The World in 50mm F1.4
29th June 2010, in Blog (4 Comments)
The 50mm is the most Democratic of Lenses. It should be Norwegian or something. It’s a prime lense. You can’t zoom. You step forward to frame the shot. You reveal your limitations and your position, so there’s a self consciousness to the images. Dirty, sweaty elements always force themselves into your frame like teenagers cramming a classroom. It’s small. Maybe even Nuggety, to borrow a Hugh Bladen favourite. It belongs in the Bang Bang club. Climbing over Afghan exploded rubble. Howling down war-torn West African streets. It wants to huddle with you at the back of a Bus as you escape from Somalian Pirates into Djibouti. It’s the kind of lens that’ll bring you a Pultzer prize. Slightly squeaky when you push the aperture too far. I remember it’s not the 16 grand F1.2 version I bought.
4 Comments
June 29, 2010 2:48 pm
Adrian (@secretcapetown)
There’s something about the ‘normal’ lens, isn’t there? I think one doesn’t really become a photographer till one stops using zooms for a while–it teaches you so much to have the restriction.
My least favourite thing about the crop factor on my DSLR is that the 50mm is no longer ‘normal’. I can’t wait to get back to a full frame camera.
June 29, 2010 3:24 pm
Andrew Brauteseth (@brauteseth)
Adrain I think using primes definitely does make you a better photographer and teaches you a lot about a framing. 50mm on a 1.6 crop frame can be slightly irritating
July 2, 2010 10:17 am
Joe
I got myself a 50mmm f1.8 recently for my crop frame. Absolutely love it. May save up for a f1.4 in the future
October 22, 2010 10:35 am
Dan (@@dan_lurie)
I had a 50mm 1.8 on my D80 and after it was stolen I replaced it with a 35mm 1.8 on my D90 to overcome the crop factor issue and get me back to essentially 50mm. I prefer the challenge and quality to the kit lens. Saving for a fast wide-angle zoom (but it’s a tough choice, lens vs. over seas holiday!)