This was so helpful! Now I understand why people love prime lenses.

Thanks so much!

With my limited experience, if I could only buy one lens, this is the one I would buy. In fact, when I dropped my old camera and damaged this lens, I went right out and bought another one!

The nifty fifty is a huge upgrade from the kit lens! However, it is really tough (or impossible) to get a lot of indoor shots on a crop sensor because you just can’t back up far enough. My walls are in the way! I do find that very frustrating, and I really want a 35 mm (or better yet a full frame camera), but it’s unfortunately not in the budget. I also find it funny that people who want to use my camera have a hard time with the fact that it doesn’t zoom. I tell them that it doesn’t but they just don’t believe me! I tell friends who are interested in a DSLR to budget in the cost of the 50mm with the camera, especially if you love bokeh. I find that I simply can’t get it with the kit lens.

I have both the 50mm 1.8 and the 35mm 1.8 and I love them both. :)

I’ve been looking into this lens for a while — but am a slow-to-spend person. :D Going back to re-read the lens series! Just to let you know — the affiliate links aren’t working.

Thank you for this great post. I’m a novice photographer (trying to improve the quality of photos for our blog) and just got a Canon EOS 60D. I’ve added you to my RSS, and am excited to learn more!

I bought the kit lens and then found my first nifty fifty for $110 on Amazon. It was the 50 mm 1.8D which like stated did not auto focus. So for a little while I was bitter because almost all of my photos were blurry and I just didn’t have a steady enough had to manual focus. Thankfully I was able to purchase a 35mm and a 50mm for $400. Which both thankfully autofocus. I’m still starting out so I’m okay with 1.8 and I can’t justify just yet the price tag of the 1.4 but they work just fine on my 5100 and I pretty much have the 35mm on all the time when I’m chasing little ones even though the bokeh is not as strong. Thank you so much for this lovely post I wish I’d read this a year ago!

Thanks for the post, I love seeing what photos can be produced with what lens. This photography is harder than it looks!

My 50 mm f/1.8 was my first lens purchase, and I have loved it since I got it! I recently purchased a Tamron 28-75 mm lens, but I didn’t realize it doesn’t have VC and I don’t always feel like I’m getting really sharp pictures. I will not give up though, I know I have so much more to learn so maybe I’m just not doing something right!

Hello!
I love my 50mm too, but have the same problem as Laura Jane when shooting indoors. I can’t back up enough. I asked in the camera store about the 35 mm and he told me he wouldn’t use it for portraits because it would ‘destort’ the faces too much. Can anyone who use 35 mm for portraits comment on this? Thank you!!

I *just* got this lens in the mail today and messed around with it tonight. I didn’t realize the indoor shooting would be such a challenge, but I’ve already started to fall in love with it. Is the lens supposed to be noisy? Just curious. Mine seems really loud when focusing. Thanks for the super timely post! :)

Thanks for the post! I am trying to figure out which lens to buy after using the kit lens. I have a Nikon D5100, and have been debating between the 50mm 1.8g, 35mm 1.8g, or the 50mm 1.4g. I really want to get sharp pictures with a lot of bokeh for portraits and taking pictures of kids. Which would you recommend? I’ve heard the 35mm doesn’t get as much bokeh, but I’ve also heard the 50mm is more like 75mm on the 5100 and I’m worried for indoors I wouldn’t have the space I need to get the shots I want – So I feel stuck. Any suggestions? I would really appreciate it!

Thank you SO MUCH for your info on lenses. I have always been interested in photography, taken a few classes, but never really got a good explanation in lenses. I sadly did not even own a 50mm prior to reading this post! Keep up this amazing blog… I am in love with it now!

I LOVE my 50 mm 1.8….that’s about the ONLY lens i use when I go shoot portraits. :)

I agree 100%! I have a 50mm 1.4 and I love it more than any other lens. However I just received the Nikkor 24-70 2.8 for Mother’s day so I’ll let you know if I change my mind.

I’ve just started following your blog. Thank you. It’s just what I’ve been looking for.

I really want to get a 50mm prime lens. I have an 85mm 1.8 which I love, but there are times I notice myself backing up because I’m too close. My dog doesn’t understand my backing up so he runs at me and I lose the shot :/ It’s really a fabulous lens though when I do get the shot.

This is probably a silly question, but I’m primarily interested in shooting landscapes, nature, animals (when they stay still :-) ….is there a prime lens for me?

The 50 1.8 was my first lens. I loved it but found it difficult to shoot everyday moments in the house, especially my living room. So I bought the 35mm 1.8 a couple of months later. I love both lens for different reasons. My 35 is my indoor and my 50 always goes on when I’m outside or large indoor spots.

My boyfriend got me the 50mm 1.8 lens but I didn’t give it the respect that it deserves! I just started to learn photography a month ago so I was more focused on understanding the triangle of exposure – it’s taking me a while! This post really inspired me, and I’ll practice with this lens for now on. Thank you!!

I am also still learning photography and have both the kit lens and a 55-270mm zoom. Am currently looking to get a prime lens (once i save the money for it). I have had pretty much Everyone tells me that I should get the nifty fifty (f/1.4 on my list) first but I’ve also played with my friends cameras who have that lens and even when I’m outside I found myself backing up to get what I wanted in the shot. I still don’t do a lot of portraits but even when I do I tend to be zoomed in closer than 50mm on my kit lens. I’ve looked at the pancake lens (40 mm f/2.8), the 35mm f/2, and the 28mm f/1.8. I have a crop sensor camera body so I know that makes the focal length greater than what is listed on the glass. But do you have any more insight on either the 40mm or the 28mm?

Love your photos and your posts. Super-helpful! I was wondering if you use a special filter for portraits to get that great skin tone? I typically have a polarizing filter on at all times, but wondering if that negatively affects portrait-type shots. Thanks for your insight!

What is the difference between the Nikon AF 50mm f1.4 and the AF-S 50mm f1.4?
I have the AF would it be worth it to upgrade to the AF-S?

I have a Nikon 5200 and wanted to get my first lens. I read up here thank you so much but now can’t seem to find a Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S DX. Does the DX exist? I have read the FX isn’t good with the D5200? What to do?

I have had my DSLR for many months now and have struggled to make sense of the wealth of starter information until I found this website!!! Thank you!
Having read the posts and info above I’m pretty sure I need to invest in a prime lens to get the images I’ve been trying to achieve, however, whilst Im keen to get great pics of my 4 and 2 year olds, ‘Im also really keen on taking architectural images (particularly B&W), would the nikon 35mm 1.8g be a decent starter for both? or will i need to be patient and save up to invest in different lenses?

As an amateur who recently upgraded his lenses and camera body, I’d like to make a recommendation for any of those who may have $300-500 to spend. Really, anything you buy in a price point more affordable (Other than the 50mm. It’s a bit of an anomaly.), you’ll be no happier with than you would with a kit lens. Rather than spend a few hundred on one or two fast primes, I would recommend a 28-70mm f/2.8. You can pick one up new for less than $500 new. It’s a low enough maximum aperture to get some really nice photos in lower light situations with nice bokeh, and you’ve got a really useful range of focal lengths in a single lens.

That being said, if you already have a kit lens or two, the 50mm (1.8 or 1.4) is super fun to shoot with and ultra cheap! I don’t know anyone who doesn’t own one.

So, I just have to ask…is the kit lens good for anything? If so, what types of photos do you recommend using it for? Outside? Action??? Thanks!

Great information because this is exactly where I’m at right now. Which lens should I buy, and this is a big help…thanks again!

I had just bought my prime 50mm f1.4 lens, was photographing my friend’s son out by a pond, and while changing lenses, I dropped it, and it rolled into the water!! I was just SICK (I paid $400 for that thing). Fortunately, I had just insured my equipment (which, by the way, added only $21 per year, with no deductible to my homeowners insurance), and my insurance suggested that I first send the lens into a Nikon repair, to see if it could be fixed. I did, and they fixed it, (it had been shooting blurry about 50% of the time after the incident), and the price was $186 to return it to new, which my insurance paid for. I find that I use my 18-200mm lens most of the time, it’s what’s always on my camera, just because of the versatility, HOWEVER, I am going to start using my 50mm more often. It rarely gets used, partly because I don’t use it much, and am not used to having to walk in or out to get the shot. But I do find that my photos are much sharper doing that, rather than standing back, and zooming in. My goal is to start making that my ‘go to’ lens.

Hey your article on which lens to buy first is really helpful. I’m new to photography so I was thinking of getting the canon 50mm f/1.8 as my first lens. Can I use it hand held or does it always have to be on the tripod for image stabilization ?

A wonderful blog! Thank you for sharing all these info with us. I tried to sign up for the blog but I am not sure why it’s not happening. :(

Do you know if there is a Canon version to this lens?

Hi Courtney! I am new to your site, and I am finding a lot of great info on here! I recently purchased the Nikon 50mm 1.8G to take senior portraits of a friends daughter (I had read this was the best lens). However, I noticed when I shot wide open, she wasn’t quite clear, even though I focused on her eyes. It did give me great bokeh, but I just felt like she wasn’t sharp, when I would zoomed in on the image during editing. I think if they were printed at just 4X6 they would be okay, but I feel any larger they wouldnt look sharp. Anyway, my question is, the pictures above, what f-stop were you at (apologies if you mentioned it in the article and I missed it)? Is it better to perhaps shoot at 2.8 or above and not wide open? I think I read somewhere where you state it might not be good to shoot wide open? Thanks for such a great resource!

with the 55mm 1.8 lens, since it doesnt zoom, it still will focus right?
i know its kind of a silly question… :D

So I’ve been shooting with an older Olympus, which has been decent for breaking in to the field but I want to upgrade sooner than later. I also really want to upgrade my lens. I know I should upgrade the camera first so I don’t invest into the lens and it not fit the new camera (right!?) but is there by any chance a universal lens? I’m assuming not but it’s worth asking. Any good 2nd step cameras (as in, slightly higher grade than entry level but still user friendly and affordable) that I should look at with bang for it’s buck? Thanks!

I have a lower end Nikon D3100 and I’m interested in the 50mm 1.8 prime lens to help me learn manual mode better. Will this model not auto focus with this lens? You mentioned in a comment above some might have to purchase a more expensive lens. I’m still learning manual mode and do t want to worry about one more thing. Thanks! Love your blog.

Thanks for this great blog post! I’ve got a Tamron 18-270 on my Nikon D5000 right now now and I’ve been pleased with the pictures I’ve taken thus far, although, I’ve been dabbling more with portrait photography lately which has peaked my interest in lenses that are better in low-light scenarios. I wanted to let you know how helpful this blog post was to me. My new Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR FX lens should arrive tomorrow and I can’t wait to start playing with it this weekend! :)

Hi! Your blog has recently inspired me to buy a 50mm 1.4 fixed canon lens, and start a “project 52” (couldn’t quite commit to 365). I love the lens so far but I am having some major focusing issues – the sharpest area is always in front of the subject. Seems to be most noticeable with apertures between 2-4 and the farther distance the subject is the worst it gets (close ups are fine but if the people are like 10ft away the ground is in focus instead of them!). I have tried and tried to research online and I’ve come across all sorts of confusing articles and forums on focal shift and back/front focusing. I can’t seem to figure out if it’s a real problem with the lens and I should exchange it or if it’s something I’m doing wrong! Any insight into this issue or helpful tips? Love your website it has the most helpful info! Thanks :)

Is the 50 1.4 compatable with a full frame? I have the 1.4 for my 7D but want to upgrade to the 5D

What camera do you use with the 50mm 1.8? I want to upgrade to a full frame. Was looking at the Nikon D610.

Bravo! This was very informative.

Hi Courtney,

I am using Nikon D3200 with kit lense 18-55. But this kit lense does not offer crisp images. I really like the photos of yours through 50mm, but I guess its a prime lense. Could I take photos like flying bird or landscape?

If not, I may have to go with zoom lense like nikon 55-200mm.

Please suggest.

Regards

Hi Courtney,

I want to ask for your opinion. Im using canon eos m3 and just bought a 22mm f/2, should i still need to get a 50mm f/1.8? Or buy a 11-22mm for ultra winde angle shots?

It’s remarkable in favor of me to have a web page, which is valuable
for my experience. thanks admin
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Well, I am on day 4 of what looks like a new hobby. I bought a used but, very good condition DSLR 5100 and a 50mm 1.8 manual lens. Don’t know enough to say that was a good decision. So I am glad someone else did the same thing. Money of course was a consideration, I am a school teacher. However, primarily I want to learn how to use a camera and I think using a manual lens will help me to accomplish that and learn a little more than just aiming and clicking away.

I am just getting my first dslr camera. It is a cannon 40 D and I plan on doing life style photography and I assume I should start with a 50 mm lense but I read that since it’s a cropped frame camera the 50 will be more like an 85. Does that change it to being a telephoto lense ?? Or will my it be more like a true 5m? I hope this makes sense.

First
– LOvE your blog. So helpful. I have my dads old canon dslr and the lens with it is just so so. I did purchase the 50mm/1.8 and that helped but I want to take a bigger shot As I take interior photos a lot. Curious what you recommend? Thanks!!!

I have the 50 mm lens but it seems that you can’t take a picture with more than 2 people in the picture. I took a group of people and some of the people on the sides seem to be blurred in their faces. Did I have my setting on something wrong when I took that picture? I have a Canon EOS 60D camera.

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