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02-11-2016, 08:51 PM - 1 Like   #1
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Why is the 50mm Lens So Popular on APS-C?

Many photographers seem to value the 50mm focal length, some even owning several different versions and brands. I understand the popularity on FF since it's the classic normal lens, but why on APS-C?

I ask because I just bought a 50mm lens (hasn't arrived yet) mainly because of it's reputed quality, but I'm not confident it's a FL I know how to get the most out of. I would appreciate the viewpoints of 50mm lovers about why they like it and how they use it.

02-11-2016, 08:52 PM   #2
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Because 50mm lenses are so cheap?
02-11-2016, 08:55 PM - 1 Like   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by les3547 Quote
Many photographers seem to value the 50mm focal length, some even owning several different versions and brands. I understand the popularity on FF since it's the classic normal lens, but why on APS-C?

I ask because I just bought a 50mm lens (hasn't arrived yet) mainly because of it's reputed quality, but I'm not confident it's a FL I know how to get the most out of. I would appreciate the viewpoints of 50mm lovers about why they like it and how they use it.
Because even the current lens only costs $89, and legacy options are tack-sharp and will cost you less than a restaurant dinner

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02-11-2016, 08:58 PM - 2 Likes   #4
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1) Cheap
2) Good
3) Nostalgia
4) Few other lenses with f/1.4 or similar apertures in that price range
5) Collectible. With so many options you can just collect 50mm lenses and forget the bother of all those other focal lengths

Usually the rule says "Cheap, Good, Fast, pick any two". The exception is 50mm, where you can get all three.

02-11-2016, 09:04 PM   #5
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I use my F 50 1.7 mostly for portraits. The results are stunning, and the working distance from subject is great. Not too close, not too far. It's a bit long as a normal, but fortunately the DA 35 2.4 serves well in that capacity and can also be had for a song.
02-11-2016, 09:06 PM   #6
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Good question. There are many reasons, but if it's competing with what we would expect, a 35mm prime, then the 50mm is popular relative to the 35mm prime because:

a) Greater availability.
b) Less expensive in the f/1.4 thru f/1.8 range and generally larger apertures.
c) Arguably sharper, less distortion, less CA, because the APS-C sensor is using less the edges of the image circle.
d) Larger circles of confusion bokeh or less depth-of-field.

Also with FF or 35mm film, the typical trifecta of primes would be a 24-35mm, a 50mm, and an 85mm prime. The 50mm on APS-C serves best as the short telephoto replacement for the 85mm, and those wanting the 70mm or 77mm primes pay a premium in cost.
02-11-2016, 09:11 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
forget the bother of all those other focal lengths
Defeats the purpose of an interchangeable lens camera, which is to accumulate a more expensive collection of lenses than the other guy.

I started with a Braun rangefinder camera, but I found that I tended to take fewer pictures than I did when I could swap lenses or use a zoom and waste several exposures on different focal lengths.

02-11-2016, 09:18 PM   #8
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Because LBA
02-11-2016, 09:18 PM   #9
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Anybody use it for landscapes?
02-11-2016, 09:19 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by les3547 Quote
Anybody use it for landscapes?
I've used 50mm for landscapes but prefer a 30-40mm lens for landscapes.
02-11-2016, 09:31 PM   #11
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-- 35mm film cameras normally came w/ 50 mm lens--so many of us are used to them and have them.
-- They are likely the easiest focal length to make inexpensively and w/ good results.
-- On a 1.5x cropped sensor they are close to an ideal portrait lens--roughly what fast 85mm lens was to 35 mm film camera.
-- And also they are often good for macro as well--because they can be symmetrical (or close to it) optically and still reasonably fast.
02-11-2016, 09:34 PM   #12
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"Cheap" makes them sound ... I dunno... sleezy or tawdry or something. Let's call them "High Value"

QuoteOriginally posted by les3547 Quote
Anybody use it for landscapes?
Sure, why not? You can use super telephotos for landscapes too.
02-11-2016, 09:37 PM   #13
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Thanks for the answers, though if the main reason is affordability, surplus, and LBA, that's not the most encouraging news for practical uses. I've used a 90mm for isolating distant landscape spots, so I was hoping the 50 might work that way.
02-11-2016, 09:51 PM   #14
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Also 50mm on APS-C has a field of view equivalent to a 75mm on full frame which is pretty good for portraits.

But mainly its great value for the performance you get. Disadvantage, of course, is its narrower field of view on APS-C is less general purpose.
02-11-2016, 10:03 PM   #15
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  • Often inexpensive
  • Often fast maximum aperture
  • Many, many excellent optics
  • Many, many rendering nuances
  • Most are fairly light/compact
  • Great focal length for portraits
  • Also very useful on FF (24x36mm) format
What's not to like?


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