
Canon 50mm f/1.8
The nifty fifty was my first full frame lens and the first lens that made me appreciate the impact depth of field had on images! It also was extremely impactful on my learning progress as a photographer, as I quickly began to understand aperture and ISO much more clearly. For just around $100, this lens is a perfect first upgrade to anyone who still is using just the kit lens that came with your camera.
The 50mm prime focal length is a bit of a challenge for me as a landscape shooter. I do occasionally use it, but I frequently find it limiting. It's not wide, not telephoto. And despite the 1.8 aperture, it's too long to do astro shots. So I typically put this one on my camera when I want the lightest combo I can possibly have for walking around outside or in towns. I suspect the more I travel internationally, the more I will have this in my bag along with the 16-35mm wide angle zoom.
I have no real complaints with this lens. It's very sharp and provides good subject separation. It's the first lens I ever used that made really strong images rather than snapshots. That being said, I don't typically see much of a "wow" factor with anything I capture with it. Maybe that's more a product of its limited time in use though. It does have great clarity and bokeh, and I should probably start using it more.
If you've just started photography and are looking to make a major improvement in your images, this is the ideal step #1. No real need to look into the f/1.2L 50mm unless you're a portrait or wedding shooter. I hear that lens is amazing but is expensive and can have finicky focusing, while the nifty fifty can be tossed into a backpack or taken to the beach without worry!
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