The 50mm lens is photography’s true constant player. A focal length so fundamental it is often called the "standard." Its enduring practicality is rooted in its perspective. It renders the world with a field of view that closely mimics the human eye, offering an honesty and lack of distortion that few other lenses can match. This transparency makes it the ideal tool for the photojournalist, the portraitist, and the street photographer, allowing the viewer to feel present in the scene without the distraction of extreme wide angle exaggeration or telephoto compression. Don't get me wrong. I like wide angle as well and really love the 90 focal length. But, the 50 is still my first love. For this short article, I've gathered a wide collection of images I captured over many years, all of which have one thing in common. The 50mm focal length.
Hopefully, you will see how the simple optical formulas of the older lenses often yield lower contrast and a signature, sometimes swirly, bokeh, lending the images a beautiful, nostalgic glow. You heard the old saying, Leica glow. Well, it goes beyond just Leica. The samples I present should show the nostalgic classic look the old legends render to the new standard from modern design that show corner to corner sharpness, virtually no aberrations, and extreme clarity, a level of detail unthinkable decades ago.
The collection of images presented here span many years, some dating back to the 80's. They are more than just a gallery, it is a visual illustration showing how engineering advancements have redefined flawless while the core utility of the 50mm remains untouched. By viewing the images presented below, I hope you will gain a deeper appreciation for both the dreamy imperfections of a vintage Nikon 50mm F1.2 AIS and the clinical precision of modern design like the Zeiss Otus which although modern in every aspect, retains a bit of a nostalgic classic look to it's rendering.
Ultimately, the 50mm lens continues to be the my most versatile lens, proving that whether your goal is mood, realism, or pure documentation, this standard focal length remains the perfect lens for the job.
Another classic lens is the Leica 50mm Summilux. This portrait, captured with my Leica MP which I sadly no longer have.
In this case, the field of view brings us close to the subject, but the lens's wide aperture capability is what is at play here, creating the shallow depth of field. The subject’s expression and the gesture of her hand are tack sharp while the background instantly dissolves into large, soft, luminous spheres of bokeh.
Click to view photo details and comments
Another classic lens is the Leica 50mm Summilux. This portrait, captured with my Leica MP which I sadly no longer have.
In this case, the field of view brings us close to the subject, but the lens's wide aperture capability is what is at play here, creating the shallow depth of field. The subject’s expression and the gesture of her hand are tack sharp while the background instantly dissolves into large, soft, luminous spheres of bokeh.
This image, captured with a Leica Monochrom and a 50mm Summilux lens, profoundly underscores the power of both black and white photography and the normal focal length in documentary style work. As mentione earlier, the 50, revered for its ability to render scenes with a perspective akin to the human eye, allows for an authentic portrayal of the young teenager's situation without any distorting wide angle exaggeration or telephoto compression . This perspective ensures that the details, the intertwined legs, the bare, worn feet, the single shoe, and the bracelet are presented with an honesty that draws the viewer into the immediate reality of their existence on the streets of Portland that speaks volumes about the harsh realities of life on the street.
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This image, captured with a Leica Monochrom and a 50mm Summilux lens, profoundly underscores the power of both black and white photography and the normal focal length in documentary style work. As mentione earlier, the 50, revered for its ability to render scenes with a perspective akin to the human eye, allows for an authentic portrayal of the young teenager's situation without any distorting wide angle exaggeration or telephoto compression . This perspective ensures that the details, the intertwined legs, the bare, worn feet, the single shoe, and the bracelet are presented with an honesty that draws the viewer into the immediate reality of their existence on the streets of Portland that speaks volumes about the harsh realities of life on the street.
A slightly different approach to using a 50 is shown here. This image was formatted to the ultra wide X Pan ratio.
Shot with an M11 and APO Lanthar which is known for its critical edge to edge sharpness really helps when the entire frame is the center of attention. The ultra wide format forces the one's eye to traverse the frame, emphasizing the horizontal sweep of the platform and the separation between the foreground subjects and the environment.
I really like the cinematic feeling rendered from the X Pan formatting. The placement of the subjects on the left uses negative space to draw attention to the leading lines of the platform on the right
Click to view photo details and comments
A slightly different approach to using a 50 is shown here. This image was formatted to the ultra wide X Pan ratio.
Shot with an M11 and APO Lanthar which is known for its critical edge to edge sharpness really helps when the entire frame is the center of attention. The ultra wide format forces the one's eye to traverse the frame, emphasizing the horizontal sweep of the platform and the separation between the foreground subjects and the environment.
I really like the cinematic feeling rendered from the X Pan formatting. The placement of the subjects on the left uses negative space to draw attention to the leading lines of the platform on the right
This photograph of the three young individuals in Portland, captured with a Leica M8 and a 50 Summilux, offers a compelling demonstration of how a classic focal length, even when influenced by a crop factor, can still deliver impactful and well framed results.
The Leica M8, with its applies a 1.33x crop factor to a full-frame lens, effectively turning the 50 Lux into an equivalent of approximately a 66mm lens in terms of field of view. This tighter perspective, while reducing the typical "normal" feel of a 50mm, actually works to the image's advantage here, creating a more intimate, almost portrait like framing of the group.
Click to view photo details and comments
This photograph of the three young individuals in Portland, captured with a Leica M8 and a 50 Summilux, offers a compelling demonstration of how a classic focal length, even when influenced by a crop factor, can still deliver impactful and well framed results.
The Leica M8, with its applies a 1.33x crop factor to a full-frame lens, effectively turning the 50 Lux into an equivalent of approximately a 66mm lens in terms of field of view. This tighter perspective, while reducing the typical "normal" feel of a 50mm, actually works to the image's advantage here, creating a more intimate, almost portrait like framing of the group.
On a more personal note, this tender black and white portrait, captured with a Leica 50mm Summilux on my MP, perfectly embodies the intimate quality those tools are famous for.
The Summilux renders my mother and son with a naturalness, free from distortion, drawing us right into their shared moment.
These legendary Leica lenses, especially the 50mm, beautifully isolate them against the softer background, letting every nuance of my mother's gentle expression and son's curious gaze shine through.
It's a classic example of how this particular lens and camera combination, with its incredible ability to handle light and subtle tonal gradations, elevates a simple family scene into a timeless and deeply personal image.
Not to mention, this was shot on film. It's simply just hard to beat.
Click to view photo details and comments
On a more personal note, this tender black and white portrait, captured with a Leica 50mm Summilux on my MP, perfectly embodies the intimate quality those tools are famous for.
The Summilux renders my mother and son with a naturalness, free from distortion, drawing us right into their shared moment.
These legendary Leica lenses, especially the 50mm, beautifully isolate them against the softer background, letting every nuance of my mother's gentle expression and son's curious gaze shine through.
It's a classic example of how this particular lens and camera combination, with its incredible ability to handle light and subtle tonal gradations, elevates a simple family scene into a timeless and deeply personal image.
Not to mention, this was shot on film. It's simply just hard to beat.
Another one of my kids back in the days of living in Phoenix. The two of them resting in bed ( I think they were watching Sponge Bob ) captured with the summilux again.
This one makes me feel like a silent observer in the room.
Again, the wide aperture capability of the Summilux really isolates the two of them within the blankets and pillows, emphasizing their expressive faces.
Click to view photo details and comments
Another one of my kids back in the days of living in Phoenix. The two of them resting in bed ( I think they were watching Sponge Bob ) captured with the summilux again.
This one makes me feel like a silent observer in the room.
Again, the wide aperture capability of the Summilux really isolates the two of them within the blankets and pillows, emphasizing their expressive faces.
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The 50mm lens is photography’s true constant player. A focal length so fundamental it is often called the "standard." Its enduring practicality is rooted in its perspective. It renders the world with a field of view that closely mimics the human eye, offering an honesty and lack of distortion that few other lenses can match. This transparency makes it the ideal tool for the photojournalist, the portraitist, and the street photographer, allowing the viewer to feel present in the scene without the distraction of extreme wide angle exaggeration or telephoto compression. Don't get me wrong. I like wide angle as well and really love the 90 focal length. But, the 50 is still my first love. For this short article, I've gathered a wide collection of images I captured over many years, all of which have one thing in common. The 50mm focal length.
Hopefully, you will see how the simple optical formulas of the older lenses often yield lower contrast and a signature, sometimes swirly, bokeh, lending the images a beautiful, nostalgic glow. You heard the old saying, Leica glow. Well, it goes beyond just Leica. The samples I present should show the nostalgic classic look the old legends render to the new standard from modern design that show corner to corner sharpness, virtually no aberrations, and extreme clarity, a level of detail unthinkable decades ago.
The collection of images presented here span many years, some dating back to the 80's. They are more than just a gallery, it is a visual illustration showing how engineering advancements have redefined flawless while the core utility of the 50mm remains untouched. By viewing the images presented below, I hope you will gain a deeper appreciation for both the dreamy imperfections of a vintage Nikon 50mm F1.2 AIS and the clinical precision of modern design like the Zeiss Otus which although modern in every aspect, retains a bit of a nostalgic classic look to it's rendering.
Ultimately, the 50mm lens continues to be the my most versatile lens, proving that whether your goal is mood, realism, or pure documentation, this standard focal length remains the perfect lens for the job.
Another classic lens is the Leica 50mm Summilux. This portrait, captured with my Leica MP which I sadly no longer have.
In this case, the field of view brings us close to the subject, but the lens's wide aperture capability is what is at play here, creating the shallow depth of field. The subject’s expression and the gesture of her hand are tack sharp while the background instantly dissolves into large, soft, luminous spheres of bokeh.
This image, captured with a Leica Monochrom and a 50mm Summilux lens, profoundly underscores the power of both black and white photography and the normal focal length in documentary style work. As mentione earlier, the 50, revered for its ability to render scenes with a perspective akin to the human eye, allows for an authentic portrayal of the young teenager's situation without any distorting wide angle exaggeration or telephoto compression . This perspective ensures that the details, the intertwined legs, the bare, worn feet, the single shoe, and the bracelet are presented with an honesty that draws the viewer into the immediate reality of their existence on the streets of Portland that speaks volumes about the harsh realities of life on the street.
A slightly different approach to using a 50 is shown here. This image was formatted to the ultra wide X Pan ratio.
Shot with an M11 and APO Lanthar which is known for its critical edge to edge sharpness really helps when the entire frame is the center of attention. The ultra wide format forces the one's eye to traverse the frame, emphasizing the horizontal sweep of the platform and the separation between the foreground subjects and the environment.
I really like the cinematic feeling rendered from the X Pan formatting. The placement of the subjects on the left uses negative space to draw attention to the leading lines of the platform on the right
This photograph of the three young individuals in Portland, captured with a Leica M8 and a 50 Summilux, offers a compelling demonstration of how a classic focal length, even when influenced by a crop factor, can still deliver impactful and well framed results.
The Leica M8, with its applies a 1.33x crop factor to a full-frame lens, effectively turning the 50 Lux into an equivalent of approximately a 66mm lens in terms of field of view. This tighter perspective, while reducing the typical "normal" feel of a 50mm, actually works to the image's advantage here, creating a more intimate, almost portrait like framing of the group.
On a more personal note, this tender black and white portrait, captured with a Leica 50mm Summilux on my MP, perfectly embodies the intimate quality those tools are famous for.
The Summilux renders my mother and son with a naturalness, free from distortion, drawing us right into their shared moment.
These legendary Leica lenses, especially the 50mm, beautifully isolate them against the softer background, letting every nuance of my mother's gentle expression and son's curious gaze shine through.
It's a classic example of how this particular lens and camera combination, with its incredible ability to handle light and subtle tonal gradations, elevates a simple family scene into a timeless and deeply personal image.
Not to mention, this was shot on film. It's simply just hard to beat.
Another one of my kids back in the days of living in Phoenix. The two of them resting in bed ( I think they were watching Sponge Bob ) captured with the summilux again.
This one makes me feel like a silent observer in the room.
Again, the wide aperture capability of the Summilux really isolates the two of them within the blankets and pillows, emphasizing their expressive faces.