This one lens will make you a better photographer faster than anything else.
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0:00 – 5 Reasons Every Beginner Needs This Lens
0:23 – Weight & Portability (Prime vs. Zoom)
0:50 – Sharpness Test: Prime Lens vs. Kit Lens
1:50 – The Low Light Advantage (f/1.4 vs f/3.5)
3:10 – How to Get “Pro” Background Blur (Bokeh)
3:25 – Lens Cost: Why the 50mm is the Best Value
Here are five reasons why every photography beginner should buy this specific lens first.
Before I reveal what it is, I'm going to go over each reason and share images to prove why this should be your very first purchase.
Plus, I'll share the number one reason that no other photographer mentions.
Watch the video above to see the complete breakdown and the exact lens I recommend.
Reason #1: Compact and Lightweight
I have several lenses, and some are very heavy, like my 160-600mm lens, which weighs around 5 lbs.
This lens, on the other hand, is compact, easy to carry, and weighs under one pound. While that's a benefit, it's not the most important reason.
Reason #2: Superior Sharpness
This is known as a prime lens, meaning it has a single focal length unlike a zoom lens.
At [00:50], I explain why prime lenses are sharper than zoom lenses. In general, the optical quality is simply better.
Watch the comparison at [01:28]. When comparing a prime lens to a typical kit lens, the difference is massive.
At the same settings, the image created with a prime lens is noticeably sharper than the one created with a zoom.
Reason #3: Better Low-Light Performance
Another major reason to choose this lens is its aperture.
Most zoom lenses have a maximum aperture of f/3.5 or f/4, but this prime lens goes all the way to f/1.4. This allows more than twice as much light to reach your sensor.
At [02:51], you'll see exactly what this means in real-world shooting. In low light, this means you can use a faster shutter speed and avoid blurry images without needing a tripod.
A wider aperture like f/1.4 also gives you that beautiful, professional background blur (shallow depth of field) that every wildlife photographer or portrait artist loves.
Reason #4: Best Return on Investment
At [03:42], I break down the cost.
You can find a 50mm f/1.8 version for about $200, or even closer to $100 if you buy used.
Best of all, it offers the best return on your investment for the image quality you get.
Reason #5: It Will Make You a Better Photographer (The #1 Reason)
But the number one reason you should buy this lens first? It will make you a better photographer faster.
When you use a zoom lens, you just stand still and zoom in and out.
At [04:45], I show you why this changes everything. With a prime lens, you have to physically move your body to compose the shot.
This process slows you down and forces you to think before you press the shutter.
Thinking is the key to creating great images.
Developing the habit of intentional creation early on will help you learn photography much faster. I guarantee it. Don't just "take" photos. Create them.
Ready to Get Started?
It all starts with buying a 50mm prime lens.
Now that you know which lens to buy, you need to know how to use it!
Check out my free 4-hour photography course for beginners.
It just passed a million views and will help you start mastering your new gear today.
I love your course. I’m taking Lr CC. It teaches me a lot. I at times need to watch a section several timed to understand and learn. Also many concepts i backup with YouTube. I wish as well that there was a section called “Lightroom for Dummies”. Even switch that said, I learned much. Thank you