The 50/50 Project – Day 2-5
Here are the pics from day 2-5 from my 50/50 project.
Why the 50mm lens?
I promised to explain this project a bit more so let’s start by the lens choice, why did I choose the 50mm lens? Before (decent) zoom lenses start hitting the market, the 50mm fixed focal lens was considered THE standard lens and it often came bundled with SLR’s like you have kitlenses these days. A 50mm lens on a full frame lens is seen as the most neutral lens that comes close to the way the human eye sees. Our eyes can look at a wider angle but if you don’t count in the blurred edges of our vision, you’ll get a field of view close to that of a 50mm lens. Anything below that focal length can be considered a wide angle lens which distorts the edges and makes things close to the lens look larger than life. Any focal length above 50mm is in the tele range and starts to compress the depth.
I’ve been told that 50mm lenses are about the easiest lenses to construct. Most manufacturers have two or three version of the 50mm in their line-up but there will be at least one affordable lens. The 50mm 1.8 aka plastic fantastic may be flimsy, noisy and feel like a toy you get in your box of cornflakes but it gives you amazing image quality for around 100 EUR/dollars. If your budget is tight, you might at least pick up one of those if you are serious about your photography. On the upper end there are lenses like the 50mm f1.2 L which costs an arm and a leg (and maybe a lung). No doubt they are worth every of the many Euro’s if you use this lens all the time for professional work but I settled for the 50mm f1.4 USM lens. It’s much better build, more accurate in focusing and gives a better bokeh than the 1.8 but costs considerably less than the 1.2.
I used my 50mm mostly when shooting portraits in low light and for portraits with that typical ultra sharp, slightly cold look I find the 50mm gives me. But I never really considered using it a lot for anything else than portraits or for emergency low light work. That’s until I saw Jeff Ascough’s video on Canon’s Professional Network site (his blog is also an interesting read). Jeff says he uses the 50mm for 70% of his wedding images. That really made me smack my forehead repeatedly. Instead of seeing the limitations of this prime lens, I should be using the potential of it. So I started playing with the 50mm a bit in situation where I normally wouldn’t use it and got really excited. It’s wide enough to make establishing shots and it’s long enough to pick out details if you move in a bit closer. Because of the fast aperture you can work in near darkness and isolate subjects from the background. But what I found the biggest asset is that I could work a lot more low profile. I used it mostly on my 5D mkII (without the grip) and noticed that I could get really close to people without drawing too much attention. Try that with a 1D and a 24-70. What I always liked about primes is that they force you to look hard for creative angles that will give you better pictures.
These couple of little experiments tasted like more, so that’s why I came up with the 50/50 project.
I totally agree with you about the 50mm. I only used the 35 and 50 during my photography education. Now several years later I mostly use a 24-70 but lately I’m considering going back those prime lenses to photograph my photo essays.
When I was learning photography a film camera with 50mm lens was sometimes called “Samurai’s Camera”. Kind of allude to ability of a samurai to do everything with only one available tool and do everything with perfection. Having only 50mm lens trains your vision and mind. When you can make a perfect shot with 50mm – you will be able to make a perfect shot with any lens as well.
PS. Agree with Serge Van Cauwenbergh, I also used 35 and 50mm lenses during my photo education. 50mm at the very beginning but later switched to 35mm.
Bert –
Brilliant idea. Love to see what you already did with the project. I may do something similar for myself to see where this project takes me.
Ivan
Because I use an XSi, I had to drop down to a Sigma 30mm to achieve the 50mm look. Unfortunately, the math on that brings it to a 48mm, which is slightly wide. You don’t really notice it with portraits, but any time there are straight lines in the shot, you can see slight distortion. Though there are benefits with having a crop factor on your camera, I do find myself really wishing I had a full frame sometimes.
good project, may be i try the 1200/1200 project
@Serge: A standard zoom like the 24-70 is both the most versatile lens and a creativity killer to me.
@Ilya: I really like “Samurai’s Camera” If I had known this before I started the project, I would have been tempted to call it “The Way of the Samurai”
@Ivan: Just do it!
@frombrandon: Been there and I agree
@Glenscolan: expensive and very long term project
Thanks for this interesting explanations!
PS: Bert, I should visit http://www.gravatar.com/
Wow, those are great images. I like your family pics!
I only have the 50mm 1.8 which I’m hardly using now. You’re also right that the smaller profile of the lens does not scare people that much. I’ll definitely have this a go.
Question on your video editing, what do you use to edit your videos?
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the inspiration, made me get off the chair and running for my camera bag
, i like every single photo in your project..Brilliant. i’m a big fan of primes , never been able to compose with zooms as every twist on the zoom ring gives me a different story for the shot, another variable to consider and decision to make.
i use 50mm 1.8, 85mm 1.8, 24mm 2.8 on DX and fairly satisfied
thanks again for the visual pleasure and keep us inspired
Hey Bert!
Just amazing images! You never uses artificial light toe?
And just because I d’like to add music to time lapses I want to show, how do you deal with the rights of the music you add in your youtube shows?
Thank’s so much.
Steph
I always have my 50mm with me when having my camera with or without extra gear but use it to less. I know & feel there is something magic with this lens but haven’t found it yet.
Your explanations and sharing experiences makes a lot more clear to me. Actually your story really convinces me and if it wasn’t almost by midnight now, I would go outside and do some 50 games.
Really great stuff! Tx for sharing, keep going.
Regards,
Jasper
@Pepin: Most of my last videos were done in Final Cut Express (mac), most of the earlier ones were done with Canopus Edius (pc).
@Hashem: I’m happy the project gets you behind the camera.
@Stephane: So far all the images where shot with just available light. I usually use music with a “creative commons license” from http://www.ccmixter.org/ There are a bunch of talented artists who let you use their music for non-commercial goals and in return I give them some exposure.
@Jasper: The 50mm is great around midnight for shooting vampires
Thanks for the link. Will definitely use it.
[...] Vijftig dagen lang fotografeert hij zijn leven met een 50mm lens. Bert plaatste al berichten over dag 2 tot 5 en dag [...]
Bert! Okay I am going to get that 50mm! the cheapest one.
not sure if I feel comfortable going too near a person to shot! I am not a pro and so I feel a little bit shy doing it hahahahah
XOXO
@netster: I’m not the “put a camera in your subject’s face”-guy either. But with the 50mm you don’t look so menacing as with a big L-lens and people let your approach much more.
Looks like an interessting project. Very good idea. Thanks for explaining your project. I am curious to see your 500 images when the projekt is finished.