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 p.1 #1 · Yongnuo R 50mm f/1.8 DSM (and family) | |
Some of you may be aware that Chinese lens maker Yongnuo is (bravely!) producing affordable full frame and APS-C autofocus lenses for Canon RF mount, in addition to lenses for Sony, Nikon, Fuji, and M4/3.
There are currently three full frame RF models available, a 35mm f/2, an 85mm f/1.8, and a brand new 50mm f/1.8 "Lite" model (more on that later). They are all readily available direct from Yongnuo here:
Yongnuo Online Store
Being that these lenses are unique in being the only currently available full frame autofocus lenses for Canon RF mount (to my knowledge), I was very curious about them.
After acquiring the 85mm last year, I just took delivery of its 35mm and 50mm siblings. I was mainly interested in trying the 50 to see if it was an improvement on the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, particularly with regards to rendering.
I personally find the 85mm to be lovely:
Image samples with Yongnuo R 85mm DSM II
In mechanical terms, all of these lenses are sturdily built, are weather sealed, and have internal focusing designs. Focusing is very quick and nearly silent. Performance wise, they are more like Canon's internal focusing USM lenses, as compared to the current crop of RF STM primes. They also all have USB-C ports for future firmware updates, if needed. They are known to be compatible with all R cameras to date.
I believe that they skirt Canon's RF patents by using a unique lens mount modification: you must press a button on the lens to release it from the camera. I also suspect they are using EF autofocus protocols. In any case, Canon has apparently not tried to shut them down.
Up until the introduction of the new 50mm f/1.8, Yongnuo lenses have had all-metal construction, giving them a solid, old-school feel. The new 50mm, marketed as "Lite", has a polycarbonate lens body, rendering it lighter in weight. Far from looking or feeling cheap, however, I find it to be quite handsome, with new and more tasteful labeling and typography. It also has a less slippery feel in the hand.
I have been impressed by the 50mm so far, as it seems to do exactly what I wanted: produce a more appealing out of focus region than the Canon, while still being relatively compact and light weight (it weighs a mere 276g). It is currently on sale for an appealing $135.
It's been raining here in Seattle, and I haven't had a chance to shoot any real pictures, but here is a look at these lenses and a quick bokeh comparison. The Yongnuo produces a nicer background blur, similar to the EF 50, but with rounded aperture blades it renders bokeh balls more naturally. While I haven't done rigorous testing, it also seems sharper than either the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 or Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 (at f/1.8), and also has more contrast than the EF lens.
I'm on the fence about the keeping 35mm f/2, as I already have the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS STM (which I quite like). It does seem to have a fine character for an f/2 lens though.
In any case, while not all of you will care about these kinds of off-brand products, I think it's good that they are available. I will almost certainly keep the 50mm.
Yongnuo full frame DSM family for Canon RF mount
Size comparison with Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM and Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (with adapter)
Yongnuo R 50mm f/1.8 DSM bokeh test at f/1.8
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM bokeh test at f/1.8
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM bokeh test at f/1.8
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