Why every photographer should own a 50mm lens.

[@andrewcroft2570]

Great advice for photographers at all levels.

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!!

[@Analogbrain]

I concur! I often bring one camera with one prime lens, because limitations enhances creativity. 50mm being close to what we actually see is essential, also because we don't bring in compressing or decompressing the elements in the picture. So way to get for beginners, but it never gets outdated. Because they're fast, it's also ideal for low light conditions, and hence very versatile.

[@wikketube]

These are the reasons I use 50mm lens on my full frame camera. Because the focal length matches human eye, the photos look somehow more natural. And it is very easy to learn composing your photo. 50mm prime lens is also very small to carry on trips (I use Nikkor f1.8 pancake). And being a fast lens, you can use it indoors and outdoors. Perfect lens.

[@MrDunk66]

Every beginner needs to hear what this man has to say - pure gold! So much to learn and be reminded of on this channel. Thanks again for sharing, love the work

[@MartinCastein]

You are welcome I’m glad you like it!

[@davidsaylors]

This video should be required viewing for all new photographers coming into the hobby/field of work. You are perfectly on point with this subject.

[@MartinCastein]

Hey David, its great to hear from you, i hope you are doing well buddy!

[@nicktheobald1694]

Thanks

[@MartinCastein]

thanks so much!

[@jdebultra]

So true. My late mentor started me out with a Nikon F (his camera used in Vietnam), and the 50 1.4 and TriX. He became frustrated as I wasn't getting the basics with the D3300 and kit lens. It changed my world in terms of understanding the basics. The lens forced me to scan the edges of the frame to understand what was within them.

[@Riccardo_Mori]

The first camera my dad gave me when I was a teenager was an Agfa Silette LK Sensor, a viewfinder camera with a fixed 45mm f/2.8 lens. After a few years he let me use his Canon AE-1 with a 50mm f/1.8 lens. My 'formative years' in photography have been this, shooting with these two cameras, and shooting slide film - which was tough, especially on the Agfa Silette, which is more imprecise when it comes to nailing exposure. But shooting for years with just 'normal' lenses like those made me better at framing and composing a picture. And made me averse to zooms, especially those bulky ones going through a wide range of focal lengths. I use them every now and then, and while I get that they're handy in some situations, I often feel they just slow me down. I understand why camera manufacturers almost always include a kit zoom lens - it feels more versatile especially for beginners. But I wish they put 50mm primes as kit lenses more often. Great video as usual, Martin. Cheers! //Rick

[@VickGaza]

Thank you for making these videos sir ! I got myself a 2nd hand 6D yesterday- mostly because of watching your videos and am very much looking forward to sharpen my photo skills and really grow into that 6D . I was actually thinking of getting an R6 as my 1st full frame camera after shooting a 7D to death for the past 10 years or so :)) But after seeing your videos, I decided to give myself a chance to really learn the basics and get some pro level quality out of the 6D first :) Saved myself a bit of money as well, that will in time go on lenses :D All the best Martin, I hope your channel blows up and becomes super popular - it`s one of the few bastions of photo content that is not riddled with click bait, reaction videos or those "you won`t believe what this photograher does" and "the top 5 reasons to do this or that" titles !

[@MartinCastein]

You made a good choice with the 6d, work on your skills and you transfer those skills on to any camera in your hands. Thank you for comments about my channel in general, I’m trying to give the kind of information I wish I didn’t have to learn the hard way and I’m not ever going to suck up to camera manufacturers, I’m not trying to impress them. Thanks again.

[@DaveMuller]

Bloody good choice! I made a similar decision, bought a cheap 6D and I love it too. Most other channels were encouraging the new features but this one talked about the simplicity of using an older camera and how much it helps to focus on photos, and I honestly thing my photography is better for it too. Even if my photos aren't better at least I am enjoying it more. Have you used wifi yet? It's the little thing that is helping me the most when I wish for a newer camera since I can get live view on the mobile phone when on a tripod - a small replacement for when I miss the touch screen to zoom in and check focus.

[@Sleepyby]

You basically did this for me! After speaking with you and getting your recommendations, I started with a full frame and 50mm 1.8 (still all I have) Even though I am still only a few months into my practice, I do feel like I have grown much faster by having limited tools (I also do not have the resources to buy lots of gear, but that limitation is what made me reach out to you initially so it keeps working out for me!) I aced my first class and my professor had a lot of encouraging things to say about my work, which I attribute in part to what I have learned from you. Thank you so much for your continued effort in this community, Martin. Know that you are making a tangible difference for the better on my work, and I have no doubt many others.

[@MartinCastein]

well done well done well done. Im so glad you did well in your first class. Keep at it. I will say this to you, as you go on the other students might upgrade their gear and it might feel like you need to but you really dont. The limitation of one lens is also a huge strength, become a master of it. Always remember you are the photographer, not the camera and shoot from the heart and you will be fine. :) wish you all the best keep at it.

[@tashihishey34]

At 65 I discovered as with everything, less is more. I replaced all my gear with a used Leica M240 and a 35mm manual lens. The all manual system has woken me out of my comfort zone. It's an effort to focus, manage the exposure triangle, zoom with my feet, background, foreground composition, subject light, ambient light and after all that my hit rate is about 50%. But it's my errors that is making it challenging and fun. I feel like an artist using light to paint a narrative.

[@MrJapanforce]

perfect. 50mm is the ultimate focal length. the real photography essence

[@andychandler3992]

I started out with two prime lenses, a 50 and a 35. Found a lot of my photos were in the in betweens, so I found a 45mm and that seems to be the sweet spot. My tamron lives in my camera.

[@raymeedc]

Been There, Done That. Shooting for nigh on 50 years now, EyE’ve focused on the 40-ish focal length as my “nifty fifty”. Consequently, my favorite walkaround primes are as follows --- Konica 40mm f1.8 for Full Frame, Fujinon 27mm pancake for APS-C, & Panasonic LUMIX 20mm f1.7 pancake for micro 4/3. I do agree, however, that wherever you wind up, the 5O is where it all stems from. 👁

[@REFIGUY69]

Konica 40mm f1. 8 and voigtlander 40mm f2 hardly leave my camera bodies.

[@karlbrodowsky7744]

In the early 1980s the 50mm was the default lens when you bought a camera. So in the first two years I only had a 50mm. Although for most users the zoom is a more obvious way to start with, especially since we can now increase the ISO to compensate for the aperture difference between 1.4 or 1.7 or 1.8 for the 50mm and 3.5 or 4 or 4.5 for the zoom. But you are making a good point that composition matters and you train that more by using a 50mm.

[@mikafoxx2717]

I've used zooms, and other prime lenses, but nothing catches my eye like a basic 50mm. Maybe because that's what started my photographic journey? My 6D these days has a 1987 EF 50mm f1.8 practically glued to it these days. I got it because the build quality was better than the second generation, and I like to manually focus with the live view for high effort shots, and I don't think the 1.4 lens is better or worth more for me. I mostly shoot at f4-8 anyways. Both lenses will look great at that point. It might be slightly too wide, or too narrow for the shot you originally intended, but you find a way to recompose to see it in another way, perhaps better than the one you originally saw. It gets you to move around.

[@neoaksa]

Thanks!

[@MartinCastein]

You are welcome!

[@crashtestdummy6311]

Thanks mate very helpful info 👌

[@grandpascuba]

I learned photography in the film era. I had a 35mm camera with a 50mm f/1.8 lens. I totally agree with your point.

[@TheLibr4rian]

Great video Martin. Thanks! I'm big fun of primes. Back in a day on FD system I had only primes on my A1 Canon. Love primes since then. 50mm and 35mm is great setup.

[@hal0hal0mc]

In high school in 2004, I learned on my dad's 1970s Pentax ME with a 50mm lens f1.7. I burned through sooo much film back then. While I shoot MFT now and would never go back to the inconvenience of film, having the limitations of a prime lens force you to become a more dynamic photographer and think about composition.

[@baxtermarrison5361]

As a child growing up in the 1970s, I was given a Canon F1, a 35mm, a 50mm and a 135mm and Agfa CT18 slide film. From there I moved on to medium format where zooms were not really a thing, if I recall, Hasselblad had only the one and that was prohibitevly expensive. Whilst now I have a wide variety of glass to choose from I find the 35mm and 85mm will cover me for everything. The same holds good for my medium format work, a 35mm equivalent and an 85mm equivalent. Restrictions lead to better images, absolutely.

[@MartinCastein]

You can do pretty much everything on a 35 and 85 for sure, depends what you shoot but mostly.

[@DebFoley]

Love hearing this explanation of the 50mm lens! I've been using it for magazine assignments and now I know why it makes sense:))

[@williamcurwen7428]

You present a very good argument. I have a collection of standard lenses ranging in equivalence between 45 to 58mm in focal length. What I like about the standard lens is being free from the tyranny of exaggerated perspective, and the freedom of choice in lens design, whether it be Tessar, Biotar, Sonnar to name a few, they all give a unique take upon how we can optically render an image based purely upon compositional content. Plus they are cheap and plentiful on the secondhand market.

[@abrahamudofia5272]

This man is wonderful 🏆 ❤

[@ootnaboot2]

Excellent video, I started with a 50mm and have suffered from GAS and now have 10 Nikon lenses. Problem is I can't decide what to take and always feel I've taken the wrong lens. I'm going to stick to 50mm on my D700 for a while and see how I do. I don't think I'll manage a whole year, the rest of September would be an achievement for me.

[@MartinCastein]

Ahh no need to do a whole year I only half mean it literally although it would be great for a beginner it’s more about the mindset. It’s a great way to learn!

[@franksfiddle9031]

I bought a nifty fifty a couple of months ago, to go alongside the zoom that came with the camera and I confess I'm still floundering a little as to what to use it for. I bought it specifically to take some family portriats with our new grandson in a few weeks when we visit them and I'm trying to get to grips with composition and distance etc, so this was a real help for me. Thank you - new subscriber, Mike

[@MartinCastein]

thanks Mike, keep at it with the 50mm, can be frustrating at times but really rewarding once you start getting it right.

[@franksfiddle9031]

@@MartinCastein thanks, I'm enjoying playing with the 'bouquet' and shutter speeds and I have it on manual with auto ISO, so I don't thinki my photos might be as shap as they could be, but I'm getting there :)

[@MartinCastein]

@@franksfiddle9031 probably need faster shutter speed, thats probably the no1 reason people dont get sharp photos

[@franksfiddle9031]

@@MartinCastein I'm certainly trying to use as fast a shutter speed as I can ... as my wine glass on the table in the garden last night will atest to 😂😂

[@MartinCastein]

🤣

[@modernmusicstudio303]

I really liked your thoughts on photographic decision making. You've really put some time into your strategies. Thank you for the great video.

[@MartinCastein]

My pleasure!

[@TheYuhasz01]

I started my photo journey with Yashica 124g with a fixed lens. All I had for 3 years. When I included Nikon 35mm I used 50 mm prime lens. Work with what you have….Allows one to completely focus on composition and light, not gear.

[@MartinCastein]

Absolutely, not enough focus on work, too much on the gear.

[@MichaelRusso]

I find myself going back to the 50mm. A great focal length for full frame or film.

[@paulyiustravelogue]

Great framing philosophy 👍🏻

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

I totally agree. Good advice!

[@marknorman389]

Gonna give that a go

[@ccoppola82]

I used to use 35mm a lot until I realized I was cropping to 50mm often. So, I bought a 50L. Love it. One of the things I hardly ever see mentioned, especially in editorial/documentary work is that it records “honestly” meaning there is no DOF distortion from front to back. I find that incredibly useful for those types of work especially. Something like a 28 or even 35 can introduce perspective distortion that makes a scene dramatic, but sort of a lie at the same time. I always use a 50 now unless I’m knowingly going into a situation where I’ll be crammed. Then it’s 28.

[@MartinCastein]

Hi Chris, you make a good point there about the lack of distortion, you are quite right. I think that certainly helps with its overall look as well.!

[@philrmcknight]

I went with the Canon 50mm 1.8 STM and it's giving me fantastic results, the price can't be beat.

[@blue7724]

The plastic fantastic 50mm 1.8 is literally the only lens I have for my 5d. For my Fuji, I have a whole bunch of other focal lengths but it's the 35mm f2 or ~50 equivalent I have on it 90% of the time precisely for the reasons you outlined in this vid. When out with friends or other times when I can only fit 1 lens in a tiny bag, the 50mm's my default.

[@MartinCastein]

Yep, good choice nice setup you have too really.

[@hurleygreen927]

GREAT INFO...I agree with U: A nifty 50 is a MUST for us photographers! :)

[@swphoto]

Great video Martin. Can’t beat a Nikon 50mm f1.8g for overall image quality low light performance and the fact that they are so cheap compared to anything else. Works great on both my full frame D750 and the crop D7200 (although some of the benefits that you mention in terms of composition can be lost due to the effect of the crop)

[@MartinCastein]

yes the 50mm 1.8g is a brilliant little lens, really like it. I should do a few shoots with that i think too.

[@hurleygreen927]

Revisiting this video...after mostly using a 24-70mm zoom, I Iind nyself switching back to my nifty 50mm a LOT!

[@mberggren9768]

Hmmh, that’s probably why I have three of them. 😀 The 50/1.2L is a great lens, and the 1.8 STM is a fine little lens as well. I’ve got the first version of the 50/1.8, but sold the plastic fantastic. Haven’t got the 50/1.4. The ones I’ve handled felt quite cheap.

[@MartinCastein]

hahaha i had the 3 of them together at the same time the 1.4 i am not that keen on its just optically not very good imo. the 50 1.2 is wonderful!

[@paulc9139]

That's interesting, as I've had a 50mm 1.8 on my Canon 50d for a while now which I like, I also like the Canon 5d the first model which is my next buy, in readiness for the Christmas holidays forward thinking is good. I can do a Canon 5d and a 50mm 1.8 for a year, I'll bet I learn loads.

[@MartinCastein]

Youll have a good time with that setup, stick with it!

[@REFIGUY69]

Martin, what are your thoughts on legacy MF lenses on todays cameras? I ask bc your love of the older dslrs that are mostly ccd and cmos sensors provide that look you always speak about on your channel. Do older 60s and 70s lenses add to a look? Or is it all sensor and that older glass affect only film

[@Heart0rHead]

I prefer 40 mm in that role. For Canon EF you have excellent pancake 40/28, Fuji has 27/2.8 and Sony 40/2.5.

[@chrissmith7069]

Hi again Martin, what a great way of explaining things! It really helps out alot!!! I have a 50mm 1.8 and it's a great little lens with the 5 and 6D, makes it so much smaller and easier to manage for me. I've always struggled with composition so these vids really help me. Keep up the great work, I genuinely hope this channel becomes a success. I have no interest in chasing pipe dreams with auto this, auto that, track a car, track and dog, lol..... If I can compose the frame correctly in the first place or get the expose nailed with my 5D then I'll be super happy! 👍👍

[@MartinCastein]

Chris, thank you once again, im so pleased this is useful for people, makes it worthwhile for me for sure and its great to hear the feedback. Nice to have the 5d and 6d at the same time as well for you, they go well togther!

[@DrZeeple]

Good job sir!

[@azamatosh]

what a channel! i was locked into 50mm for 2-3 years, including professional sports photography 🤣. then I rediscovered zooms.

[@MartinCastein]

hahahah brilliant!

[@grantrobertdavies]

I agree :)

[@manrex5238]

That’s nice but when you are in a confined space, how You back up to get the composition you want you just can’t you have to change your lens to a wider one like 35mm

[@efreutel]

Superb. Thank you.

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you too!

[@TheDavveponken]

Then the advanced level is 35mm I guess? ;) It's good advice, and quite frankly, for the reasons you put forward, the 50mm is the most comfortable focal length in my opinion. 85mm a lot of the time tend to get "stuffy". So its not without it's challenges or expertise neither I suppose - unless you strictly go for the straightforward (albeit imo boring) headshot that is.

[@MartinCastein]

hahaha well yes i guess in some ways the 35mm is a bit harder but i think the 50 is perfect for practice and general purpose use. I know what you mean about the 85mm, it has its place though. Thanks for the comment!

[@TheDavveponken]

@@MartinCastein It most certainly is.

[@peterkim7571]

Slamming, love your video's! Mahalo!

[@MartinCastein]

Glad you like them!

[@castieldiallo2945]

agreed. the 50mm was my first lens. i shot exclusively with it for 6 months. then i bought an 85mm. i repeated the process when i went mirrorless.

[@stephendasilvamadeira2749]

Thanks for the video. WHen you say 50 mm, I think you are telling it on a Full-frame camera. But canon, for example, has no 50 mm for APS-C sensor. Still valid the 50 mm? Beacuse from what I understand, changing to a 35 mm to have similar FoV won't give the same DoF.

[@MartinCastein]

yes generally everything is full frame unless otherwise stated. you can use 35mm on crop which gets you to about 56mm. 35 x 1.6. depth of field will change yes but its fine.

[@MichaelSchagen]

I've always found the 50mm a difficult focal length. It forces you to take quite some distance from your subject if you want to include some context, but this distance forces you to be the observer of the scene, and not be part of it so to speak. Wider angle lenses force you or allow you to get closer, leading to more engagement. In a way it sometimes almost feels like cheating. The 35mm is my typical 'story telling' lens. Maybe that's why the 50mm is a good teaching lens? Can't rely on easy engagement or spectacle from the wide angle or the easy isolation of the long lens?

[@MartinCastein]

Yes the 35mm is easier to work with, although when i stated wide angle i was really referring to 24mm and below i suppose. The 50mm forces you to really think about what you want to keep and i like it for this reason, the 35mm is more practical but i think the 50mm is prettier when you get it right.

[@mikefoster6018]

100%. I almost expect anxiety from beginners who buy the 50mm as one of their first lenses, as it's very tricky to get results! (I'm still halfway in that category myself). I think a lot of 24-35mm etc photos are too lazy, relying on the basic wow factor of distortion and only weakly considering the background. With the 50mm, it can be like having to portrait the foreground and portrait the background simultaneously. I love that. It's like composing a comic strip panel or a miniature model vignette.

[@MartinCastein]

That’s a great description I know exactly what you mean with portrait the background and foreground

[@iggytse]

A 50mm prime is going to also be the cheapest optically great lens to own even if it is a budget friendly f1.8.

[@jasongold6751]

The real reason folks pick the 35mm over 50mm, is really about Leica M viewfinder. It's the easiest frame to use! The 50mm small. The 90mm almost useless, the 135mm a joke! Seeing the 28mm on my M6, a total surprise! With glasses invisible! The 50mm is the least expensive lens, one of the fastest, best in perfection, no distortion!

[@Photofuel]

What?!

[@exitar1]

Exactly why not 43mm? Or 35mm?

[@MartinCastein]

literally explained in the video

[@reesmarkham2140]

I had my 🎒 bag packed, all read for two-day photo trip. I am going to repack it with a 40 mm and 85 mm. I don't have a 50 mm. Thank you for the God sent message. I am going to do the best I can with what I have.

[@mohammadfarooq7229]

Sir I am using 18 to 135 and 50 mm 1.8 Canon 60D I am not a professional photographer

[@MartinCastein]

You have good gear, stick at it!

[@413TomaccoRoad]

I have more 50mm lenses than I will ever use. There is only 1 that I don't have that I would like to have, a Zeiss 50mm f/2 ZF.2. I have 0 desire for the f1.4.

[@mohammadfarooq7229]

Nikon cameras mirrorless very high prices in Pakistan specially in Karachi no purchasing power Nikon and Canon low prices camera manufacturing please full frame

[@MartinCastein]

You don’t need full frame crop sensor is fine too

[@moritzschneider2735]

Was geht ab Junge

[@johnleftwich650]

I watched a YouTouber today who says 35mm is the best. I'm so confused. Not really but there are differing opinions.

[@MartinCastein]

It’s just different opinions there is no correct answer, pick one and go for it you will be fine 🙂

[@guitarsid]

Every lens video needs to state the crop factor right in the title, none ever do it.

[@fredriksvard2603]

Nah. 85mm for me, if i'd go wider i'd go wider than 50. Never got a 24-70 for that reason.

[@Wilbafarce]

So easy to waste money on gear especially with the constant barrage of marketing, I've really enjoyed using old 50mm adapted lenses on an old 5d mkii, Helios, pentacon, takumar etc. Probably not great for events due to manual focus.....

[@goldenfrog6EsCoSes]

Once again there is the assumtion that most beginner photographers purchase a full-frame camera. I doubt the veracity of this assumption.

[@MartinCastein]

no im just stating that is what i would like beginners to learn on given the choice. i dont really care about the sensor size, could be a 35 on a crop.

[@akmmonirulislam3961]

50mm is the focul length of human eye. So if you want what you see the you need one 50mm prime. Use your legs for zooming in or zooming out. I do this with 105mm lens.

[@keithbuck8252]

Thanks

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you so much Keith!

[@brucelevine4904]

Thanks!

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!!