Official 50mm Lens Thread (For All DISers!)

[annnewjerz]

Having recently obtained Nikon's 50mm f/1.2 AIS, I searched and searched and searched to find a thread that I know Jeff had started in the past and John had added to---but I can't find it anywhere.

Sooo...rather than starting a "Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS" thread, since the contributions would be limited, I figured I'd start a thread dedicated to all shots taken with this focal length.

This seems to be a very popular focal length, so this can be somewhere for people to post pictures taken with their 50mm lenses, or people who are considering purchasing one to ask questions from fellow users.


All brands welcome, autofocus or manual focus lenses!

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I'll start.

As I said, I recently obtained a Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AIS. It's my first real manual focus lens (all of the others have been AF that wouldn't AF with my camera) and I have to say, I love it. Sure, it's hard to use for a moving subject---but I took my first few test shots today and was really happy with the results. The extremely shallow DOF is great, the colors/contrast the lens provides is nice and wide open it looks like it'll have some nice bokeh.

Here are my two sample images today. I hope to add more in the upcoming weeks as the weather starts to cooperate.

Clicking will take you to Flickr.

 

[ukcatfan]

Good idea! Please just don't let anyone convince you to re-name it the "nifty fifty" thread. I cringe every time I read that word!

 

[annnewjerz]

Good idea! Please just don't let anyone convince you to re-name it the "nifty fifty" thread. I cringe every time I read that word!

I must admit I was guilty of using that phrase when I had the $100 50mm f/1.8, but once I got rid of it I realized how cutesy the lens nickname was and officially banished it from my vocabulary.

And for anyone who may be interested in that lens...here are a few sample pictures from the brief time I owned it.

 

[AbbysFamily]

Beautiful pictures!!! And a lens thread that I'll be able to post on!

My 50mm is on the way (and my bokeh masters kit too!).

 

[Code]

Good idea! Please just don't let anyone convince you to re-name it the "nifty fifty" thread. I cringe every time I read that word!

+1, same for "dirty thirty" (even worse IMO)

 

[Bstanley]

I really like how the background fades away with the 50 (Canon 1.8 II in my case).

I couldn't figure out how to get EXIF data into the picture from Elements 6 so some highlights:

F5, 1/320", Normal Program, ISO 100, 50mm (duh), Auto WB, Rebel XS

 

[WDWFigment]

+1, same for "dirty thirty" (even worse IMO)

Shoot, does this mean I should stop calling my Tokina 11-16mm the "Eleven from Heaven"?

 

[annnewjerz]

Shoot, does this mean I should stop calling my Tokina 11-16mm the "Eleven from Heaven"?

 

[Scottwdw]

Mickey's work pants.

I like calling it a Nifty-Fifty. But only the affordable f/1.8 versions.

 

[oogieboogieman]

A couple from 2 different systems...

Oly 410 f/2.8 1/640 ISO 200 ZD 50mm 2.0

Sony Alpha 100 w/ KM 50 1.7 f/2 1/40 ISO 100

 

[DznyFan]

Yay! A 50mm thread!

 

[JoeDif]

Here is one I took a while back Oly OM 50 f/1.8 E-510

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Good idea! Please just don't let anyone convince you to re-name it the "nifty fifty" thread. I cringe every time I read that word!

What about the Canon folk's reference to the f/1.8 version as the "plastic fantastic"?

 

[Code]

Shoot, does this mean I should stop calling my Tokina 11-16mm the "Eleven from Heaven"?

Does that make my Sigma 10-20 the "Zen Ten"?




P.S. NO!

 

[Gdad]

Mmmmmm- 50mm-











All with the nameless Sigma 50mm f/1.4. I'll post some f/1.2 later

 

[DznyFan]

Mmmmmm- 50mm-

Is that Double Dark chocolate???

And the rest of the pics great too! I especially like the 2nd one.

 

[pjacobi]

About 20 years ago, the 50mm f/1.8 lens was the standard kit lens on film SLR cameras because it provide a normal field of view for a 36mm X 24mm frame. A fast lens was very important to have when shooting ASA/ISO 64 speed slide film!

As the years passed, film got faster and zoom lens design improved. Most manufacturers switched the kit lens to a 28-80mm f/4 zoom. The loss in f/stop was noticeable, but a willing trade-off with faster film, built-in flash, and the flexibility of a zoom lens.

With the advent of the dSLR with 1.5/1.6 crop factor, the kit lens was switched over to 18-55mm f/4 which is approximately the same range as 28-80mm of a film SLR.

Today, the 50mm lens on the 1.5/1.6 crop camera replaces the 80mm lens on film SLR as a "portrait" lens. Full-frame dSLR cameras still need the 80mm lens for portraits. The slight telephoto nature allows the some distance between photographer and subject along with flattening facial features. This prevents the nose from being distorted and looking too big.

It's hard for me to understand the excitement of the 50mm which I was stuck with it as my only lens, too poor to afford a fixed telephoto.

I did miss the speed when shooting indoor sports. I hope DD continues to play which might re-ignite my interest in the 50mm lens.


-Paul

 

[boBQuincy]

I photographed a complete play, "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" with a 50 f/1.8 just to get back to the feel of using a prime lens. It worked well except my "sneaker zoom" got a real workout that evening!

Charlie Brown & Friends

Snoopy attacked by birds

 

[WillowBelle]

Great idea for a thread Ann! I really like that it's one that I can participate in also .

 

[YesDear]

50 mm lens are great tools. Anne has discovered a true gem that Jeff put me on to. That is the manual focus Nikon 50mm AIS 1.2. Nikon says it is still being made but it is difficult to find in stock. I got mine in great condition on ebay from Korea. For those who are spoiled with auto focus you may not like it, but for those that shoot Nikon and want an amazing image with butter smooth bokeh this is the gem.

If you have the chance to pair this lens with a D700 wow! Here are a few images from my Disneyland trip. My first day I shot exclusively with a D700 and the 50 1.2.

I also had a 50 1.8 but sold it for the 35 1.8. I doubt that 50 1.2 will be for sale anytime soon!

Obviously good in low light

also sharp in light