80 Awe-Inspiring Photographs Taken With a “Nifty Fifty”

David Appleyard on Feb 23rd 2010 with 88 comments

This entry is part 4 of 19 in the Lenses Session
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In a recent article entitled “Nifty Fifty: The Benefits of a Fixed 50mm Lens“, we highlighted how versatile and sharp a 50mm lens can be. It really seemed to inspire a number of you to try a fixed focal length lens yourselves, and it was surprising how many of you already regularly use one.

In this article, we’re hoping to push you over the edge and inspire you to give a 50mm lens a try. Here are 80 images captured with this very piece of kit. Although a few of them are modified and magnified slightly, it’s a good idea of what can be acheived!

Share Your 50mm Photos

Do you have an example that you’re particularly proud of? Feel free to share it with everyone else in the comments!

David Appleyard is davidappleyard on Themeforest

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By David Appleyard

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David Appleyard is a designer and writer based in the UK. He manages Tuts+, along with having founded several design websites including Design Shack and PixelsDaily.

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http://www.facebook.com/xxxbngxxx Bryan Grajales
This are the most beautiful and cool pictures I’ve seen so far.
Thanks for giving us “Inspiration”. =]
http://www.bimaltailor.co.uk Bim
outstanding photos! although I think putting 80 shots in a post was a bit too much as it took a while to load even on a superfast broadband speed. still. some beautiful shots in there. hoping to get a nifty fifty soon.

matt
wow.. complainers here. I wish he put up more. it is called having patience.

http://dullface.deviantart.com/ Dullface
Indeed, some people always have to point out the negative. I wish there were more too.
http://www.jlehmanphotography.com Joe
I could look at 50mm greatness all day. Good stuff! :)

http://www.prodigalconcepts.com rod rodriguez
I love this set, really inspiring, makes me want to grab my camera and go on a photowalk…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcwighton/ Jacob
I agree that there may have been a few too many, but otherwise, this was an amazing collection.
I’m thinking that maybe in future, instead of showing collections like this, Phototuts could host competitions that followed articles like the nifty fifty one, getting people to get out and take their own shots.
http://www.flickr.com/people/zakmilofsky Zak
These are great photos. Very inspiring. I love my nifty fifty
http://www.zeugenberg.de Jens Murer
I actually got myself a 50mm/1.4 a few weeks ago and try to get a go with it. I so far managed a few decent shots of flowers and stuff but having troubles finding the correct angle/distance. Will keep trying though :)
My results so far:
http://www.zeugenberg.de/2010/fotoalbum.php?actuImage=18&actuAlbum=images/Alle%20weiteren%20Alben/2010-02-14%2014.%20Februar%202010%20-%20Tulpen%20am%20Valentinstag
Little suggestion: There are “video warnings” in blogs to prevent ackward moments in offices and so on, would you consider “big freaking spiders warnings” for those of us who won’t be able to sleep the next few days (should’ve stopped at the ladybug ;)
http://picasaweb.google.com/nikkel/PublicGalleryMisc Nikkel
Since I have my “Nifty Fifty”, I don’t use my other lenses anymore ! ;o)
Here is a few shots I made with it :
http://picasaweb.google.com/nikkel/PublicGalleryMisc
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephangeyer Stephan Geyer
Thanks for featuring my work here, David :) – I didn’t know you were contributing here! Will have to add it to my rss feeds!
Stephan
http://www.totalmedial.de Volly
Great Pictures.
Got a 50mm f1.8 and love it, but i also like my 28-105 zoom.
The nifty-fifty-shots i most proud of:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33571546@N00/3966068569/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33571546@N00/3797542549/
Qu’importe le flacon pourvu qu’on ait l’ivresse
Wooh outstanding !
I prefer this style of artistic topic on this website (technical begins to be a little boring for me – even if i learn a lot here – but please : don’t convince me to change all my stuff just for “learning” NEVER lol). Very inspiring pictures here. Very nice !
http://www.icedsoul.de Teymur Madjderey (icedsoul photography)
nice! and thanks so much for including my photo in it!
http://blog.formidablephotography.com Mark McGowan
I now own two nifty fiftys – a vintage manual focus, manual meter old school lens for my film camera and when I’m feeling old school and a brand new fully auto one for when I just want to go out shooting. I love both of them! Some example shots:
http://blog.formidablephotography.com/tag/50mm/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoso_tc/ cstrife
hi thanks for sharing one of my shots.
http://www.neillahaise.com Neil LaHaise
Love it! I was already wanting to get a “nifty fifty”, now I want to get it all the more. Thanks for the Inspiration.
http://www.imageserenity.com/blog Amandalynn
The Nifty Fifty really is my favorite of lenses.
David you did an awesome job compiling this collection – every one of these is a great example on it’s own, and you really chose a wide range of effects & subjects to really showcase the versatility of the lens. A+
Raoul
Hi David,
I’ve got one question, (i’m french excuse my crappy langage ^^ ) is the “50″ still is a 50 with a non full frame camera, like a 300d or such ?! Isn’t it a 70 ? (Lens x 1.5)
Anyway thank you for the pictures and point that miraculous lens ^^
Best,
R.

Jesse
It’s the equivilant FOV of 75mm (1.5x) lens on a full frame/35mm camera, but it’s still a 50mm focal length.

Raoul
Tks =)

http://synesthesiaphotography.com Doug
Actually, it’d be a 80mm on a 300D (and any other 1.6X APS-C sensored Canons, like my 30D). Prosumer Nikons are the typical 1.5X.
There are some awesome images here. I’m not sure what broadband “speed” the complainers have, but the whole thing loaded for me in seconds.

http://CPDIGITALDARKROOM.COM CP DIGITAL DARKROOM
Ive been looking into getting a fixed lens for a while now. This really makes me want to not spend the 500bucks in upgrading my Macs RAM to 8GB and getting one instead. Perhaps.

http://www.jakeisonline.com Jake Holman
You can pick up a 50/1.8 Canon lens for $100 (or less) from Amazon – it won’t be the amazing build quality of the more expensive 50s, but it will mean you can play for less.
Plus, $500 to upgrade your RAM? You must be buying from the most expensive shop in town – pro tip: don’t buy apple RAM.

http://www.icedsoul.de Teymur Madjderey (icedsoul photography)
very nice! and thanks so much for adding my troopies photo!
Kat
Oh my god, these pics are so great! I’d love to have a nifty-fifty of my own…
Jesse
I love my 50mm f/1.4. Up until a week ago it was the only lens I had. I took my favorite photos of my daughter with it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmwilliamson/4024599761/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmwilliamson/4024615187/
http://visualabandon.blogspot.com Dave
Wow! I’ve really got to get a fixed lens! I love the show depth of field in many of these. It’s definitely on my list, unfortunately, so are a bunch of other things.
jesse
I love my 50mm f/1.4. Some of my favorite photos were taken with that lens. Actually, until about a week ago, it was my only lens. Here are some of my favs.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmwilliamson/4303176766
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmwilliamson/4041854462
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmwilliamson/4024602939
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmwilliamson/4024599761/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmwilliamson/4024615187/
http://markjsebastian.com Mark J. Sebastian
Hello!
I traced some of my photos back to this site and thought it was kind of funny that you chose 1 image shot when I had the 50mm f/1.8, and another image which was shot years later with a 50mm f/1.2L. I’ve owned the 1.8, 1.4 and 1.2, then on to the Sigma 1.4 and settled on the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, but there is something special about this focal length which is why it is such a popular lens. You can’t really go wrong with any specific model!
Tom
In the last week I bought a nifity fifty (canon f1.8 mk II), and it’s a brilliant lens, especially for the price! It’s a pleasure to use and I’m hoping to get some good shots with it soon – i would definitely recommend it to anyone!
Shawn Michael Fitzpatrick
I just bought a nifty-fifty about a month ago, and now because of looking at the nifty pictures posted here, I am totally inspired!!! THanks so much! I love tuts!
http://www.yktravelphoto.com Yegor Korzh
I don’t shoot with my 50mm too often and this great collection makes me ask myself – why???! Very inspiring thanks for sharing!
http://somebodyshot.me/ Ashton
50mm lenses are great for band and music photography. Got a few good ones of Art Vs Science in Sydney:
http://somebodyshot.me/?p=24
begs
Are you sure these brilliant macro images where shot with a regular 50mm? With mine, the distance to the subject couldn’t be smaller than about 30 cm, so it will be impossible to get that near (e.g. the Thomas Shahan macros)
Great photos!

http://www.justincline.com Justin Cline
http://www.flickr.com/photos/opoterser/3684369721/meta/ says it was 75mm?
Luca5
I used a 50mm with an extension tube for the macro of the Ladybug with the white background.
Hope this clears things up.

begs
Ah! That explains it and I’ll try that on my own.
Really nice Pics!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hturkhan/ Haydar
Love my 50mm f1.8 :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hturkhan/4238612780/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hturkhan/4136971454/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38007440@N08/4379715264/ Attila Bálint
I love too…:-)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38007440@N08/4379715264/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emyanmei Emyan
Great collection!:) Very inspiring:) I also like to use my 50mm 1.8 canon lense. Here is some of my photos with it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emyanmei/4305827421
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emyanmei/4365460654
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emyanmei/4242340810
writersbloc
Skeptical about the macro shots, but great collection.
http://rafaellemos.com RAFAEL LEMOS
Hey…. REEEAAAALLLY COOLL… I GOT ONE… I JUST BUY A CANON… AND I’M NEWBIE BUT IT’S A PASSION…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafaellemos/4154910096/in/set-72157622933233516/
and this to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafaellemos/4154986152/in/set-72157622808720525/
there is more there…
BIG HUGS FROM BRAZIL!!!
matt
Check it: taylorphotography.tumblr.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoso_tc/ cstrife
very nice. thanks for including my shot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/inf3ktion/ Rusydi
Really beautiful shots in here! I’d like to share some of my 50mm photos on my Flickr account! :)
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=50mm&w=25380168%40N03
adam
God, i need to get out more with the old nifty fity
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wobblycyril/4363429844/in/set-72157623448731812/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wobblycyril/4380056138/in/set-72157623488128506/
thats it i’m away with it… see ya
adam
Deborah Lyra
I loved my picture taken with my 50mm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/debie-lyra
The selection is wonderful
http://www.frognier.be Fred
http://www.flickr.com/photos/millimeter50/4381729040/
http://www.andrislinz.ch Andris
Ordered my Nifty Fifty yesterday. It’s already shipped and I expect to get it tomorrow.
http://blog.tremblestudio.com Hector Perez-Nieto
After having my 50mm literally forgotten for 10 years in a drawer, I have been giving it quite good use. Most these images were taken with it:
http://blog.tremblestudio.com
On a APS-C sensor (1.6x factor) it works as an 80mm. Which means that a moderately long focal length, open all the way to f1.8 gives a very very shallow depth of field. Add being close enough to that, and the eyes will be in sharp focus and the ears will already be blurry!
http://blog.tremblestudio.com/50mm
It gives a very nice effect but at times can become a nightmare, the margin of error is nearly zero! Even locking focus and recomposing will probably throw the eyes out of focus.

http://www.taylorphotography.tumblr.com matt
Amen to that. I have had alot of focus issues at 1.8f. but it you get it right you can’t beat the sharpness. I guess you pick and choose your battles.

http://www.the-su.com The-su
Very nice collection.
I got a 50mm lens, love it~
http://www.niftyfiftylens.com/ Nifty Fifty Lens
Wow! Awesome choices. They really show how great the little nifty fifty can be when used properly. I’m starting a fansite/photoblog real soon dedicated to the nifty fifty lens at http://www.niftyfiftylens.com – Thanks for the inspiration!
http://www.nevervoidphotography.com Antony Pratap
A picture of the nifty fifty itself : http://nevervoidphotography.com/index.php?showimage=138
=)
Cheers!
http://riquefroes.com/photo Rique Fróes
Great post!!!
http://riquefroes.com/photo/?p=10
My photos w 50mm!
http://www.marcuslemos.com.br Marcus Lemos
Great photos! Wish I could at least have shot one of them.
I’d like to share one I like… can it be 55mm? (18mm – 55mm)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41541052@N03/4172485945/in/set-72157622765274330/

Alexandre Strube
No, that’s a zoom. A fixed lens is another beast. They are sharper, faster, lighter, smaller. BTW, I would expect red eyebrows and veins on horse’s eyes if what you say is true. Btw, it even lost the exif info.
Go and buy a fixed one. A 50 or a 35 (if you are DX, as they are the same as a 50 on full frame). You will NOT regret.

Todd Holbrook
My best 50mm 1.8 shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paradawks/3708510586/
http://hubpacheco.aminus3.com Hub Pacheco
Hi all! My fave’s the first one! Anyhoo, a href=”http://hubpacheco.aminus3.com/image/2009-11-11.html”>here’s a shot i did with my 50mm.
http://hubpacheco.aminus3.com Hub Pacheco
here’s a proper link. http://hubpacheco.aminus3.com/image/2009-11-11.html
http://rene.com.mx Rene
I love my 50mm 1.8, it has been the best buy for my camera, here are two photos took with it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/renelc/3944228543/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/renelc/3345212339/
http://www.spiritualrepublic.com/ evolvingblue
One of my favorites, snapped at a friends wedding, with a borrowed 50mm. I bought one soon after.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/evolvingblue/2696310786/in/set-72157608426138895/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellynichole/ KeLLyNiChoLe
These are AMAZING! I’m so jealous! Now I’m more interested in the 50mm, thanks for sharing them!!
Mark Sturge
This is my favorite “Nifty Fifty” that I’ve ever taken http://bit.ly/dj2LTW
http://kommon3.com Ramūnas
A couple of my pics with 50mm:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramunas/3840710804/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ramunas/3674000369/
courageSVK
I did this one a few days ago after installing ‘Heavy Rain’ :) http://www.courage.brm.sk/origamikiller2.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/4076213430_d85e0d58bd_b.jpg Sree
beautiful collection…!!
Sree
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/4076213430_d85e0d58bd_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dilini/ dilini
I just got a Nifty Fifty (50mm f1.8 for Nikon) and I love it. I took it on a photowalk for the first time to get acquainted with it. Here are some photos from that.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dilini/sets/72157623590468572/
I’ve already seen the improvements in portraits taken with this lens. I’m going to be playing around with it quite a bit from now on.
http://thatlalagirl.com Rachel
My 50mm is on my camera more than any other lens I have. I absolutely love it!
These are a few photos I’ve taken with it.
Tracy
I purchased a “nifty fifty” (the Canon f1.8) because of the article you mentioned in the first paragraph. I LOVE it! I have not had it off the camera since I got it. I have already noticed an improvement in my shots, and look forward to as many photo walks as I can fit in. The depth of field is amazing compared to my kit lens. I am sure this is one of the most important pieces of equipment I will purchase as a hobbyist photographer.
http://maccentenoimages.blospot.com mac centeno
what great photos! i love the one with the coffee cup with the bokeh lights on the back…
Kuld Saku
Taken in England :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47677674@N05/4437928877/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47677674@N05/4437944883/sizes/l/
http://www.wix.com/hector_oca/Fotografia Hector Julio Oca Gonzalez
Mine with a Pentax SP-1000 :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photokgonzalez/4709853142/
http://speakart.com/ Jason Pang
GREAT STUFFS! good source of inspiration and photos to learn from!
I’ve borrowed this lens, 50mm, f1.8. gonna buy this lens! :D
Went to buttlerfly park and orchid garden, here are my shots:
http://speakart.com/photoshoot1/
Shot using Canon 400D
http://edinclism.blogspot.com ed.inc
wow! nice!
come n see mine, k?
http://edinclism.blogspot.com/2010/03/bokeh-art-of-out-of-focus.html#more
http://vineetradhakrishnan.com Vineet
NIce collection of bokeh. I have some 50mm shots at http://vineetradhakrishnan.com
Vineet
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxhabich/ Max H
Here are mine:
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjuxy1fK
Michael Perkins
I spent a complete year getting re-acquainted with the 50 and shooting exclusively with a manual Nikon f/1.8. What an adventure! I finally published a book of the best results, THE NORMAL EYE, which is available at http://www.blurb.com. I would also love to learn of others who have made collections of their time with primes. I also joined the “original 50mm” group on Flickr and have my own 50mm sets on
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mpnormaleye. Great to see all these amazing postings.
http://www.frankmamone.me Frank Mamone
I love the Nifty Fifty…I created a Facebook page devoted to this style…please share your pics!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nifty-Fifty-50mm-Photography/186327661444421
http://www.genkin.org Ilya Genkin
Wow! Great collection of 50mm photos! Very inspiring! Need to shoot with mine 50mm lens more often.
http://www.gavinlewisphoto.com Gavin
I love my nifty fifty. Most of my favourite shots were taken with it.
Here’s a three of them:
http://www.gavinlewisphoto.com/portfolio/made-for-walkin/
http://www.gavinlewisphoto.com/portfolio/the-road/
http://www.gavinlewisphoto.com/portfolio/swift/
Peter
Brilliant shots – looking for ideas after buying a 50mm.
Larry Miller
I have a Nikkor 50 F1.4 It’s a “gem”.
Bino Bose
Rollin’ dice..
bambicorro
Formula1 Grand Prix Singapore 2012 – Red Bull Team
http://www.facebook.com/msjennifer.mills Jen Mills
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=421456811225731&set=a.418755058162573.92600.418714351499977&type=3&theater
Almost everything I have taken has been with my 50mm 1.8 it’s the only lens I have besides my kit lenses.

80 Awe-Inspiring Photographs Taken With a “Nifty Fifty”

Share Your 50mm Photos

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