Petapixel:
When people ask me what lens they should get after buying their first camera, I always tell them to buy a 50mm f/1.8 lens because it’s one of the cheapest and one of the coolest lens you could buy.
Why should you buy it? Here are 8 different reasons.
One of the first lenses I recommend beginning photographers buy is one of the “Nifty Fifties”. They are relatively inexpensive, generally better than the kit lens that came with your camera, great in low light conditions and will force you to move your feet to get the shot rather than just zooming into it.
One caveat – If you are a Nikon shooter, 50 mm is the weak link in their glass lineup. Even the 50/1.8G is a poor optical performer, albeit better than the 50/1.4G.
Not necessarily that cheap. I have an Olympus OM-D EM-10, and I’d like to buy a 50 mm lens (actually, 25, because it’s a mirrorless), and it’s more than half the cost of the camera and zoom lens I originally bought.
Kind lame list, TBH. Bokeh Wall and shapes? That’s why I need to buy a 50mm lens, really? And trying to take a picture while holding a lens backwards against the body is as a good way to drop the lens or allow dirt/dust into your camera as is it to take macro shots.
The list also must assume you’ve got a full-frame camera, because on a crop sensor camera, a 75-80mm equivalent could be quite disappointing as first lens.
75-80 mm should not be disappointing as a first lens. It’s a great focal length for portraits.
That’s great if you like taking portraits. Not everyone does, especially as you’re first starting out. And it’s not nearly as versatile as a 50mm equiv lens.
I’m not saying a 50mm is a bad idea, I highly recommend them for full-frame beginner. But a 35mm for crop-sensor starters.
I agree with a couple of points in the article but some feel pretty weak.
Still, the general advice is great and your comment really only hammers it home, Shawn.
I bought a the XF35mmF2 (53mm full-frame equivalent) lens for my Fujifilm recently and I’m really enjoying it.
It won’t dethrone my XF23mmF1.4 (35mm full-frame equivalent) but it’s a great addition to the kit.
Can’t disagree…
But ultimately I moved to a 35mm f/1.4 (full frame) for my street portraiture. 50mm does not allow enough environment context at reasonable shooting distances. 35mm is just right. Still have to be careful of perspective distortion (large noses and extended hands) getting too close to subjects. Still, I find closer subject engagement and interaction yields better portraits. And for that a 35mm is much better.
I’m a lens speed freak, so almost all my old 50mm lenses are f/1.4.
I think I have 3 now, for my ancient Nikons (and a Nikkormat.)
The exception is the 50mm f/2 for my Leica M4.
Love my 35mm as well.
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To be fair, they do say if you are a Nikon or Canon user. I got the Canon 50 mm from a friend for $50 and he bought it new for $100. Nikon has one that is just a little over $100 too.
They left out my favorite reason. Because it’s a prime lens, you have to move around a little more than with a zoom lens. It can be a good tool to learn to look for different angles, lighting, composition, etc.
In the film days, the 50mm 1.8f was considered useless.
In the digital era, you’re foolish not to own one.
And if you’re a videographer using an SLR, stop reading and buy one.
Professionals know that the 50 is a workhorse lens. Henri Cartier-Bresson used it for about 95 percent of his work with his Leica. And he only used a 35 or 90 very rarely. His work demonstrates the benefits of “zooming with your feet.” When you have to get close, but not too close, your photos can show an intimacy that don’t happen when you increase the width of your view, but still allows context that teles often leave out.
For cropped sensors, get the equivalent of the 50mm or so on full frame and you have a great lens. But it’s not for everyone. Most people probably don’t have the savvy to use one right. But as Shawn points out, it forces you to think, and that’s a good thing.
Also, if you really take to the 50mm focal length, you can get a superb 50mm lens that’s nearly as good as the $5,000 55mm 1.4 Zeiss Otus. The Sigma Art lenses. Built like a tank, almost as good optically as the Otus, and less than $1,000. It’s a focal length for connoisseurs, not for amateurs.