I will admit I use my 50mm lens more than any other lens I own because I am in my fifties; it just seems comfortable. However, there are other reasons this is my go-to lens as a middle-aged GenX hobby photographer. So, let’s dive into those reasons together.
The nifty-fifty is the nickname that has stuck with the 50mm lens for forever and a day, and probably because it really is nifty, as well as versatile, sharp, and the perfect lens for almost any situation!
The Nifty-Fifty
A 50mm lens is often called a “normal” lens because its perspective looks relatively natural—similar to how we perceive a scene with our very own eyes.
Unlike wide-angle lenses, which can stretch and distort objects near the edges, or telephoto lenses, which compress distance, a 50mm lens produces a balanced and natural-looking image.
The focal length also affects how much of the scene the camera captures. A 50mm lens provides a moderate field of view, making it useful for portraits, street photography, travel, landscape, and everyday scenes. Its optical design can also be relatively simple, which allows manufacturers to produce lenses that are compact, sharp, and affordable.
Many 50mm lenses have wide maximum apertures, such as f/1.8 or f/1.4. A wide aperture allows more light to reach the camera sensor, making the lens effective in low-light conditions. It also creates a shallow depth of field, which can separate a subject from the background and produce smooth bokeh.
Together, these optical properties make the 50mm lens a remarkably versatile tool for the hobby photographer.
Bokeh
The word bokeh comes from the Japanese term boke, which roughly means “blur” or “haze.” In photography, it describes the way a lens renders areas outside the plane of focus.
Bokeh is particularly noticeable with small points of light in the background. Streetlights, candles, or sunlight filtering through trees can turn into soft, glowing circles that add atmosphere to an image.
Creating bokeh doesn’t necessarily require expensive equipment. A few basic photography techniques can make a big difference.
Use a wide aperture. A lens set to a wide aperture, such as f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.8, produces a shallow depth of field. This keeps your subject in focus while the background is out of focus.
Move your subject away from the background. The greater the distance between your subject and the background, the stronger the background blur can become.
Get closer to your subject. Shooting from relatively close to your subject can also help create a shallow depth of field and emphasize the separation between the subject and its surroundings.
Personally, I love bokeh! I think that is what opened up the world of macro photography for me. One day, I was up the old country road I walk in the mornings, taking some landscape photos, when I decided to move closer to some brambles. Boom! I was hooked on another style of photography.
That creamy-looking background is beautiful in and of itself, and it makes the subject stand out, giving the viewer a deeper look at something they may not notice in the day-to-day of life.
Versatile
No matter the situation, a 50mm lens works well. If you are getting started with photography, I think this lens is a must! The quality and sharpness of a 50mm lens are undeniable; ask any professional, and even they will admit it is their go-to lens when conditions are difficult and they want a great image.
If there is one thing I got right when I started this hobby, it was investing in a 50mm lens. Today, I still use that same lens, and often…
Featured image by David.