Comments on: 128 — Your First Lens Should be a Nifty 50mm

By: Enrique Waizel

Enrique Waizel — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 05:53:04 +0000

Another good one Marko.
Hey, what about a 40mm f2.8 pancake? Also a simple one and not expensive to start. Yes, probably not that luminous compared to the 50mm f1.8. Nevertheless, I find mine (Canon) very quiet and incredibly fast to focus.
Well also about the 50mm, it could be worth to mention the expensive f1.4 and super expensive f1.2. With the good ISO sensitivities, is there someone actually buying these?
Keep on podcasting!!!

By: Marko Kulik

Marko Kulik — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:44:17 +0000

Thanks for the comment Nuno!
I’ve not used this lens but that 1.8 means this lens is also bright which makes it fab for indoor shooting.
The 35mm as you mentioned, means its perspective is like that of a traditional 50mm on a FF camera. The price is very reasonable.
It gets good marks on dpreview.com (a good site for gear reviews for those that may not know).
Thanks for bringing this affordable alternative (with the ‘traditional’, ‘normal’ perspective) for DX cameras to our attention!

By: Nuno C.

Nuno C. — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 09:40:22 +0000

Hi Marko,

Thanks for another great podcast.

I have the Nikon D3200 with the 18-105mm kit lens.
A couple of months ago I decided to buy a prime with a smaller aperture and ended up buying the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G (the price tag was the same as the 50mm, around 170 EUR = 230 USD).
On my camera it’s a 52.5mm equivalent which is easier to use indoors without the need to back up through the wall
I love this lens and have been using it constantly.

Do you know this lens? I’d like to hear your thoughts on it?

Thanks and regards.

By: Barefoot

Barefoot — Sat, 31 May 2014 01:35:06 +0000

Never underestimate the power of a 50mm. Always had one, just never used it. Until lately, that is. Several weeks ago I picked up the Sony a6000 and adapters for some of my legacy glass that includes a couple of decent 50's. Now, I'm having the most fun with a camera than I've had in a long time.

By: Christopher Steven B.

Christopher Steven B. — Thu, 29 May 2014 15:55:41 +0000

When I first sold my xti to fund what was at the time a major purchase for me–a canon 5d–I had just enough money left over for a 50mm ($90 used). I had that 50 welded onto my full frame 5d for the next 6 months; I had no other lens. And while it may seem like a huge disadvantage to be stuck at one focal length, I actually found this ‘limitation’ (like most limitations !) to be highly instructive and conducive to creativity. Being at 50mm (or any fixed focal length) teaches you to move, to not be static and just zooming with the lens.

Thanks for the podcast !