What do you use your Nifty Fifty for? When I took the DSLR plunge in December, one of the three lenses I bought was a 50 mm prime lens. I was intrigued by the idea of a less optically...

globetrekker Loc: Bend, OR

When I took the DSLR plunge in December, one of the three lenses I bought was a 50 mm prime lens. I was intrigued by the idea of a less optically compromised lens. I also thought a fast lens would be great for the food pics (what?! ;-] ) I like to take when I travel, e.g. in low light in restaurants. Anyway, I have barely used my Nifty Fifty so far. I guess I've been too busy zooming in on birds with my 55-250 (and already lusting after more focal length!). LOL! But Im curious what do you like to shoot with your Nifty Fifty? I think I read theyre good for portrait photography, which doesnt interest me much. Feel free to post any pics you like that you took with your 50 mm prime lens.

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

Actually, I don't like it for portraits. Like a much longer lens because I think people look better with them. I do use my fifty for group shots and for night photography although I don't use it at its maximum arpeture. I use it because I think that it has less issues with flare as it has less elements inside it than a zoom would have.

randymoe

I shot only 50mm from 1965 until 1996. Then I got a new outfit and longer slower lenses. I now have gone back to a 50 and a 28. I prefer the aspect ratio I have become used to and a fast f1.4 lens is even better with the new high speed, high ISO digital cameras. I can now shoot without flash, not that I ever had one in the 60's! I also now use a 135mm for portraits. I sold most of my zooms.

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

I bought a 35mm for my Nikon D60 which is a nifty fifty equivalent on an APSC sensor. In the year I have had it I hardly ever use anything else. I usually shoot fairly close up so the lack of telephoto is of little importance to me. I don't like using flash and the lens gives me a much better light gathering ability and the opportunity to use lower ISO settings. I know you can get telephoto lenses that have wide open apertures but I can't justify the expense and they are very expensive. If I was shooting pics of wildlife on a regular basis I would probably go for telephoto more often. I started out using a twin lens reflex camera so I was used to shooting with just one lens that was a fixed focal length.

steveo52 Loc: Rhode Island and Ocala Florida

I like the 50 for close ups of objects be it model cars, flowers, or small objects. I like the bokeh effect I'm able to create with it. Photography is still a new hobby and I'm trying to find my way around i.e. which lens to use what settings etc, etc. I find the 50 gives me ways to be creative without having a lot of experience.

fcrawley Loc: Melbourne, FL

Some of the sharpest shots I've ever taken were with my 50 1.4 in the sweet middle aperture range. I've found they have much much much less flare than a zoom at the same focal length.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

randymoe wrote:

I shot only 50mm from 1965 until 1996. Then I got a new outfit and longer slower lenses. I now have gone back to a 50 and a 28. I prefer the aspect ratio I have become used to and a fast f1.4 lens is even better with the new high speed, high ISO digital cameras. I can now shoot without flash, not that I ever had one in the 60's! I also now use a 135mm for portraits. I sold most of my zooms.

I sold all of my zoom lenses and use the nifty fifty and other primes.

It's a bit more work composing shots but it makes you think and compose in a less "lazy" fashion....at least for me anyway..

I love the Nifty Fifty! Street photos....candids...just about anything in that "mid focal range"...it's just so handy as a 'walk around" lens.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

I forgot who said it but the satement goes something like this:

If you need a telephoto you aren't close enough.

Now that may not hold true for shooting eagles in flight or nesting up high or lions and tigers and bears but for most other stuff it kinda holds true.

like Randymoe I shot with only a 50 for years. Buying one next week because I miss it and find the zoom just a pain to haul and bring up to my eye....

PNagy Loc: Missouri City, Texas

My Nifty 50 is a Canon 50mm F1.2. I like it for portraits and as one of the cameras for an indoor shoot, such as a recent autograph session of the musical group Mindless Behavior.

I have not used it for a wedding, because I have not done a wedding since I have had this camera. However, I will take it to the next one I do.

In a serious shoot, whether I am paid or not, I like to take one camera body with a prime lens and another with the appropriate zoom.

randym77

I like my 50mm because it's my fastest lens (f/1.2). I use it whenever I expect to be shooting in low-light situations without a tripod. In particular, on the street at night, and indoors.

Most of my candid family photos over the holidays were taken with my 50mm. I don't like using a flash if I can avoid it, so the extra speed was worth having to "zoom with my feet." Shorter than 50mm can be unflattering, and longer than that often means you can't back up far enough in the average house. 50mm is perfect. (At least with a full-frame camera. The equivalent for a cropped frame camera is about 35mm.)

globetrekker Loc: Bend, OR

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I need to just get out there and use my 50 mm more.

les_stockton Loc: Eastern Oklahoma

globetrekker wrote:

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I need to just get out there and use my 50 mm more.

I have a 50mm f/1.8. I too, need to get out there and use it more.

Tina

Beautiful capture of a beautiful child. Thanks for showing me what my 50mm lens is capable of. I must admit I really haven't used it, kept it as a backup lens.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

I'm about to purchase the 35mm 1.8 for my D3000. Money has been very tight, but the boss(wife) approved the purchase.

I plan on putting away my kit zoom lens for a couple weeks to see if I can deal with a prime lens full time. Will also put away my flash unit for a bit as well.

randymoe

That is a very good plan. I hope you like your results. Fast glass is what I love. As I have confessed before, I shoot mostly 50mm and I also shot mostly wide open for decades. Didn't know any better and I liked the high shutter speeds. I never had a light meter either. I just shot with film box instructions.

When I discovered I could shot candid event photography with a D700 at 6400 ISO in low lit rooms, I learned to love 50mm at f1.4. And I surprised many "film makers" with the results. They often are indie film makers at an annual Chicago event. Chicago International Music and Movies festival. We are now in our 4th year. CIMMfest.org, Non profit and I don't get paid. Sorry for the brag...

hlmichel wrote:

I'm about to purchase the 35mm 1.8 for my D3000. Money has been very tight, but the boss(wife) approved the purchase.

I plan on putting away my kit zoom lens for a couple weeks to see if I can deal with a prime lens full time. Will also put away my flash unit for a bit as well.