The most common question new photographers have after getting their first camera is what lens they should invest in next. You may be debating between a zoom or wide angle lens, but many overlook the 50mm lens, which is the equivalent of most kit lenses being zoomed in all the way. At this point, you’re probably wondering why you would want a 50mm lens if that specification is already covered by your kit. Although there are several differences, the most important one is image quality.

1. Good Bang for Your Buck

There’s a reason the 50mm lens is often referred to as the Nifty Fifty. It’s a high-quality lens that’s also quite inexpensive as far as lenses go. If you’re looking for an investment worth the money, the 50mm will not disappoint. You’re going to get a level of quality that you would expect from a much more expensive lens at a fraction of the price. Check out our list of the best 50mm lenses — and deals on those lenses:

2. Versatility

What exactly can you do with a lens that only has a 50mm focal length? The most popular use is as a portrait lens. The 50mm lens has a very shallow depth of field, which is perfect for capturing up-close portrait shots. If you’ve been disappointed with your kit lens’ inability to capture sharp macro shots, you will be much happier with this lens.

The 50mm focal length is perfect for creating bokeh photography as well, which is a characteristic of a photograph created by focusing on a small source of light and then unfocusing the lens, resulting in small soft circles in the background. The circle shape is determined by the aperture of the lens. Cut-out shapes can be used to change the shape from a circle to a heart or star. The wide apertures of the 50mm lens creates a shallow depth of field, as mentioned above, creating the dreamy background effect you see in the image below.

3. Light Weight and Petite

Carrying a big bulky camera around all day can get old fast. When you can get by with a lighter camera lens that doesn’t stick out a mile, it’s a good day. The 50mm is actually lighter than other primes out there. It will probably be the lightest lens you will ever own. Basically it’s a great walk-around lens for whatever may catch your eye.

4. Faster Shutter Speed

The benefits of the 50mm are not just limited to utility, but also quality. A faster shutter speed means less camera shake. The wide aperture lets in up to eight times more light over a kit lens. So what does this mean for your pictures? Basically, you’ll be able to use a lower ISO setting in low light situations, producing sharper images with less noise.

5. Composition Training

The 50mm lens is an excellent way to practice composition. When photographing landscape shots, people have a tendency to try and get as much in the frame as possible. When working with a 50mm lens, you are forced to use a tighter frame and focus just on what you want to include in the photograph. If you feel that your composition could use some work, take the 50mm out on a scenic photo shoot. Being forced to walk around will present new angles that you may not have considered with a zoom lens.

Top 50mm f/1.8 Lenses and Deals

Ready to buy? We took a look at some of the top 50mm lenses on the market so that you can find the right lens for you at the right price. We’re sticking to f/1.8 models for this list, as they tend to be better for new photographers. More advanced photographers may want to invest in the f/1.4 versions of the 50mm though. While some comparisons of the Nikon brands show that the f/1.8 actually out performs the f/1.4, the price tag for a f/1.4 can be almost double, so be sure to check reviews before you buy to make sure the extra money is worth it.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm Nikon 50mm FIxedf/1.8G: While the MSRP on this lens is $229, it’s pretty easy to find it for less than $200 these days.

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: MSRP on this lens is $125.99, but 42Photo currently has a deal available on this lens for $109 with free shipping.

Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT Alpha A-Mount: This lens is currently available at both Amazon and B&H for $168 with free shipping.

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