Why 50mm? | a Discussion

A response to Bill's video last week about the 50mm focal length.
-Eric
See the photo gear we use and recommend at www.amazon.com/shop/disneyima...
Find the Adobe photo editing programs we use at
clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p...
DISCLAIMER: If you would like to help us support the channel and allow us to continue making videos like this, shop through the affiliate links above. This means that if you buy through one of the product links, we may receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!! - Bill & Eric

[@Mitcheb4]

Well said about photography being so broad and covering all groups of people. thanks for making this!

[@BillEricPhotography]

Thanks for watching!

[@guyyowell8547]

It’s nice to hear the other side of the story, because everyone does have a different opinion especially as it relates to zooms versus primes. I love my 50mm f/1.2S prime for shooting portraits because it allows you to get closer to your subject to establish a more intimate relationship during the shoot.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Great point thanks Guy!

[@JimSamuel267]

There's a lot of debate about 50mm lens but it seems that just about everyone ignores three things about the focal length. 1) In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the 50mm lens was the "kit lens" that came with most 35mm cameras. 2) the 50mm lens perspective is closest to what the human eye sees. Do not confuse perspective with the field of view. 3) The lenses are relatively simple and do not require a lot of correction to avoid distortion so they are inexpensive to make.

[@BillEricPhotography]

All true thanks. Point #2 is the main reason I love 50mm!

[@Jeff82556]

You are the first one to say what I thought everyone else would say - but didn't. Your #2 point is your/the most important mentioned fact. Thanks!

[@jimwlouavl]

Photographers are more contentious than the Avignon popes. But seriously, I like that the two of you have and share different views.

[@BillEricPhotography]

haha yes!

[@jhenry248]

That 50 is versatile on a camera that can switch from full frame to crop.

[@BillEricPhotography]

true

[@RicG.]

I've heard that channel owners are able to see the "dislike" metrics somewhere. Don't know if this is true or not, but you might want to search for it. Thanks for the vid.

[@BillEricPhotography]

yup I found them! Good to know thanks!

[@RicG.]

I started out using a little box camera back in the late 50's/early 60's as a little kid. l still have it today. 😎

[@BillEricPhotography]

That’s great, I love using vintage cameras it’s still fun!

[@JasonLorette]

I bought the Nikon Z 50mm 1.8 with my new Z6II, it’s a fantastic lens, but it reminded me I’m a zoom guy I think. I’m really eyeing Nikons new 24-120 f4…I just wish Sigma would start making Z Art lenses.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Yeah I can’t wait for sigma to get into the Z and RF game!

[@messylaura]

i tried a few times to answer it with a specific focal in primes but most of the time when i'm on the primes i already have something in mind to shoot so a prime for me isn't a natural starting out point, for that i would use my 18-150mm, (crop camera), its what i use when i'm on walkabout with nothing really in mind. as for diversity, yes thats defiantly a thing with me, i shoot al kinds, one of the best things to do is be on a camera forum that has monthly subject challenges or shooting themes. i was never into Bokeh, i just thought it was alot of bollocks and camera people nerdy etc. but one month we had bokeh as a subject and i initially thought "ah crap thats a rubbish subject" a week into it after making a proper effort into the subject i really started to get it, not just DOF but the true bokeh and the vintage lenses that make it so wonderful, now its one of my fav things, being given a subject to shoot rather than choosing the same stuff is a great way to expand and learn new ideas primes i use the most on a crop camera are 32mm 50/55/56mm and 105mm, the 32mm for me is the equ of your 50mm, i like it alot as its probably as wide as i like to go, its close to what i see with my own eyes, the efm 32mm ƒ1.4 is such a good lens that its probably alot to do with it as well, hits every time great optics and being an efm its a compact set up thats always something i can take any where i prefer the 50-58mm though (around 85mm in FF), its a range where i can get up close for portraits the medium distance on it is good too, it makes for great flower images esp with the vintage 50-55mm which includes enough background to get a wonderful painting like render. lenses are like clothes, you got the ones you use to get a job done but its great to dress up and try different stuff

[@BillEricPhotography]

That’s a great way to look at it! And I love the idea of taking on, or giving yourself, a photo assignment.

[@BlueLion364]

I think it might be that you can become reasonably proficient in a short period of time, but it still can take a lifetime of learning and mastering. I think it's kind of like how there are WAY more gun shooters than bow shooters for very similar reasons.

[@BillEricPhotography]

Makes sense, thanks!

[@robertaaron8333]

when are you guys going to disney world

[@BillEricPhotography]

Eric is there right now!

[@ohmartinbronson]

50mm is like the jack of all trades, master of none, but I really like it! The canon ef-m 32mm (50 equivalent on m50) is superb and almost never leaves my camera unless the situation demands something else. Thanks for the video!

[@BillEricPhotography]

That’s a perfect description of the 50!

[@johnherzel718]

Come on now, I was expecting a really in depth discussion defending your love of the 50mm. I am on record for always buying the nifty fifty for whatever camera I have. I love the lens because of it's ability to look great at a normal focal length with or without a blown out background. I get it as the first lens, I use it and then I move on to a 28, 35, 85, then 20mm lens to build out my primes. The fifty almost never comes out once I have the other lenses. I love it, but I'm always looking for a different focal length. I even have some classic f1.2's (adapted FD, Pentax or Mamiya/M42) that have that amazing dreamy look, but I always start with 28/35 and then 85. But really the magic happens at 135 f2. As much as I love my nifty fifty, it lives in the bag not on the camera. But every now and then it becomes the goldilocks lens. Just right.👽

[@BillEricPhotography]

Haha I’ve done that I’m another video or two. I think maybe Bill and I will do a whole video on it together.

[@johnherzel718]

@@BillEricPhotography the funny thing about this is that I always try to get the f4 zooms and fast primes. The nifty fifty is usually my fastest lens (I do have the EF 50 f1.4 and f1.8 but I got the 1.4 used for a real bargain) but I find the 85 and especially the 135 get used instead. This is a strange hobby. So many good opinions, but always at odds with each other. Maybe I just need to use one lens for a couple of months. No exceptions. I might have to get the 50 out.

[@BillEricPhotography]

That’s a great way to really get to know (and possibly love) a lens, shoot with it exclusively for a while.

[@johnherzel718]

@@BillEricPhotography I'm on the fence only because I just picked up the 17-40 f4 as an early Christmas present (I sold my old 20-35 several years ago to buy my first good digital camera -S100 because I wasn't using my EOS A2 film camera much and wanted to see if digital was going to make it! Boy was I late to the party!) But I might try just that and the 50. Why is this so hard 😭

[@BillEricPhotography]

There's too many choices!

[@michael-4k4000]

Did you and Bill split up? “Eric photography”

[@BillEricPhotography]

Not at all. We don't always make our videos together. In fact we do most of them separately.