The “Nifty Fifty”: A Budget-friendly Choice
The "Nifty-Fifty" in action: Legna Otero poses for a shoot in Havana. Shot on Canon EOS 7D.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
I have shot with Canon’s prime lens EF 50mm lens f/1.8 numerous times. The “nifty fifty”, as it is popularly known among photographers of any brand (Nikon, Sony and other cameras also offer this type of lens with very similar characteristics) is a popular choice that helps photographers on a tight budget render images that can compete with other more expensive optics.
My first experiences with it were using a cropped sensor, which in Canon’s particular case pushes the focal length to 80mm. Even so, I was able to capture excellent portraits, and it is without question one of the best lenses someone can hope for.
The Canon EF-50mm.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
In the particular case of Canon, I refer to it as “Canon’s commercial mistake” because with the price of most lenses these days you can acquire it for just $125.00. In addition, although it will lose a detailed competition with any other 50mm prime at f/1.4 or f/1.2, the quality of the photos you can take with it are second to none.
As I stated above, on Amazon, this lens can be found for $125.00 (you will need to spend some money on a filter too, but that is recommended for every lens). Meanwhile, B&H Photo may have it for less money (somewhere around $100.00). Other sites like eBay may have it cheaper as well, but the most logical choice remains Amazon, as it is only 125 dollars.
Quality of image
The quality of the photographs that you can get with it is admirable. It produces a nice and soft bokeh, with vary sharp focus. Either with an APC-S sensor or with a full-frame body, the resolution of these images is good enough to make large prints without falling too far behind the results you can get with much more expensive and better glass.
Señora Yaira Lebron-Rojas in her classroom at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol, CT. Shot on the Canon EOS RP.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
Having used three different versions of this lens on different occasions, I can attest to the sharpness and the beauty of the pictures you can take with it. It is ideal for portraits and street photography (although for the latter, this lens will be more effective with a full-frame camera, rather than with a cropped sensor body).
One of my favorite features is that you have very little distortion. The 50mm focal length is supposed to be the equivalent of the human eye, so the captures of the faces in portraits renders images that are faithful to reality. Its 1.8 aperture, on the other hand, can provide great bokeh and excellent shutter speed, avoiding camera shake and motion blur, mainly in low-light conditions.
Detail of dandelion in West Hartford, CT. Shot on the Canon EOS RP at f/5.6 aperture.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
However, abusing the f/1.8 aperture is not recommended: this lens renders its optimal sharpness between f/5.6 and f/11.
Build and ergonomics
All three versions of this lens that I have owned have been outstanding. Despite the experience in build and design, they all have two things in common: they are light and easy to handle. The “nifty fifty” is much less bulky than any lens with such aperture. This makes it easy to move around and also reduces the weight of the camera.
A liquor store in Middletown, CT. Shot on the Canon EOS R6 Mark II.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
As someone who loves street photography, using this lens on a long day is very helpful because it increases the level of discretion. It draws much less attention that any version of a 24-70mm f/2.8 or any other zoom lens, mainly those lenses that are meant for full-frame bodies. So, many people on the streets will feel less intimidated if they are being photographed.
In the case of portraits, I could say the same thing. If you are shooting a long session, it will keep you from getting tired and will give you more flexibility at the time of moving around.
Its shortcoming, however, is determined by the fact that it is a prime lens, and in this case, you normally will have to zoom in and out with your feet.
Experience
Even though I have experienced the 50mm many times, I have used it mostly in portrait situations. In every case, I have managed to capture excellent facial definition, and the sharpness has been first class. I have not used it much in street photography or performances, but it was my conversations with several other photographers who did experience it in ballet and band performances what drew me to get the first one I had.
One session I shot was with Legna Otero, a Cuban model and flute player. The Instagram post I made on that shoot was commented on by the Canon USA official Instagram page, praising precisely the bokeh on the firs image.
Lately, mainly since I switched to a full-frame body, I have embraced this lens more for things other than portraits. It has been amazing for a few interesting shots, mainly of street and detail photographs. Some of those photos have ended up on my Instagram feed, and some others, like the camera session in an antique shop in Plainville, CT, have ended up in this very website.
Old cameras shot with the EOS RP and the "nifty-fifty" in Plainville.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz
Conclusion
No matter how good your gear is—I own a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens—, I believe every photographer, mainly those with a tight budget, should invest in a lens like this. It will be the go-to choice in extreme low light situations and it will also be the right lens to shoot with if you want to keep distortion at a minimum.
Having seem the results of the 50mm at 1.4 and 1.2, I agree that the quality difference exists. Nevertheless, I also know that those lenses are far pricier, and only the few people who want to shoot solely with prime lenses should think of paying for either of them.
It is my opinion that every photographer should keep any version of the “nifty fifty” in their bag. It is a lens that will save you in a situation in which even an f/2.8 aperture is not enough, and it will always be light and easy to keep in your backpack or camera bag.
