 Steve McCroskey |
Why a 50mm Lens? I have seen many recommendations for acquiring a 50mm lens. Why?
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Bob Cammarata |
The magnification and visual perspective - from foreground to background - is closest with a 50mm to how our eyes and brain perceive the world in "real time" ... thus allowing us to accurately record what we saw. 50mm's are also faster, and can be used in lower light.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
It's a good way of learning and improving. Too many people think they have to have a certain lens. They don't involve themselves enough - by depending on Program mode and depending on a zoom instead of moving. I've seen it described as a perfect balance between expanse and intimacy, and to me that's on point. I think it's the most under-rated lens, as far as focal lengths. Especially for portraits.
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Amanda E. Radovic |
I reckon it is the ants pants as far as lenses go!!! I shoot 90% of my work with a 50mm lens. They are compact, light, often very fast for a nice cheap price (an f 1.7 will cost you 1/5th of the price of an f2.8 28-80mm or 70-200mm lens and a whole stop faster). Because it is a prime lens the clarity of the image is superior as there are less lens elements which result in lesser quality. You can almost shoot in the dark with 800ISO and f1.7!!! BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY.....it stops you from being lazy. You need to use your legs to zoom in and out and in doing so you often notice a different perspective or way the light hits the subject from a different angle. Had you sat back with a zoom or a telephoto you wouldn't have seen that particular viewpoint!!! Yes - most definitely an underrated lens these days!!!
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Michael McCullough |
Some legendary 50mm.lenses out there the 50mm.f1.8 Nikkor the amazing 50mm.f1.4 Super Takumar screwmount,just to name two,fantastic clarity and sharpness with wonderful out of focus highlights,I use mine when I want to achieve very high image quality!!!!!
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doug Nelson |
Check around in this site: http://medfmt.8k.com/third/ He talks about "third party" lenses, but he also has a great discussion of cheap 50mm Pentax and Minolta lenses that actually beat out Leica in resolution and contrast tests. Once you see what a 50 can do, you will be much more discerning in your choice of lenses. A 50 has a very wide maximum aperture. That means that it is very easy to see when your subject is in focus. Also, you can use an inexpensive extension tube of 25mm and focus down to about 9 inches, close to macro.
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