@@johndillman8231 ive never been anti commercial, i just like what i like. I like skillshare, i get several offers for sponsorships every day. Even my liking of canon older cameras still benefits the companies like MPB who also sponsor youtubers as well. I honestly dont see how this is at odds with anything else that I do. I really dont have never believed in no one should make money and all business is bad. I also have nothing against mirrorless and own some too, have done since about 2015. Hope that helps John!
50mm is one of my favourite lengths. Even after 50 years of shooting, I often go out with just a single, fast 50mm lens. It makes one slow down, think about composition and move around. Always refreshing. Thanks for this great video.
I agree 100% - I used to take Canon DSLR's out with Nikon & Pentax lenses from the 1950's - 1970's, all fast prime. Slowing down and thinking about the shot as I was learning gave such impressive results even if the shots were not perfect (manual focus lens force you to do this). My favorite was the 50mm Pentax Super Takumar f/1.2. I no longer can use that lens though as I found out how radioactive it was eventually :( (I bought a Geiger counter and yeah it blew up and is not safe around SLR sensors it will fry them eventually ugh). Fast primes like these are affordable and make you think seriously about composition.
The radiation they give off is stopped by skin even, so the shutter and mirror would prevent damage. I wouldn't do astro long exposures or leave it on a mirrorless for sure. It's not dangerous to use and the Swiss estimated that a professional photographer would get the radiation dose over a year from the lens equal to one round trip flight to America, or so.@@davey3765
When I got my Z mount Nikkor 50 I forced myself to use it more than the 24-70 zoom everyone uses. It's because I grew up with 50mm and needed to reconnect, so the experience has been a really good refresher over the past year. Your explanation is really good, so will pass the link to a lot of the people who attend our photo walks, the ones who ask "How did you get that" when seeing my work, and I cannot explain the process as well as you. I think a lot of younger people have only seen the wide angle shots from mobiles, so are surprised when they see something different!
I struggle with 50mm so these tips are all so useful. That idea of shooting something ordinary is something I’ve actually been doing myself recently but you pushed it further than I have. Thanks, Martin.
I struggle as well, but now I got a new vision. For the most part I carry my 35mm on a full frame camera and to get some 50mm shoots I use crop mode, however, that makes me feel like all is jamned into small space and I crave more. Maybe the fact that I got my wings by shooting on a 126mm film camera shaped my eye to see a more inclusive picture frame. I confess to walking back every time I switch to 50mm.
Both this and your 85mm video were quite thought provoking for me. I’d certainly love to see you extend this concept into a larger series if you have thoughts on other key focal lengths
It is so informative to have not only the technical hints but also the thought processes and compositional exercises to help become a more informed and creative observer. Thank you.
I like a 50mm lens . In my 60s now . Way back in the day most film cameras came with a 50mm in the box . So my photography grew using the 50mm along with my 135 f2.8 . Oh yes and m42 screw mount lenses . Praktika Pentax and Zenit . I got some great results with them . Making the best of what I had . How times have changed in a few short decades .
Great video as always! I’ve been watching your content since quite some time and it’s amazing to see your evolution. You are a great teacher, absolutely no “bs” or fake in your way of presenting and it feels like you are a friend as opposed to these so called masters of photography that you see online, but I do think you are a master portrait photographer. Love the new setup you have (mic/background). Keep pushing content, never give up. I know your channel will grow to a point you would have never guessed, it’s only a matter of time. There’s nothing fake about you and that will take you very far. Btw, I now own a Canon 5D and a 6D because of you and now on the hunt for a Nikon D700 in good shape 😅
Im going to save this comment, that really means a lot, if you could see how hard all this is youd cry for me haha. Im really enjoying it as well though. I just want to let you know i appreciate this comment so much, it really means a lot.
Seems like it was only 30 years ago (it was) that I was working at a teen summer camp and showing campers how versatile the 50mm was/is. We had photography available as an extra activity some evenings and were able to let the campers shoot with a K1000 with a 50mm lens. I had some photos that I took beforehand to show them what was possible. Too often people feel limited by the little 50mm, but it can do a lot.
I'm gobsmacked, I think that's the technical term. This video deserves to be mounted in a 12 x 24 foot gold-plated frame in a museum room where there was formerly a less deserving Rembrandt. I'm joshing, but not really. Oh my, so much golden instruction. Thank you. You've explained why the portrait that I liked best in 60 years of photography was taken with a humble Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Why did I follow the urge to be more flexible; I love the 24-105 but am so inspired by your photos that I may blow the budget, again, for a Canon EF 50/1.2.
Hahaha thank you so much and I nearly didn’t post this as I wasn’t sure it was good enough. The 50 1.2 is wonderful. It’s not a sharp lens at all but when the light is right it is magical
50mm and 85mm are my comfort zones. For practically everything, not just portrait. It's not about bokeh, but tighter framing. When I'm composing, I try to avoid unwanted elements. With 50mm or longer, that's more easily achiveable. Which, I think, is a bit difficult with wide angle lenses.
The eye-level tip is gold. I'm a 6'6" Londoner and I live in China, shooting people who are not 6'6". This really helps. I'm off to Vietnam next week for a holiday/shooting trip, and I'm going to only take my 5D1 and thrifty Fifty. Thanks Martin, cheers
Martin, that video is exactly what I need. Many years ago I had only two lenses for my film camera: 50mm and 135mm. Now i feel that i am using zom lenses too much - which is probably a good thing for landscape and cityscape, but not for portraits. Will try to implement your tips with 50mm lens
I came aross your channel about a week ago, your presentation and information is fantastic. I often watch beginner videos as I feel it's always good to refresh the fundamentals and get another view. Your 85mm was a gamechanger and so was this, thankyou 🤟
I really appreciate this video, I've been taking exclusively my 50 for shoots and trying to get better at composing with it, very timely advice. Always appreciate your insight on composition, gives me a lot to think about
I started my photography journey with the nifty fifty. After many years I went to the 40mm though, just for a slight change, as I don't like the 35mm. Very good video btw!
Great tips. Another example of how to document subjects in surroundings is to shoot art hanging on a wall. You'll consider both lighting and various placements in the frame.
Super talk! Thank you. Sometimes I wonder if 'normal' is a misnomer for the 50mm. To me it's a narrow wide-angle lens . Normal, as in magnification compared to our eyes, is around 60-65mm. And we can verify this by looking through a standard zoom lens whilst keeping the free eye open, watching the two images merge at around that distance as we zoom in from wide to long. That is recognised by Sinar when they supply a 210mm as standard to their 4x5 F2 kit, a 63mm equivalent in the 135 format, although the coverage of such a lens is much wider. So I guess the 50 was chosen for it's versatility. Supplying a 65mm as a normal lens would be too limiting.
I’m pretty much totally blind in my left eye, so I had a lot of frustration with phone cameras especially capturing a much wider angle than what I could see, or what I was aiming for. When I look through a 50mm lens, however, the composition is pretty much exactly what I see in the real world. I find I’m much happier shooting with a 50mm lens than anything else. Having said that, there are some awesome tips in here that I’ll definitely be using. Funnily enough, at 5’3” I end up shooting at most people’s eye level anyway!
I grew up with a 50, so it feels wonderfully natural for me but I do understand why people might struggle with it - especially if you're coming from super-wide angles on a phone, I imagine it could feel quite restrictive.
You are right, I hate the 50mm focal, it`s neither wide enough or tight enough... not good for shooting groups of people or portraits... I have my Canon EF 50mm f1.2 for sale and I bought a 35mm f1.8 and I am so happy... For portraits though I love my new 70-200 f2.8
I love 35mm, too. I have an f/1.4, for low light situations, AND an f/1.8, for general walk-around use. My go-to for (non-environmental) portraits is an 85mm f/1.8. If you can't get enough bokeh out of an 85mm f/1.8, you're doing it wrong. 🤣
I'm more of a 35mm guy, but I found these tips useful. The ideal "normal" focal length for full-frame is 42.5mm. 50mm and 35mm bracket 42.5mm exactly, which is why they are so popular. I've got a nice 50mm f/1.4 that I ought to use more. Your video makes me want to dust it off and take it out. Thanks.
I got to grips with 50mm because my first real SLR-an old thread mount Pentax I found at a yard sale for $15-had only this lens and I couldn't afford different ones, being a teenager at the time. I still have that camera.
I really love the 50mm focal length, for portraits or walk around/creative types of images. I love the look that it creates. If not 50mm, then 40mm, and that's it for me!
Thank you Martin, this is an excellent tutorial for finessing my skill set with a 50mm. My natural vision sees at 28mm with 35mm being my sweet spot. 50mm has taken me sometime to navigate. I appreciate this video because you stressed "subject and one or two" contextual elements for meaning and balance to the frame. 👍🏽
I forget the name, but a famous photojournalist said the only two lenses you need are a 17-40 and a 50mm. That's all I used for years, but my 70-200 is coming in handy, but I'm covering more action. But my favorite shots of people are with my Sigma Art 50mm 1.4. The 24-70mm 2,8 is amazing, but the 50 just gives the image a certain look, even at 3.5.
ALSO LOVING THE 50MM LENS! It does take a little creativity in composition, but once you master it, it will make you a better photographer and encourage you to stay away from the zoom kit lenses! Thanks for the video...
Informative video! I’ve never really knew how to use a 50mm. I do a lot of street and I find it too narrow to tell the stories I want to in candid images on the fly. For headshots I use an 85. For general purpose studio I use a constant aperture zoom. I’ll play more with my 50mm now after this vid. Rotate instead of moving back - great insight.
Great video! Definitely going to try some of these techniques. I really can’t do anything with a 50. Like you said, it’s not long and it’s not wide and I struggle with that. I do have a number of very nice 50’s (like a Sigma Art and a vintage Nikon F1.2 ai), so I would love to be able to get great results out of them.
Thank you for this one Martin. 50mm has always been auch an awkward focal length for me.. For just the reasons you mentuined at the beginning of the video. Your tips and suggestions are valuable and I'm excited to dig out a couple od the ole' primes.. Thanks again!
My photography has flourished through the use of a 50mm lens, not knowing all you just said, so I think I will put these things to use and try them out and push myself some more with one camera one lens to get some more creativity out of myself.
Each of Your videos is like a good lesson in primary school. In simple words you are describe very important and very deep concepts. Waiting for a new video and may be the stream with bated breath. Thank You
Those weaknesses you mention at the beginning are to me its strengths. The 50 gives a hint of the environment but doesn’t push it into the viewer’s face. It retains intimacy with the subject. The 85 with shallow depth of field sometimes you don’t even know where the subject is. I find it even more versatile for video where it so often seems to be the correct focal length.
Immediate environment context (50mm) vs bringing in the background larger of what otherwise would be further away (85mm), but standing more back to do that, are two different ways to go indeed. On the other hand 50mm definitely retains the intimacy with the subject, especially having to take it at your subjects eye level as seen in the indoor shot here so well. Sure enough 85mm has that wide open narrow DOF effect more than 50mm, so you need to close the aperture a little in such cases and video better at the more dynamic 50mm than 85mm, but videography is very documentary in nature.
Fantastic teaching points as always. It's difficult to articulate, but the difference between generic theoretical advice (all over TH-cam) and practical "I've done this a lot and figured out how to teach it" advice is substantial, and you do the latter. As a question for you: Do you ever find that in taking non-model portraits, people are offput by how they look at 85mm? It's usually much further away than the mirror-view people are used to. It struck me the other day when I had a rare portrait taken at 85mm and I recall thinking "My face looks wider than I remember". I wonder if a very mild amount of distortion would be considered flattering to the infrequently-photographed.
Take a wide angle lens and do whatever you have to do to achieve a 1 to 2 image size on your sensor. Note the depth of field at whatever aperture you normally Shoot at. Now take your normal lens and do the same thing to achieve that 1 to 2 image size on the sensor. Note the depth of field. What did you have to do to get the same size on the sensor? The distance had to change. What are the three things which control DOF? Distance, aperture and focal length but do they really? When different focal lengths are manipulated by distance to achieve the same size images on the sensor, these rules go sideways.
@crawford323 If I understand correctly I'll agree and disagree. I can get close to the same shots.With both my minolta beer can as well as my 50mm. However, if I were to take a picture of a tiny spider, the fifty millimeter is way better for me Because I can quickly acquire what I am focusing and looking at while The larger lens is an absolute nightmare to focus on a small target like that.
Martin - I enjoyed this video. I think it is thought provoking but more importantly very on point. I shoot with any number of focal lengths from 20mm to 200mm for various work that I do, but it portrait, fashion, or even event work. I have found that for a long time I would 'shy away' from the 50mm feeling that it was too 'plain' - preferring 35mm or longer lengths like 85mm or 105mm and there is no doubt that all of these have a look. That said, recently I have re-discovered the 50mm focal length and have come to see that it is an extremely versatile focal length that is often not used in a way that plays to its strengths. I think this video exposes this truth well and gives concrete suggestions on how to come to love this classic focal length again. Well done! -PD
Martin your no bull approach to explaining things is really appreciated and makes sense to me, you have earned yourself another subscriber. I have not even finished watching and wated to leave a commnet. The tips are spot on! I wonder why do we require that subtle framing for our eyes to appreciate the scene more? Is it because of all the paintings/photos on walls we are looking at from early age? Is it because we look for a structure inside the already square photo, or is it something else? I see that the 50 is perfect for that in-between-35mm-and-85mm-look, perhaps travel photography with that slightly more expensive lens look (i.e. shallower dof, while 35mm is getting chased down by the mobile phones nowadays)
Excellent video as usual Martin. I always thought of 35mm as PJ lens because it includes the background whereas the fifty is more about the person so I always carried my 35 and my 85 lenses but left the fifty at home. I found it either too long or not wide enough. But last year I bought some older vintage 50’s and started using them again. I used to shoot weddings but now I’m transitioning to still life and product photography so it will be well used for it’s normal perspective. Thanks for sharing your insights. Regards, Gerry.
Hi! Please explain "I get on eye level" around the 4:20 mark. It seems the lens is at nose level or below ... or is that how you cropped the portraits? Thank you for the content.
yeah about there, eye, nose whatever, its like 1-2 inch difference dont worry just be around there.im not that precise with it, more just trying to be at that rough height.
What a great vid! I started wirh 50mm when I was young, thinking of bad luck, because I only could afford one lens. But I took some interesting pics then. Decades later, there was my first digital cam with a little zoom lens. After i bought the telephotolense, i was so keen of, I -again- got a 50mm. And, guess what became my always Carried along-lense! You make so fine videos, thank you
I started photography wit ha 50mm and trained my eye to work within it. On a full frame it can be a very capable street lens. And with a fast version of that prime cant be a fearsome companion. The advice about walking backwards - limit yourself to a step or two no more when taking shots of people.
I love the 50mm focal length. It is fantastic for portrait shots. The background is not an issue with me in having the elements in the background. I'm not crazy about of the 35mm length for portraits due to capturing more of the background versus capturing more of the person.
after my kit lens got damaged, ive been using 50mm f1.8 because it's bang for the buck, love all my photos taken with it, but im struggling at using wide lens now
If you shoot a scene on 35mm with a 50mm lens and print on 8 x 10 paper, and then hold an empty 8 x 10 frame at 16" viewing distance in front of the scene, it will duplicate the print held at that same distance. By geometry, for same perspective: (lens focal length)/(object size on film) = (viewing distance of final image)/(object size on final image).
My 50mm is easily my favorite lens; when I'm going out with only one lens, the 50mm is almost always what I go with. When I first started out as a college art student, the 50mm was the only lens I had for my F5, forcing me to be creative and to learn to use it in a lot of different ways; I think that's why I still choose it -- it's what I'm comfortable with and what I know works for me.
I shot with the MC Rokkor 58mm f/1.4 for over 10 years. One of the greatest lenses ever made. It was stolen and I have bought another to use as a portrait lens (87mm equiv) + adapter on my Sony ASP-C and it is as fantastic as it always was. If there has ever been a better 50mm lens, I would love to know. MC Rokkor also made a 58mm f/1.2 which can be had for less than $300 if you search.
50mm is my tokuiwaza: preferred technique. There is a reason they were the standard lens for so long. Yes, they were simple to build, but if it sucked, another close range would be used (45mm, 58mm). In my experience walking around shooting, it’s the most versatile. 35 is often too wide; you just can’t get closer. 58mm is too tight; you just can’t take a big enough step back. Being close to natural vision, with a little less practice than other focal lengths, is just easier to “see” in 50mm.
I really like your videos. So much great information. I really dislike your videos because I have to watch them 2-3 times to get all the info out because I find your voice so soothing that I keep falling asleep.😂 *Spelling
Amazing video! Question. I use apsc. 23mm and 56 sigma. Is there a difference with ff equivalent 35 and 85. And what would you recomend to do with them?
You may see some difference in DOF, but field of view should match, pretty well. I would treat them like their FF equivalents. 85mm gives a nice perspective compression that pulls the background "closer" to the subject, which can be a nice effect.
One of my best recent photos was with a 50mm purely by accident. I was doing night shots, and the 28-70mm f/2.8 I usually use was misbehaving, so in frustration I break out the 50mm f/1.8D that is usually just along for the ride. I get home to to check the results, and I'm like, "holy crap, I took *that*?" It's been one of my most popular images on reddit and elsewhere. Even the folks on /r/Nikon sorta like it. At least in comparison to other photos I've posted there.
Ironically, the 50mm is my favourite focal length, but on APS-C sensor. So in actuality a 75mm equivalent. It's not really ideal in every situation, but you can make it work! Both on street, and portrait. That being said, I rarely use my actual 50mm equivalent on APS-C. As I'd rather grab my 35mm or 75mm (equivalent) instead!
I am not a photographer, maybe an enthusiast at best, and also very new at it. Do you think 50mm lens, would work well even on a cropped sensor camera? That is all I have. Thanks, if you take the time to reply.
A 50mm would work on a crop sensor camera -- I used that combination throughout college because all I had was the 18-55mm kit lens and a 50mm lens that I used for both my film and digital cameras. However, on a cropped sensor, the 50mm would be a 75-80mm equivalent (depending on the brand of your camera and what the crop factor is), which is closer to what an 85mm lens would give you on a full-frame camera, so you would have to account for that.
I remember first time trying Nikkor 50mm 1.8D on my Nikon D300 (on which its about 75mm I guess). I was shocked that every photo I took was great :D even a photo of a dirty dishes in a sink xD This lens produces good photo even when you shoot in random directions.
I have a quick question how much do you think the price of the a7 iv will drop after the a7 V comes out next year? im looking at the used market right now, so i was just wondering.
I preferred 55mm and when that isn’t available then I use a 60mm. I find 50 a little too wide and this is because I wear glasses that sit a little low on my nose and as such , this distorts my concept of what normal perspective happens to be . I often found portraits worked well with the kit prime lens on old film cameras and adapting to digital bodies means I avoid zooms because I like to be challenged by using my feet . Blurred backgrounds are a little overrated and I can remember those who became successful with soft focus images because of their poor eyesight . Having said all that ; you could do a lot worse not using one of these gem focal lengths and keeping to just one will see an improvement on the number of keepers from your holidays .
The 50 mm lens is great on a crop sensor gives you something close to an 85mm on a full frame that solves all your problems and for me if I’m shooting full length I use 40 mm on crop and 85mm full frame. I’m a British Fashion photographer in Los Angeles!
The first 500 people to use my link skl.sh/martincastein09241 will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare premium!
@@johndillman8231 ive never been anti commercial, i just like what i like. I like skillshare, i get several offers for sponsorships every day. Even my liking of canon older cameras still benefits the companies like MPB who also sponsor youtubers as well. I honestly dont see how this is at odds with anything else that I do. I really dont have never believed in no one should make money and all business is bad. I also have nothing against mirrorless and own some too, have done since about 2015. Hope that helps John!
50mm is one of my favourite lengths. Even after 50 years of shooting, I often go out with just a single, fast 50mm lens. It makes one slow down, think about composition and move around. Always refreshing. Thanks for this great video.
50 years, one for each mm of focal length
We have a few years between us.. I started this hobby in 1977 with a 50mm f/1.8, and now 50mm f/1.2 :)
I agree 100% - I used to take Canon DSLR's out with Nikon & Pentax lenses from the 1950's - 1970's, all fast prime. Slowing down and thinking about the shot as I was learning gave such impressive results even if the shots were not perfect (manual focus lens force you to do this). My favorite was the 50mm Pentax Super Takumar f/1.2. I no longer can use that lens though as I found out how radioactive it was eventually :( (I bought a Geiger counter and yeah it blew up and is not safe around SLR sensors it will fry them eventually ugh). Fast primes like these are affordable and make you think seriously about composition.
I walk about with my 85, it's a wonderful constraint.
The radiation they give off is stopped by skin even, so the shutter and mirror would prevent damage. I wouldn't do astro long exposures or leave it on a mirrorless for sure. It's not dangerous to use and the Swiss estimated that a professional photographer would get the radiation dose over a year from the lens equal to one round trip flight to America, or so.@@davey3765
Love the 50mm.
If i go out with only 1 lens , its the 50.
If 2 lens , 35 & 85.
If 3 lens , 24 , 50 & 85.
When I got my Z mount Nikkor 50 I forced myself to use it more than the 24-70 zoom everyone uses. It's because I grew up with 50mm and needed to reconnect, so the experience has been a really good refresher over the past year. Your explanation is really good, so will pass the link to a lot of the people who attend our photo walks, the ones who ask "How did you get that" when seeing my work, and I cannot explain the process as well as you. I think a lot of younger people have only seen the wide angle shots from mobiles, so are surprised when they see something different!
I struggle with 50mm so these tips are all so useful. That idea of shooting something ordinary is something I’ve actually been doing myself recently but you pushed it further than I have. Thanks, Martin.
I struggle as well, but now I got a new vision. For the most part I carry my 35mm on a full frame camera and to get some 50mm shoots I use crop mode, however, that makes me feel like all is jamned into small space and I crave more. Maybe the fact that I got my wings by shooting on a 126mm film camera shaped my eye to see a more inclusive picture frame. I confess to walking back every time I switch to 50mm.
"Try to find something boring, and make it interesting"... very good advice, loving your videos Martin, keep up the great work :)
Thanks, will do!
Both this and your 85mm video were quite thought provoking for me. I’d certainly love to see you extend this concept into a larger series if you have thoughts on other key focal lengths
It is so informative to have not only the technical hints but also the thought processes and compositional exercises to help become a more informed and creative observer. Thank you.
Thank you, it takes absoluetly ages to make videos like this so I am glad someone found it useful.
Agreed! This is really helpful for me
I like a 50mm lens .
In my 60s now . Way back in the day most film cameras came with a 50mm in the box .
So my photography grew using the 50mm along with my 135 f2.8 .
Oh yes and m42 screw mount lenses . Praktika Pentax and Zenit .
I got some great results with them .
Making the best of what I had . How times have changed in a few short decades .
Great video as always! I’ve been watching your content since quite some time and it’s amazing to see your evolution. You are a great teacher, absolutely no “bs” or fake in your way of presenting and it feels like you are a friend as opposed to these so called masters of photography that you see online, but I do think you are a master portrait photographer. Love the new setup you have (mic/background). Keep pushing content, never give up. I know your channel will grow to a point you would have never guessed, it’s only a matter of time. There’s nothing fake about you and that will take you very far. Btw, I now own a Canon 5D and a 6D because of you and now on the hunt for a Nikon D700 in good shape 😅
Im going to save this comment, that really means a lot, if you could see how hard all this is youd cry for me haha. Im really enjoying it as well though. I just want to let you know i appreciate this comment so much, it really means a lot.
Seems like it was only 30 years ago (it was) that I was working at a teen summer camp and showing campers how versatile the 50mm was/is. We had photography available as an extra activity some evenings and were able to let the campers shoot with a K1000 with a 50mm lens. I had some photos that I took beforehand to show them what was possible. Too often people feel limited by the little 50mm, but it can do a lot.
I'm gobsmacked, I think that's the technical term. This video deserves to be mounted in a 12 x 24 foot gold-plated frame in a museum room where there was formerly a less deserving Rembrandt. I'm joshing, but not really. Oh my, so much golden instruction. Thank you. You've explained why the portrait that I liked best in 60 years of photography was taken with a humble Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Why did I follow the urge to be more flexible; I love the 24-105 but am so inspired by your photos that I may blow the budget, again, for a Canon EF 50/1.2.
Hahaha thank you so much and I nearly didn’t post this as I wasn’t sure it was good enough. The 50 1.2 is wonderful. It’s not a sharp lens at all but when the light is right it is magical
50mm and 85mm are my comfort zones. For practically everything, not just portrait. It's not about bokeh, but tighter framing. When I'm composing, I try to avoid unwanted elements. With 50mm or longer, that's more easily achiveable. Which, I think, is a bit difficult with wide angle lenses.
Just got a 50m for my canon.
Will be using tomorrow.
The eye-level tip is gold. I'm a 6'6" Londoner and I live in China, shooting people who are not 6'6". This really helps. I'm off to Vietnam next week for a holiday/shooting trip, and I'm going to only take my 5D1 and thrifty Fifty. Thanks Martin, cheers
I am 5'7" and plan to photoshoot a beautiful model who is 5'10" with 50mm. A little bit of a challenge)
Martin, that video is exactly what I need. Many years ago I had only two lenses for my film camera: 50mm and 135mm. Now i feel that i am using zom lenses too much - which is probably a good thing for landscape and cityscape, but not for portraits. Will try to implement your tips with 50mm lens
I came aross your channel about a week ago, your presentation and information is fantastic. I often watch beginner videos as I feel it's always good to refresh the fundamentals and get another view. Your 85mm was a gamechanger and so was this, thankyou 🤟
So pleased great to hear that and thank you!
I really appreciate this video, I've been taking exclusively my 50 for shoots and trying to get better at composing with it, very timely advice. Always appreciate your insight on composition, gives me a lot to think about
I have had good luck with my 50mm for sections of a forest floor. Thanks for these tips!
I started my photography journey with the nifty fifty. After many years I went to the 40mm though, just for a slight change, as I don't like the 35mm.
Very good video btw!
Love this series! Would like to hear your take on 35mm and 28mm!
4:26 lol butter wouldn't melt. Great video! thanks for the tips Martin!
Great tips. Another example of how to document subjects in surroundings is to shoot art hanging on a wall. You'll consider both lighting and various placements in the frame.
Martin you are really finding your TH-cam niche with these videos. Great information, well presented. 👏
easily one of the best photography channels on youtube.
Wow thank you!
Super talk! Thank you.
Sometimes I wonder if 'normal' is a misnomer for the 50mm.
To me it's a narrow wide-angle lens .
Normal, as in magnification compared to our eyes, is around 60-65mm.
And we can verify this by looking through a standard zoom lens whilst keeping the free eye open,
watching the two images merge at around that distance as we zoom in from wide to long.
That is recognised by Sinar when they supply a 210mm as standard to their 4x5 F2 kit,
a 63mm equivalent in the 135 format, although the coverage of such a lens is much wider.
So I guess the 50 was chosen for it's versatility. Supplying a 65mm as a normal lens
would be too limiting.
Thanks for these tips ! I never saw the Fifty like this before.
I’m pretty much totally blind in my left eye, so I had a lot of frustration with phone cameras especially capturing a much wider angle than what I could see, or what I was aiming for. When I look through a 50mm lens, however, the composition is pretty much exactly what I see in the real world. I find I’m much happier shooting with a 50mm lens than anything else.
Having said that, there are some awesome tips in here that I’ll definitely be using. Funnily enough, at 5’3” I end up shooting at most people’s eye level anyway!
This is a very useful video! Thanks! I'd love to see a similar video on the 35mm too.
I grew up with a 50, so it feels wonderfully natural for me but I do understand why people might struggle with it - especially if you're coming from super-wide angles on a phone, I imagine it could feel quite restrictive.
You are right, I hate the 50mm focal, it`s neither wide enough or tight enough... not good for shooting groups of people or portraits...
I have my Canon EF 50mm f1.2 for sale and I bought a 35mm f1.8 and I am so happy...
For portraits though I love my new 70-200 f2.8
I love 35mm, too. I have an f/1.4, for low light situations, AND an f/1.8, for general walk-around use. My go-to for (non-environmental) portraits is an 85mm f/1.8. If you can't get enough bokeh out of an 85mm f/1.8, you're doing it wrong. 🤣
I'm more of a 35mm guy, but I found these tips useful. The ideal "normal" focal length for full-frame is 42.5mm. 50mm and 35mm bracket 42.5mm exactly, which is why they are so popular. I've got a nice 50mm f/1.4 that I ought to use more. Your video makes me want to dust it off and take it out. Thanks.
I got to grips with 50mm because my first real SLR-an old thread mount Pentax I found at a yard sale for $15-had only this lens and I couldn't afford different ones, being a teenager at the time. I still have that camera.
i dont care whatever lens or camera you use, your works are just mesmerizing. unlike most of youtube photographers out there
Thank you so much!
I really love the 50mm focal length, for portraits or walk around/creative types of images. I love the look that it creates. If not 50mm, then 40mm, and that's it for me!
Thank you Martin, this is an excellent tutorial for finessing my skill set with a 50mm. My natural vision sees at 28mm with 35mm being my sweet spot. 50mm has taken me sometime to navigate. I appreciate this video because you stressed "subject and one or two" contextual elements for meaning and balance to the frame. 👍🏽
Fantastic exploration and explanation of the 50mm focal length. Subbed.
I forget the name, but a famous photojournalist said the only two lenses you need are a 17-40 and a 50mm. That's all I used for years, but my 70-200 is coming in handy, but I'm covering more action. But my favorite shots of people are with my Sigma Art 50mm 1.4. The 24-70mm 2,8 is amazing, but the 50 just gives the image a certain look, even at 3.5.
Great video, excellent tutorial (and brilliant photos of yours!). Thanks 🙂
ALSO LOVING THE 50MM LENS! It does take a little creativity in composition, but once you master it, it will
make you a better photographer and encourage you to stay away from the zoom kit lenses! Thanks for the video...
Very well explained and truly informative. Thank you for posting this.
Love this serie by you 😍👏👏👏 Can you also do a "missunderstanding 35mm"? 😁 Greets from Germany 👋
thinking about it!
I second the motion.
Informative video! I’ve never really knew how to use a 50mm. I do a lot of street and I find it too narrow to tell the stories I want to in candid images on the fly. For headshots I use an 85. For general purpose studio I use a constant aperture zoom. I’ll play more with my 50mm now after this vid. Rotate instead of moving back - great insight.
Great video! Definitely going to try some of these techniques. I really can’t do anything with a 50. Like you said, it’s not long and it’s not wide and I struggle with that. I do have a number of very nice 50’s (like a Sigma Art and a vintage Nikon F1.2 ai), so I would love to be able to get great results out of them.
Thank you for this one Martin. 50mm has always been auch an awkward focal length for me.. For just the reasons you mentuined at the beginning of the video. Your tips and suggestions are valuable and I'm excited to dig out a couple od the ole' primes.. Thanks again!
My photography has flourished through the use of a 50mm lens, not knowing all you just said, so I think I will put these things to use and try them out and push myself some more with one camera one lens to get some more creativity out of myself.
Each of Your videos is like a good lesson in primary school. In simple words you are describe very important and very deep concepts. Waiting for a new video and may be the stream with bated breath. Thank You
So nice of you
Great tips as always. Also have this 50mm 1.2 L from canon. It’s old but has this special something I haven’t seen in others 50’s.
Love using my Sigma 30mm on my little 200d
Wow. So helpful. I can't wait to spend time with my 50mm again and try those ideas. Thanks!
The "Why 85mm is misunderstood" video also made me think about 85mm like I had never done before. Thanks
glad that was useful for you, its nice to get that feedback!
Those weaknesses you mention at the beginning are to me its strengths. The 50 gives a hint of the environment but doesn’t push it into the viewer’s face. It retains intimacy with the subject. The 85 with shallow depth of field sometimes you don’t even know where the subject is. I find it even more versatile for video where it so often seems to be the correct focal length.
I agree
Immediate environment context (50mm) vs bringing in the background larger of what otherwise would be further away (85mm), but standing more back to do that, are two different ways to go indeed. On the other hand 50mm definitely retains the intimacy with the subject, especially having to take it at your subjects eye level as seen in the indoor shot here so well. Sure enough 85mm has that wide open narrow DOF effect more than 50mm, so you need to close the aperture a little in such cases and video better at the more dynamic 50mm than 85mm, but videography is very documentary in nature.
Great video Marting with excellent advice and tips.
Thanks Andrew, glad it was useful!
Fantastic teaching points as always. It's difficult to articulate, but the difference between generic theoretical advice (all over TH-cam) and practical "I've done this a lot and figured out how to teach it" advice is substantial, and you do the latter.
As a question for you: Do you ever find that in taking non-model portraits, people are offput by how they look at 85mm? It's usually much further away than the mirror-view people are used to. It struck me the other day when I had a rare portrait taken at 85mm and I recall thinking "My face looks wider than I remember". I wonder if a very mild amount of distortion would be considered flattering to the infrequently-photographed.
thanks, cool video. pity there were no visual examples in the second half to show one or the other of the mentioned suggestions
50mm is also good for macro where larger lenses may have a hard time auto focusing or getting clean shots of small things such as insects or plants
Take a wide angle lens and do whatever you have to do to achieve a 1 to 2 image size on your sensor. Note the depth of field at whatever aperture you normally
Shoot at. Now take your normal lens and do the same thing to achieve that 1 to 2 image size on the sensor. Note the depth of field. What did you have to do to get the same size on the sensor? The distance had to change. What are the three things which control DOF? Distance, aperture and focal length but do they really? When different focal lengths are manipulated by distance to achieve the same size images on the sensor, these rules go sideways.
@crawford323 If I understand correctly I'll agree and disagree. I can get close to the same shots.With both my minolta beer can as well as my 50mm. However, if I were to take a picture of a tiny spider, the fifty millimeter is way better for me Because I can quickly acquire what I am focusing and looking at while The larger lens is an absolute nightmare to focus on a small target like that.
@@OnTheDLum Sure use the best tool for the job and the one you are comfortable with.
Thank you for sharing Martin.
Martin - I enjoyed this video. I think it is thought provoking but more importantly very on point. I shoot with any number of focal lengths from 20mm to 200mm for various work that I do, but it portrait, fashion, or even event work. I have found that for a long time I would 'shy away' from the 50mm feeling that it was too 'plain' - preferring 35mm or longer lengths like 85mm or 105mm and there is no doubt that all of these have a look. That said, recently I have re-discovered the 50mm focal length and have come to see that it is an extremely versatile focal length that is often not used in a way that plays to its strengths. I think this video exposes this truth well and gives concrete suggestions on how to come to love this classic focal length again. Well done!
-PD
Martin your no bull approach to explaining things is really appreciated and makes sense to me, you have earned yourself another subscriber. I have not even finished watching and wated to leave a commnet. The tips are spot on! I wonder why do we require that subtle framing for our eyes to appreciate the scene more? Is it because of all the paintings/photos on walls we are looking at from early age? Is it because we look for a structure inside the already square photo, or is it something else? I see that the 50 is perfect for that in-between-35mm-and-85mm-look, perhaps travel photography with that slightly more expensive lens look (i.e. shallower dof, while 35mm is getting chased down by the mobile phones nowadays)
Excellent video as usual Martin. I always thought of 35mm as PJ lens because it includes the background whereas the fifty is more about the person so I always carried my 35 and my 85 lenses but left the fifty at home. I found it either too long or not wide enough. But last year I bought some older vintage 50’s and started using them again. I used to shoot weddings but now I’m transitioning to still life and product photography so it will be well used for it’s normal perspective. Thanks for sharing your insights. Regards, Gerry.
Hi, what is more important, a good camera sensor with good low light performance or adding flash to you kit makes more sense
Hi! Please explain "I get on eye level" around the 4:20 mark. It seems the lens is at nose level or below ... or is that how you cropped the portraits? Thank you for the content.
yeah about there, eye, nose whatever, its like 1-2 inch difference dont worry just be around there.im not that precise with it, more just trying to be at that rough height.
Nifty 50... one of my favourite lens for sure
I love my canon 50 1.2 Really great video Martin!
What a great vid! I started wirh 50mm when I was young, thinking of bad luck, because I only could afford one lens. But I took some interesting pics then. Decades later, there was my first digital cam with a little zoom lens. After i bought the telephotolense, i was so keen of, I -again- got a 50mm. And, guess what became my always Carried along-lense!
You make so fine videos, thank you
I started photography wit ha 50mm and trained my eye to work within it. On a full frame it can be a very capable street lens. And with a fast version of that prime cant be a fearsome companion. The advice about walking backwards - limit yourself to a step or two no more when taking shots of people.
Incredibly informative video! Well done.
Sir, your photos are ABSOLUTELY outstanding!!!
Thank you!!
4:28 is that just feathered light from the side? Looks amazing.
I think that was window light on a studio backdrop if I remember correctly
I love the 50mm focal length. It is fantastic for portrait shots. The background is not an issue with me in having the elements in the background. I'm not crazy about of the 35mm length for portraits due to capturing more of the background versus capturing more of the person.
So helpful! Grateful for this channel.
Once again, Martin, excellent information and motivation 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
35mm next ?
after my kit lens got damaged, ive been using 50mm f1.8 because it's bang for the buck, love all my photos taken with it, but im struggling at using wide lens now
If you shoot a scene on 35mm with a 50mm lens and print on 8 x 10 paper, and then hold an empty 8 x 10 frame at 16" viewing distance in front of the scene, it will duplicate the print held at that same distance. By geometry, for same perspective: (lens focal length)/(object size on film) = (viewing distance of final image)/(object size on final image).
I love my 24,35,50 and 85mm prime of sony
My 50mm is easily my favorite lens; when I'm going out with only one lens, the 50mm is almost always what I go with. When I first started out as a college art student, the 50mm was the only lens I had for my F5, forcing me to be creative and to learn to use it in a lot of different ways; I think that's why I still choose it -- it's what I'm comfortable with and what I know works for me.
Very helpful video thank you! and awesome shots, subscribed
A good 1.4 or better lens is ideal as you need to have a wide open aperture
I shot with the MC Rokkor 58mm f/1.4 for over 10 years. One of the greatest lenses ever made. It was stolen and I have bought another to use as a portrait lens (87mm equiv) + adapter on my Sony ASP-C and it is as fantastic as it always was. If there has ever been a better 50mm lens, I would love to know. MC Rokkor also made a 58mm f/1.2 which can be had for less than $300 if you search.
50mm is my tokuiwaza: preferred technique.
There is a reason they were the standard lens for so long. Yes, they were simple to build, but if it sucked, another close range would be used (45mm, 58mm).
In my experience walking around shooting, it’s the most versatile. 35 is often too wide; you just can’t get closer. 58mm is too tight; you just can’t take a big enough step back.
Being close to natural vision, with a little less practice than other focal lengths, is just easier to “see” in 50mm.
I really like your videos. So much great information.
I really dislike your videos because I have to watch them 2-3 times to get all the info out because I find your voice so soothing that I keep falling asleep.😂
*Spelling
Great information
Amazing video! Question. I use apsc. 23mm and 56 sigma. Is there a difference with ff equivalent 35 and 85. And what would you recomend to do with them?
You may see some difference in DOF, but field of view should match, pretty well. I would treat them like their FF equivalents. 85mm gives a nice perspective compression that pulls the background "closer" to the subject, which can be a nice effect.
@@careylymanjones thank you very much!
Fantastic advice!
One of my best recent photos was with a 50mm purely by accident. I was doing night shots, and the 28-70mm f/2.8 I usually use was misbehaving, so in frustration I break out the 50mm f/1.8D that is usually just along for the ride. I get home to to check the results, and I'm like, "holy crap, I took *that*?" It's been one of my most popular images on reddit and elsewhere. Even the folks on /r/Nikon sorta like it. At least in comparison to other photos I've posted there.
Ironically, the 50mm is my favourite focal length, but on APS-C sensor. So in actuality a 75mm equivalent.
It's not really ideal in every situation, but you can make it work! Both on street, and portrait.
That being said, I rarely use my actual 50mm equivalent on APS-C. As I'd rather grab my 35mm or 75mm (equivalent) instead!
I am not a photographer, maybe an enthusiast at best, and also very new at it. Do you think 50mm lens, would work well even on a cropped sensor camera? That is all I have. Thanks, if you take the time to reply.
Yes it would but watch my 85mm it’s closer to that on a crop
A 50mm would work on a crop sensor camera -- I used that combination throughout college because all I had was the 18-55mm kit lens and a 50mm lens that I used for both my film and digital cameras. However, on a cropped sensor, the 50mm would be a 75-80mm equivalent (depending on the brand of your camera and what the crop factor is), which is closer to what an 85mm lens would give you on a full-frame camera, so you would have to account for that.
Awesome information
I remember first time trying Nikkor 50mm 1.8D on my Nikon D300 (on which its about 75mm I guess). I was shocked that every photo I took was great :D even a photo of a dirty dishes in a sink xD This lens produces good photo even when you shoot in random directions.
Very informative!
Is Martin talking about 50 mm on a crop sensor or a full frame?
Full frame I talk about about 50mm on a crop sensor towards the end of my 85mm video
@@MartinCastein85mm focal length lens .
Thank you Martin
Great advice and spectacular photos Martin!
Ok, i have a full frame 50 on an ASPC camera, do the same rules apply?
have a watch of my 85mm lens video for that, i have a section on using 50mm on a crop in that video.
@MartinCastein thanks!! I assume it's more than just taking a few steps back. I Just found your channel and I will check it out!!
Great video, thank you.
I have a quick question how much do you think the price of the a7 iv will drop after the a7 V comes out next year? im looking at the used market right now, so i was just wondering.
get the A7 iv NOW you wont regret it…
@@luiscyphrus5334 I'm broke
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I preferred 55mm and when that isn’t available then I use a 60mm. I find 50 a little too wide and this is because I wear glasses that sit a little low on my nose and as such , this distorts my concept of what normal perspective happens to be . I often found portraits worked well with the kit prime lens on old film cameras and adapting to digital bodies means I avoid zooms because I like to be challenged by using my feet . Blurred backgrounds are a little overrated and I can remember those who became successful with soft focus images because of their poor eyesight . Having said all that ; you could do a lot worse not using one of these gem focal lengths and keeping to just one will see an improvement on the number of keepers from your holidays .
Thanks!
Thank you!
The 50 mm lens is great on a crop sensor gives you something close to an 85mm on a full frame that solves all your problems and for me if I’m shooting full length I use 40 mm on crop and 85mm full frame. I’m a British Fashion photographer in Los Angeles!
Great pictures!
Different lens depending the affect you want.