The recently announced Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is now in-stock and available to ship out today at most major stores, including B&H, Adorama, and Amazon.

At a price of only $125.00, we’re extremely impressed with the value they’ve delivered in this refresh. They have resolved all of our biggest gripes about the original version, and it is a great upgrade even if you have the original:

• A metal mount, not plastic (the older 50mm f/1.8 Mk I with a metal mount sells for $200+ used!)
• A more accurate and quieter STM focusing motor
• Rounded aperture blades, and 7 of them, for smoother bokeh
• Reduced minimum focusing distance

When readers ask us “I only have a 18-55 kit lens, what’s a good next lens to buy?”, our go-to lenses used to be the 50mm f/1.8 II or 50mm f/1.4 USM. Now it’s this new EF 50mm f/1.8 STM, hands down. It allows an aspiring photographer to experience prime lenses — shooting with wider apertures to achieve shallow depth of field, and moving your feet to re-frame rather than standing and zooming — all without breaking the bank. At $125, a fantastic price point, we’re expecting this lens to be very popular.

Canon just announced the new EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Surprise, it’s available for pre-order for only $125.00 — the same as the current MAP price on the older EF 50mm f/1.8 II.

We are very impressed. Canon appears to have delivered a lot more value in this 50mm f/1.8 refresh, with the inclusion of the STM stepper motor, a metal (not plastic) mount, and rounded 7-blade aperture for rounder bokeh. All while keeping the price at a very reasonable $125.00 — Canon’s lowest (MAP) priced lens.

The lens is now available to pre-order (B&H, Adorama, Amazon) with a estimated ship date of May 21st.