The 50mm lens is a simple, versatile lens that is perfect for all types of photography.  50mm lenses can take high-quality photos, often comparable to more expensive professional-grade lenses.  Compare a 50mm lens to a typical standard zoom lens, and you’ll see sharper, higher-contrast images with a 50mm lens.  Learn how to make better use of the 50mm lens with this guide.  

How to make better use of the 50mm lens  

1. Know your sweet spot  

All lenses have an aperture sweet spot, and 50mm lenses are no exception.  The aperture sweet spot is the aperture setting that produces the sharpest image for the widest depth of field.  The rule of thumb is that the best aperture is usually 2-3 stops from the maximum aperture.  

For most 50mm lenses, the maximum aperture is F/1.4, between F /2.8 and F/4.  

However, the best way to find out where the aperture is best is to test your lens.  Take photos of the same subject using different apertures.  The image is then examined using post-processing software to check sharpness.  

2. Use 1/50 shutter speed or faster  

The amount of time the shutter stays open, called shutter speed, directly affects the quality of a 50mm photo under different lighting conditions.  When working with a 50mm lens, it’s important to know how to adjust the shutter speed.  

Use a fast shutter speed (e.g. 1/125 or 1/250) to shoot fast-moving objects, such as cars or birds. If you want blurry motion in the photo, select a slower speed, such as 1/60.  

If you’re shooting in dark or poorly lit Spaces, choose 1/250 or faster shutter speed.  In addition, you need to stabilize the camera while shooting at a slow shutter speed, so I strongly recommend you buy the best tripod.  

3. The spotlight  

Schedule your shots carefully so that you are in ideal lighting conditions.  The middle of the day is usually not a good time to shoot, as natural light can be harsh, creating strong shadows and boring shots.  If you want to photograph people, shoot a few hours after sunrise and then a few hours before sunset.  Primetime can make for beautiful pictures, but the light changes too quickly, which can often be a problem when taking portraits.  

Primetime ambient light also tends to saturate, which can be distracting for portrait photography.  By shooting a little after sunrise and a little after sunset, you can still enjoy soft, warm ambient light without the problems mentioned above.  This makes filming easier, stress-free, and more successful.  

4. Use your maximum and minimum apertures correctly  

The aperture affects the exposure and focus of a photo.  The larger the aperture, the more blurred the background, and the brighter the exposure.  The smaller the aperture, the less blur and the darker the exposure.  To adjust the aperture, find the “F” value in the “Aperture” section of the camera menu.  Remember, the smaller the number, the larger the aperture.  

If you use a 50mm lens and want to take scenery, architecture, or group shots, choose an APERTURE of F4 or F5.6.  So you can take the whole picture without blurring the background object.  If you work in low light or want to take portrait/close-up images (such as still life photos), set the aperture to F1.4, F1.8, or F2.8.  Autofocus may not work well at a wide aperture, so use manual focus.  

5. Experimental shooting under low light conditions  

The 50mm lens performs well in low light conditions.  These lenses have a wider aperture, allowing more light to enter the camera than other lenses.  This gives you more room to focus properly in low-light conditions.  If you can’t get a proper exposure by adjusting the aperture, I suggest you try using shutter speed.  

To avoid camera shake when using a low shutter speed, use a tripod.  I recommend using apexel’s tripod.  Apexel’s tripod is robust, lightweight, and easy to use.  You can also adjust the ISO to achieve the appropriate exposure.  However, this is often not optimal.  While raising the ISO will help improve the brightness of the image, it will also increase the appearance of noise.  When shooting in low light, try the aperture and shutter speed first and then increase the ISO.  

After studying this guide, you will know how to use the 50mm lens better. Bring your lens and take beautiful photos.