The tradeoff to the wide angle is a fair amount of distortion (i.e., the proportions in the picture start to get wonky) towards the edges of the frame. Nikon AF-S FX Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G (Nikon F-Mount) $447 Whether you’re shooting in a studio or on location, the 85mm captures enough of the frame to set your subject in context with the background, without leaving a bunch of dead space at the edges of the frame. And help you choose the one that fits your needs best. They include a 12-24mm f2.8 , a 24-70 f2.8 and a 70 … Street photographer? The “nifty fifty” is a popular choice as the first purchase after mastering your kit lens, and the Lumix G 25mm f/1.7 comes highly recommended. 50mm lenses also tend to be lightweight, affordable and sharp, which gives you no excuse for not having one in your kit. You’ve probably noticed this lens has a similar range to those kit lenses, but the f/2.8 means it’s a lot faster and that max aperture stays the same across the range. A basic prime lens kit should have at least three lenses: one wide-angle, one standard focal length and one telephoto. Check out this video from DigitalRev where they cover some of the ins and outs of choosing a 50mm lens: If you’re looking to take your portrait photography to the next level, look no further than the 85mm lens. All Rights Reserved. Here are five we took on the road. A wide aperture allows you to shoot in lower light using faster shutter speeds or lower ISO settings. Keep up to date with all our latest news! The name says it all. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Editor’s Rating: 4.3/5. The ultra-high resolution of the current generation of DSLR cameras demands the highest-quality glass to take full advantage of their potential—and current prime lenses are sharper than ever. Street photographers have long praised the 50mm’s ability to capture images with a low level of distortion and to grab a still image with essentially the same perspective of what your eye sees. Sony SAL-85F14Z 85mm f/1.4 Carl Zeiss Planar T (fits Sony Alpha series cameras) $1,698, The iPhone 12 Mini Is As Terrific As It Is Tiny, These Hiking Boots Broke My Sneaker Addiction, Thule's New Rooftop Tent Could Change Overlanding, Now's the Time to Break In Your Raw Denim Jeans, Wanna Be a Better Photographer? Just about every SLR from the late 1930s up until the mid-1970s was equipped with a 50mm prime lens. It doesn’t take too much expertise to make creative images of the world that exists just outside our perception, just patience and the right tools and techniques, This collection of ideas, techniques and concepts will help you bring back photos from your travels that are more than snapshots, Digital Photo reviews a few of the outstanding lenses introduced this year, plus an overview lens guide, how to build a prime lens kit and shooting with cine lenses. For general purpose or portrait photography, I recommend a moderately wide lens, a normal lens and a short telephoto lens, such as a 35mm, 50mm, 85mm combo. The 35mm is a fantastic lens, but in recommending a stable of prime lenses, the 28mm and 50mm each offer a more distinct optical scenario, and we like distinction. Editor’s Note: Yes, we left off the 35mm. But there is more to prime than the 50mm. Three Lens Options Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G (Nikon F-Mount) $700 Zeiss Ikon 28mm f/2.0 Distagon T* ZE (Canon EOS Mount) $950 For example maybe: 24mm - 50mm - 135mm or 21mm - 35mm - 85mm or 18mm - 35mm - 90mm Personally I like 35mm as my main lens, then 21mm (or 18mm) wide and … A basic prime lens kit should have at least three lenses: one wide-angle, one standard focal length and one telephoto. Clipping A Subject From A Background In Photoshop, Automatic Panorama Stitching In Photoshop With Photomerge, 5 Top Guides To Becoming A Better Macro Photographer. That's because there are plenty of benefits of the nifty fifty that will help you take better photos. Product links on ExpertPhotography are referral links. Portrait photographer? Some people view this as a handicap (all the moving!). If you’re looking to give a larger sense of what is happening in a given area, a 28mm lens is a perfect choice. [ExpertPhotography is supported by readers. It is considered a wide lens, meaning that it’s great for outdoor shooting and capturing large scenes and objects. The 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8, an incredible all-rounder and one of the best Fuji zoom lenses I’ve ever used. Sony SEL28F20 FE 28mm f/2 (Fits Sony mirrorless cameras) $448, The Street Photographer’s Weapon of Choice. Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM (Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony mounts available) $828 Nikon AF FX Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G (Nikon F-Mount) $477 For general purpose or portrait photography, I recommend a moderately wide lens, a normal lens and a short telephoto lens, such as a 35mm, 50mm, 85mm combo. Then manufacturers started to include zoom lenses as part of the kit because it afforded entry-level photographers more bang for the buck. Editor’s Note: Yes, we left off the 35mm.