Comments on: You’re only 50mm Away from Becoming a Better Photographer

By: Samantha Roosevelt

Samantha Roosevelt — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:45:52 +0000

Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the blog. You really know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. Lots of only citizen need to be informed on this and know this side of the story. I cant imagine you’re not more famous because you actually have the talent.

By: Chris Charlton

Chris Charlton — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:26:51 +0000

I acquired a Canon 50mm F1.4 and the results are amazing ..used on a smaller size APSC sensor it becomes a lovely 85mm portrait lens with fine contrast and bokeh and on my full frame it offers all the advantages discussed above … and let’s be honest not all of us can afford to keep paying £ ooo’s for L series glassware … the habit of moving my feet and body is also a good one to adopt – Chris

By: Timo

Timo — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:41:33 +0000

Great article!
I’ve been using prime lenses for quite some time now. The feeling that it “forces” you to do things in a certain way is only at the beginning, when you are used to zoom lenses.
But pretty soon you realize all the advantages you get – good compositions and in most cases a better quality due to better optical characteristics compared with zoom lenses in the same price range.
I’d say that I take about 60 – 70% of my pictures with a 50mm prime lens.

By: Liam

Liam — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:49:39 +0000

About two years ago i set myself a project with a 50mm lens, i’d shoot anything and everything around me with my 50mm lens but at f1.8. There were many reasons i set this project up, one was to keep taking photos of all the little things around me and give them a purpose. I chose to use a 50mm lens because i believe it’s the most creative lens i own, i wanted to only shoot at f1.8 because it’s fantastic to experiement with DOF.

You can check it out here

http://www.50mm-photography.com

By: project10-50

project10-50 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:54:28 +0000

Hi there Matthew,
Couldn’t agree more! And that’s part of why we started project10-50: photographing one year (2010) with 50mm prime lenses only. No matter what brand: anyone can join, as long as they use a 50mm prime.
Check us out and maybe you too would like to join?

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:30:19 +0000

Is the author talking about the focal length of 50mm or a 50mm lens? I was confused reading this and everyone’s comments about the quality of this lens (or focal length).

I am currently using a Nikon D40 with 35mm prime (equivalent of 52mm) and love it. The low light capability is incredible and I used the lens almost exclusively on a trip overseas. Now using a 50mm prime on the cropped D40 would put me somewhere in the 70(ish)mm range which to me would be a short telephoto.

Is the author referring more to the lens or focal length (assuming both options would be a prime lens)

Thanks!

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:21:08 +0000

What a great post!

I haven’t used my 50mm for a long time but I though this was a good oppertunity to put it on the camera. I will definitly use it for a period now!

By: Pam

Pam — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:53:27 +0000

I let my daughter, who is an aspiring photog, use my 50mm 1.8. She absolutely fell in love with it. So, knowing she doesn’t have the money right now. I went out and bought myself the 50mm 1.4. Now we both enjoy photography more.

By: Max

Max — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:13:48 +0000

I recently did a photo essay using just my new Nikon 50mm lens, although I had zoom lenses in my backpack too and had not used a prime before. It was hard because I had to take a photojournalistic approach in this project, meaning capturing at fast pace, before the emotion or action slips by; and plus taking a ‘good’ picture with good composition or aesthetics at the same time – not easy.

It pulled the ground beneath my feet! I found myself moving back and forth, left and right, to take the pictures! And best and worst of all, getting closer to a unpredictable subjects! And the greatest experience was taking their portraits.. i had to keep talking and make my subject trust me.. plus capture their genuine emotions and expressions in split seconds!

I received an applause for this project when it was screened – even though i am just a beginner. This lens has instilled courage and confidence in me as a photographer. Great article.. Get Nikon 50mm or ‘nifty 50′ as the call it – asap!

By: ms

ms — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:45:48 +0000

I bought the Canon 50mm F1.8 lens earlier in 2009 and saw a major difference in photographic quality. Very sharp and it really did make the images pop and you are right about forcing a compose, very nice lens.