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Nifty Fifty: Please share some 50 mm pictures!


goldchen96

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Another example is #39:

 

JohnnySevens picture of the dog would look different using a 85mm lens, but it feels like a photo taken with a 85.

The photo of of the outside staircase would by definition look different using a 28mm lens, but it feels like a photo taken with a 28.

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Yes, the 50mm can feel almost like a telephoto. But it can also be used to include a lot of elements in the frame. I find the 50mm to be the most flexible focal length of all. Longer or wider than 50mm feel a bit more specialised to me, and a little more limited. I think it's because 50mm doesn't have any pronounced perspective effects, and just looks natural.

 

That is probably exactly it.

I'll try to find a few examples to illustrate...

Cheers

J

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@AI_OOF:

 

Thank you for the response.

Yes, you are exactly right, I guess. I was just thinking aloud, as I am not a very accomplished theorist:

 

It is the "normality" of the look probably that one may find appealing? The dynamics and brilliance of a photograph surely do not depend so much on the focal length, but more so on perspectice, composition, the activity in the frame and the relation of standpoint, forground, background and the different layers in the picture, right? That said, an interesting composition can of course be accomplished with any focal length. A photo can be percieved as "boring" or "well done" in any case just depending on the execution.

 

I totally agree; the most important thing is the content of the image and its balance (which can be sometimes son of the focal range), that is the story and how to tell it. The focal length is a decision to be made before coming out with the camera and not something that can make, after, a picture boring. Have you ever look at a beautiful picture (for the content and aesthetics) thinking "it's a pity, it was better if he used a different focal...".

It depends if you're going out with a precise photographic idea or not. If you want to take pictures of architectural details in the style of Ming Thein maybe you should go out with a 135mm. If you do not know yet what you will make, go out with a 50 or 35 that more easily could cover more situations.

Of course you can also go out only with an extreme focal. We can always break any rule...

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The thing that i love about a 50 is that it gives us the ability to play with natural tele compression and a forced  perspective without any wild exaggerated distortions.  That's a verbose way of saying its a nice happy place between wide and tele.  Giving us the benefits of both.  Whenever I'm out with just a 35 i feel limited by the wideness of the lens. When I go out with anything over 50 I feel I lose any chance of getting backgrounds. In a sense the 50 forces one to use the composition and content of the frame to imply "wideness" or "teleness".  In my job I work with some of the best D.O.P.'s on the planet and I've seen how the old greats will always get the best shots with a normal lens.  This is both a creative thing and a great time/cost/face saving measure. Try changing prime lenses and lighting with a crew of 150 grumpy film types and actors staring you down. NOT FUN.

Edited by JohnnySeven
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The same 50 Summicron being used as a long lens and as a wide. Its the greatest thing since sliced bread. Having said that,  i don't even like sliced bread. But i love my 50...

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Edited by JohnnySeven
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More 50 as wide and long.  Size doesn't matter, really... It's where you put things. 

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Edited by JohnnySeven
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  • 2 weeks later...

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More fiftie...

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F1

 

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Edited by Adrian Lord
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It looks like spring might be here. Went for a walk around home took some pics with my Cron 50

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.

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Not a fantastic photograph but i can't believe that I actually got this.  There is something charming about flying rodents as long as they aren't flying towards you.

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Summicron 50mm F2

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M246 / 50 ASPH Lux

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Old friends, old friends, sat on their park bench like bookends

M246 / 50 ASPH Lux

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