Camera lenses come in all sizes, speeds, and prices. No doubt you may have been shocked to see the sticker price for lenses after you bought your first SLR (or DSLR as the case may be).

So how does one decide which is the right size lens for you? Go with history and nature (or science as it were).

Photography History teaches us that the 50mm prime lens was once the “staple” of the photography industry and unfortunately may have fallen out of favor with the casual photographer. One has to ask why?

Zoom lenses, like the “kit” lens that came with your camera, “offer” more versatility because you are “combining” many focal lengths in one lens! Well, that’s what the camera manufacturers would have you believe. While zoom lenses certainly have their place (I would never give up my 2.8 70-200mm) they can really be quite skimpy on quality until you hit those “pro” prices.

The simple science behind the 50mm lens creates natural looking images, especially when creating portraiture. Often called the “standard” or “normal” lens, it renders images that closely match the true perspective of the human eye.

Here’s what you can do with a 50mm prime.

• Photograph indoors without a flash

Speed is truly one of the biggest reasons to get a fixed lens. Even the entry level fixed focal length 50mm lenses clock in at around f1.8 which is plenty fast enough to use with limited available light. Getting away from using your on camera flash is the easiest way to eliminate “snapshot photography”!

• Better glass

You may often hear professional photographers discussing the quality of their “glass”. Think of the term “glass” as a general reference for the lens in it’s entirety. Essentially, photographers take many things into consideration when choosing lenses including but not limited to; speed, optics, and price. The optics of a 50mm lens are often times much better than a comparably priced zoom lens. It’s really just a matter of manufacturing costs. The more moving parts there are to a lens the more expensive it is to make. Prime lenses have much fewer moving parts than zoom lenses so the lens manufacturers can use better optics (sharper images) and offer lower prices.

• Become a better photographer

While I tend to shy away from saying that purchasing equipment will make you a better photographer, I truly believe that a prime lens can do that for you. It isn’t just about quality of images produced, it’s more about limiting your options and making you think. Without being able to zoom in and out to frame your image, you’ll actually have to use your feet to “zoom”. You’ll find at times this may limit you, which can be good because you will have to use that brain to creatively overcome whatever obstacle stands in your way.

Here’s the disclaimer part. DSLR’s using the smaller sensors (most DSLR’s) use a “focal length multiplier” of approximately 1.6 which turns a 50mm into an 85mm lens (approximately). No big deal really. It takes a little away from the “normal” human eye perspective, but not by much. You still get the benefits of better optics, a faster lens, and a cheaper price (plus prime lenses tend to be super sharp in comparison to their zoom brethren).

Here are a couple popular 50mm entry level lenses for your Canon or Nikon camera which should cover most of you readers.
(My apologies in advance for not listing every single alternative with prices and comparisons for every single make and model.)

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens Amazon $89.74 at time of publishing.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Amazon $108.95 at time of publishing.

While those prices are really great it isn’t much more to move up in quality. The optics get better and the speeds are faster which will give you more freedom in lower light situations and produce better bokeh, so don’t forget to explore those options as well.

Photograph The beauty and the bee by gaelv

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