When are you using your 50mm lens?

9 years 2 weeks ago #433887 by Eric A
It's a lens that I feel bad that I don't use often.  I feel somewhat limited with a 50mm, yet by many it's the granddaddy of lenses.  Help me understand where this lens fits collectively with photographers.  Paint me a scenario where you will reach in your camera bag for your 50mm lens?   

My Camera Bag:

Canon 7D | 50mm f/1.2 | 17-40mm f/4 | 70-200mm f/2.8 | 320EX | 580EXII

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9 years 2 weeks ago #433901 by cod
I tend to use a 35-70 and a 70-200 for most general purpose work.  My 50mm, however, is definitely the sharpest lens in my bag.  Optically,50s are relatively simple designs and don’t need to make the compromises that zooms do so they usually produce good image quality.   If I know I’m in a space where that focal length is appropriate I will use the 50 and zoom with my feet.  The resulting images are usually noticeably sharper.  I have a crop sensor camera so the 50 is more akin to a 70mm in terms of field of view. I find it most useful in larger rooms and for more “close-up” shots on sports fields.  If I had an FX sensor camera where the 50 has the “normal” field of view I would use it much more often because of the image quality.  I also like the constraints that the fixed field places on composition.  It make me think more about my placement rather than relying on the zoom.

Chris O'Donoghue
Winnipeg, Canada
codonoghue.prosite.com

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9 years 2 weeks ago - 9 years 2 weeks ago #433906 by effron
When I'm bored and fresh out of ideas, I'll often snap the fifty, (I have the f1.4 and f1.eight) on the D7100 and take a walk, especially early or late. Toss a couple extension rings in the pocket an I'm pretty good to go.
I also do the same with my incredible 35 f1/8 when the mood hits.....;)

Why so serious?
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9 years 2 weeks ago #433937 by Alan Nunez
I love my 50 and it makes me think before I shoot, It takes am magic picture too.


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9 years 2 weeks ago - 9 years 2 weeks ago #433962 by Joves
I use mine when I am in the mood to use it. Both of mine are Ai lenses, so I have to be in a total manual mood to use them. Same with any of my manual lenses, which are all primes.


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9 years 2 weeks ago #433994 by EOS_Fan
Same with me, when I'm looking for some 'fun' or 'change', I break out my 50mm.  


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9 years 2 weeks ago #434011 by Hassner
I will never forget. In my student days we had to shoot a film only with the 50mm. I dreaded the assignment. When I started working, it made me see in a new way. Like going from automatic gears to manual gears. A lot of fun.


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9 years 2 weeks ago #434014 by Don Fischer
I had a 50mm lens in film days but never put it on a camera. Zoom's are what I prefer and they have done all I want and then some. I don't have the lens anymore. Lost in a house fire and never replaced. When I get into the 50mm range I'm using my 18-105.


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9 years 2 weeks ago #434040 by Ryan Obryan
For me, it's one of my top 3 lenses I use often. 


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9 years 2 weeks ago #434103 by J Photo Man
Same with me, however these days I have been shooting more and more with my 70-200mm as my go to lens 


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9 years 2 weeks ago #434122 by garyrhook
Don't own one, not interested.


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9 years 1 week ago #434178 by Kristy Blake
I used mine last weekend for a few random shots while doing a photo walk in town


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