Do I need both 35mm and 50mm?

What’s more, if you’ll be working in tight spaces, or conversely, want the ability to capture more of the scene in a single shot and have more of the background in focus, the 35mm is the way to go. On the other hand, if you want greater reach regarding focal length, a 50mm lens will serve you better.

Thereof, Is 50mm a wide angle lens?

Technically it is any lens that has a wider field of view than what the human eye sees. Back in the days of film a 50mm lens was considered “normal” because it is closest to what you see with your eye normally. … So anything wider than 50mm (full frame) or 35mm (APS-C) is considered a wide angle lens.

Accordingly, What is the best lens to take portraits with?


10 Great Lenses for Portrait Photography for Canon and Nikon Shooters

  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II.
  • Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II.
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L.
  • Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II.
  • Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II.
  • Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4G.
  • Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II.
  • Nikon 50mm f/1.4G.

What is the best portrait focal length? 85mm portrait lens

A short telephoto is typically the portrait photographer’s favourite focal length – with a something around 56mm on a camera with an APS-C sensor or a 85mm on a full-frame model being ideal.

Also know Is 50mm good for portraits?

50mm lenses for portraiture are really good for anything as tight as the upper quarter of a person. Anything closer and you’ll end up distorting the subject. Additionally, you can focus on a subject very closely by using a variety of 50mm macro lenses.

What is a 50mm lens best for? 50mm lenses are fast lenses with a fast maximum aperture. The most basic 50mm lenses are typically F1. 8 – a very wide aperture. This means they are great for low-light photography (e.g. low-light portraiture or indoor shooting) as they allow more light into the camera’s sensor.

What is the difference between 50mm and 35mm lens?

While a 50mm prime lens will give you a field of view of just under 40 degrees, the 35mm prime lens gives you 54.4 degrees — significantly wider.

Is a 50mm lens telephoto?

Telephoto camera lenses

These types of lenses have a fixed focal length greater then 50mm, and are perfect if you’re trying to photograph far-off objects. … This makes telephoto lenses great for portraits when you want to focus in on your subject without the distraction of a background.

Is 85mm or 50mm better for portraits?

The 85mm focal length is perfect for portraits thanks to the levels of compression they provide, and because they do not distort facial features. … If you are a portrait photographer who likes to focus more on 3/4 shots and much tighter headshots, we would absolutely recommend an 85mm prime over 50mm primes.

Is a 50mm lens good for group shots?

The great thing about a 50mm lens is that the curvature of the focal plane is minimal compared to other focal lengths, especially wider lenses. That’s another reason why a 50mm is a great option for shooting larger groups if you have the room.

Can you use a 50mm lens for family portraits?

A 50mm prime should be wide enough to shoot group portraits outside, but if you’re shooting inside, then you have to consider whether you have enough space to back up and get everyone in the frame. Unfortunately, sometimes you won’t know that until you get there and put everyone together.

What is a nifty fifty lens used for?

A nifty fifty is an excellent walk-around lens, ideal for capturing candid moments, making it a favourite for street photography (guide). When it comes to shooting people, it’s less intimidating and intrusive than a large, pretentious zoom, and can make your subject more relaxed.

What 3 lenses should every photographer have?


3 Lenses Every Photographer Should Own

  • General Purpose Zoom. Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens. This camera lens will give photographers the ability to shoot a wide variety of photos without having to change their lens. …
  • Macro lens. Olympus MSC ED M. …
  • Telephoto Zoom. Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 80-400mm f.4.5-5.6G ED.

Why is 50mm good for portraits?

50mm lenses

One of the greatest attractions of this lens is that the f/1.8 version from many manufacturers is relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, it provides a field of view comparable to that of the human eye, and the wide maximum aperture makes shallow depth-of-field photography across a range of subjects possible.

When should I use a 50mm lens?

Why You Need a 50mm Lens: They’re Great for Low-Light Shooting. If you really want to expand your photographic capabilities, a 50mm lens will allow you to do so because they’re great for taking photos when lighting is low. With maximum apertures of f/2 and larger, 50mm lenses can collect a lot of light.

Is 50mm better than 30mm lens?

The 50mm lens has less distortion than the 30mm lens, but you can see that compared to the 85mm lens, there is still actually a bit of distortion when shooting so close to a subject. … As you can see, the 30mm lens allows more content into the photo.

Is 50mm lens good for landscape?

50mm landscape photography: final words

But the 50mm prime lens is a great option for landscape photography, especially if you’re a beginner; it will make you think differently about your photos, it will free you from the constraints of a heavy setup, and it will easily provide you with clear, sharp images.

What lens do wildlife photographers use?


The best lens choices for wildlife photography

  • Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 II (£1,820 // $2,000) …
  • Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 (£1,150 // $1,400) …
  • Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 (£800 // $1,000) …
  • Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 G2 (£1,300 // $1,400) …
  • Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 (£1,750 // $2,100) …
  • Nikon 300mm f/2.8 (£4,800 // $5,500)

Is it worth having a 50mm and 85mm lens?

If you want to shoot portraits – the 85mm is probably your better bet as this is the more traditional portrait lens. … If you want to shoot weddings – this could really fall into that portrait category. But 50mm is a much more versatile lens during a wedding day than an 85mm.

What aperture is best for portraits?

Portrait photographers prefer wider apertures like f/2.8 or even f/4 — they can focus on the subject and blur the background.

When would you use a 50mm lens?

Why You Need a 50mm Lens: They’re Great for Low-Light Shooting. If you really want to expand your photographic capabilities, a 50mm lens will allow you to do so because they’re great for taking photos when lighting is low. With maximum apertures of f/2 and larger, 50mm lenses can collect a lot of light.

How do you take a picture with a 50mm lens?

The rule of thumb for handheld photography is that your shutter speed should be one divided by your focal length. With a focal length of 50mm, you use a shutter speed of 1/50 of a second or faster. However, in many lighting conditions, setting your shutter speed at 1/50 or faster will render your image underexposed.

Can you shoot landscapes with a 50mm?

50mm landscape photography: final words

But the 50mm prime lens is a great option for landscape photography, especially if you’re a beginner; it will make you think differently about your photos, it will free you from the constraints of a heavy setup, and it will easily provide you with clear, sharp images.

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