Jean Chang Loc: Massachusetts

I have a nice lens collection, but they are all rather heavy, so I never bring my camera along to dinners out, etc., and just use my point and shoot. Then I'm always sorry afterwards because the quality of the images is not as good as what I would have gotten with the DSLR.

Well, I've been doing a lot of research online, and the consensus seems to be that everyone SHOULD have a 50mm prime. I saw some samples, and thought it would be a good light-weight lens to carry when I'm out for the evening. (I'll have to get a sequinned camera bag, I guess.)

Anyway, I used it for the first time last night at a mini-reunion of 12 people at a restaurant. The shots were okay, but it got me thinking. Is there any advantage to having this lens other than its light weight?

In order to get a group shot, I had to really stop down, or else only one person would be in focus. So the 1.8 did me no good at all. Definitely still needed a flash.

Then I heard it's a great portrait lens. Well, that may be true as far as the quality of the image, but what I really don't like is that you have to be right in the person's face--about a foot away! That creeps the subject out, and the pose doesn't look natural.

So am I just not understanding how to use this lens, or maybe WHEN to use it? I'm thinking that I would have been a lot better off last night if I had brought my 24-120 VR, except that it's heavier.

It does take great images, but you have to get so close!

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm so used to just taking birds and wildlife, that when it comes to shooting people I'm lost.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Sounds as though you've just described a nifty fifty, too long for groups, too short for portraits.
But miillions and millions of people happily suffered its shortcomings.
Give it a chance, it just sees the world from a different angle.. and the keyword is 'position'.

Jean Chang Loc: Massachusetts

Yes! That's it exactly! Too short and too long all in one lens. I'll keep trying it out. I do love having such a nice small lens. Now if they could only make a zoom that lightweight and small!

BebuLamar

You must have a full frame camera and that's good. Keep in mind that back in the old days many people bought a camera and the 50mm lens and that's all. They never have any other lenses. They managed to take all kind of pictures with it.
But any way I agree with you the fast f/1.8 is not useful to me (although a lot of people would use f/1.8 or f/1.4 most of the time). It may be sharper when using f/5.6- f/8 as compared to the zoom but it's hard for me to notice.

NormanHarley Loc: Colorado

My first 35mm camera came with a 50mm f/2 lens. I spent quite a bit of time with it as it was my only lens. Then I added a 24mm and a 105mm and used my 50 less and less. I own a 50mm f1.4 lens now and wouldn't be without it, even though it rarely goes on my camera. Spend some time with your nifty fifty and get to know it. Even though it is an awkward focal length, often too short or too long, I hope you find it's niche like I did with mine. You may grow to love it when it is needed.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

I find the 50mm to be a very creative lens. I've gotten some really interesting perspective shots with mine.

Jean Chang Loc: Massachusetts

Well, I'm not going to throw in the towel yet, but so far the only advantage I have found is the lack of weight. Here is a shot with the 24-120 at 55mm. I think it looks about as good as the 50mm except there is probably shallower depth of field with the 50. Also, this one is at f4/5, and the other one above is with f/4.

I'll bet the 50mm may be great with my D300 with the crop factor. I'll have to try it.

f4/5 with 24-120 lens

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50mm at f/4

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Jean Chang Loc: Massachusetts

What kind of subject material? I'm hoping to expand my areas of interest and include other things besides birds, bugs, flowers, etc. I hear the 50mm is wonderful for street photography.

frankie c Loc: Lake Havasu CIty, AZ

I am not sure if you are shooting a full frame or crop frame on you DSLR. Because you choice was a 24 to 120 I am thinking it is full frame. I have because of some to the same issues you have with lugging a lot of heavy equipment and lenses especially for those people events. I switched to primes. One reason was smaller weight and size the other faster lenses. Did have to get use to moving me instead of the zoom. Overall better sharper pictures less bulk, and a really big advantage with the faster lenses. Also like you when I popped on my 50mm prime and was faced with a group shot. It was a little longer than I would have liked. Backing away was a little more than I wanted for flash range and even composition. I did this on one of my crop frame cameras but another adventure with my full frame camera I was still not happy with the scenario with a group. My solution came with my 35mm f1.8. I know use mostly 3 primes... 85mm, 50mm and 35mm. I choose each for what I am going to shoot. Now the choice for a 50mm as a portrait lens is only true with a crop frame sensor camera (75mm angle of view) then its a good portrait lens. Full frame you have to shoot to close to the subject and usually that will produce a very distorted face shot (not a nice flat image). Also, I don't know what camera you are shooting but with the 35mm I can switch back and forth from full frame to crop frame. In that situating the 35mm also is useful for portraits. Hope this helps. Good luck and Happy shooting.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

You have already had some excellent responses.

Perhaps you should take a step back and think about your objectives.

You may not be able to satisfy all of your requirements with a lens. What are you really trying to achieve, and how many factors affect the decision?

Small, light, versatile, low light, large DOF and high IQ do not always fit in a single package.

Perhaps if you look at your possible alternatives and note down why they do not meet your requirements it might help you clarify what you need.

It would also help to know what camera you are using. A lens will do different things for different camera types.

I'll base my comments on using an APS-C camera (Canon T3i). For example, amongst other lenses I have a 50mm f/1.8 Canon EF lens, it is very light weight, functions as a decent portrait lens. I hardly every use it. I also have a 55mm f/1.2 Canon FL lens - adapted for use with EOS cameras, manual focus, and a heavy piece of old glass, circa 1970. That I use a lot, it does amazing things with light and depth of field. However, it is a specialty lens, not an every day lens, and never considered if I want to move fast and light.

If you want to do portraits, you may need to spend time building a comfortable relationship and environment for the subjects. That is not an equipment issue. I'm a little confused about your comments about being just a foot away from your subject, although that could be the case for a very small dog!

I was out in Le Marais in Paris last November taking pictures at night when a young couple saw me and asked me to take a picture with their mobile phone. I happily obliged, and they were happy. I asked if I could take a picture with my camera, and they said sure. I was using an 8mm fisheye lens, I was really (REALLY) in their faces although I did explain to make sure they were comfortable and showed them the result.

Hope this helps you think about what you are trying to achieve, and what may meet your needs.

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jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

I know that each of us determines what is a heavy lens and what is a lighter weight lens. My lens is a Nikon 85mm f1.8 G. This lens is 12 oz. Whenever a friend who shoots weddings asks me to back her up at weddings, this is the only lens I use. She is a pro, I am an avid amateur. She's been happy with some of my photos and has given them to the wedding family. Here is a very short review of the lens http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/85mm-f18-g.htm Whatever you decide, have fun.

jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

I love this night shot! I like the couple, the location, all of it!

brian99 Loc: Montreal, Canada

I bought a prime lens (35 mm) for my Nikon because it was supposedly lighter and made crisper pictures. After a short while I went back to the 18-55 mm that came with the camera. I found having to get so close to the subject was awkward and hard to accept. My solution was to sell the camera and lenses and buy a mirror less model. (Sony a-6000) It's small, light weight, has many features and takes great photos. Did you consider mirror less?

Jean Chang Loc: Massachusetts

Thanks for all that good info, Frankie and Peter. My equipment includes (all Nikon):
Cameras: D810 FX, D300 DX, (Also a D800 that I would like to sell.)
Lenses (Nikon):
300mm f/4
300mm f/4 PF
70-300VR
18-200VR (DX)
24-120VR
Sigma 10-20mm (DX)

I have enough lenses for all of my wildlife shooting, except for the ones that I can't afford and probably wouldn't like to carry (so heavy), like the 500mm.
I am looking for a lens that I can bring with me to casual events, and get nice group shots, as well as close-ups of people that are there. The 24-120 would be perfect, except it's too heavy to take along comfortably.

I think the 50mm will probably do very well once I get used to which settings I need to use. I doubt that I would use it for a portrait unless it was the only lens I had with me. Actually, the 300mm does quite well for portraits, but I might look a little strange pulling that out at a dinner party. LOL

I guess I need to get more familiar with the 50mm. It will be fun getting to know it better, I think.

Thanks so much for the replies. Very much appreciated.

Jean Chang Loc: Massachusetts

Well, I'm always looking at new stuff, but I just spent so much recently getting the D810, the 24-120, and now the 50mm, I probably won't be buying much for a while. Interesting to think about, though. Hmmm...Christmas is coming.