The 50mm prime lens is a versatile and popular portrait lens.  So popular that many photographers only use this length for indoor and outdoor shoots.  The 50mm prime lens is also a reliable choice between wide-angle and telephoto prime and is one of the most recommended lenses for beginners. The flexibility of having a middle lens makes it easier to get different compositions without switching shots.  Learn this article, together to know the 50mm prime lens.  

1. Why do we need a 50mm prime lens?  

The 50mm prime lens is small and compact, making it ideal for carrying around for everyday use.  Also, if you want to travel with it, unlike other larger lenses, it doesn’t weigh much.  

Any self-respecting photographer will have one on their camera, or it will be handy.  They are versatile and affordable.  If you’re on a budget, this lens is a more affordable option.  A diligent lens at a reasonable price.  The lens is suitable for almost any situation, as well as for still images and videos.  If you’re a minimalist who likes to travel as light as possible, then a 50mm lens is what your camera needs.  

2. Three common uses of the 50mm prime lens  

(1) Portrait  

Most 50mm lenses have an extremely wide aperture (e.g. F /1.4) that allows a large amount of light to pass through their glass elements.  This means you can shoot in dim conditions at a reasonable shutter speed, but more importantly, it can produce bokeh (background blur) that is very good for portraits.  

The flexibility provided by this focal length means it is ideal for full-length shots, standard upper body portraits, and even corporate headshots.  All of these types of lenses maintain separation between the subject and the background due to their wide aperture.  

(2) Landscape  

Most people use wide-angle lenses to shoot landscapes, which is the right choice in most cases, but don’t overlook the idea of carrying a 50mm lens.  Sometimes a wide-angle lens shows too much area, especially if most of the area is featureless, while a 50mm lens brings the viewer closer and shows more detail.  If a scene is too busy and many elements are competing for attention, the 50mm lens will crop out everything except the main theme.  

You may need to rethink your usual approach to scenic scenes, but that’s not a bad thing, and you’ll probably come up with more creative ways to express this point of view.  Next time you go hiking in the mountains, bring a 50mm lens in case you need a different composition for the scenery.  It’s a light and compact lens, so you won’t have any problems fitting it into your camera bag.  It can make standard landscape shots better.  

(3) Wedding  

A 50mm lens isn’t usually a wedding photographer’s first choice, but they’ll hide it in their camera bag somewhere.  This type of lens provides consistently good results under all conditions.  You can use it in an outdoor environment and under indoor ambient light.  When photographing the bride and groom as a couple, as they are surrounded by friends and family, you will appreciate its standard perspective.  The 50mm lens has a wider field of vision than the small telephoto lenses that are standard for wedding photographers and can be used to photograph all of the bride’s dress, not just the top half.  

(4) Street photography  

The 50mm lens allows you to lean back a bit.  You can focus more on your main subjects, their features, and their expressions without worrying about too many distracting details.  

It’s great for people who are nervous about street photography because you don’t have to get too close, and autofocus is easier than 35mm because you’re further back and usually have more time to focus.  

While it’s hard to fit as many elements into a frame as 35mm, you can still easily accommodate multiple subjects at once, and the compressed view will allow you to fill the frame with them and see all their details.  The 50mm will focus the scene on your subject and the most important background details.  It allows you to highlight their expressions and personalities by getting close to what matters.