50mm London Street Photography

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Why are we so in sync? Just ordered a 50mm 1.8 yesterday for work😂 I remember my first experience seeing a full frame camera and how the images can look like when a friend of mine bought a 5D Mark II with that 50mm 1.8 lens. I had only known crop sensors until then and I was so impressed by the images. Didn't matter that it was plastic and felt cheap. It was still magical ✨. Good to see you both outside together!

[@Dododo1295]

the F mount 1.8G is an amazing lens, I prefer it's look over the 1.4d

[@frame-lines]

Aha it’s getting spooky now right… is that for the Nikon ZF? Yeah it’s been too long since we’ve been outside together

[@SamuelStreetlife]

@@Dododo1295 I had the 50mm 1.8 G but didn't like its wide open performance. Stopped down it was super sharp though👍

[@SamuelStreetlife]

@@frame-lines yes for the ZF and it's a Z lens. Just for events to be used alongside my 28mm 1.4 F mount lens. I find 28+40mm works well together for street but with event or documentary photography 40mm feels too wide and too dynamic sometimes😅 otherwise 40mm is still king of versatility 👑

[@GeorgeHolden]

Love the vibes in this video, the STM 50mm will always be an icon

[@frame-lines]

Cheers George. It's a classic.

[@alexSpunkt.]

My fav combo! 5d classic and 50mm 1.8 👏

[@classic.cameras]

I pair this lens all the time with my original Canon 5D and love it. Its so good.

[@shadyron2842]

Lovely stuff as always, looking forward to the new edition 📷

[@frame-lines]

We can't wait to talk about it - it's almost ready!

[@stewartcotton9954]

whats the backpack brand? @@frame-lines

[@SF-MCMLXVII]

Have this nifty 50 lens and Canon 5D Classic and 6D Mk1 and this lens is great value for what it can deliver. It does have a budget feel and look but works great. Coming from Fujifilm APSC system, which I also like, I am loving the FF images and colours and pop I can get with these Canon cameras and lenses. And the Canon FF gear on 2nd hand market is great value here in Australia too which is a bonus.

[@frame-lines]

The older canon dslr sensors really are something right? Some of the best colours out there

[@gisele6961]

nice to see you guys hanging out together instead of virtually. The Canon nifty 50 was the first prime lens I bought. First a 1.8, then a 1.4. It's still a great lens, even if it doesn't get much use these days

[@frame-lines]

haha yes more outdoors stuff coming hopefully... thank you Gisele

[@ruff1draft]

love this channel. keep up the great work.

[@joetrent4753]

What's great about cheaper lenses like this Canon 50mm is that they are very sharp when stopped down. I had the previous version when I had a Canon dslr and whilst wide open it was very soft it certainly got a lot sharper stopped down and that made it a good street photography lens.

[@frame-lines]

I've compared it to the 50 1.4 with both lenses at f5.6 and they're practically identical- which makes the lighter, smaller 1.8 much more attractive to me. The 50 1.8 stm starts getting very good at f2.8 and I rarely shoot it wide open at 1.8.

[@phil_aesthetics]

I have the RF version 1.8 and I put the glimmer glass on it. I love it so much.

[@frame-lines]

That’s one of the best modern 50’s imo, and it’s also tiny- especially compared to new 50mm lenses on other systems like Fuji, Panasonic etc (Shane)

[@phil_aesthetics]

with the glimmer glass on I have not encountered any purple and green fringing so far! @@frame-lines

[@dan-le-brun]

50 1.8 was my first full frame lens, at the time on my 650d though, portrait ready!

[@frame-lines]

The plastic fantastic 🤩

[@StreetsWideOpen]

I’ve always loved the 50mm, probably from my film days when I used the zenit with a 50. Now use the original 35mm on a fujifilm xt which is roughly 50 on full frame.

[@frame-lines]

I always go back to 50 even though i like experimenting with longer and wider lenses. There's just something about it.

[@SourPlanet]

To be fair.. speaking as a teacher.. they told you "50mm, done" for your class because they had to choose something, and 50mm comes in small/cheap variety aplenty. Teaching fundamentals, every student working from the same set of tools is just massively easier and more logical. Kinda surprised they never added to it though lol. Like "ok, that's how it works.. now, you can choose literally a thousand other lenses btw."

[@frame-lines]

I wonder if that's changed, and now kids start with kit zooms and 24mm mobile phone lenses.

[@SourPlanet]

@@frame-lines Please.. god.. no 😅

[@ruff1draft]

As a Nikon D5500 owner who does street photography I have bought two lenses the Nikon 50mm F1.4 and the Nikon 85mm F1.8. literally yesterday. So I officially have two 50mm lenses the Youngnou 50mm 1.8 and the Nikon 50mm 1.4 both are excellent.

[@RobertReilly-mc8zq]

My favorite lens! And, yes, I bought mine used for about $100 U.S. dollars, with tax. I use it with an MC-11 adapter for my Sony A7iii, and I am very happy with the quality of the images. It is the lens I use most often for my street photography (and some landscapes). I mix it up with a Canon 28mm 1.8 and a Canon 85mm 1.8, but keep getting drawn back to the 50mm 1.8 STM. I have been telling myself that I need save up and buy a high end super 35mm lens (Leica, Zeiss...) as my next lens, but my more rational side says "why bother... use the 50mm."

[@stevenkennell2890]

I love shooting with the 50mm, but thought I’d try a much wider (24mm) lens. I have taken a few portraits and I just end up cropping everything. So…back to the 50mm! P.s great work - I walked past you both in Broadway Market on Saturday and should have said hello…

[@frame-lines]

I had the same experience with the Leica Q- I found myself cropping all the time so felt it was a bit pointless. (you should have said hello!)

[@gigialvesmelo]

I am pending this gloomy Sunday catching up with your videos, and I'm curious to know which cameras were used in this video?

[@rexgigout1472]

Liked! The Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens that I learned to love so much was the first EF version, introduced in 1987, though I bought it pre-owned, in 2010, after it had been succeeded by a version II. Just eyeballing this STM version, it looks like its plastic-ness could be dressed-up by a nice black-coated brass Heliopan 49-to-52mm step-up ring, perhaps?

[@frame-lines]

Forget it. You have the embrace the plasticness :)

[@rexgigout1472]

🙂@@frame-lines

[@WesleyVerhoevePhotography]

yes yes big time yes to this lens

[@frame-lines]

Ha it feels like a cheat code eh

[@mp_martin]

Vivian Maier used a Rolleiflex 6x6 medium format, so the 80mm lens was a 44mm full frame equivalent. Wider than 50. Cartier-Bresson used a 50mm.

[@xcx8646]

I wish the Canon 40mm pancake was f/2 rather than f/2.8. Even if it was twice or more the price. It would be my perfect lens. I find 50mm too tight.

[@johnlinney8685]

Hi there. I have just got hold of a Canon 6D which just happened to come with a 50mm f1.8 ii stm lens. I came across your KZbin channel and couldn’t quite believe there are working street photographers using the exact same combination! Quick question, what metering mode do you recommend for this combo when doing street photography? Just bought a back issue of Framelines too which should be arriving any day soon! Love the channel

[@frame-lines]

Hi John. In the video I'm using a Canon 6DII and I also use the original 6D. They're truly excellent cameras. I recommend evaluative metering with D+ on if you want highlight recovery. D+ off if you want shadow recovery (shooting on overcast days for example). Thanks for picking up a copy!

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

@@frame-lines I also have a Canon 6D and also pair the 50/1.8 all the time. I am not sure what D+ means/is. Can you please explain the D+ setting and where I can find it within the menu? Thumbs up.

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

i figured out D+; Red tab/Camera menu 4 Highlight Tone Priority. When you go into the menu to enable the option it is called: D+. thumbs up.

[@UrbanoModa]

even better on a 5Dmk1, nice subject review

[@frame-lines]

Interesting- I've never tried the MK1 - I'm curious how it compares to later models.

[@wheezzy101]

I feel the same way about the zf 28 and 40 se lenses. They are so cheap feeling and I have a lust for something that feels higher quality but then I use them and am blown away by the images. I need them to rehouse the same lenses in metal housing lol.

[@frame-lines]

It’s weird to get a lens that’s almost perfect and still not be happy with it because it’s too cheap right? 😅

[@wheezzy101]

@@frame-lines i think we have become so trained to want the next thing that we have to make a conscious effort just to be satisfied with what we already have. Often times it’s all we need anyway.

[@TheNitebinder]

Just one question, how do you photograph any building without making it seems like it's tilting over? A few times I've photographed a building thinking it's looks great, only to see it looks like the leaning tower of Pisa!!😱😱

[@frame-lines]

The upright tool in Lightroom is a big help!

[@TheNitebinder]

Interesting@@frame-lines

[@creative_cozmic]

I was wondering Josh, as you've recently said you like 40mm whether you'd consider a secondhand Voigtlander 40mm f/2.0 Ultron SL II EF lens for your Canon dslr? Not sure of your view on manual lenses or whether you are happy just to stick with autofocus. I found manual lenses on my 6D only really worked when zone focusing (great for street photos though) as you don't have a great deal of focusing aids other than the focus confirmation red dot.

[@frame-lines]

I actually didn’t know that existed so will defintely try it - much prefer manual focus these days. Thank you for the hot tip

[@creative_cozmic]

@@frame-lines Glad to point you in its direction. There are actually two versions with different focus rings. The second version has more of the classic Voigtlander focus ring with indents for your fingers which is a lot nicer than the first version's focus ring. A quick search and you should see what I mean. I am never without my Voigt 40mm f1.2 on my Sony and am totally addicted to zone focusing when out on the streets - no autofocus for me. Such unique and lovely character too.

[@uchechukwuedozie6499]

When people on the streets/trains see a camera pointing at them, do they give a reaction?

[@frame-lines]

Generally not, here in London at least.

[@TheUrbandilema]

Aye yes the second lens I bought it's plastic and fantastic still use mines for portraits but on an apc sensor too zoomed..the fifty is is my second when I can't get a 40 or 35

[@frame-lines]

Ah yes it can get pretty tight on apsc eh

[@mikedatny]

Hows it stack up to the 40mm stm? I guess it comes down to shooting style and personal preference on focal length, but I am curious to know how they compare in sharpmess and IQ as well.

[@frame-lines]

The 40mm is sharper and about half the size and weight , it’s another really great lens , especially for the price

[@martingreenberg870]

Thanks for this video. I like to keep current on what is happening with the various brands. I use Fuji and Panasonic M43. With the crop factors this lens is too long for my street photography. I like that it is plasticy. Plasticy=lightweght. That is good. I’m glad it is sharp too. So far I haven’t adapted any foreign brand lenses to my bodies. Saving for the Fuji X100VI which should be announced in three weeks. I suspect it will be a home run and deflate the 100V prices. Then no more cameras or lenses. I have what I need. I’m not getting any more gear. I’m joining a GAS 12 step group. Ready for a new issue of Framelines. I have an issue with the magazine. I can read and devour the images faster than you can print them. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@frame-lines]

Thanks for watching. I'd imagine it's best to stick with first party lenses on M43. Adapting larger DSLR lenses might not work very well.

[@alexSpunkt.]

What settings and picture format did you use?

[@frame-lines]

We have presets available! Frame-lines.com

[@joeharrisonnz]

So it's better than the 50mm 1.4 ?

[@frame-lines]

When I first got the 50 1.4 I was really disappointed in it because of how soft and uncorrected it was wide open, but after using it for a few years I can see its strengths and it’s got more pleasing bokeh / out of focus areas. The 1.8 stm bokeh can be very busy and ugly at times.

[@Photobuffeddy1314]

People say it’s the photographer or the camera ‘ I say it’s both plus + The craft 😊😅

[@abchappell01]

Why do you walk around with more than one camera and lens on your shoulder ?

[@frame-lines]

I don’t usually, but I was switching between 50 and 35mm in the market (Shane)

[@classic.cameras]

Ok biggest question. Did you buy the overpriced Canon hood or the cheap Chinese one off of Amazon/AliExpress?

[@frame-lines]

I got the original canon one with the lens for a reasonable price. It’s a nice hood- well built and snaps on securely. (Shane)

[@madmikedynamite6083]

Backwards mounted lens hood :(

[@frame-lines]

Protects the lens when I inevitably bash it while getting on to a bus 😅

[@madmikedynamite6083]

@@frame-lines love your videos :)

[@trevorsneath4665]

The 1.8 is as good as the 1.4. The only advantage the 1.4 has is 1.4. That's it. If it were weatherproof, then it would be worth buying, but it isn't.

[@jklphoto]

Well, of course you don't have any sponsors Shane. You're doing videos on cheap used kit! 🙂 Hasselblad's never gonna gift you a free 907X 100c unless you get with the program! Seriously, more young people need to hear this message. Shane admitted to feeling like it was inappropriate to use a plastic-fantastic lens for professional work. Nonsense, but I get the sentiment. I shot Hasselblad for years professionally (cuz it made me look cool). When people would comment "wow, I bet that takes good pictures" I would reply "actually, it just sits there". Dumbest camera in the world those 500 Series Hasselblads. So yes, get a 50 and be proud. Even if it's a lowly f/1.8. Let the armchair experts buy the f/1.2 glass. Suckers.

[@frame-lines]

There's something comforting about knowing that the joy of photography can be found in the cheapest of gear :)

[@gigialvesmelo]

I just a 'heart' but not an answer to my questions :(

[@frame-lines]

I was using a Canon 6D and Josh was using a Canon 5D IV :)

[@gigialvesmelo]

@@frame-lines Thank you!

[@tompoynton]

I have a 28mm and a 35mm but my one true love will always be the Zuiko 50/1.8 on my OM-2

[@frame-lines]

I picked up an OM2N with the 50 a few weeks ago. God that viewfinder is something else. Looking forward to using it :) (Shane)

[@tompoynton]

@@frame-lines Been shooting mine for 20 years now :) my favourite camera of all time! Enjoy!

[@TheChosenOne_]

Damn Josh and Shane exist in the same universe? I thought they were only connected through Skype. 50 for portraits is great but for street I’m not a fan of it. I find it far harder than wider stuff like 28 or 35. Probably because you have to directly point at someone with a 50 while the angle on a 28 allows you to aim besides the subject.

[@frame-lines]

It's an elaborate CGI trick. You didn't think we'd really be in the same video together did you? Outdoors too?