I do my 50mm myself. It's the perfect blend of a 35mm and 85mm. I like that I can use it for a variety of shots, not change lenses etc. I'm more creative when I use a prime so zoom's aren't what I like for portraits and general shooting. I also don't care for 35mm in portrait orientation and I don't care for 85mm in landscape orientation. I like that 50mm looks great for either.
A timely reminder to get the 50mm out. I don’t use it much but won a club competition with an image taken on my RF 1.8 50mm. All the advantages you describe, plus it’s a simple design and fairly easy to make without the need for heavy optical corrections - back when I started in mid 1970s, 50mm was what came with your camera and many photographers never got anything else. So it’s got a track record!
For portraits, a 58mm 1.4 was my favorite. For events and video, I need at least a 35mm, sometimes I will even choose a 24mm and use the ability to crop to APS-C mode to get roughly a 35mm out of it if I need to.
35mm = versatile 50mm = romantic Two of my favourite focal lenghts Btw. I had your current setup (15-35, 50 and 70-200) when I traveled in Australia. Was perfect trio, although heavy but I wanted best possible image quality (once in a lifetime trip for me)
That’s a great way of describing the difference! That’s an amazing travel setup. Haven’t taken my 70-200 abroad yet but have wished I had it with me many times.
The 50mm was my first lens, just recently bought a 85mm and I love them both! Your edits are beyond amazing. I personally don’t like photos being over edited and man you nailed it. Definitely got yourself a new sub.
I personally rock the RF 50mm 1.2 as my standard, primary lens; and if I want a wider shot, I switch to my EF 24mm 1.4. Now that’s a pair up NO ONE talks about! ✨ If I, however, want a more "intimate" experience with my image, I take out my RF 100mm 2.8-these 3 prime lenses are a wicked trio and people tend to overlook them (unfortunately) a lot of the time. These lenses listed in terms of image rendering: 24mm - Majestic 50mm - Romantic 100mm - Intimate … respectively.
As I got into wildlife photography, I had to settle for the RF50 1.8 and went with the RF100-500 instead of the RF50 1.2. Too many people bash 50mm for being bland or boring which I completely disagree with. When I was shooting with the Canon M50, I used the Canon EF-M 32mm as my do-it-all lens for anything and took pictures with it that still to this day look amazing.
Thank you for watching and for such a great comment Josh. Totally agree with your description of 50mm being “romantic”, a great way of describing its look. I’m looking forward to Canon releasing an RF 24mm 1.4 and then I plan on sporting that exact combo!
I was told years ago by a few pro photographers I know to get a good prime and stick with it. It will teach me everything I need to know and help me find my style. I knew they were right, and it’s only now I’m actually doing it 😆 thank you for reminding me
I believe that the RF 28-70mm f/2 and RF 50mm 1.2 combo is excellent. First, we have a zoom lens with characteristics very close to prime lenses, and the 50mm is almost in the middle of the 28-70 range. I consider that they complement each other well as the only lens you would need to take for a certain occasion. You could do an entire wedding with the 50mm, as well as with the 28-70. The same goes for travel.
Love your work James 👌 I agree. My RF50 1.2 is my favourite lens. I have the RF15-35,RF24-70,RF70-200,RF85 1.2 and even got the beast 28-70 (I had the 24-70 first and just kept it for general/family holidays etc. 28-70 for occasions weddings etc. But the 50 ❤
I use aps-c so my lenses get a different field of view than your full frame. I like my 50mm f/1.8 autofocus and my 50mm f1/1 manual focus lenses but I do have to step back to get everything in the frame. Close ups with bokeh are great because of that field of view and thin depth of field. Good Video.
I was never into the 50mm but had a string of weddings coming up a couple summers ago and saw the RF 50 1.2 on eBay for like $1600 which was super cheap (there were just some scuffs on the lens hood and the pawn shop priced it lower) so I picked it up as a long term rental. I never sold it. I shot nearly every wedding since with almost solely the 50mm. My RF 50 and my EF 135mm are my two favorite lenses on a wedding day.
Love this. Yes 50 1.2 is my fave for ports. That said, if i could have anything I want..... 28 1.7 for the wide stuff, 40 1.2 for everything and ports and a 75 1.4 for dedicated ports. LOL oh Auto I have this now but only one is auto. Canon should step up and make a 40 1.4 L and a 75 1.4L. Just sayin' may buy an R5 just to shelf just in case Canon makes a smart move. By making them 1.4, it would not step on the 50 and 85 1.2 so let's go.
Using a well balanced kit for is key. IE on travel using a 35mm and 50mm is a bit redundant since the focal lengths sit next to each other in the traditional prime line lens up. Using a 35mm with an 85mm works well while conversely using a 24 or 28mm paired with a 50mm also works great well. In the context of using primes, the photographer has to think ahead about how much physical space they will be able to use to create their shots.
That shot a 1:49 is SOOO good! I got sucked in to the popular opinion online that you need a 24-70 zoom and 35m/85mm combo. After a decade with those lenses, I wasn't really happy. I used to have the Sigma 35 and 85 1.4 Art before I sold my kit during the lockdowns. 1 year ago (exactly) I bought kit again and got the R6 II... And then I got the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art as it filled the roles of the 35 and 85. To me the 35 was just a bit too wide, the 85 was a bit too long (and big). Also the rest of my kit mirrors the one you showed: Sigma 14-24 2.8 Art, 50mm 1.4 Art, 70-200 2.8 III. I shot for 15 years using so many cameras and lenses and this is now the kit I'm perfectly happy with. The ONLY thing I miss is that the 35mm 1.4 did closeup (near macro) better than the 50.
Thank you DRIS! Sounds like you had a very similar journey with your lens set up to me. 50mm just feels right! I had the 50mm Sigma ART for a very long time too, it is an exceptional lens. Despite how good it is adapter I still hope we see some RF Sigma 1.4 glass soon.
I love the 50mm focal length and started using it years ago. I feel it shows the most realistic perspective and the distance to the subject is just right. When I shoot with the 35mm lens, I often had to crop the images because my composition was too wide. I have an EF 85mm f1.2, but I never got used to the steps back I had to take. The only reason I kept is its very good and sharp IQ, even if it doesn't compare to the RF lenses. Now I have the RF 50 f1.8 and I am very happy with it. But an f1.4 version would make me even happier :)
I not only agree that 50 mm headshots and mid length shots usually look more pleasing than ones taken with 85 or 105 mm, but I think it provides a more natural look. Facial "distortion" only depends on the distance between the subject and the camera. And the distance required to take a headshot or mid length shot on a 50 mm (i.e., about 1.5 meters) is pretty much the distance you would see someone at when having dinner, talking with them, etc. In my opinion, this is the "natural" focal length to use. I am not sure how the 85 mm and 105 mm or even the 135 mm became so popular for headshots. The only people who would look better when using those lenses would be people with extremely slim faces and large noses who would benefit from the distortion of having their photo taken from very far away. Most people look the best (and most recognizable to themselves and their friends) at 50 mm. I once had a headshot taken professionally and the photographer was using a 105 mm lens. I asked if he had a 50 mm or 85 mm lens and to my disbelief he replied with "I don't use shorter focal lengths because doing so would slim down your face and you would be lying to people by showing them that photo" LOL. I cannot believe the belief that headshots must be done (and are most true to life) on 105 mm is so entrenched in some people.
My favourite is the EF 85mm f1.4L IS USM that is until I shot with the RF 50mm f1.2L. That lens I call “The Dream Lens” the bokeh is to die for. I dont think the RF 50mm f1.8 imparts the same look or feel not surprising given the huge price difference but it is tiny. On my portrait shoots I still like to use a 70-200mm on location and I still like the versatility of the RF 24-70mm f2.8L. However the 50mm & the 85mm give shots with “soul” that zooms just dont seem to replicate.
I’ve got a good number of lenses, both modern (RF mount) and vintage lenses. What I’ve noticed is that I love using vintage 50mm primes for street photography and portraits. Not sure why I’ve bought so many lenses 😂
most of your sample photos are portraiture, even for the "storytelling" part. It just looks to me that you'd like to shoot portrait with possibly some background, that's why 50mm (for narrow distance) and f1.2 (for maximum depth of field)
Iteresting approch to 50mm prime. Owning an ASP-C, considering the crop factor, 50mm is good for my portrait and challenge me to better compose due to having effettive magnification as using 75mm. Just bought a prime 35mm to compare and have something to go different. My go to travel for now is my 16-85. Shooting in crowded spaces where you cant reach or mouve around as much, is a bonus. Just frame and shoot. Than if there Is a possibility to use prime, Just wait a bit, change Lens and shoot again
Wasn't a big fan of the 50mm until picking up a Sigma 50 1.4 Art. A very versatile lens. I still prefer the 85/35 combo for weddings but the 50 can definitely do it all if I need it to.
Great video as always 💪 nice portrait photos! Really enjoying the poses. When one really learn this 50mm lens it can a wide angle, a normal and a tele photo lens!
11mm, 28-70 f2 are my go-to lenses. 99% of the time the 28-70mm f2 is on my camera - the most versatile lens I've ever owned but, as always, your own use case will always dictate what lens is "the lens".
my favorite focal length. I'm still stuck on either the 28-70 or the 50 1.2. I've been renting one or the other for wedding days. Not sure which one to buy first though. I've been renting the 28-70 more lately. Ahhhhh decisions decisions... thanks for the great video as always
My setup very soon will be pretty much exactly the same with those 3 lenses. On my APC, I use the 56mm Sigma, which is awesome. Recently got the 70-200mm. And now, yesterday, I just ordered an 18-35. Great video as always 👍🏼
For focusing on one person and taking photos where maximum bokeh is desired, the 50mm is better. For landmarks or people posing next to things they want in the frame, the 35mm is better. I wouldn't use my 35mm for a headshot portrait and I've been disappointed trying to use my 50mm to get an entire large object in the frame with a person posing near it. It's all about using the right tool for the job.
for photography, i completely agree that the nifty 50 is the way to go HOWEVER for video i would pick the youtube favorit in 35 because for cinematic purposes, a 35mm is more useful in a majority of shooting situations, often times the moving element of video is better suited to a slightly wider focal length
Somehow I always like / prefer the 50mm look, but as you stated in the cons part, for my personal family shoots I always found 50mm is to narrow, because of shooting indoors in apartments. Here the 35mm is just more useful and produces better result for me. I recently got a Nikon Zf with the 40mm F2 and this is currently the focal length, which does a nice compromise since it literally sits between 35 and 50mm :D Great video man! :)
Your lens trinity is exactly the same as mine except I run a r6ii. Well 2 of them and 1 body always has the 50 1.2 on. Just something magical about that Lens that impresses me every time I’m culling a gallery
It's funny that I've been contemplating if I should keep the 50mm or buy a 35mm. I'll be honest that I should probably practice how to compose better like youve shown here before getting into my initial dilemma.
I find myself like to have 50mm on camera, but 35 feels a bit boring. That being said, if I have a zoom lens, I will choose 28 rather than 35, but I will still mostly shoot in 50mm.
The best thing about a 50mm standard lens is it’s complete lack of character - it’s neutral, and represents how the eye sees. I have a dozen or more standard lenses, and the character as such is in the optical design of the lens.
The Sigma 40mm 1.4 is one of the best lenses I have ever used. Was my main lens before I switched to Canon. Very underrated focal length. I do love it for video too.
Thank you for another great video! The Sigma 50 1.4 is my favourite lens with the R6, I find the picture quality a little better than the RF 24 70 at the same focal length.
Thank you! For me it was just ergonomics and usability more than anything. Canon feels comfortable and right in my hands. I must admit early on the RF 50 1.2 was a big factor also but most brands have an equivalent lens now.
My portrait kit has the 35, 50, 85, and 135. They all have their use cases, so to look at them as competitors, or to put oneself in a position of choosing which to keep, buy, or use most of the time, is like trying to play golf with one club. In other words, horses for courses...what is the situation of the shot? Which would be best? For environmental portraits, the 35 usually. For events, 50 and 85 usually. For tight head shots, the 85 and perhaps the 135...for a more compressed background, the 85 or 135. Will the portrait be flashed? If so, the 35, or 50, and sometimes the 85, all situation depending. A golfer needs several clubs, a painter several types of brushes, a mechanic several wrenches...if you pviot toward one lens, then you are ignoring the benefits of a different focal length. The question should never be: Which single lens should I use and buy? That is the wrong question...the better question is what kit should I use which will support the situations I can be in for portraits. You are painting with light, so you will need several types of "brushes"...
You are absolutely right. It just so happens in my case despite having several brushes so to speak, I find my self always grabbing one in particular. Even when I use a 24-70, when I get back and look at the images I’m subconsciously always working around 50mm on the zoom range. I’ve made the mistake of spending thousands on gear that sits unused, particularly prime lenses, as I always gravitate back to the 50mm and use a zoom for everything else.
@@JamesReader, I respect your response, and having written what I did, my two most go-to lenses are the 50mm and 135mm is 2nd. I use all my prime lenses often enough, but, these two the most. As to unused gear, I have a few of those, like my 28-70 f2... a great lens, but I found that for me, it does not really replace my faster primes. It was a mistake for me to buy it. By the way, you are a fantastic portraitist...I could really learn from you.
The 85 is the best lens Canon have ever made technically speaking. Personally though my choice of favourite, most used and most versatile prime is the 50mm.
Personally, I foune 50mm way too tight for a general lens. Great for portraits though. Anything including more than just a person or something else than people, it's most often too tight for me. My vote would go to a 35mm :)
great video! i love the 50mm focal length. I'm having so much fun with rf 50mm 1.8, i want to get the 1.2 but can't really justify it, but then again, you only live life once, first world problems!
I’m using the Sony Ziess 55mm 1.8 with a Sony GM 24mm 1.4 and love the combo. I’m hoping to move to the newer Sony 1.4 soon. I find that the 55 is on for 90% of the time, but I always enjoy the 24 when I do switch. Great video as always James. It’s inspiring to see your stunning work!
How well it performs in videos? How it compares with 35mm in videography ? (I'm a hybrid shooter and currently in a dilemma choosing between 35mm and 50mm for my next lens)
If many of us Canon shooters have a frustration with Canon it’s the complete lack of f1.4L primes with IS. The EF 85mm f1.4L IS USM was one of the last EF lenses Canon produced and in many ways showcased what was possible from Canon going forwards. I simply don’t understand why they don’t have the following RF 24mm f1.4L IS USM, RF 28mm f1.4L IS USM, RF 35mm f1.4L IS USM, RF 50mm f1.4L IS USM & RF 85mm f1.4L IS USM. These five lenses I’m sure would sell all day long and bridge the pricing gap between the non L lenses and the f1.2L lenses which for many are completely un-affordable. Sony and to a degree Nikon provide such lenses yet Canon is obsessed with super tele zooms and lenses that are beyond the price point of semi-pros and many jobbing pros. Don’t get me wrong in the most part the RF glass is amazing (RF 24-240 being an exception as well as the RF 14-35mm at the wide end). With the mount being restricted thus far to mechanical third party lenses we cannot even get these from third parties again unlike Sony & Nikon. I’m sure this is deterring some from buying Canon and increasing the potential for Sony to gain market share especially now they have a global shutter camera.
Agree with you that Canon is completely obsessed with super tele zooms. It is a shame that after 5 years into the R system, Canon still does not have the much requested 35L and 24L.
Completely agree! If Canon have no intention of releasing 1.4 primes they should let Sigma do it. I love the smaller GM 24mm and 35mm Sony primes and would love to see Canon put out similar. Including IS would be amazing too.
@@JamesReader I shot with Sony previously and am still missing the light weight and sharp FE 35 f1.4GM. Sony recently completed the 50GM with the additional option of f1.4 which is lighter, smaller and cheaper. Both the Sony 50 f1.2 and f1.4 GM are quieter than the Canon RF 50L when making video. I have the Canon RF 50L and it is a great lens but a smaller and lighter RF 50 f1.4 would be perfect for me. While Sony is inventing lighter lenses, Canon is heading the opposite direction. Their L lenses are mostly heavy. I recently bought the RF 100L and it is heavier than the EF version. Canon probably feels that their main customer base are professionals shooting sports and birds, and creating smaller normal range lenses for hobbyists is not their priority. Like you said, if Canon is not interested in making 1.4 primes, they should let third party do it.
And here I was browsing youtube and lusting over the rf 50 1.2, and another great creator chimes in to fuel up my GAS. Gotta have it, the pictures just look amazing! I find there is something rather special about the L series Canon lenses in comparison to the consumer grade ones, apart from the obviously superior specs. Is it the infamous microcontrast I am perhaps refering to?
I have the Canon R50, which is a cropped sensor camera. A 35mm lens in a cropped sensor camera is equivalent to 1.6 in a full frame lens, which comes up to 56mm. Do you think the RF 50mm is still better for cropped sensor cameras like the R50 and R10?
Get the Sigma 50 1.4 Art. I did and it's AMAZING! It's 1/3 the price of the Canon 1.2, smaller (even with the adapter), lighter, just as sharp, and focuses way faster than the Canon.
You are completely wrong to suggest 50mm is the way to go for portraits as a 50 distorts the face. The 100mm or 105 mm is the best solution for great portraits and full length fashion.
Not a prime, and a little heavy and expensive: the RF 28-70 F2 as an alternative.Just force yourself to stick it to 50 or 35mm to get the look you want.
I never understood this whole separating and bokeh look, I think these days in age, this bokeh look is abit overrated. I mean if you compare the images "all 3" if you look at the first one. The bottle is sharp and the flowers in front, and the rest is soft. I mean maybe some people may like that look, but to me (nothing towards the content creator) looks like a missed shot. Also for the second image, would be better if the model and fruits were both in focus and the rest out of focus (in the background of the model). If the purpose of the bokeh is to separate the subject from the background completely as seen in 7:08 it has failed here too, because the women hair on the top of her head and the left arm is also soft all around, so it has not done a good job. Once again, this is nothing towards James, just that I think this bokeh thing on every channel talking about it is too much overrated. If the photos need to tell a story, in my opinion the whole photograph as a whole should be sharp, unique and in focus, the way we see it. But, each have their own style of shooting. Just my 2 cents.
It’s definitely a style and something I used as a crutch for a long time. I will be the r first to admit I shot at f1.2 many times where I shouldn’t have. I’m learning as I go too! Many of these shots would have looked as good or better at a narrower aperture.