5 reasons you NEED a 50mm for portrait photography

Hey everyone! I have recently been loving the 50mm focal length again after many years of not reaching for it.. so it inspired me to make this video of 5 reasons you need a 50mm for your portrait photography. I may have also bought the 50mm f1.2 for my kit 🤭 Here are the videos I mentioned:

PHOTO + VIDEO SETUP

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Thank you for watching!

[Babyboo]

Every time I start to heavily research a lens, Julia always posts a video that reconfirms my decision 😂

[maxanderssonphotography]

I mostly shot street photography and 50 is my favourite focal length. Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 was my first lens and probably my favourite still even if I own some GM lenses now.

[hoatd]

All you need is a decent 50mm f1.8 lense and you're good to take stunning photos!

[classic.cameras]

I truly love the Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8. Buying it used its pretty good deal and it is indeed twice if not 5x better then their cheapo FE 50mm f1.8 that clearly is just a DSLR lens with a built in adapter.

[mclenowski]

I’ve just brought back a 50mm to my usual kit of 35mm and 85mm. There’s just something so satisfying about the 50mm - it feels good to look at the photos 😊

[harryvuemedia]

I use all Prime lenses for portraits like the 14mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm. They all have their usages and take great portraits

[Avstinali]

Same as you, Julia I started on a nifty 50 my first year and then moved to 35mm + 85mm after that. But 50mm had such a special place in my heart, I ended up switching back and getting the 1.2. It’s a perfect focal length for me 🙌🏾

[soumyonath]

50mm has to be my favorite focal length

[paulyeung]

I used to like 35mm more than 50mm but for street photos, but social anxiety won’t let me get close enough for 35mm. Fast 50mm is where it’s at!

Chuckles in 85mm + 35mm kit for literally everything

[bigwavedave]

I have the 35 1.4 gm the 85 1.8 and the 50 1.2, my favorite is the 50 1.2gm. It has produced some of my favorite photos, I shoot for fun, (my family) and I absolutely love it, it’s such an easy lens to take beautiful shots with, I was always confused that you liked portraits with the 35 1.4 more so. But I get it, it’s your style. I think my style is the 50 1.2 it’s an incredible lens, thanks for letting us know you’re using it again and loving it because I feel the same way

[jonathanwang]

Love these shots, Julia! I used to be a 35mm and 85mm person like you when I was doing event photography. However, I recently found my love for my Sony 50mm f1.8 when I started doing portraits. Gosh, even I feel the 50mm is such a versatile focal length. I can get flattering shots, yet it’s wide enough in case I can’t step back. I’m glad you also enjoy using the 50mm and started using it again.

[karlmuud]

Nifty Fifty is King!
However, Julia is THE QUEEN! 👌😉

[jessewright]

Great video. The versatility of the 50mm focal length has been the biggest reason why it’s my most used lens on photoshoots. I really love 35mm and 85mm as well but I find that switching lenses mid-shoot is sometimes a momentum killer. Yes, you can also carry two bodies or use a 24-70mm to avoid switching lenses but the added weight of two bodies isn’t always ideal and I prefer the shallower depth of field from prime lenses. So 50mm seems to be the perfect focal length for versatility.

[chrisgresham]

The main reason why I purchased the 50GM 1.4 because I like the close up (Jon Snip style portraits). I mainly use my 35GM in the city to show more of the location..

[ScratThunder]

Whenever I travel, I almost always take the 55 1.8 with me. Pared with the a7c ii you get amazing quality despite the smallness of the combo.

[WingMan]

I was having some out of focus images when using the Sony 24-105 f4 with my A7RV. I bought the Sony 50 1.4 and now I have the sharpest images I have ever taken.

[sarmedozil]

I love 50mm lenses! When i want to pack light for a portrait shoot i usually go with the 50mm because it can do the work of both of my 35 & 85 perfectly!💯

[gavinfulton]

I rented the 50mm 1.2 GM earlier this summer, and it was wonderful, creating some really great results. I would never buy it, as I don't think it's worth the cost, but it's fun to play around with. I own the classic Zeiss 55mm 1.8, and it has a bit more character with providing some very similar results wide open. I will never, ever, sell that lens. I also primarily shoot a 50mm lens on my 35mm film camera, so I guess I'm just in that long honeymoon phase (4+ years hah). ~50mm doesn't really get the love it deserves, and I'm glad I rotate it in on shoots. Glad you were able to find that love again, Julia!

[Cthames]

I agree with you 100% in that there is something about a good 50mm that feels just so right! I am a Sony shooter and have (2) 50mms, the Sony f2.5, G that I use with my take everywhere camera, A7C, and my newest lens the f1.4, GM that I use with my A7IV. Both spectacular, and both return beautiful distortion free results. I also shoot with 24mm and 90mm, as they are still great focal lengths. It’s pretty hard taking a selfie with 50mm at arms length and sometimes I want to capture the grander of a scene. These occasions are what 24mm are made for. Also, 90mm gets you nice and intimate while keeping a comfortable distance from your subject. Still, if I just could bring one lens 50mm is my go to, (usually)!😊