just using a 50mm 1.8

akcron

akcron

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Hello all.

I am thinking of locking up my zoom lens for a few months and just using my 50mm1.8.

I want to learn to get better at composition by positioning myself better with the subject instead of standing at a distance and zooming in.

Do you think i will benefit from doing this? And has anyone else done anything similar?

Thanks for any advice Paul.
 
I've not done it, but thought about it and it is an excellent challenge! Good luck to you!
 
I only use a prime and did use a 50 for around 6 months until I just replaced it with a 40 (all on APS-C)
I am not really convinced it makes me any better at composition, it just means I have to walk backwards and forwards and actually lose some composition as walking back is not the same as standing still and going wider on the lens as different things enter the frame.

Not sure if you use a camera with APS-C sized sensor but a 50 is too long for many people (me included) and it usually require a step or two back for most shots.
 
akcron said:
Hello all.

I am thinking of locking up my zoom lens for a few months and just using my 50mm1.8.

I want to learn to get better at composition by positioning myself better with the subject instead of standing at a distance and zooming in.

Do you think i will benefit from doing this? And has anyone else done anything similar?

Thanks for any advice Paul.
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A few hours maybe but I don't really think a few months is necessary. Perhaps other will have a different opinion. I did it on an outing and didn't feel like it did me a whole lot of good. If you really want to try it you don't have to use a specific lens. You could just leave the focal length at one spot like 50mm and you have done the same thing.
 
I'm sure there was a thread about this a while back, maybe last summer. It made me think about doing it, mainly to try street togging, but I never got into it.
 
I often do it.

You won't take the same photos as you would with a selection of lenses, but it does make you think more about what you are shooting.
 
I don't understand people's fascination with this. A zoom should make you think more, and get better pictures. It should make you consider perspective as well as framing, and the chances are that with a fixed lens you'll just end up foot-zooming back and forth, then running out of room and getting frustrated.

What you should do is view the scene first from the best angle, by moving left/right and up/down. Then consider perspective by moving back and forth, and finally frame it from the best position by adjusting the zoom.
 
I often just take my 50mm 1.8 to gigs and events with my friends, its a all round lens really much lighter than carrying around all my kit, I wouldn't use it for a couple of months though, you could miss a perfect shot with the wrong lens
 
i find 50mm too long on a aps-c too. I also shoot 70% b&w
 
HoppyUK said:
I don't understand people's fascination with this. A zoom should make you think more, and get better pictures. It should make you consider perspective as well as framing, and the chances are that with a fixed lens you'll just end up foot-zooming back and forth, then running out of room and getting frustrated.

What you should do is view the scene first from the best angle, by moving left/right and up/down. Then consider perspective by moving back and forth, and finally frame it from the best position by adjusting the zoom.
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Totally agree. Which seems odd coming from someone that only uses a prime.

But I don't use a prime to make me better, I use it because I like using it. I can't really explain why but I actually like not having to think about zooming in or out, I am 'at one' (bit of zen bs for you :)) with the focal length and know what the shot will look like before I have even raised the camera.

However, it can be frustrating and many shots become unobtainable - especially when something is too far away!
 
I have been shooting this past few weeks with just a 50mm f1.8 on my Canon 30D. I like the the IQ and the ability to work with a faster f ratio than my 17-85 EFS. But I must confess to struggling a bit with the permanent longer focal being so used to a zoom to support composition. It is an interesting challenge for me though but appreciate it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
 
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I don't buy into this idea that primes make you think more about composition. You work with what you see through the lens, be it a zoom or a fixed lens.

Regardless of the lens you use, you should be looking for the best composition utilising what that lens will offer you.
 
Thanks to everyone who replied.

I think I will try it for a short while maybe just over the weekend to see what it is like to be limited to 1focal length.

Thanks again Paul.
 
ernesto said:
Totally agree. Which seems odd coming from someone that only uses a prime.

But I don't use a prime to make me better, I use it because I like using it. I can't really explain why but I actually like not having to think about zooming in or out, I am 'at one' (bit of zen bs for you :)) with the focal length and know what the shot will look like before I have even raised the camera.

However, it can be frustrating and many shots become unobtainable - especially when something is too far away!
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:)

I'm not making a pitch for zooms vs primes, just the right focal length for the best image.
 
Ever since I got a Praktica Slr as a 13 year old in the 80's, I've never got on with the 50mm focal length! Each to their own; some love it on fx and dx, I personally find it too limiting on both. Love my 20mm and 35mm primes though, and once you've got your head round the fixed field of view, composition and framing becomes quite intuitive.
 
the key, as Andy said ^, is to get your head around the fixed field of view.

i rarely use my 50/1.8 during outings, because it is just way too limiting in capturing the moment (time to walk for good compositions) and too limiting in when you want that dramatic wide angle shot.

however having said that, i only use 50 when i am doing street photography. that's when that mental framing allows you to frame in your mind, then just raise and shoot. also there's nothing worse than sticking a large lens in people's faces.



so, depends on what you want to shoot. with holiday and lanscapes, you are far better with a zoom. just think and move around before taking a shot, you can do more with a zoom, not less.
 
This is basically what I do whenever I get a new lens.
The last shoot I did I only used my latest buy, and found it really useful to get used to it.
I don't think you need to do it for longer than a weekend though. You'll soon learn the shots that work, and those that don't, so in the future when you look at a a scene you'll be able to decide which lens will work best for the shot you want.
 
90% of the shots I take with my 40D are using a 30mm f/1.4. It's usually the only lens I take when I go on holiday, although I may have a fixed lens film camera (or two) in the bag as well.

I know some people don't "get" primes or understand how they can help creativity when used like this (as a sole lens), but that's a positive as we all have different approaches and it's a case of what works for me may not work for you.
 
I've just purchased the 50mm 1.8D and l love the manual focus old Skool :)
 
Spent many years with just a 50mm on 35mm camera and 85mm on 6cm x 6cm. I usualy have the comosition in my head before I lift the camera. I now find it much easyer with a short range zoom. Dont have to move back and forth as much to get whats in my head into the frame.
 
Go for it Paul!

I only own primes, and love it!

I've tried the 'convinence' of zoom, but for me primes suit me better, the faster apperture is a bonus.
 
1.8f 50mm nikkor is a fav of mine. The manual focus allows you to become better at taking pictures and imroves on your creativity.
 
asadhumayun85 said:
1.8f 50mm nikkor is a fav of mine. The manual focus allows you to become better at taking pictures and imroves on your creativity.
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Okay this has been covered so many times but I'm just curious how exactly manual focus could allow a person to "become better" or "improve on your creativity".
 
akcron said:
Hello all.

I am thinking of locking up my zoom lens for a few months and just using my 50mm1.8.

I want to learn to get better at composition by positioning myself better with the subject instead of standing at a distance and zooming in.

Do you think i will benefit from doing this? And has anyone else done anything similar?

Thanks for any advice Paul.
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Yes, I did exactly this and it worked wonders, although now it's my least used focal length! (I use 24mm primes mostly)
 
shaylou said:
Okay this has been covered so many times but I'm just curious how exactly manual focus could allow a person to "become better" or "improve on your creativity".
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I think it is said almost as part of folklore and has no real basis.
 
Personally for me when I was first starting out I just AF absolutely everything and didn't really grasp or pay attention to what was going on.

Having spent a while manually focusing I felt more in control and able to identify what I was doing with the camera, it generally made me feel more confident and able with the camera.

I wouldn't say it improves on your creativity or anything, though. Just that you feel more in control and confident when starting out in my personal experience.
 
I still do it, a good few years later after first buying my 50mm 1.4. It is a really good challenge, especially on a crop body! I think at the time it was by far my best lens so I wanted to use it for everything....who doesn't like creamy bokeh!
 
shaylou said:
Totally agree, it doesn't even make sense. How does pushing a button vs turning a ring effect anything at all....:cuckoo:
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If you want to set a lens at a hyperfocal distance, a manual lens is an advantage, especially with the f stop position noted adjacent to the focus scale.

Some of the older Ai or AiS Nikkors are superb optics, but only available as manual focus, generally they are cheaper than the latest AF versions.
 
Martyn... said:
If you want to set a lens at a hyperfocal distance, a manual lens is an advantage, especially with the f stop position noted adjacent to the focus scale.

Some of the older Ai or AiS Nikkors are superb optics, but only available as manual focus, generally they are cheaper than the latest AF versions.
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Agreed but this thread was about using a 50mm only and my response was for those who were talking about how making a manual focus adjustment was such a big help in their creativity. I stand by my statement in saying pushing a button to achieve focus or turning a dial has nothing to do with anything creative or making one a better photographer. I do however strongly believe that you should never let the camera choose your af point. That is always my job.
 
Shayne using manual focus may not make you more creative, but it may do so for others.

I have a few MF lenses, and I do find I take a bit more time with the shot when using them, whether this makes me more creative, or a better photographer is subjective :D
 
i wouldn't do this for a whole month! But I must say since using primes (Ithe only one I have is the 50mm 1.8) my composition has improved when taking photos, i am more aware of the little things in the viewfinder that sometimes might get missed when shooting.
 
~*~ElmoHolz~*~ said:
i wouldn't do this for a whole month! But I must say since using primes (Ithe only one I have is the 50mm 1.8) my composition has improved when taking photos, i am more aware of the little things in the viewfinder that sometimes might get missed when shooting.
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I mostly use primes too but don't understand why composition improves? Surely you would look for the little things in the viewfinder whether a prime or a zoom is being used? The only difference is that if you notice something in the viewfinder which you don't want you either zoom in a bit or walk forward a step or two.
 
Can't help but feel that some might see using a 50mm prime (to help them compose better) the same as how Mr Miyagi taught Daniel karate by painting his fence and waxing his car.

Somehow using a restricted lens is meant to make better pictures. It's the person behind the lens that takes the picture, that frames it, that decides the settings which leads to the final picture.

This isn't meant to offend anyone, just my opinion.

That's my 2 pence...
 
I think the benefit of it is that it stops you being lazy and MAKES you go through what Hoppy described, something that I bet most people, especially new 'togs, don't do even if they won't admit it.

All too often you see people seeing something that catches their eye, stopping dead, holding the camera up to their eye, twiddling the zoom and pressing the button. I bet later on they wonder why their photos aren't as good as they think they should be.

By using a fixed lens you are forced to think about composition, perspective and framing to get the best result from what equipment you have.

I like to do this occasionally as a reminder to the thought process but also as I usually end up with a different set that I would have if I had a zoom.

And of course, some situations demand a fast prime :)
 
Nawty said:
All too often you see people seeing something that catches their eye, stopping dead, holding the camera up to their eye, twiddling the zoom and pressing the button. I bet later on they wonder why their photos aren't as good as they think they should be.

By using a fixed lens you are forced to think about composition, perspective and framing to get the best result from what equipment you have.
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See what you are getting at but nothing is forcing you to do anything. You can do exactly the same with a fixed lens. If you aren't thinking about composition when taking a shot then I can't see how the lens will change that (it may just make your shots worse)

But if just using one prime then a 50 (especially on crop) is very limiting. I went from 50 to 40 to 23 on a crop sensor and the 23 is the best by far for general walkabout shooting. Could never quite get enough into the shot with 50 and 40. Have only had the 23 a week though and still finding myself surprised at how close I am when getting any close-ups and take my eye away from the viewfinder!
 
GHP said:
I mostly use primes too but don't understand why composition improves? Surely you would look for the little things in the viewfinder whether a prime or a zoom is being used? The only difference is that if you notice something in the viewfinder which you don't want you either zoom in a bit or walk forward a step or two.
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i guess what I meant was that by having a fixed focal length I tend to think more about the composition in relation to where i'm standing, how much am I getting in the shot, do i need to step forwards or backwards, to get the photo I want. And whilst doing that I may notice something that I might not want in the photo.

Whereas with a zoom it's just the case of zooming in or out, a very quick thought process, where you potentially could miss something in or out of shot. For example, something in the background or out the side that could be missed as your main focus is on composition of your main subject?

I wouldn't say that my composition is pants with a zoom, just that the restriction of not being able to zoom in and out with a prime makes me think about it for a few more seconds.
 
Good point, maybe it is just the fact that it makes you work at the composition by moving around and during that time moving around you think about the shot (even if it is almost subconsciously).
More like a side affect of not being able to get the shot immediately rather than any sort of forcing?
 
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