A True Classic: The 50mm 1.8

Looking to buy the only lens you will ever need for the rest of your life? Look no further.

A Brief History

The 50mm lens was first introduced in the early 20th century and quickly became a popular choice among photographers due to its versatility and relatively inexpensive cost. Since, at the time, there lacked a wide range of lenses, it was often used for everyday photography, such as portraits, landscapes, and street scenes. Advances in lens design and manufacturing, made it possible to produce high-quality 50mm lenses at a reasonable cost. The 50mm lens quickly became the standard "kit lens" for most camera manufacturers. This continued up through the the 1980s and 1990s, until it was slowly replaced by more advanced zoom lenses. The 50mm, however, still remains one of the most popular lenses for beginner and professional photographers alike.

So what's so great about this lens?

All camera manufacturers have some version of this lens. Whether it is designed for full frame or APS-C, the 50mm lens is popular for various reasons.

1. Cost

Perhaps the most important advantage of the 50mm lens over others: cost to produce.

• Simple Design: 50mm lenses have a simple design with fewer elements and groups compared to other lenses, such as zoom lenses. This makes them easier and less expensive to manufacture.

• Standard Focal Length: 50mm lenses are a standard focal length and have been around for a long time. As a result, manufacturers have had many years to refine the design and manufacturing process, which has helped to streamline production and reduce costs.

• Popularity: Because 50mm lenses are so popular and have been used for decades, there is a high demand for them. This means that manufacturers can produce them in large quantities, which helps to drive down the cost per unit.

• Less Expensive Materials: Many 50mm lenses are made with less expensive materials than other lenses. For example, the lens barrel may be made of plastic rather than metal, which can help to reduce the cost of production.

• Limited Features: Compared to more expensive lenses, 50mm lenses often have fewer features and may not be as versatile. For example, they may not have image stabilization or weather sealing, which can help to keep the cost down.

1. Focal Length

50mm produces an image that can feel natural and balanced, without any noticeable distortion or exaggeration of perspective. The focal length is close to what the human eye naturally perceives (20mm-24mm), although a bit on the telephoto side. When used correctly, the 50mm lens can be used to capture a wide array of scenes and images. Most commonly, it is used for more tight, portrait style shots. However, it is wide enough for landscape and street style photography.

1. Aperture

One of the major selling points of this lens is the f1.8 aperture. The biggest advantages of using a f1.8 lens is the ability to create a shallow depth of field, which can help isolate your subject and create a beautiful blurred background effect. This is particularly useful for portrait and lifestyle photography. Another benefit of using a f/1.8 lens is its ability to gather more light than a lens with a smaller maximum aperture. This means that you can use a faster shutter speed or lower ISO in low-light situations, which can result in cleaner and sharper images.

1. Size

50mm 1.8 lenses are generally small and compact, when compared to other 1.8 primes. As stated above, they do no require a complex optical design and can be produced using only a few lens elements/groups. This reduces the overall size and length, making them ideal for travel.

1. Timeless Images

The look of a 50mm lens is one for the ages. A majority of historic images were captured on a 50mm lens. Almost all of famed street photographer Vivian Maier's work was done on a Rolleiflex with a full frame equivalent focal length of 50mm. War photojournalist David Douglas Duncan used a Nikon F2 and a Leica III, both with a 50mm lens.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an affordable, versatile, and high-quality lens, look no further than the 50mm lens. This lens has been a popular choice for photographers for over a century due to its simplicity in design, standard focal length, and cost-effective manufacturing. With its shallow depth of field and ability to gather more light, the f/1.8 aperture is a major selling point, making it perfect for portrait and lifestyle photography. Its compact size and natural-looking images make it an ideal lens for travel and capturing timeless moments. Despite being an older design, the 50mm lens remains a must-have lens for any photographer's collection.