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.

Thereof, How far away can I shoot with a 50mm lens?

You can shoot with a 50mm lens up to 3-5 feet or 0.91-1.5m away from the subject to produce a flattering perspective. A 50mm lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.45m or 1.45 feet, and you can step back further depending on the desired effect.

Accordingly, 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.

What is a 100mm lens good for? The 100mm focal length is perfect for portraits, enabling flattering close-ups without distorting facial features. The Hybrid Image Stabilization allows shooting of beautiful images, handheld in low light.

Also know Is a 35mm lens good for portraits?

The 35mm lens focal length is more versatile when shooting indoors for its wide field of view and capturing more scenery when traveling than the 50mm lens which is more zoomed-in making it difficult to use indoors but ideal for traditional, headshots and portraits.

Can I zoom 50mm lens? The 18-55mm lens is a zoom lens that can change focal lengths to help you capture various angles. A 50mm lens is a prime lens with a fixed focal length, which means it cannot zoom in or out. Although the 50mm cannot zoom, it does have a wider aperture allowing it to perform better in low light conditions.

What is a 50mm lens best used 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 kind of picture should I use with a 50mm lens?

Shooting at lower f stops (wider aperture) means you can achieve faster shutter speeds. This means a nifty fifty is an ideal lens for photographing fast-moving subjects. Now, a fixed wider focal length might not be ideal subjects like sport or wildlife, but a 50mm lens is great for photographing kids or even pets.

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 F stop to use 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. That’s also why landscape photographers typically shoot in the f/11 to f/22 range — they want more of the landscape in focus, from the foreground to the distant horizon.

What focal length should I use for portraits?

Although most lenses can be used for portraiture, fast telephoto lenses with moderately short focal lengths have long been the first choice of professional portrait photographers. Focal lengths typically considered ideal range from about 70mm to 135mm in 35mm format, with a bias in favour of the 85-105mm section.

Is a 35mm or 85mm better for portraits?

A 35mm prime lens has a wide angle of view and is best for images that incorporate the background with the main subject. … An 85mm prime lens has a more narrow-angle of view than the 35mm and 50mm lenses and is known as the best portrait lens because it adds little, if any, facial distortion to your main subject.

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.

Which is better 35mm or 50mm Nikon lens?

Maximum Aperture – the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G has a maximum aperture of f/1.8, while the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G has a maximum aperture of f/1.4. Both lenses are very fast, but the 50mm can pass through slightly more light than the 35mm lens.

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 Canon 50mm 1.8 good for landscape?

Is Canon 50mm 1.8 good for landscape? Yes! … One, you get a different look and feel to a 50mm landscape photo. It’s not as stretched and wide as a traditional landscape photo taken with a wide (or ultra-wide) lens – and it’s very inexpensive.

Is a 50mm 1.8 lens good for portraits?

Canon’s 50mm 1.8 prime lens is a perfect example of an affordable yet powerful lens. Compact and lightweight, it can be taken to – and used in – any location. With a maximum aperture of f/1.8, it’s capable of capturing great portraits in more challenging lighting conditions.

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.

What is a 50mm 1.4 lens used for?

The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens is very useful for low-light indoor photography when a flash is not permitted, appropriate or desired. It works very well in a church or gym for example. The 50 f/1.4 is a good lens and focal length for full-body portraits.

How do I get sharp portraits?


How to Take Sharp Pictures

  1. Set the Right ISO. …
  2. Use the Hand-Holding Rule. …
  3. Choose Your Camera Mode Wisely. …
  4. Pick a Fast Enough Shutter Speed. …
  5. Use High ISO in Dark Environments. …
  6. Enable Auto ISO. …
  7. Hold Your Camera Steady. …
  8. Focus Carefully on Your Subject.

Is a 50mm lens good for street photography?

The 50mm is the ideal street photography lens. Actually it’s an ideal lens full stop. It has the most applications of any focal and hence why they are often referred to as the “nifty fifty”, the versatile lens.

What lens is good for portraits?

85mm f/1.4

The absolute golden staple for serious portrait photographers must be the 85mm f/1.4 lens. Its long focal length, and wide fixed aperture combine to create a portrait like no other. The image quality of pictures taken on this lens is instantly recognizable to those in the know.

What camera lens do I need for portraits?


The Best Canon Lenses for Portraits

  • Canon 50mm f/1.2L. Price: $1,349. …
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM. Price: $349. …
  • Canon 70 – 200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Price: $1,730. …
  • Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II USM. Price: $1,800. …
  • Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM. Price: $1,900. …
  • Nikon 85mm f/1.4G. Price: $2060. …
  • Nikon 50mm f/1.8G. …
  • Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G.

What’s better 50mm or 85mm?

If you do a lot of headshots, 85mm is probably the better choice. You can capture beautiful, tight images from a reasonable distance, whereas headshots at 50mm can put you uncomfortably close. On the other hand, if you gravitate toward full-body or even group shots, 50mm is ideal.

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