Blog
WHAT AND WHY? Lenses with fixed focal length or so-called fixed lenses (07.03.2015)
Fixed lenses are actually lenses that have fixed focal length. Those lenses do not have complicated mechanical construction that changes the focal length as the zoom lenses have. This is one of the reasons why cheap and middle class zoom lenses produce photos of noticeably lower quality and these lenses are usually bigger and weigh more. Fixed lenses are specific and focused on one purpose and these do not try to do everything as the zoom lenses do. It is possible to get noticeably better f-number due to this lens’ construction and the quality of the optical element. Photographing in bad lighting conditions is much easier and effective.
Fixed lenses with small f-stops enable you to get the maximum out of the camera and the existing lighting conditions to create a sharp focus on the subject that has a soft and blurry background. This is one of the main features why fixed lenses are bought to create either photos or videos. By using the focal depth, it is possible to draw the viewer’s attention to the details chosen by the photographer. Photos have two-dimensional surface that can be more affected by the fixed lenses thanks to their large aperture and small depth of field creating spatiality and consciousness of the distance from the subjects. This kind of effect cannot be done with 18-55mm kit lens.
Normal lens with 50 mm focal length
50mm lens is called a normal lens. This means that in front of the full frame sensor camera this lens shows about the same angle as the human eye sees. The perspective of the subject also remains ordinary as seen through the human eyes. Nikkor 50mm is a useful tool regardless of the previous photographical experiences. This lens is compact, low-priced and offers pleasant visuals during day time but also after the sunset. 50mm fixed lens usually has the aperture of f1.8, f1.4 or f1.2 as the largest aperture that enables the lens to transfer more light to the camera sensor that in turn enables the photographer to shoot in dim conditions. This lens is ideal for doing portraits because it separates the model from the blurry background and brings out the sharp subject on a non-sharp background especially nicely.
Wide angle lens with 35 mm focal length
35 mm lens gives a much wider angle than the above-mentioned 50mm normal lens. 35mm lens is often used in a so called street photography. Why? 35mm lens seizes a lot more background than the normal lens. If there is a need to photograph people and subjects so that the environment would also play an important role on the photo and describe the situation the model is in, then this lens is a good choice. Through that lens, your photos tell a lot more and a portrait with environment tells the story that is supposed to characterise the model and give context a lot better.
http://store.iamphotographer.eu/EE/6116/4953/jaa132da-35mm-f18g-af-s-dx
http://store.iamphotographer.eu/EE/6116/4955/jaa134da-af-s-nikkor-35mm-f14g
Pay attention to the symbols noted on the lenses!
At this point, I would like to present a guideline how to make a difference between different lenses. If you are using a Nikon camera that has a half frame sensor (for example D3000 series, D5000 series or D7000 series) then special DX lenses are made for those. Definitely follow these symbols when you make the purchase. At the same time, you have to consider that your interest in photography develops and you may want to start using full frame sensor camera (for example D610, D750, D810 or D4) and then, DX lenses are not suitable for those cameras. More precisely, they would work but they don’t use the whole area of the sensor and the subject is formed only in half frame format.
In addition, it is good to know that when it comes to half frame cameras, the lens‘ view angle does not correspond to the focal length shown on the lens. For example, the view angle of the 35mm corresponds to the focal length of 52.5 mm! To calculate this, you have to multiply the number of the focal length described on the lens with 1.5.
There is something else that you can benefit from when purchasing a fixed focal length lens. The lenses are produced with two symbols that mean different series: D and G. The difference is that D lenses are the so called older type lenses. There is not as much electronics inside of the D series lenses as there is in the G series‘ lenses. This mainly concerns the functioning of the lens‘ autofocus. G series‘ lenses have their autofocus engine inside of the lens. D series lenses get the drive for the autofocus from the camera. D series lenses are a bit cheaper as well. But bear in mind that when you use D series lenses in front of Nikon D3000 and D5000, you are only able to use the manual focusing. I advise you to consult with our specialist at the shop before making the final decision. Here are some examples of the D series lenses.
http://store.iamphotographer.eu/EE/6116/4955/jaa011db-50mm-f14d-af-s-nikkor
http://store.iamphotographer.eu/EE/6116/4955/jaa013da-50mm-f18d-af-nikkor
http://store.iamphotographer.eu/EE/6116/4955/jaa129da-35mm-f2d-af-nikkor
Fixed focal length lens develops the eye of the photographer and keeps them moving. 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and whatever fixed lens demands more focus and attention to the composition to get the wanted results already in the camera. Fixed focal length lenses enable to visualise different solutions that keep the photographer creative and their eye looking for a good composition. When using a zoom lens, it is possible to get frames from different angles without moving and by turning the tube it is possible to get many meters closer – this makes the photographer passive. A photographer, who is used to take photos with a zoom lens, sure appreciates the quality, compactness and results of the fixed lens that become evident when leaving the comfort zone.
