I fell in-love with 50mm lens again.

glockman99

glockman99

RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
Joined
Jun 12, 2000
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For quite a long time I have been only using zoom lenses for my 35mm cameras...That all changed yesterday, as I received the Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens that I made a trade for. I put the lens on my trusty old Nikon F3HP and took a walk down to a very nice OLD (1940's) pick-up truck that parks a couple blocks from where I live, to take a few photos of it and its' VERY cool-looking "front end" (grill, head-lights, split windshield, etc). I was amazed with how bright the viewfinder was (compared to my f/3.5-4,5.6 zooms), how quickly the lens focuses (due to a fairly short depth of field), how close the lens focuses (about 1/2 a foot, compared to 3-5 foot with the zooms), and how well-balanced this camera/lens combo is (I also have a MD-4 motordrive on my F3HP).

If (you) have a 50mm lens for your 35mm camera that you haven't used for awhile, give it a shot...You might be suprised.:).
 
Although I've switched to digital, I have a N8008S with a 50/f1.4 for low-light. I also have a 80-200/f2.8 for zoom but, man, that zoom weighs a ton.
 
I have a 35mm f2.8 lens I've been using recently on a 35mm body with Ilford B+W. I've enjoyed how simple it is to use. Its helped me remember photography is about making an image not buying the largest amount of the most expensive camera gear you can get your hands on, and not about how much you can chop and fiddle things in photoshop afterwards.
 
i love using my 50mm f1.8, especially at night, it still works pretty well in the dark
 
I've used a 50mm 1.4 on my Canon FTb since I bought it in 1977. It's been my general use lens all that time.
 
I use my 50 f/1.4 often. I'll be using it for some pics of my friend's kids at the zoo, this morning, and using it for a portrait session, this afternoon. I'll be using it for a family portrait session, next Saturday, and a wedding gig next Sunday.

I use all my lenses, from 15mm fisheye to 600 f/4 a lot. The 50 f/1.4 is a great lens, and a significant part of my line-up.
 
Amen to that. Prime lenses are the best. My 50mm 1.8 rocks, so does my 60mm 2.8 Micro. :thumbup:
 
Oh gosh yes. But it's not so much the focal length as the particular lens in the 50mm options. The Nikkor 50 f2 is AI is a particularly sharp devil - esp at f4.
Now if you had the 55 Micro you'd be really impressed.
Though I've used Pro Nikon filmcam lenses for years ( sold it all years ago too) I can't speak highly enough of the 'modern' (post 2004) optics that are ending up in the digital cameras. I can't even imagine what the pro digital Nikons must be like.
BTW- those fast/sharp 50mm lenses sell like hotcakes to a do-it-yourself community of video people, who rig DOF adapters for their OTS camcorders. Go Nikon Go!




glockman99 said:
For quite a long time I have been only using zoom lenses for my 35mm cameras...That all changed yesterday, as I received the Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI lens that I made a trade for. I put the lens on my trusty old Nikon F3HP and took a walk down to a very nice OLD (1940's) pick-up truck that parks a couple blocks from where I live, to take a few photos of it and its' VERY cool-looking "front end" (grill, head-lights, split windshield, etc). I was amazed with how bright the viewfinder was (compared to my f/3.5-4,5.6 zooms), how quickly the lens focuses (due to a fairly short depth of field), how close the lens focuses (about 1/2 a foot, compared to 3-5 foot with the zooms), and how well-balanced this camera/lens combo is (I also have a MD-4 motordrive on my F3HP).

If (you) have a 50mm lens for your 35mm camera that you haven't used for awhile, give it a shot...You might be suprised.:).
Click to expand...
 
I used to use a Minotla XGM a long time ago and had several prime lens for it 28,50 and 135mm. When we got a digital Rebel I bought a adaptor to use the old Rokor lenes. The aspect ratio isn't exact, but they are fun to shoot on the digital.

Patrick
 
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