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• What a 50mm lens is good for

  The classic first prime, its uses and its limits.

• 35mm vs 50mm

  Choose between the two most popular focal lengths.

• Fixed vs zoom lens

  Which type suits each kind of shoot.

• How to get bokeh

  Four steps to a blurry background.

• What a fast lens is

  What each stop adds in low light.

• Buying used lenses

  A checklist to avoid hidden faults.

Latest guides

• 
  85mm vs 50mm: Which Lens Is Better for Portraits and Beyond?
  In the 85mm vs 50mm choice, the short answer depends on your room. An 85mm is the better …
• 
  Prime Lens Meaning: What a Prime Lens Is and Why It Matters
  The prime lens meaning is simple: it is a camera lens with one fixed focal length. A 50mm …
• 
  35mm vs 50mm: Which Prime Lens Fits the Way You Shoot?
  The short answer to 35mm vs 50mm: pick 35mm if you want the place to matter as much …
• 
  What Is a 50mm Lens Good For? The Nifty Fifty Explained
  What is a 50mm lens good for? Mainly portraits, low-light scenes, everyday photos and learning composition. Its nickname, …
• 
  Compact Prime Lens Guide for Vlogging and Everyday Video
  A compact prime lens keeps a camera small enough to hold at arm’s length for a long take, …
• 
  Wide Angle Prime Lens Guide for Landscape and Astrophotography
  A wide angle prime lens does two different jobs for outdoor photographers. In landscape work, you usually stop …
• 
  How to Choose a Portrait Prime Lens: 35mm to 135mm Compared
  The best portrait prime lens for most people is an 85mm on full frame, because it gives flattering …
• 
  Benefits of a Prime Lens: Why Zooming With Your Feet Works
  The main benefits of a prime lens are a wider aperture for the money, a smaller and lighter …
• 
  How to Get Bokeh: 4 Steps to a Blurry Background
  To learn how to get bokeh, remember four things that work together: open the aperture, use a longer …

See all guides, or read how the guides are made.