Lightdow 85mm Portrait Lens
Score: 66/100
Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM
Score: 76/100Rankings
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is a compact prime lens offering a fast f/1.8 aperture and quiet STM autofocus, making it ideal for everyday shooting and video. Its trade-offs include lack of weather sealing, no image stabilization, and a plastic build that may feel less premium. Best suited for beginners, travel photographers, and vloggers seeking a lightweight "nifty fifty."
The Lightdow 85mm f/1.8 is an affordable, all-metal manual-focus portrait lens for Canon EF mounts with a bright aperture and smooth 8-blade bokeh. It lacks autofocus and image stabilization, and its corner sharpness is softer at wide apertures. Best suited for manual-focus enthusiasts seeking budget-friendly portrait optics.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
85 mmbest | 50 mm | |
1.8best | 1.8best | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.85 m | 0.3 mbest |
| ↓ lower better | 430 g | 160 gbest |
8best | 7 | |
— | 0.3best | |
6best | 6best | |
6best | 5 |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(2) | ||
Lens Mount | Canon EF | Canon RF |
Mount Compatibility | Canon EF/EF-S | EOS R Series Mirrorless Cameras |
Features(2) | ||
Autofocus Type | None | STM |
Focus Type | Manual | autofocus |
Optics(5) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 85 mm | 50 mm |
Minimum Focus Distance (m) | 0.85 m | 0.3 m |
Number of Optical Groups | 6 | 5 |
Diaphragm Blades | 8 | 7 |
Coating | Ultra Multi Coating (UMC) | Super Spectra Coating |
Build & Design(5) | ||
Filter Thread Size (mm) | 72 mm | 43 mm |
Weight (g) | 430 g | 160 g |
Length (mm) | 110 mm | 40.5 mm |
Maximum Diameter (mm) | 70 mm | 69.2 mm |
Construction Material | All-metal | plastic |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers acknowledge the Lightdow 85mm f/1.8's solid metal construction and pleasing bokeh, crediting its aspherical and ED elements for good color fidelity and flare control. However, they point out the lack of autofocus and softer edge performance as significant drawbacks compared with native Canon lenses.
Consumers appreciate the lens's sharp portrait output, creamy bokeh, and lightweight feel for the price, but many struggle with the manual-focus workflow, encounter shutter-lock quirks, and note the limited close-focus capability and corner softness when shooting wide open.
“easy carry-along companion”
“toy-like”
Professional reviewers commend the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for its ultra-compact design, fast f/1.8 aperture, quiet STM AF and the added control ring, positioning it as a versatile walk-around lens. However, they criticize the lack of weather sealing and optical stabilization, and note the plastic construction feels less premium than higher-end Canon optics.
Everyday users consistently praise the lens's lightweight, pocketable form factor, impressive bokeh, low-light performance and silent autofocus, calling it a great value for casual shooting and video. Recurring complaints focus on the absence of weather sealing, no built-in IS, a plastic feel that some deem 'toy-like', and occasional edge softness or flare when shooting wide open.
