The 50mm Prime

Long have I been a subscriber to the theory that those new to the digital single lens reflex arena should start their lens collection with one, relatively inexpensive piece of glass, the f/1.8 variation of the 50mm prime, in either a Canon or Nikon mount, depending on the users choice of camera brand.

As a Canon user there are two different relatively affordable variations of the standard 50mm prime lens. An f/1.8 and f/1.4 version. The f/1.8 variation is the lightest and the cheapest ($79 USD) of all three, it’s the perfect piece of glass to introduce an individual to primes lenses. I’ve owned this lens in the past and thoroughly enjoyed my first experience of inability to zoom. Owning the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 forced me to use my eye to its full creative ability.

Second in the line is the slightly heavier, and relatively more expensive ($329 USD) f/1.4 version of the 50mm lens. Advantages of this lens include a far more superior build quality, faster focusing, full time manual focus ability, and a larger aperture opening. I now own this Canon 50mm lens due to its advantages over its cheaper counterpart.

Also available is the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM. This is the only 50mm prime lens in Canon’s line which features the “L” tag, as a luxury series lens. It features the most superior build quality of all Canon 50mm primes, and is one of two lenses in the Canon EF mount lineup which will open to f/1.2 (the other being the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 USM) - allowing in a significant amount of light.

Why Should I Invest In A 50mm Prime

I initially purchased the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 after hearing praise of the lens optical quality for its small price on photography forum Fred Miranda. Once in my hands, I discovered why.

The focal length of a 50mm prime is somewhat special, as it’s very accurate in terms of field of view to a human eye. Essentially, on a full frame body, what you see through your eye is what you get through the cameras viewfinder.

When limited to a single focal length, there’s only one possible field of view. This view rapidly sticks in your mind, until you know exactly what you’ll see through the viewfinder of your camera without having to life it to your eye. It’ll make you think about framing of images much more closely, and help you improve your eye for creating exceptional shots.

You’re made to think much more about the finder technical aspects of the image, such as aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and exposure. Changing the framing of your image will need to be done via your feet (foot zooming), giving you much more creative control over your image, rather than standing in one spot and either zooming in, or out.

While I believe that all photographers should have a general walk around zoom in their bag for general use, prime lenses will help you create better images, and help you develop your personal photographic style.

Comments

  1. #1

    bbum → www.friday.com/bbum

    Awesome lens. I wrote about it here:

    http://www.friday.com/bbum/2007/10/11/new-toy-canon-ef-50mm-f18-ii-camera-lens/

    And did a bit of an unscientific comparison between the f/1.4 and the f/1.8 here:

    http://www.friday.com/bbum/2007/10/18/canon-50mm-f14-vs-f18/

    For me, the biggest advantage of the f/1.4 is the far superior BOKEH — the stupid word for the general pleasantness of the unfocused background stuff when shooting at a shallow depth of field.

    Note that Canon will soon have 1 more lens that opens up to f/1.2. Droolworthy, at that; a 200mm f/1.2 L series lens with IS. Gahhh… now, if I just had some excuse to drop $6,900 on a lens! I put it on my amazon wish list… it is a “wish” list, after all!

  2. #2

    Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com

    The lens you speak of will not actually be f/1.2, it’s the Canon EF 200mm f/2 IS. Little difference ;)

  3. #3

    Michael Mistretta → michaelmistretta.com

    One of your previous posts influenced me to buy a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens, and I love it. Every new photographer needs one of these, because it makes them think outside the world of “zooming”. Play with the aperture and shutter speed. Learn the camera first.

    The DOF at f/1.8 or f/1.4 is quite incredible, and makes for some awesome pictures. The hardest thing for a new phitoigrapher to learn though, is that when they want a shallow DOF, they shouldn’t open up the aperture all the way. Usually f/2.8 or f/2.2 is decent, and gives a better effect than the f/1.8.

  4. #4

    Josh → www.joshholat.com

  5. #5

    Erik J. Barzeski → nslog.com

    Agreed with the above. I too quickly replaced the 50/1.8 with the 50/1.4. I also have the 85/1.8 since sometimes you can’t get quite as close as you need to with the 50 without disturbing the scene.

  6. #6

    nobirth

    I find it interesting that everyone recommends a 50mm at this point. As you mentioned, part of the appeal was “closeness” to our vision when used on a full frame sensor. However, even though most people use reduced sensors, people still recommend a 50mm rather than using a 28mm or 35mm to get closer to that original perspective.

    That being said, I have a 1.8 on my 300D and I love it. Plus, when I was buying lenses I couldn’t afford anything else ;)

  7. #7

    Colin → colinbrady.com

    EDIT: Actually, I’m wrong. You *can* get 85mm as big as f/2.8 in either the 80-200 f/2.8 or 70-200 f/2.8, but those cost $1000 and $1799 respectively!

  8. #8

    Colin → colinbrady.com

    Oh boy. I just completely butchered my comments. Sorry Glenn!

    What I meant to say, in totality, was that I love my Nikkor 85mm f/1.4. For $1000, its build quality outshines the $9499 600mm f/4 VR, and that’s saying a lot. It’s the lens that’s permanently attached to my D300 (not 300D, I do shoot Nikon!) for any kind of portrait work… the bokeh is outstanding.

  9. #9

    Aidan → www.jon4lakers.com

    Great review Glenn. I agree with your thoughts and I like the idea of capturing what the human eye can see.

  10. #10

    Jordan Green → www.jordangreendesign.com

    Yea i got the 50mm 1.8 and for what you pay its worth all of it. Great purchase for me, and you get more creative shots out of it because you are forced to more around for zooming and because of that you then look at things in different views until you find the best. Nice little comparison here though. I plan on buying a 70-200mm this year sometime :]

  11. #11

    Richard Earney → images.method.co.uk

    In effect you are recommending an 80mm f1.8 1.6x crop factor), which isn’t very human eye like!

    Canon have a 35mm f1.4 L which works out as 56mm might be a bit more like it!

  12. #12

    Josh → www.joshholat.com

    Oops, it looks like something happened to my first comment, sorry. Enjoy your new lens! I look forward to see some more good shots from you!

  13. #13

    Dean Gray → dgblackout.com

    I’ve got the canon f/1.8, but i find it’s not wide enough, especially with the smaller sensor on my 400d. I’m currently looking at the sigma 30mm f/1.4, wider and faster than the lens I’ve currently got and a lot better build quality. USM motor and FTM (full time manual) on the focusing makes it pretty nice, especially for the price, the only downside is that it only works on an APS-C sensor.

  14. #14

    Calvin Chu → www.calvinchu.net

    My positive experience mirrors other 50mm f/1.8 owners as well. It’s always in my camera bag no matter where I go and has undoubtedly improved my framing skills, and just compose my creative shots overall.

  15. #15

    Cam

    I just purchased the XTi, and was lucky to get the 50mm f/1.8 as a kit. It has been very nice to me as an introductory lens. It definitely helps to have a lens that is very easy to use, as well as very inexpensive with such great quality.

  16. #16

    Canon 50mm primes → bacooma.com/blog/2008/02/25/canon-50mm-primes

    [...] who enjoy using the old, affordable and quality 50mm primes. Glenn Wolsey has just published a interesting retrospective on his webpage in which he goes through the options available to Canon user, starting from the inexpensive Canon [...]

  17. #17

    Mostly Lisa → www.mostlylisa.com

    The 50mm f1.4 is my main lens. It was the first lens I bought for my Xti as I knew I wanted to do portraits. Everyday I am amazed at the sharp images this lens produces, even in low light. In my last trip to England, I wanted to travel light, so I only took my 50mm. Using the 50 forced me to take a different perspective on what I was shooting and I really loved the results.

  18. #18

    John

    Is it worth putting the extra buck for the 1.4?

  19. #19

    Dean Gray → dgblackout.com

    @ John
    yes it is, the build quality alone on that lens is worthy of the extra money.

  20. #20

    Lasha → onefusedlife.com

    I recently got a Canon 40D a few months ago, and I haven’t yet put the amount of time and energy into photography as I hoped - although, that will be changing very quickly. I plan on purchasing at least 2 great pieces of lens, probably a standard zoom one, and an ultra wide angle. Just to play around and experiment, the 50mm 1.8 model may be something I pick up to learn and all. Good stuff. :)

  21. #21

    Andrew → www.flickr.com/photos/theprepstaa15

    I have only heard great reviews, have always wanted one, and this was the last straw. I ordered it a couple of days ago and it came yesterday.

  22. #22

    sonkun

    My 50mm 1.4 just arrived yesterday for my recently purchased 30D. As yesterday was my first evening with the lens, I was a little surprised at how “close” my subjects were. As Richard E. stated above, the 1.6x crop turns this lens into an 80mm. Now, I’m wondering if I should have gone with a 35mm lens.

  23. #23

    Simone

    I hear that you an Sarah broke up? You should to write something about that.

  24. #24

    Mike

    Ahhh so thats where glenns been this whole time! pimpen! :P

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