When you are new to photography, one of the most exciting things you will do is purchase your first non-kit lens. Every camera mount has dozens or even hundreds of lens available to purchase, and choosing one can be tricky. This fantastic video will show you why your first lens should be what photographers colloquially refer to as a "nifty fifty."
Coming to you from Benj Haisch, this great video makes a case for why you should purchase a nifty fifty lens. A nifty fifty lens is generally a 50mm f/1.8 lens, so named because it is both versatile and quite affordable, making it a fantastic first upgrade from a kit lens. Because of its fairly neutral focal length, the lens can tackle a wide range of scenarios from portraits to landscapes. Meanwhile, its wide aperture allows you the ability to work in much darker conditions than a kit lens would and to explore the creative possibilities that come with a thin depth of field. And because they are so affordable, you can afford to experiment with them and find your creative style without worrying about a bump here or there. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Haisch.
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For six years I did not own a “nifty-fifty”. I already had a 16-35, 24-70, and 70-200, but then postings such as this enticed me to purchase one and see what I was missing...
After a couple of years of owning the “new” lens I decided I didn’t really need it as it was already a part of my 24-70. Thus it was sold at a loss, never to be purchased again...
Why the fascination with the 50 mm lens? Is it a hold over from film days? Do writers get a kickback when the lens is purchased? I just don’t see the need.
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Alex, I agree go-to for most for sure but is that just because "everyone" says it is a must? If I had to do it all over again my first non-kit prime would be based on what most of my photos with the kit were shot at (likely a 35). I've bought and sold a 50 numerous times thinking I needed one and then rethinking I needed one (continuous cycle)... I don't typically NEED one but I do have one slapped on the cinema camera at the moment. My first non-kit was a 24-70 2.8 :) quite happy with that.
Over the past 18 years I have owned, sold and never used a dozen nifty fifty lenses, plus a few of the dx version 35mm 1.8 on a crop sensor. Because there is always this hype of having to have one. For my kind of photography the versatility of a zoom has always far outweighed the advantage of being able to let in more light.