OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Camera lenses Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Camera lenses Methodology v1.0

Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£2,280Lens mount:Canon EFMaximum focal length:50 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:46 °

Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

6.1

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

8.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 76% of camera-lenses
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components

35%

8.0

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.4

Build & Handling

20%

3.1

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 76% of camera-lenses
8.1

User score

User score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

10

User ratings

30%

3.7

Number of reviews

Based on 16 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 59% of camera-lenses
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
  • canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro
canon-ts-e-50mm-f-2-8l-macro

Best prices

*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of camera lens Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Score components:

35%

8.0

Optics & Aperture

24%

5.4

Build & Handling

20%

3.1

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.6
User score
User score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

10

User ratings

30%

3.7

Number of reviews

Based on 16 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
8.1
Popularity
Popularity
3.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
Popularity:
Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro has a popularity score of 3.7 points, which is lower than 84.6% of camera lenses.
3.7
Value for money
Value for money
4.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components:

60%

6.1

Overall score

40%

1.0

Price

4.6
Lens type
tilt-shift
Lens mount
Canon EF
Sensor format coverage
Full-frame
Filter thread size
77 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Only unofficial third-party options are mentioned.
Show more
Minimum focal length
50 mm
Maximum focal length
50 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
46 °
Minimum angle of view
46 °
Show more
Focus motor
N/A
Minimum focus distance
0.273 m
Minimum focus distance
0.273 m
â–² Better than 64% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.273 m, which is closer than 63.8% of camera lenses and equal to 0.7% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.5xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.5x
★ Better than 91% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.5x, which is higher than 91% of camera lenses and equal to 2.8% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
no
Full-time manual focus
no
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Internal focusing
no
Internal focusing
no
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
This camera lens does not support internal focusing. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
995 g
Weight
995 g
â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 995 g, which is heavier than 82.9% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.2% of camera lenses.
Lens length
114.9 mm
Lens length
114.9 mm
â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 114.9 mm long, which is longer than 70% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
86.9 mm
Lens diameter
86.9 mm
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 86.9 mm, which is wider than 76% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 0.31 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.5 x
    ★ Better than 91% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.5 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.5 x vs 0.192 x
  • 0.03 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.273 m
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.3 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.273 m vs 0.3 m
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 0.31 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.5 x
    ★ Better than 91% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.5 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.5 x vs 0.192 x
  • 0.03 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.273 m
    â–² Better than 64% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.3 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.273 m vs 0.3 m
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
  • No internal focusing
    Internal focusing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
  • 485 g heavier
    Weight
    995 g
    â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (995 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    995 g vs 510 g
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 22.65 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    114.9 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (114.9 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    114.9 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 9.9 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    86.9 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (86.9 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    86.9 mm vs 77 mm
  • 50.1% worse value for money
    Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (4.59 vs 6.9).
    4.59 vs 6.89
  • 50.1% worse value for money
    Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (4.59 vs 6.9).
    4.59 vs 6.89
  • 4.3x more expensive
    Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro is more expensive than the average camera lens (£2,280 vs £530).
    £2,280 vs £530
  • 97.3% less popular
    Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro is less popular than the average camera lens (3.69 vs 7.3).
    3.69 vs 7.29
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • No full-time manual focus
    Full-time manual focus
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    This camera lens does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
  • No internal focusing
    Internal focusing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 485 g heavier
    Weight
    995 g
    â–¼ Worse than 83% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is heavier than the average camera lens (995 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    995 g vs 510 g
  • 22.65 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    114.9 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (114.9 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    114.9 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 9.9 mm wider lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    86.9 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is wider than the average camera lens (86.9 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    86.9 mm vs 77 mm

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

E
ephotozine.com
14/11/2017
Summary of the review
Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L MacroGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. Review - ePHOTOzine
T
the-digital-picture.com
24/03/2018
Summary of the review
Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Tilt-Shift Macro Lens Review
N
northlight-images.co.uk
27/03/2018
Summary of the review
Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Lens Review - Northlight Images
P
ppa.com
No Date Provided
Summary of the review
Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro Lens Review | PPA
F
fotowissen.eu
03/04/2026
Summary of the review
Canon Tilt-Shift Objektive TS-E
(Translated)Show original
E
eoszine.nl
01/03/2018
Summary of the review
Review of the TS-E 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm Macro Lenses
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 16 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro

  • Excellent center-to-edge sharpness and high image quality
  • Highly versatile with 1:2 macro magnification and tilt-shift capabilities
  • Robust L-series build quality that is weather-sealed
  • Minimal distortion and chromatic aberration
  • Advanced coatings effectively minimize flare and ghosting
  • Smooth and creamy bokeh produced by the 9-blade circular aperture

What we don't like about Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro

  • High retail price makes it a significant investment
  • Steep learning curve to master the manual tilt and shift controls
  • Large, heavy, and cumbersome design compared to standard 50mm lenses
  • Lacks autofocus, which can be challenging for non-static subjects
  • Dials and locking knobs can be tricky to handle for some users

Verdict

The Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8L Macro is a professional L-series tilt-shift lens featuring a standard focal length and a 1:2 macro magnification ratio with a minimum focusing distance of 27cm. It offers extensive perspective control with +/- 8.5° of tilt and +/- 12mm of shift, utilizing an advanced optical formula of 12 elements in 9 groups, including two UD elements and one aspherical element to minimize aberrations. Main pros include exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, minimal distortion, and high flare resistance due to Air Sphere and Subwavelength coatings. However, cons include its high retail price, significant weight of 945g, and a steep learning curve associated with its manual-focus-only operation.

Compare Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro with other products in the Camera lenses category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Canon TS-E 50mm F 2 8L Macro and other products in the Camera lenses category

No results found