Canon to revive EF 50mm f/1.8 STM

Canon Inc.will renew its (25-year long selling) standard interchangeable lens, the ‘EF 50mm f/1.8 STM’, which is based on the EF 50mm f/1.8 II. The latter is still selling about 70,000 units per month. The lens is constructed with 6 elements in 5 groups. A seven blade circular diaphragm has been employed for a good bokeh in comparison to the 5-blade diaphragm in the earlier model. The autofocusing motor employs a gear type stepping motor that reduces sound. Due to the full-time manual focusing system, the user need not switch from autofocus to manual focus. The maximum magnification is 0.21x and the closest shooting distance is 35 cm. Its suggested retail price is 19,500 yen.