Yongnuo's ultra-budget 50mm f/1.8 clone — available in multiple mounts at rock-bottom prices.
The Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 is an ultra-budget fast fifty from the Chinese manufacturer Yongnuo, primarily known for flash units. It is essentially a clone of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, offered at an even lower price. Available in multiple mounts, it provides the classic nifty fifty experience at the absolute lowest cost possible.
Optical performance is basic but functional for the price. Sharpness is soft wide open with visible chromatic aberration, improving to acceptable levels by f/2.8. Bokeh is somewhat nervous due to the five-blade aperture producing pentagonal highlights. The autofocus motor works but is noisy and can struggle in low light. Adequate for learning but not for demanding work.
Available in Canon EF and Nikon F mounts — the mount for this listing is unspecified. Filter thread is 52mm. Weight is approximately 160 grams. Build quality is very basic plastic — a step below even the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM it emulates. No weather sealing. The AF motor is audible and can be unreliable on some copies.
Extremely cheap both new and used — often the cheapest AF lens available for any system. Check AF operation carefully — quality control varies. A functional introduction to fast prime photography for absolute beginners, but the Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM or Nikon 50mm f/1.8G are far better investments at only slightly higher prices.