2 ms·

I love a good prime lens. Took this with a Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 (https://roambyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ss-1-of-1-21.jpg https://roambyland.com/wp-cont

I love a good prime lens. Took this with a Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 (https://roambyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ss-1-of-1-21.jpg https://roambyland.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ss-1-of-1-...). 50mm is probably too 'in the middle' for my uses, as a 24 + 70-200 has really replaced my need for a 50, and the ability add in a little compression of the foreground with the zoom is really nice. If I had infinite space in my bags I'd have a 50 for sure. If I was just using one camera I'd still probably want a 24 or 28 prime (ie: Leica Q2).

ghaff 4y ago
You could historically get pretty fast 50mm lenses with good optical quality for relatively little. Not sure of technical reasons why 50mm fell into that standard role. If I had to pick one standard prime lens it would probably be 35mm.
_ph_ 4y ago
On the other side, the neutral way, the 50 renders szenes is the appeal and the challenge for the photographer. A wide-angle or strong tele lens add a lot to the picture themselves, by their extreme angles of view. The 50 does nothing like that, puts all the burdon on to the photographer. Yet, a lot of the most iconic pictures have been taken by a 50.
- oldstrangers 4y ago
  I'm not sure I'd call using a 50 a burden on the photographer, I think they're probably a lot more intuitive for most photographers. A 50 was the first lens I bought during school, and it was widely regarded as the preferred lens for photography classes from beginner to advanced. I love the 50, I just personally don't have much use for one currently.
  - _ph_ 4y ago
    I haven't said burden, but a challenge. Because the lense won't create fancy effects on its own. It is purely the task of the photographer to make something out of it. That was in answer to the post which preferred wider and longer lenses because of their effects. Yes, a 50 should be intuitive to use.

ghaff 4y ago

You could historically get pretty fast 50mm lenses with good optical quality for relatively little. Not sure of technical reasons why 50mm fell into that standard role. If I had to pick one standard prime lens it would probably be 35mm.

_ph_ 4y ago

On the other side, the neutral way, the 50 renders szenes is the appeal and the challenge for the photographer. A wide-angle or strong tele lens add a lot to the picture themselves, by their extreme angles of view. The 50 does nothing like that, puts all the burdon on to the photographer. Yet, a lot of the most iconic pictures have been taken by a 50.

oldstrangers 4y ago
I'm not sure I'd call using a 50 a burden on the photographer, I think they're probably a lot more intuitive for most photographers. A 50 was the first lens I bought during school, and it was widely regarded as the preferred lens for photography classes from beginner to advanced. I love the 50, I just personally don't have much use for one currently.
- _ph_ 4y ago
  I haven't said burden, but a challenge. Because the lense won't create fancy effects on its own. It is purely the task of the photographer to make something out of it. That was in answer to the post which preferred wider and longer lenses because of their effects. Yes, a 50 should be intuitive to use.