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Digital Photography 1 on 1
By Mark Wallace
March 14, 2011
Adorama TV presents: An introduction to the 50mm lens, and why it's so popular.
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Many of the photographers Mark Wallace has interviewed in our "How'd They Do That?" series use the 50mm lens to get a certain kind of look. This look has a shallow depth of field and is typically overexposed to really blow out the detail in the background. Why is this focal length so popular among professional photographers? Let's find out as Mark uses the lens to photograph a model, on both full frame and cropped sensor cameras. To see Mark's results with each of the different cameras, visit the AdoramaTV flickr page.
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Mark Wallace is the host of AdoramaTV videos
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Reader Rating and Comments
I've been struggling with lighting issues and learning how to properly set my Canon speedlight for months. After viewing this video, and the video about setting proper sync speeds I feel so much better! I only wish I had found this site sooner! This is such a great thing you do for all of us out there trying to learn.
by michelle in Iowa on February 22, 2012
I just bought a canon 50mm 1,8 lens. I love the ability to shoot with less light, but the image quality seem very pixelated to me. Much more so than with my tamron 55-200 zoom lens. Could it be because I have don't have a full frame camera, but the canon eos 1000d?
by Newbie in Amsterdam on December 19, 2011
I really appreciate your post and you explain each and every point very well.Thanks for sharing this information.And I'll love to read your next post too.Regards.
by Mcx Tips in indore on September 27, 2011
Is it just me that likes a more soft tone look or do most of the shots look very "flashy" and bright on the models face?
by Balljoitns in Canada on April 29, 2011
All the shots looked like "flash" shots. Anyway to avoid this look?
by golfzilla in Silicon Valley, CA on April 21, 2011
Also, a cool way to shoot anything with a shallow depth of field in bright, contrasty light with a fill flash. (model not required). Denny in h-d, I'm not sure on a Canon, but on a Nikon, Auto FP High-Speed Sync mode starts @ 1/250 sec. or less.
by SG in St. Paul on April 21, 2011
What is the lowest shutter speed that you start using that with Canon?
by Denny in h-d@embarqmail.com on April 21, 2011
I think it is important to note that you are using the 50mm lens on full frame sensor cameras. I suspect the majority of viewers will not be using a full frame sensor DSLR, but a smaller APS-C sensor DSLR. So they should be using a 35mm lens on an APS-C DSLR to get the same angle of view as a 50mm on full frame DSLR.
by Boog in Chicago on April 21, 2011
I'd like to know when we start to use high speed sync. What's the shutter speed for HSS?
by Anna in NYC on April 2, 2011
Thank you for this great video reminder on what the 50mm can do!
by roseannadana in Anacortes on March 26, 2011
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