50mm lens
Nov 24, 2012 07:30:56 #
me,the novice, here again.
silly question suppose, but dont know the answer,.
if i have a 18-55 lens, then why should i want a 50mm
i hear people say oh ,get yourself a 50mm,then i hear "oh 50mm portraigt great.
is a 50 not contained in my 18-55 then ??
would love an explanation, thanks
silly question suppose, but dont know the answer,.
if i have a 18-55 lens, then why should i want a 50mm
i hear people say oh ,get yourself a 50mm,then i hear "oh 50mm portraigt great.
is a 50 not contained in my 18-55 then ??
would love an explanation, thanks
Nov 24, 2012 08:21:14 #
Because the 50mm is a prime lens and is much better than the 18-55mm zoom. Most of the time a prime lens will be sharper and have a faster aperture than a zoom.
Nov 24, 2012 08:30:12 #
It's not really a silly question. Some people will tell you a 50mm prime lens (fixed focal length) is sharper, can give you more control in dim lighting without using a flash, and will produce better portrait shots with an out-of-focus background. True, but until you have the need for one, your current lens is fine.
You probably did, however, buy a DSLR for its ability to change lenses. So, eventually, you will find a need for a different lens. But, until then, there is a lot to explore with your current one.
You probably did, however, buy a DSLR for its ability to change lenses. So, eventually, you will find a need for a different lens. But, until then, there is a lot to explore with your current one.
Nov 24, 2012 08:47:14 #
lol whittingham wrote:
me,the novice, here again.
silly question suppose, but dont know the answer,.
if i have a 18-55 lens, then why should i want a 50mm
i hear people say oh ,get yourself a 50mm,then i hear "oh 50mm portraigt great.
is a 50 not contained in my 18-55 then ??
would love an explanation, thanks
silly question suppose, but dont know the answer,.
if i have a 18-55 lens, then why should i want a 50mm
i hear people say oh ,get yourself a 50mm,then i hear "oh 50mm portraigt great.
is a 50 not contained in my 18-55 then ??
would love an explanation, thanks
This is exactly where my other thread about the Pro-shop comes in. So, when I went in to "try" the 50mm, they "my guys" had me go to differently lit areas of the store and use that lens on my camera. The funniest and most revealing shot was into the dark room with a white toilet! It was a sparkling shot with little available light! I plunked down my money and left intent on learning to maximize this lens. Of course, at home, I had to take the darkened room, white throne shot. It was dazzling, too. :-D
I am finding that this lens is my most thought provoking. Macro: clear set up. Zoom: no problem. 50mm; requires more thoughtful framing and sneaker zooming. Results when I hit it right are brilliant, great bokeh, crisp shots. The 1.4 is just a delight and the added low light potential has added a wonderful new zing to my low light shots.
Nov 24, 2012 10:03:08 #
Nov 24, 2012 10:06:51 #
Nov 25, 2012 00:47:16 #
lol whittingham wrote:
me,the novice, here again.
silly question suppose, but dont know the answer,.
if i have a 18-55 lens, then why should i want a 50mm
i hear people say oh ,get yourself a 50mm,then i hear "oh 50mm portraigt great.
is a 50 not contained in my 18-55 then ??
would love an explanation, thanks
silly question suppose, but dont know the answer,.
if i have a 18-55 lens, then why should i want a 50mm
i hear people say oh ,get yourself a 50mm,then i hear "oh 50mm portraigt great.
is a 50 not contained in my 18-55 then ??
would love an explanation, thanks
Given you have an 18-55 I expect you have a cropped sensor (DX format) camera. In that case you probably want the f1.8 35mm lens, not a 50mm.
The 50mm is a holdover from film cameras and appropriate for FX format cameras. It gives a field of view similar to the unaided human eye. The 35mm does that on a DX format camera. On a DX camera the 50mm acts as an 80mm telephoto. That can be OK for portraits but will have you backing through walls on indoor shots.
Play with the two settings for a day each using your 18-55. I think you'll find in particular for indoor shots the 35mm is more to your liking.
The f1.8 is a much faster lens than your 18-55 allowing lower ISO for indoor shots. Because it is a prime lens it is also much sharper. You'll be impressed by the difference.
Nov 25, 2012 05:49:42 #
MtnMan wrote:
quote=lol whittingham me,the novice, here again. ... (show quote)
I was going to add the same...I bought the 50 mm when I first started having owned the 18-55. The 50 really took better photos. I think the 35 is the way to go as well.
Somebody offered great advice on here a few days ago...that is walk around with a zoom. In this case the 18-55 and zoom to 50 (or 35) and take photos there. That will offer a good idea of which would be best for you in terms of a prime
Nov 25, 2012 07:00:49 #
mtn man and adk hiker,thanks for your important advice about using 35 instead, much appreciated
Nov 25, 2012 08:47:48 #
I have the Nikon 1.4 50mm and although its a fantastic lens ,,at 1.4 your focus has to be spot on as the DOF is very very short, and it is a wee bit soft. I find at 2.8 its just a dream,, But I do have a sigma 70mm 2.8 macro which at 2.8 is fantastic, Infact my partner hates it as it shows too much up in portraits (wrinkles).. But I love them both... (her and the lens)
Jimmy
Jimmy
Nov 25, 2012 08:56:43 #
jimmix7 wrote:
I have the Nikon 1.4 50mm and although its a fantastic lens ,,at 1.4 your focus has to be spot on as the DOF is very very short, and it is a wee bit soft. I find at 2.8 its just a dream,, But I do have a sigma 70mm 2.8 macro which at 2.8 is fantastic, Infact my partner hates it as it shows too much up in portraits (wrinkles).. But I love them both... (her and the lens)
Jimmy
Jimmy
Thanks for the info about using the lens at 2.8. My Mom also noticed the precision wrinkle display. This is why I stay on the other end of the camera! There is a lot to do with this lens.
Nov 25, 2012 09:20:52 #
Nov 25, 2012 09:29:32 #
sirlensalot
Loc: Arizona
It's always nice to have a prime lens in the bag with low light capabilities that does not require a second mortgage to purchase.
Both CA no and Nikon, offer a 50mm f/1.8 version for around $200 or less, and i know Canon has a 1.4 version for around $360.
Older versions of 1.8 can often be found for under $100.
I like a 50 for head and/or head and shoulders shots especially using natural light. Background blur can also be controlled sometimes by placing subjects farther away from background when/if possible.
I prefer the 50 over the 35 for portraits, but it is a personal preference as I think it compresses facial features a bit more effectively for my taste. Hope this helps a little.
Both CA no and Nikon, offer a 50mm f/1.8 version for around $200 or less, and i know Canon has a 1.4 version for around $360.
Older versions of 1.8 can often be found for under $100.
I like a 50 for head and/or head and shoulders shots especially using natural light. Background blur can also be controlled sometimes by placing subjects farther away from background when/if possible.
I prefer the 50 over the 35 for portraits, but it is a personal preference as I think it compresses facial features a bit more effectively for my taste. Hope this helps a little.
Nov 25, 2012 09:30:30 #
I got the 50mm 1.4 Nikon last year for Christmas, haven't really used it yet, but I guess I better!
Nov 25, 2012 09:56:53 #
If you ever see available light shots of p
eople or pets with a really creamy out of focus background & foreground, it was probably taken with a fast prime. Some zooms get f/2.8, but they are bothe heavy & expensive. A good prime goes wider, is lighter & mant can be bought at a lot less money. The 85f/1.8 is an excellent example. It is sharp, light, has fast af for sports & has decent bokeah at a reasonable price. The 50 f/.8 is pretty good & the least expensive lens available. Bab
eople or pets with a really creamy out of focus background & foreground, it was probably taken with a fast prime. Some zooms get f/2.8, but they are bothe heavy & expensive. A good prime goes wider, is lighter & mant can be bought at a lot less money. The 85f/1.8 is an excellent example. It is sharp, light, has fast af for sports & has decent bokeah at a reasonable price. The 50 f/.8 is pretty good & the least expensive lens available. Bab
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