The 50mm is a magical lens that allows for unpredictable and exciting results for today`s photographer.  Unusual focal points, bizarre colouration and glorious bokeh are yours to experiment with when you strap this stubby little charmer to your camera.

 

The 50mm is much more than a nostalgia trip for those who still pine for 35mm.   It gives you the wide aperture, no fuss, high speed and low ISO answers you have been looking for.  I use the most affordable 1.8 lens- which is probably just as well- as I would probably get far too excited about the pricier, higher spec.1.4 lens (not to mention the cheeky F1 )- and, probably wouldn’t get any of my paid work done.

I originally brought my 50mm lens on ebay for £18- which I thought was a bargain- and, even though the autofocus was broken, the "David Dickinson" inside told me to get it for that price.  I brought the lens because I thought I could use it for teaching, and reviews had said it was similar to 35mm film photography- which I have always been a fan of. 

 

Looking back, this was the best £18 I ever spent, and it has been really useful for my students working towards their current A2 unit based on reflection, projection and distortion- and also Decay (A2 Art).  As they took photographs I have been asking them to use a 50mm alongside the other zoom lenses (18-55mm and 17-85mm)- to give them a bit more experience using something other than the standard kit lens.

 

The students had more of a challenge using the broken prime lens, and many were not keen on the process. However, what they lost in zoom and autofocus- they gained in being forced to be more considerate in their approach to taking photographs.    

I realise that I may have come across a little obsessive and love-struck towards my broken, bargain lens - and I know it is part of the human condition to be Animistic towards things - and anthropomorphize objects,  but nevertheless, it is one of those little anomalies in life, that make the creative process more rewarding.

 

I am sure that many of my students may have thought that I am a little backwards for getting excited about losing zoom and auto-focus. However, I have always found that when you find a shot you are really happy with from a 50mm, the feeling of satisfaction is always more than an image from a zoom lens 

It wouldnt be the same- if the dog didn`t get a photo.

mmmmmmm bokeh.

I love the 50mm lens- for it`s magical ability to record images like my brain would like to see- without any further tinkering.  The 50mm is always the lens which has drawn me away from my other creative work- back to taking photographs- purely for the process of taking photographs. 

 

The Prime lens challenges the photographer to consider the photograph more carefully – and in turn you are rewarded with photographs that are more sincere and natural- as well as benefitting from the large apertures, superior colour and higher quality.  All of which leads to a more meaningful experience in camera and a lack of correction post process.