the 50mm is great for portraits. I compared it with $1000 EF 24-105 L at 50mm @ f/4. This lens is the winner(agree this is a prime and the other is a zoom, still it's an L). If you can handle it gently and carefully, you should own one. It is the "best value for money" item in my kit.