An Ode to 50mm Lenses: Why do Photographers Still Swear by the Nifty Fifty?

The 50mm camera lens was all the rage in the days when film photography was the chosen format, and now that digital photography is the most popular medium, you’ll still find a 50mm lens in most photographers kits.

What makes the 50mm lens, or the nifty fifty as it's affectionately called, so user-friendly that photographers spanning multiple generations still keep one in their camera bag? We are about to find out.

If you don't know how lens focal length works yet, don’t sweat it, we'll give you a quick rundown.

You'd be correct in thinking that lens focal length is a measurement in millimetres, but rather than the physical length of the lens, focal length refers to the distance between the rear element of your lens and your image sensor. This distance directly affects the field of view you can capture with your camera, with a smaller number such as 18mm signifying a wide field of view, and a larger number such as 400mm providing a much narrower field of view.

The 50mm focal length is considered normal, that is not wide-angle and not telephoto. Of all the popular fields of view available, the 50mm lens is closest to the human eye. If you are the type of photographer who visualises your image before raising your camera to your eye, you'll find composing incredibly quick and simple. Another benefit of this normal field of view is that it is more versatile than wider and longer lenses, making it the most obvious choice if you want just one prime lens in your camera bag.

As the 50mm lens is a prime lens, which means it does not zoom, you'll have to do your framing and composing by physically moving around, which is otherwise known as zooming with your feet. You lose some versatility compared to a zoom lens, but you gain superior image quality and a much faster maximum aperture; your average 50mm lens is a pro at producing beautiful background blur.

Due to the versatility that we just discussed, the 50mm lens is not limited to just a few applications. Some photographers prefer a 50mm lens for portraits, while others like it for travel, as it can tackle almost anything it comes across. While it is up against some stiff competition, the humble 50mm lens can even stake a claim as the best lens for street photography.

Now that we know why 50mm is best in the eyes of so many, it’s time to find one that suits your camera!

Canon 50mm lenses are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on if you need a lens for your EOS DSLR or EOS R Mirrorless cameras. Take a look at the ever-popular Canon EF 50mm f1.8 STM or the ultra-bright Canon RF 50mm f1.2 L USM for mirrorless.

Similar to Canon, Nikon users can choose between a variety of options for both their DSLR or Nikon Z mirrorless range. Nikon Z users should consider the ultra-compact Nikon Z MC 50mm f2.8 and the sleek and stylish Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 S.

Sony Alpha mirrorless users have a few great 50mm lenses to choose from, from the budget-friendly to the ultra-bright. The Sony E 50mm f1.8 falls at the lower end of the price point and offers incredible value for money, while the Sony FE 50mm f1.2 GM lens is the best option if you want to make the most of your mirrorless camera with high-resolution.

Mounting a 50mm lens on crop sensor cameras does not actually provide the classic 50mm field of view, but something more magnified due to something called crop factor. For this reason, Olympus OM System makes the portable Olympus 25mm f1.8, and the optically brilliant Olympus Pro 25mm f1.2 lens for the micro four thirds system.