Cheers! :). For those interested in the Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA lens, click here. I own the Sony/Zeis 55mm and it is a great lens, extremely sharp with beautiful bokeh, but the 50mm I use most is the Sony FE 50mm F2.8 macro. The answer is that 50mm lenses have some advantages that kit lenses don’t: 50mm lenses are simple beasts from a design point of view. Take in all the above and add to the argument that Henri Cartier-Bresson, one of the greatest street photographers of all time, took the 50mm as his lens of choice. Many of us have the same hesitation. The 50mm lens, especially ones with f/1.8 or f/2 apertures, can be purchased for the cost of a nice dinner for two in Manhattan (with drinks). Back in 1971 the Navy exchange in Japan only offered a few kits to ship out to the hinterlands (Diego Garcia). The list includes 50mm lenses for full-frame cameras and lenses that have an approximate 50mm equivalent field of view when used with smaller APS-C, Nikon CX, and Micro Four Thirds cameras. If I have extra space, I love bringing along my Samyang 135mm, too. On an APS-C camera a 50mm prime lens effectively becomes a short telephoto lens, ideal for portraits. If your answer wasn’t, “a 50mm (or 50mm equivalent lens),” then you might be wrong. The new 'Micro 50mm' prime is center-left in the bottom row and the two super-telephoto lenses are top-right in the back row. Might be time to switch to mirrorless, grab an adapter, and start shooting that Konica lens again! … 50 mm Prime Lens. My $0.02...get a used (or new) 50mm f/1.4 and enjoy it until something newer comes out for the R mount. On the used market, they can be had for the price of dinner for 1—or a few inexpensive New York City lunches. Deal. Understanding Lenses: Part II, and is part of a series of lessons about camera lenses. I will bring this up at our next lens conference and see what we decide! Deal. Reserved / Disclaimer, Your email is safe with us. I'm really wanting to dip a toe into macro. That’s over three stops. He insisted that the 50mm was the best lens with which to learn. I don't think they have made a bad 50 ever. It also helps you take photos with shallow depth-of-field. Thanks for sharing your experience! If you are stranded on a desert island and can only have one camera lens with you, which lens would you choose? Yeah, the Sigma 30 f/2.8 DN Art lens. based on Bryan C.'s image tests it seemed too soft for me. On an APS-C camera it will help you close in on interesting details. Canon - EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Standard Lens for APS-C Cameras - Black. I to would also like to voice my concern as to why you left out the fabulously great Sony/Zeiss 55mm f1.8. The everyday carry focal length I like the most is 35mm. It is believed that the 50mm size roughly corresponds to what the human eye sees, although this is a controversial saying. The One Lens Every Photographer Should ... Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition, Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III, Mikakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 III, Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 Mark II, Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 II ASPH, Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 PRO, 10 Gifts for the Photographer Who Has It All, Best Accessories for Photographers Who Want to Shoot Video, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/lens-every-photographer-should-have-and-use-35mm, Next-Gen Gaming Incoming—Sony Reveals PlayStation 5 Price and Availability, Add a Hard-Wired Ethernet Port to Any Room in Minutes, Image Stabilization: When to Use it and When to Turn it Off, © 2000-2020 B & H Foto & Electronics Corp. 420 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001. Thanks so much for the kind words! I shoot mainly actionsports and portraits,would love any suggestions on what would be the best for what I shoot. not sure if i should get both or just the one. Some Nikon cameras require that the lens has a manual aperture ring in order to change the aperture. Create a B&H Account, America's Best Customer Service List-Newsweek, Prices, specifications, and images are subject to change without notice. Very fun! However, when making a purchase (of any lens, not just a 50mm) it is wise bear in mind that more expensive models of the same lens have better build quality, autofocus performance, weatherproofing and maybe a wider maximum aperture. But why am I hesistant to go with non-canon lenses?? But, this 50mm prime lens felt limiting. Cons: Not as fast as the Contemporary, obviously, so can't compete in terms of depth of field, low-light performance, or bokeh. Thanks in advance. I appreciate you mentioning it here and I will see if we want to add it to the list, although, once you let a 55mm in, will we have to start letting 56mm lenses in, too? Or, you can go full-frame, and still have your great 50mm that will now behave like a traditional 50mm and then you can get an 85mm or 105mm portrait lens for your portrait work. So, grab a 50mm lens and start shooting, right? i will ponder my options, but it looks like that 35mm will be an decent lens to learn and grow with. If you want to start saving now for the R, get a 50mm f/1.8 and have fun with it! As you know. I have a Nikon D3300,  which 50 mm lens would you recommend for my camera, something that is not too expensive but helps me take clear pictures. So I want to choose wisely. 1.2 vs 1.4 vs 1.8    I now have the Canon EOS R and I don't think I can find the $'s for the 1.2 RF lens, so...anything you can add to the other EF choices? That would lead me to send you to the Canon 50mm f/1.4 (or the f/1.2) in your search.