Yongnuo has listed its new 50F1.8R DA, a compact APS-C autofocus prime lens for R-mount cameras, and it looks like a tidy option for photographers wanting an affordable short-telephoto field of view without carrying much weight. The official product page describes it as an R 50mm F1.8 APS-C lens for R-mount cameras, with the model name 50F1.8R DA. It is offered in black and white finishes.
What catches my eye first is the positioning. On APS-C, Yongnuo lists the lens as giving an approximate 80mm equivalent focal length, which pushes it into a useful portrait-friendly angle of view rather than a standard 50mm look. That makes it interesting for head-and-shoulders portraits, detail shots, travel portraits and general everyday work where a little subject separation is useful. The f/1.8 maximum aperture should also help when you want a softer background or need to keep ISO under control indoors.
The design is very much part of Yongnuo’s “Lite” idea. The official imagery describes the 50F1.8R DA as light and compact, and the specification panel gives a weight of about 143g, with dimensions of approximately ø67 × 55mm. That is small enough to make sense as a leave-it-in-the-bag prime for R-mount APS-C shooters.
Optically, Yongnuo lists a 7-group, 8-element construction, including extra-low dispersion and high refractive index lens elements. The lens also uses 7 aperture blades, focuses down to approximately 0.45m, and takes 58mm filters. Yongnuo’s product images include an MTF chart at f/1.8 and f/8, although, as ever, I would want to see independent testing before drawing firm conclusions about real-world sharpness and rendering.
The compatibility list on the official product page is broad, naming R, Ra, RP, R1, R3, R5 II, R5, R5C, R6, R6 II, R6 III, R6V, R7, R8, R10, R50, R50V and R100 bodies. Since this is an APS-C lens, full-frame users will want to check camera crop behaviour before buying. Yongnuo also includes a specific handling note: when removing the lens, press and hold the button on the lens rather than the button on the camera.
Specifications:
Product type: APS-C autofocus standard prime lens.
Lens mount: R-mount.
Focal length: 50mm, with an approx. 80mm equivalent field of view on 35mm format.
Frame: APS-C.
Optical construction: 7 groups, 8 elements.
Aperture range: f/1.8 to f/16.
Aperture blades: 7 blades.
Minimum focusing distance: approx. 0.45m.
Filter thread: 58mm.
Dimensions and weight: approx. ø67 × 55mm and approx. 143g.
Price and Availability:
The official UK price is not listed on Yongnuo’s product page, the official US sale price is $120.00 with $133.33 shown as the struck-through price, and the official Euro price is not shown in the page text. The product is listed on the official Yongnuo website in black and white colour options with Add to Cart and Buy Now buttons. Please keep an eye on their website for more details.
