The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is known for having surprisingly good optics for its price point. Here's a breakdown of the glass quality:   

Sharpness:

  • Center Sharpness: It's generally very sharp in the center, even wide open at f/1.8. This is a strong point of the lens.
  • Corner Sharpness: Corner sharpness is decent but not exceptional, especially at wider apertures. It improves significantly when you stop down to f/2.8 or f/4.  

Other Optical Qualities:

  • Chromatic Aberration: Chromatic aberration (color fringing) is generally well-controlled, especially compared to its predecessor.
  • Distortion: There might be a slight amount of barrel distortion, but it's usually not noticeable in most situations.
  • Bokeh: The bokeh (background blur) is generally considered pleasing, especially with the updated 7-blade aperture design in the STM version.  

Overall:

For a budget-friendly "nifty fifty" lens, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM offers excellent optical performance. It's not going to compete with high-end professional lenses, but it delivers very good image quality, especially in the center of the frame, making it a great choice for everyday photography.

Keep in mind:

  • Sample Variation: Like with any lens, there can be some sample variation, so some copies might be slightly sharper than others.
  • Aperture Sweet Spot: The lens generally performs best (sharpness-wise) when stopped down to around f/2.8 to f/5.6.

If you're looking for a sharp, affordable lens for everyday photography, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a great option.

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