The 2nd BEST LENS you can buy...

[@VargasKoch]

Thankfully someone explained the word "plethora" to me. It really means a lot.

[@g-low6365]

good one. i see what you did there...

[@stevemccrory9130]

Your analogies, your stories, your waffling and your deviations are why you have a faithful and loyal amount of subscribers, which means you are worthy of being here, and its why WE appreciate you. I don't use the bell icon on any of the channels I subscribe to.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much Steve :)

[@arab365]

You are MORE than enough, James. Thanks for recording!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much :)

[@bradzaruba9686]

Supposedly the nifty 50 gives the same perspective as we see life. Sadly, I learned about the crop factor shortly after my purchase. Now, I have a nifty 80 on my DSLR,

[@Dazdigo]

Just get a speed booster. It will give you nearly a full extra stop of light and will make it a 50 again on your APS-C DSLR.

[@Madikowka]

Don’t be sad about it! Because it is still a 50mm lens! It gives you the same field of view as an 80mm one but it is not an 80mm by any means. If you dig deep enough into the science of the lenses you will understand that the barrel distortion is less present on a 50 one. Also the bokeh is still from a nifty fifty with the famous low aperture. All you will need to do is to walk away from your subject a bit further thats it! Only if you want to go for a wider look in a small room or something would I recommend you to change the lens.

[@Kniesoor]

I don't think it has much to do with the crop factor. However, the ratio of the m43 sensor is 4:3 whereas for any other sensor it's 3:2. This means that with a m43 sensor you have more height, and less width compared to other sensors.

[@lelandsmith2320]

yep. 50/1.6 =31! You would need a 31mm lens on your crop body to get a "normal" lens. I use a 24 mm for indoors and I am looking at a 28 or 35mm with IS for general use.

[@BMRTV]

4:11 Nifty 50, Square Crop is my favorite way to strengthen my ability to see (frame/composition). I don't mean street, I mean landscape. Such a great way to shoot and swap lens IF needed. So many images I now take are with my Lumix 25 1.7. Sharp and fun DOF effects. LOVE IT. And it's just fun to unclip point, arrange and click.

[@TWX1138]

I shoot Canon APS-C. I went through the photos we'd taken with the older Rebel XS (1000D) to look at what focal length most of the pictures were taken at with the 18-55mm, and I found that we were usually no wider than around 28mm. When we bought the 77D we also ordered the 24mm f/2.8. That's full-frame-equivalent more like 38mm than 50, but it is likewise an inexpensive, compact lens, and with the high megapixel sensor it's easy enough to crop a bit if needed. Later I basically rendered it obsolete with a 17-55mm f/2.8, but it still makes appearances when I'm going to be indoors and close to the subject, and don't want a massive lens to distract the subject. I like the focal length enough that we bought the 22mm f/2 for the M100. I found a forty-dollar EF 50mm f/1.8 (Mk. I) at a pawn shop, I really like that greater aperture, even if it's quite a bit of work at say, parties, on account of constantly having to back away from the subjects in order to get the size/distance right. Unfortunately the fast primes in the 28-30mm range that would be the equivalent of 50mm are very expensive around here, so much that I'm likely to end up with that Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 because buying just two primes would be that expensive. Unfortunately it looks like a drainpipe, not going to be surreptitious when using that lens.

[@heygem]

The EF-S 24 mm STM is pretty nice, small, and inexpensive. F/2.8 isn't so bad too. :)

[@Colaman112]

I got the 35mm (around 50mm equivalent) 1.8 pretty quickly after getting my DSLR, since it was really hard taking pictures inside with the kit lenses aperture. Sure, you're not getting a new focal length, but that is hardly the only thing you should consider when buying a lens.

[@georgejfunderburk7645]

Boring room yes, but I've seen no evidence that would indicate you are capable of making a boring video (well maybe if you published the ones with no audio!). The handful I've seen so far after discovering you recently are both informative and entertaining. You save the subscribe pitch for close to end of video, that's where it should be yet extremely rare on KZbin nowadays so I happily subscribed on the 2nd video I watched. Nice work thanks.

[@KidPersepolis]

Fun fact (s) 1. The largest rodents in the world are the Brazilian Capybara. 2. The second largest are Nutria, like the one in your video. 3. In Louisiana, they were brought in for their fur, and decades ago, in a hurricane, they got loose, and multiplied, and are now destroying the bayou. 4. There was actually a program in New Orleans that encouraged chefs to use their meat in recipes, in an attempt to get hunters to dispose of more of them. 5. However, nobody wanted to eat a big rat, so... we're overrun by Nutria. 6. My nifty fifty on a Canon crop sensor is close to an 80mm, and the next closest size is the 35mm prime. Wish they would make one that would be EXACTLY 50 for APS-C.

[@jonglass]

I remember the day when the standard kit lens was a 50mm lens. The cheaper kits came with an f/2.0 or 1.9, fair ones, an f/1.7 and very nice lenses had f/1.4 or 1.2 re: subscriptions. I almost exclusively only watch videos from my subscription page, so all your videos (all videos from all my subscriptions, in fact) show up as they appear.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Jon :)

[@ge48421]

Zoom lenses were pretty awful in "those days", so it was not surprising that the standard lens was a prime. I actually prefer a somewhat wider 'standard' lens, a 35-40mm. They're typically more expensive than the 50mm, except for Canon's 40mm equivalent pancake lenses. Time to quit watching KZbin and go out and shoot.

[@waxwingsphoto]

I also start with my subscription page. I hate notifications so the bell option is out, and I know who I want to be watching.

[@Zobeid]

Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II Asph. This was my favorite and most-used lens during my time with MFT cameras. It's small, inexpensive, reasonably fast, and time has only made me more and more a fan of this field of view. (Fun fact: The diagonal measurement of a MFT sensor is 21.6mm.)

[@dernicolas6281]

one of the two lenses I use a lot. Love it.

[@danielfaulkenberry1199]

One of my favorites! The autofocus is...something to get used to, so I more often use the 25 f/1.7, but the 20mm taught me a ton about photography, and I actually think the slower autofocus made me think a lot more about choosing my focal point carefully.

[@SliceofFilips]

Yes, This. People complain about the autofocus, but I have found it to be tolerable for photo... especially by single focus/manual focus. As soon as I had my g85, I tried the 25... and quickly found that it wasn't for me. The images are great, but the focal range irritated me. I wanted to shoot Christmas and birthdays indoors in regular-sized spaces without dancing all around the room like a monkey just to frame the kids. I quickly decided to try the 20. It serves my 'normal' focal length purpose perfectly. I think that it is interesting that the other "go to" prime length has historically been 35mm full frame equ. The 20mm (with a 40mm full frame equ) lands beautifully between the classic '50' and '35' full frame focal lengths. I love it. For more of a portrait/longer "nifty fifty" I bought the Sigma 30 f1.4. Very sharp. Great for B-roll video and headshots, and even full photoshoots if you have the space to move outside. I love the bokeh for the price. .... So that is how I quickly traded my 25 for a 20 and a 30 hahaha

[@hamroz1]

I found g9 for half price brand new and I’m considering to get it with one prime for an everyday type. Is the leica version of the lens really better than the LUMIX? And how much does the 1.7 vs 1.4 matter in a micro 4 third sensors? What’s one best lens to have after using them all for long period of time. Thanks

[@kemerthomson]

My philosophy on subscriptions is that they help the metrics for the KZbinr, possibly eventually leading to them making a little money. You subscribe to someone you want to succeed, both to show your appreciation and get notifications when they post new material. I most definitely want to see young James succeed; in fact, he is the one KZbinr my wife knows of and peeks over my shoulder to watch.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much, and I like that philosophy - I'll start following that myself I think :)

[@CrazyAboutLife]

Nifty 50 1.8 was my first lens I bought. Still highly in love with it. Main disadvantage is no IS when doing video. Sometimes a locked off shot is also good.

[@MichaelGerrard]

Yes, great advice. I have the Panasonic 25mm f1.7, it is very cheap in price but fantastic in quality. I used to have the 20mm but it was a little slow to autofocus and I prefer 25mm. Reasons for using a 25mm prime: 1) it teaches you to 'know' focal lengths. That helps in composition, before you lift your camera you see the photo before you. 2) it allows you to concentrate on getting the composition right. Zooming is another variable in the process, doing away with it can free you. 3) use it in the evening or indoors because it handles low light better than a kit zoom. Thanks for the video, keep them coming.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Great points mate!

[@jonlouis2582]

I bought that very 25mm lens as my second lens, and I love to bits. It's shockingly good.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome! :)

[@skiffens]

That was a muskrat.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

ahh, that explains it!

[@nyc-dave]

You are more than enough I already have been subscribed.

[@felixalla9936]

Ragondin in french !

[@TheDStraits]

@@JamesPopsysPhoto @skiffins It's not a muskrat, but a coypu. Muskrats are smaller and slightly flattened tails. Coypus have round tails, are slightly smaller than a beaver and have white whiskers. And btw, otters do have tails ;)

[@CiMichel]

That's actually just a cat. They look different in this part of the world...

[@michelslangen6633]

Thanks again for a great video. Not that I really learned something new but it is always a joy to watch, even when you're indoors. Cheers!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much for watching :)

[@jonkeau5155]

I am an event photographer and videographer rocking a GH5, and most of my video is my GH5 on a ronin-m gimbal! If you are doing that type of shooting I highly recommend a lumix g 14mm 2.5/f pancake lens which can run you only $100 usd used! Probably the most natural live event prime you can buy! Benefits: so light that your camera feels easy to run and gun with, your gimbal’s battery life doubles, wide enough to shoot photos of people posing in very cramped situations like packed receptions or concerts, still has built in image stabilization, great for product and commercial shoots! I can literally shoot 95%+ of my professional work with one lens, sure I could get nicer lenses with great characteristics for way more money but realistically almost all clients are making content for a screen with less than 4K resolution, and the few times I’ve blown a photo up for a banner I just upscale it in photoshop (which has a great predictive pixel system when you upscale), fix any issues, and no one ever notices a difference. On a side note the 25mm prime will be my second, and a long lens like a 45-200 likely my third...

[@David-The-Aussie]

Awesome explanation. I definitely agree that limiting your camera equipment forces you to think more about your photography. As an L mount user, I wish Lumix/Leica made the 25mm 1.4 for L mount. Closest is 24mm 1.8 and I'd just love to get something that little bit faster.

[@billywindsock9597]

Not an otter. My first camera was a Zenit E. The first lens that came with it was a 50mm. The second was a 105mm as I wanted to take pictures of people, which I found out was called portrait photography. That was back in 1978. I learnt so much back then. Once you have had a camera for a few years you find out what you like pictures of. Get a lens that good for that. Keep spreading the word James. I subscribe to about 50/60 channel but don't click the bell. When there is a new video from someone I've subscribed to, it shows up as new next time I'm on.

[@hachewie]

I bought a 50mm 1.8 after the kit lens. Love it. Analogy fail was quite humorous.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome! Great to hear someone agrees :)

[@hachewie]

@@JamesPopsysPhoto Mate, your videos are brilliant, indoors or out. I bought the 50mm with a crop sensor camera so it was actually more than I'd bargained for. I have since bought a D700 dinosaur, and I love it. The 50mm on that is beautiful. Your humour is awesome. Thank you.

[@Schmiddis_focus]

Allthough this animal you filmed was a Nutria (at least germans call it that way) and you always look like the sun is blinding your eyes i really find this topic important for beginners. You made a great point with the right order of lens-buying. Good job by pointing that out, keep your audience educated. I started several years ago exactly the way you explained and it was absolutely right to do so. I also like the casual choice of words you are making during your videos. Keep it up, that's a sub (no rhyme intended).

[@spencerjdaniel]

Love the 25mm, I use it a lot for filming CUs. You were absolutely right about adding in more leg work; totally worth it

[@zoehatton5444]

Definitely agree with this, I went out the other day with my 50mm and while it was frustrating it reminded me how much I need to move around for better compositions and also the image quality was lovely.

[@debbys-abqnm4537]

What you saw was a rare, short-legged, long-tailed, brown sheep, grazing on grass. Also, I don't understand lenses. I just have them on my camera (one lens per camera), and like to take pictures of birds that are usually at some distance, to telephoto lenses are for me. Also I like landscapes. I'll one day maybe buy a book that shows pictures that can be taken which each type of lens so I have a better chance of getting what I want if I ever buy just a camera body and then must acquire lenses for it (which sounds rather expensive in the long run).

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I have lenses ranging from 17mm to 600mm for my Canon EOS 5Ds. All but one are suitable for landscape photography. Just find scenes that suit the lens on your camera.

[@altheliterate]

The more I try, the less I understand in photography, or now that I think on it, life. I too just like to take pics. From ABQ too. Hi.

[@debbys-abqnm4537]

@OneEyed ... Maybe I can find a place that rents out lenses for a day or so to test if that is a good lens for my camera body (which I don't have yet anyhow). I have a Canon PowerShot SX50 HS that got a bit banged up when I was hit by a car (his fault), and I haven't been out often to take pics (winter is rather boring around here). So basically I can't change lenses but one day maybe I'll graduate to being able to carry more gear on long walks 😊

[@debbys-abqnm4537]

@altheliterate -- I came to the conclusion long ago (maybe as early as in the 1950s when I had a box camera that used big film, well pre Kodak Instamatic days), that what is important is the nut behind the camera -- me and you. The camera is just a tool to help us remember what we see/saw. Also, living in Albuquerque, I can take a bus to within walking distance of the foothills of the Sandia Mountains (though I haven't yet), I can walk or bus to the Bosque (the forest that runs hundreds of miles along the Rio Grande) (I used to do that much more frequently), and of course there are tourist spots like Old Town and Santa Fe, and plenty of birds everywhere in better weather. I hope the weather is better today, but, hey, it's still January.

[@Swaggerlot]

Picked up the 25mm a couple of years ago for my OM-D. Great lens, phenomenal low light lens.

[@RealGengarTV]

My second lens for my GH5 was a Tele zoom lens. Haven't used it a lot but I'm glad I have it just in case

[@RealGengarTV]

This was in fact right after I saw your video on the micro four thirds leica zoom lens of witch I could not afford so I bough the Panasonic one

[@DJDiarrhea]

To add onto that, if you think you're going to do a lot of sports photography a telephoto lens is basically required. I've been doing motorsports photography for a long time and have just recently started shooting other things and have been pretty amazed that my telephoto lens, that has been my bread and butter for the last 5 years, has stayed in my bag most of the time.

[@littleliop]

Didn't know about the crop factor when I brought my first lense so ended up with something more like a 75mm, but its sick for portraits so I'm kinda glad

[@dannnyh100]

Bought a GX80 on Black Friday and Panasonic were running a promotion for a free 25mm 1.7. It was just delivered 2 days ago so this is perfect timing.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome! Enjoy it!!

[@robtt997]

My wife works for an Auctioneers . I often go for a look at the general sales . Often there are a variety of cameras and lens for sale. Often as a bundle and they go for so little money . A decent old Pentax or Nikon slr and a couple of good lens go for £40 to £80. It would be a good video for you to go to one of theses auctions and pick up such a bundle and see what you can do with them.A bit like buying a classic car and showing they are still relevant today

[@excalibur9768]

If you want a brilliant sharp low light/astrophotography lens the Sigma 16mm F1.4 is unbelievable

[@thomasdawson5934]

So, the part where you said people subscribing would help you feel like you're enough...I was in the subreddit photography. One of the posts was a question about who are some ACTUAL (not just trendy or super over the top) youtube photographers worth following. Who is someone we can actually learn from? Your name was on the top of the list, which is saying something because you were in pretty good company with the other recommendations. Thanks for what you do. Also, yes I subscribe because it puts your new videos up for me to see once they come out.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much mate, so nice to hear!

[@MrMoonpie001]

I agree with you 100%!!!!!! I found my equivalent prime lens as my second most used lens, it ALWAYS goes with me. In the beginning I was a bit hesitant to use it but then (and here is the key) I began to fall in love with the results!!!!! Its good to great glass and the details and depth of field are just awesome!!!! In many ways it is the perfect lens! Except it does not zoom...... I also thought this was one of your best videos regardless of location. I do find your outside post are always very entertaining, you got a great sense of humor and I like that you are no wheres close to a photo snob!!!!! Your a good man James!! Moonpie

[@billb8262]

Yours come up in my recommended videos feed, so definite value in subscribing because it keeps bring me back even if I don't seek it via search or browsing through all I'm subscribed to for new videos. Love your humor and perspective, always keeping it real.

[@RealRaynedance]

My first DSLR was a D600 and I didn't even have a kit lens. I _started_ with the 50mm f/1.8. And you know what I found out? I didn't really like shooting with it. It was loud and I didn't care for the focal length. I was fine with not zooming, I just didn't like 50mm at the time. Got an 80-200 f/4 and a Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 after that and I was basically set until I got my a7III. I still use that 80-200 on it. _Now_ I find myself wanting Nikon's 50mm f/1.2 because I like the look the 50mm f/1.2 gives wide open and there's a few times I've found myself wanting longer than 35mm but shorter than 85mm. (Don't currently own a standard zoom, don't plan on getting one.) Moral: Give 50mm a long-term chance. You might not like it at first, but you may start finding uses for it.

[@DavidSenteno]

Something we can agree on. 50mm as a second lens is a great choice. They are great to learn video as well. My 50mm has no stabilization Ive had to work around that as well. 🥂

[@andrewgallup3890]

Wow! I did it right. I got the 18-55 kit lens, #2 is a 55-300, #2a 16mm, #2b nifty 50 (real 50), #2c 28-105 (a bit better quality than the kit lens). Thanks for your support!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

The use of 2a, 2b, and 2c is genius - this should be used by all photographers to convince their partners what they need... :)

[@Stewdill51]

1. That's a Coypu that you saw. 2. For MFT I believe the 20mm pancake is probably the best 2nd lens. Slightly wider angle is bit more versatile. 3. I just picked up the Leica 25mm and wow, it is a fantastic lens.

[@nickjessel7759]

That 25mm PL was the second lens I purchased after the 45-175mm. After 2 years I traded in the 25mm PL for the 15mm PL. A happy decision. Since added the 8-18PL. Landscape kit sorted in 3 lenses.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome! :)

[@MaxWoudenberg]

I subbed, rang the bell to show all uploads. Good to go :) The first lens I bought along with the G9 body is the Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6 and my next lens will be the Panasonic Lumix G 42.5mm f/1.7 ASPH POWER OIS. Having fairly poor motorskills this setup allows me to take photo's more easily without a tri-pod :D

[@bryankeller3492]

Your 3rd attempt at this video in the French motel room is EXACTLY WHY, everyone should buy a full-frame. Low Light is horrific with M4/3rd. I tried to shoot concert video in a well lit stage and it still SUCKED even with a faster prime lens.. A freakin' Samsung S8 with an external mic did a much better job than either M4/3rd (Panny or Oly) also on gimbles. A visiting pro-am photog brought his Sony A7 with an external 4k Atomos recorder and produced a video I could only lust after.

[@mrmohanty5674]

Your videos have such a genuine nature to them with your words. I hope to be like you someday on camera.

[@franklawler7055]

I'm subscribed to your channel and always get notifications of a new video James. Yes I agree that if people are used to zooms, then the extra leg work to frame the shot is often needed. Thought you should have mentioned the dangers of framing a seagull on Beachy Head as some fall off can occur if you go too far ! 😄 . Keep up the good work as you have such a humorous way of giving solid advise.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Cheers Frank :)

[@ToastandJam52]

When I started photography (for the first time ) cameras were sold with a 50mm lens as standard. But that is back in the days of 35mm film cameras. Oh, how time have changed. I use the 12-60 lens on my G80 and love it . It does all that I want to do. Yes, there are better lenses out there but I don't happen to have spare thousands to spend on them. Call me old fashioned but I do like eating every now and then.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

haha, me too :)

[@MSmith-Photography]

The nifty fifty was my second lens purchase (after the initial kit lens) and totally agree.

[@Andy-pu2iv]

Excellent lesson there, James. In fact, being a hobbyist and not encumbered with having to earn a living from this, I would say that primes in all shapes and sizes are the way to go. Generally speaking they give better IQ, but more importantly they force you to think about composition. Essentially what you said...

[@callum8322]

my nifty 50 came with my first second hand DSLR. So happy. Portraits have been great, looking forward to experiment with it more.

[@jsimes1]

Totally perfect advice. Exactly what I did 15 years ago. Kit lens to figure out how to use a digital camera and then a nifty 50. When I finally decided what I wanted to photography (live music events in low light) I invested in a crazy expensive (for me) 70 - 200 f2.8 and between that and the 50mm I was set for almost 12 years. Only now that I am trying to shift my focus 😏 to landscapes am I looking at other lenses (24 - 70mm and 16 - 35mm)!

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks Joe!

[@suerakes]

As I suspect you already know ... you ARE enough! I am a Master Photographer and rarely tune in for anything other than shear entertainment (and the sheep) NO matter your location! If I had 1/5th of your humour and compelling charisma I’d be thrilled ... I love your channel and will forever be subscribed-I can’t wait to see more otters ha ha ha !

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much Sue, so kind :)

[@orangorill]

Honestly, I think I would recommend a 35-50mm prime for a beginner over a zoom. When I look back at the pictures I took back in the day, when I knew next to nothing about photography, a depressing amount of them were taken at the lens' widest focal length. Landscapes, animals, portraits, so many of them are shot at 6mm (POS) and 16mm (400D). I guess I must've thought zooming were for getting closer, not changing the perspective. In addition to that, many of them could've benefited from a faster shutter speed or lower ISO. Had I had a fast prime, I'm almost certain the vast majority of these pictures would be better.

[@klaushimmer4697]

The animal looks like a beaver.Greetings from Austria.I like your work.

[@shawnstanley4844]

Would you please hold up a camera and yell out.....THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!.. Sorry, sure you've heard that before. I subscribed because You are enough and love ALL the videos posted. Thank you for teaching me so much. I look forward to watching everything you post.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

haha, thanks mate! :)

[@jshariff786]

Shouldn't this video be titled, "The Best 2nd Lens You Can Buy", and not, "The 2nd Best Lens You Can Buy?" :D But in all seriousness James, another excellent, down-to-earth video that's useful and approachable for beginners. I started out in the Canon APS-C system with an EOS 80D, and the third lens I bought (after the 18-55 mm kit and a Sigma 18-250 mm travel zoom) was a 50 mm f/1.8 (the fantastic plastic)! With this lens being quite tight in FOV (80 mm full-frame equiv) I found that I really had to focus on my compositions, and hone in on interesting details rather than snap entire scenes. Nonetheless, I loved the image quality and the character of that lens, and I loved walking around with it. It encouraged me to shoot more. Now that I've sold all that gear and switched to Fujifilm mirrorless APS-C with the X-T3, my first two lenses were once again the Fujinon XF 18-55 mm "kit" lens (which is actually of fantastic quality and therefore great value), and the Fujinon XF 35 mm f/2 prime. This second lens, (which is 52.5 mm full-frame-equiv) is once again a great walkabout lens for street/city shots, and is tack sharp.

[@GeneWaddle]

I never had a kit lens. In my infinite wisdom, I figured I should have a superzoom. So when I got my first real camera I bought one that was about 18-5000mm, I think. Of course, it was variable aperture. It was something like f/4.0 at the short end and by the time you got to about 25mm, it was at about f/75. It wasn't a great lens. Then I bought a proper nifty fifty. That worked much better. Don't think I didn't notice you only had a partial 🐑 on the shelf. Also, what you shot there was obviously an otterbeavermuskratbadgermoose. I'm not surprised you didn't know for sure as they are quite rare.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

haha!

[@DannyB-cs9vx]

Years ago, (many), cameras came with the 50 and your second lens was a zoom or telephoto, (not as many wide angles were sold). Looking at the used "vintage" lens market will prove this true. Tons of 50's many telephotos and much fewer wide angles. People say the 50 is as natural as our eyes, which I don't understand. My eyes are more like 24's. I actually see even wider, but my main focus will be narrower.

[@Male_Parent]

I recommend a super zoom for a second or even first lens. You get a huge range of focal lengths to play around with and will learn more about how to expose with it. My first lens was a sony 24-240mm 3.5-6.3. While my second was a wide angle 12mm 2.8 rokinon. Third was a nifty 50. But I've been using my 35mm prime more often than the 50. I guess I just prefer the wider angle.

[@chryseass.5143]

I agree with your main point James. I have a friend who has a zoom lens and was shocked when I was moving around to frame a shot - it has never occurred to him that he could physically move rather than just zoom - he doesn't believe in cropping a shot, either..... I do think my use of primes has instinctively taught me to look to find the shot ( or shots.)

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Awesome :)

[@simblethings]

Bought the 25mm 1.4 the day I got my GH5, I absolutely love it and use it for all my videos too. Also got the Leica 12-60mm which is the best kit lens.

[@johan.normansson.SmalltownOfc]

Hahahaha, the comparison at 6:40. You are the best James, cheers from Sweden

[@Biosynchro]

I tried to think of a reason to strongly disagree, and quite frankly, I couldn't. :-) Some would say that the wide standard (17mm instead of 25mm) is arguably the better choice, but it's a debate that will never end, I think.

[@downwind_david]

Karim Ghantous I have the Leica 25mm f1.4 and it’s a great lens. It is the one that sits on my camera most of the time. I would agree that a 17mm - 20mm pancake lens is possibly a better option. A lot of low light situations when I really need a fast prime are indoors and I find that I am often backing up into a wall and running out of space with my 25mm. I think a wider lens just gives you a few more options, you can always walk closer to a subject or crop in post and you still get the benefit of learning from a prime’s “disadvantages”.

[@LynRees]

I did very much like the Olympus 17mm (34 mm-e). Then I learned to shoot with a 28mm-e (18mm on Fuji X), which was something that I found rewarding.

[@pizzasaurolophus]

20mm is my favourite! it's in between. 40-45mm on full frame is great too.

[@dhwardphoto]

Good advice James! I've recently bought a G95 with the 12-60 kit lens and qualified for the free Lumix 25 lens promotion, so got all my lens needs covered for the time being. Despite being the being the standard 25 I'm well impressed with the quality.

[@savnac]

i had to make sure i wasnt watching the same video again, because i could have sworn ive heard this intro before.. but then i saw it was uploaded today.. james you surely have trouble filming quite often hahah. i could say that your inclusion of the issues you encounter are actually a key element to your originality here on youtube. :)

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much mate, it certainly isn't the first time! :)

[@gsansoucie]

Good advice on the prime. My first SLR, an Olympus OM-10 back in 1980 (or so) came with an Olympus 50mm f/1.8 and that was all I owned for years before wandering into cheap (crappy) zooms. I still have the OM-10 and the 50mm lens that may be stuck on the body.

[@IanJackson33]

All you fools are wrong thats a dragon on the grass 😌 Oh sorry forgot my spectacles 🤓. Nope not a dragon, thats a unicorn a small hairy fuzzball unicorn. Yup. I promise 😌.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

haha!

[@DaveKingMusic]

The Lumix 25mm 1.7 is a lot less money!

[@harpsnake]

I would than rather go to 20mm 1,7 pancake.

[@wojtekw6040]

I would have to unbell and unsubscribe to subscribe and bell-click again, and I can`t do that... This is "for life" subscription James, FOR LIFE! P.S. You are more than enough, keep going !

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Haha, thanks so much for the continued support mate :)

[@nore8141]

Great video and commentary. I just got my g85 with the 12-60 kit lens and happy with it. I enjoy photography during the night so this video came at the right time for me. Thank you 🙏.

[@JohnsJunk]

If you find yourself stepping back more with the kit lens look for a wider angle, if you just can't get close enough more often look for a tele. My second lens was a 35 F/1.8 for a 1.5 crop, so nifty 50. Ish.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Nice! :)

[@Dahrenhorst]

I learned photography in the 70s of the last century. At this time, there were virtually no usable quality zoom lenses, so I stood away from them. My first zoom lens was the kit lens of my first digital DSLR (a Pentax some 15 years ago or so). I started watching my pictures nearly exclusivly on computer monitors, so the quality defincies did not weigh in so much, but I learned to like the comfort of a zoom lens. Today, the majority of my photos are done with one of my two zoom lenses (12-40mm 2.8 Zuiko and 100-300mm Panasonic). Only if truly needed (really low light or "scanning" photos or I'm doing a special portrait session) I use my 45mm 1.2 Zuiko. I'm debating to buy the 60mm makro Zuiko for, well, makros, but if I want to expand into really wide angle photography, that will be a zoom lens again. I just prefer the comfort over walking, and walking is not only the disadvantage of primes over zoom lenses today, especially since the quality of a good zoom lens output is nearly indistinguishable from that of a prime lens, unless you are cropping massivly or produce squaremeter large prints.

[@bfs5113]

I believed my first zoom lens back then was the Vivitar Series 1 70-210 f/3.5 and there wasn't a kit lens option for my first camera (Nikon F2A). Nowadays, I hardly use a prime and just buy lens trinity for any new mount. 😊

[@chris5355]

James, thanks for the video. This comment is to identify the animal - it's a coypu (ragondin in French, sometimes known elsewhere by the name of its fur: 'nutria') originally from South America. It differs from the muskrat by having a round (rather than flat) tail. Very common pest (nuisible) in France. Otters do have (rather splendid) tails but are classified in a different family from coypu.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Ahha - cheers Chris! Looks like several people agree :)

[@gregorsnell]

James I also dig the 15mm Lumix Leica f1.7 thinking that should be in my bag for video asap.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

As a street photographer and someone’s landscape photos look like a 3 year old drawing I keep my 50mm equivalent on 60% of the time and then the sigma 32mm equivalent 25%. Everything else like the Olympus 12-40 2.8 pro goes on the G9 if I’m doing portrait work for someone. Anyways always enjoy your channel above all others.

[@gingercoastie]

I got my nifty fifty today, I am very excited about playing with the narrow depth of field :)

[@wherezthebeef]

Great lens, I own it.. spot on recommendation, and... looked like a Muskrat, rather than otter, but maybe Muskrats are called Otters in the UK?

[@iainhall5477]

It is a coypu (nutria) as known in Austria and Germany . It is is an invasive species introduced for its fur

[@beastlysnippets]

you are the one who's right about this animal :)

[@peterlemke3468]

Introduced from where?

[@beastlysnippets]

​@@peterlemke3468 Wikipedia says 'subtropical and temperate South America'. Funny, because the similar but smaller muskrat was introduced from North America..

[@outfoxthefox]

Isn’t it a Siberian Hamster, it’s so like the one I bought off a man? I call it Basil.

[@Richard_Ashton]

More like an abominable snow-yak. A baby one.

[@FlightmikeVideos]

Always love your dry sarcasm! Could watch you for hours

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thank you :)

[@Dreyno]

I have a Nikon 50mm f1.8. My camera (D7200) is APSC so it’s a 75mm really. It’s basically a portrait lens. And bloody brilliant for that. My second camera is a Fuji X100s. It’s a fixed 23mm which is 35mm equivalent. That camera has been great for forcing me to walk about and work harder at composition.

[@Discofoxx1]

Thanks for also including your suggestions for other videos in the description box, because for some reason I can't click on the "I" anymore on my laptop 🙄

[@josephcole3187]

invest in a green screen to kill that boredom, totally agree on all counts and the nifty 50 is probably my favorite lens DOF, multi use, probably the best pano lens ...love it

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Haha, that's a great shout! :)

[@daleclark3138]

A Canon 50mm f 1.8 was the kit lens for my first camera, a Canon be A1. Took many pictures in London and on the continent with that lens. Seldom used the heavy zoom lenses of the time. Using a prime simplifies picture taking in a good way.

[@joshuawarren1715]

"I got a great video of an otter..." 😂😂😂

[@Jws9268]

Yes James, it was the 1st M43 lens I bought( outside of the kit lenes) , well, the Panasonic version , love it, every M43 user should have it in their kit I think.

[@kotence777]

I shoot only with prime lens for now because of the price and sharpness but I never consider that aspect of helping to improve my photography :) Thanks.

[@deanrobertnoble138]

Sweet beaver! 🦫

[@AdamDopierala]

all your videos are very beneficial! i learn a lot and they're very entertaining!

[@mattknowshomes]

My thought is to buy an entire camera... A point and shoot. Now it's nearly as cheap as a lens to get the same sensor setup and interface in a point and shoot. Then you can reduce your kit dramatically for certain situations. I HIKE a LOT. Any savings in space and weight is AWESOME. I do compromise a bit on quality many times so I can carry the stuff.

[@geekypink7177]

I love your channel and I hope that you continue to grow so much. Keep up the amazing work.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much :)

[@malcolmcog]

My favourite lens is a a Panasonic/Lieca 25 f1.4. I love it

[@psionicdreams]

That’s a beaver. The big tail is the giveaway.

[@droopyofthenorthwestmounted]

As a Canadian I can assure you that was in fact a beaver.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Ahhhhah!

[@Spineblade]

@@JamesPopsysPhoto Otters are long bois!

[@i.i.iiii.i.i]

@@droopyofthenorthwestmounted As a German I can 100% assure you that it wasn't a beaver but a nutria or muskrat ;) I thought I saw some hairs on the tail, so it's probably a nutria. Here is a chart to distinguish beavers, nutrias and muskrats: images.app.goo.gl/zBzrg94DUhgNbEkW6

[@thecrowfliescrooked]

As a Canadian I agree with the German because he's right.

[@naturshoot8448]

Never really got the whole nifty-fifty thing. The Canon 1.8 used to be ridiculously cheap and popular but I could never understand why as it was not a 50mm equivalent on an APS-C camera (where most poeple used it) and was all plastic and not fantastic. Awful thing. I think the best advice for a newcomer to photography is to join a Photo-a-day community and force yourself to use your camera every day. Yes it puts some pressure on you to take a photo, but that also forces you to try a lot of different things and IMO, makes it more likely you'll know what lens you want to buy next after a kit lens. I also found the PAD community very supportive making it an all round positive experience.

[@colinforber8504]

The Lumix 20mm f1.7 was the first lens I bought when I changed to the m4/3 system. I had no regrets. Sharp, cheap, small and fast.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Me too - had mine since 2012 :)

[@Clipper024]

Another benefit is the low profile of the lens, makes it easy to tuck away under your coat in the winter. It looks very less sexy, which is good when travelling in less secure areas, because of the low cost I wouldn't cry if I lost it.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Great points Peter!

[@matssandquist9258]

I have a Nikon prime 1.8 / 35mm to my DSLR and it is super sharp and very cheap if you consider what you get.

[@BMRTV]

:41 That image in the background looks amazing. One of yours?

[@EricJon]

You are enough and gosh darn it people like you.

[@nigelwest3430]

I've been taking photos since I was 14, I'm now very nearly 63 😱and I've still not settled on one type of photography, hence a lens collection that covers 8mm to 600mm 🤣but I do love my Sigma 50 f1.4 Art

[@wildwisdomjourneys7221]

James, just so you know. You definitely are enough. And, your enoughness is naturally entertaining, informative, and delightful. 😎 Sylvia

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

Thanks so much :)

[@henrymaddocks984]

Panasonic’s 20mm 1.7 is a must have lens. Not quite a 50 but very nifty. One of the best lens ever made.

[@JamesPopsysPhoto]

The first lens I ever bought, still have mine and love it!

[@jannix7262]

The first lens I had was the 25mmm 1.7 and I think it was the best decision. If you have a prime lense you have to move to get the shot you like and with a zoom lense you are just Standing there and zooming like all These Tourists ….