The ONE LENS Every Photographer NEEDS!

A look at the 50mm focal length and why I would choose this lens if I could only have one lens in my bag.
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[NathanElson]

Yes, I know that I accidently used Canon's crop factor of 1.6x when Fuji's is actually 1.5x, but the message was that some people may need to consider crop factors. My bad on the math.

[brizzle]

My go to lens for portraits is the 100mm F/2.8 macro lens! It’s highly underrated as a portrait lens I shoot more closeup portraits than full body so for me it’s pure perfection

[csc-photo]

Admittedly, 3 years ago I would have argued with you about this. But I finally decided to give the 50 a real try during Covid lockdowns, and I love it for all the reasons you state here. I still lean on my 85 for single portraits but I love having a 50 and it’s on my camera more than I expected.

[MarcoBirri]

I had watched that video when it came out, but somehow it ended up back on my list to be viewed. And then I watched and listened more carefully. I just had to try the field of view thing with my eyes and while I do see much wider than the lens, my "center field" was exactly what my camera was seeing. I never noticed that in years of using the 50. Crazy! Thanks for amazing videos. I try to never miss one.

[espritokg]

Totally agree, Nathan!
I started shooting in the late 70s with the Olympus OM10 and the supplied 50mm lens. With digital I still shoot Olympus & also the Fuji X100V. I have excellent Olympus Zuiko 25mm PRO on my OM1 and I have my X100V set to the 50mm equivalent. For me the 50mm equivalent just seems the most natural fit for my photography. It's like breathing, I don't even think about it, it just 'is'!

[andrefelixstudio]

No question the 85 mm kicks butt on a full frame camera!

[eZaY]

I like the 50mm as well, but, sorry, I don't agree that it can be the one and only lens for every photographer. It is a bit too narrow, too "zoomed" in. I would choose 35mm instead, as it is more versatile. For example, 35mm is much easier to use indoors to shoot group photos of your family.
There is a reason why fixed lens cameras have 28 or 35 (Leica Q, Fuji x100, Sony RX1). Same goes for phone cameras, that are even wider - 24 to 35 as main shooters usually. Those focal lengths are more versatile and easier for begginers, for every photographer.
Now, if we would discuss, what one lens should portrait photographers have, then I would agree, that 50mm is pefect.

[westward]

Love my 50mm! I actually have 3 of them: a new Nikon 1.8, an old 1.8 which is slow and loud but gives my great flares and an manual 1.8 when I want to slow myself down

[tomscott]

Love your stuff. I don't shoot portraits (or even people) but still dig your videos, going back to the one you did for Fuji with the guys from The Camera Store. Straight and to the point, with good advice that's applicable.

[Moustafa]

I’m glad you emphasized 50mm equivalent. When I started in photography years ago, I bought a 50mm on an APS-C body (Canon T2i) before learning about crop factor which made it 80mm equivalent.

Btw, your 50mm lens on Fuji would be 75mm equivalent. Canon’s APS-C is the 1.6x crop factor. Most other major brands (like Fuji, Sony, Nikon, etc) it’s 1.5x crop factor.

[normstangl]

I migrated from FF to M43 a couple of years ago. I have both a 20mm and 25mm set of lenses (40 and 50mm equiv.). I thought the 40 would be redundant, but sometimes that little bit of width can be a blessing in a compressed environment. They are both very workable lenses. I still do have one FF camera and just one lens for it, it’s a Canon 5D classic with the 40mm f2.8, a very nice combo. A lot of people suggest that the 50 mm lens is boring, perhaps they should analyze they’re work. I have quite a range of focal lengths in my kit. I use them all. Sometimes for a specific reason, and sometimes when it suits my desire to explore a specific lens. I don’t believe I’d ever suggest the 40 or 50 mill focal length is boring. If the image is boring it’s the fault of the photographer, not the lens.

[garfieldmtify]

Nathan for me I thought this was best explained 50mm I have heard to date. Outstanding full marks!

[petehopkins]

I agreed with everything you said. plus... it's fun to blow away people with gorgeous shots of mods with the 50mm 1.8. So you have to slow down a touch, but why not when you're working with gorgeous people! thanks for the reminder and yes i'll be dusting off my Nifty asap! keep up the great work mate!

[ReinhardBiller]

I don't shoot many portraits and therefore my favorite lens was always the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 on Nikon APSC (D500), followed by 105mm macro lens and the 150-600mm tele lens as I also shoot macro and wildlife.

[ColinBicknell-is]

Love my 50 mm Lens. Of all the lens choices that are out there, the 50 is the one I use most often.

[sovereignacademyfortheperf]

Great video, Nathan. To the point, which is refreshing. Subscribed!

[Robert-kowr]

I agree. I'm using a 1.8 Nikon 50mm AF-SG on my
Nikon N80 film camera. It's the best for that camera shooting B&W film. I'm more comfortable though with a 35mm which I learned on in the early '70's but I don't have one ... yet. Cheers!

[kavanlake]

I preach getting a 50mm for any beginner. The camera that sits on my shelf for capturing my family always has a 50mm lens on it. I grab and go and it’ll perform every time, anywhere. Thanks Nate 😌✌🏾

[LtDeadeye]

My favorite lens is my 50mm! I think it’s the best ‘all around’ lens but it’s neither here nor there. It neither emphasizes the environment nor the subject so it can either create tension between the two or neutralize them. There’s no contrast to help drive a message.

A 35mm can help sell the story of ‘here I am’ whereas an 85mm will help sell the story of ‘who I am’. A 50mm will be easier to compose with but harder to tell a story with.

[trulex]

Well everyone has a preferable choice of lenses depending on their work, what you shoot and etc, I use Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.4 ZE, and I'm in love with that lens, of course sometimes I switch to 85mm depending on concept and indoor/outdoor conditions.