by Leigh
I remember when I bought my first camera. I used the kit lens for awhile until someone told me about the 50mm 1.4 or the "nifty fifty" as it's affectionally called. It was my first prime lens…my first real nice glass and I was in love from the first shot. It was on my camera 95% of the time. There was a real connection between me and that lens. Then I decided it was time to add to my lens collection….first a 105mm macro then my 24-70mm and the nifty fifty was packed away nicely in my camera bag where it stayed for way too long.
I've been stuck in one of those ruts lately where I feel like I've lost all creativity. I look back at some of my early photos and wonder where did that inspiration come from? I want to feel that again…to shoot like that again. I pulled out my 50mm hoping that the change would bring back some of the inspiration that I was lacking lately. And sure enough….it seemed to all come back. The feeling while shooting….that feeling that I couldn't wait to get back to my computer because I just knew I had gotten some of those shots…the ones I had been craving.
That good old prime lens was like talking with an old friend…..no pretense…no uncomfortable silences just a good heart to heart connection. I walked away feeling inspired again. If you haven't ever used a 50mm 1.4 before here are some of the reasons you should give it a try.
It's inexpensive.
It's ability to shoot in low light.
It creates beautiful bokeh.
It allows you to get super sharp focus.
It has roughly the same POV as the human eye which makes composing shots more natural.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a nifty fifty and take her out for a spin!