Shifter: Going Solo with the 50mm
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Photographers, especially advanced amateur photographers, are far too transfixed by the idea that equipment is their best path to photographic salvation, but the truth lives in the exact opposite direction. You don't need much to make great work. At the core of this philosophy is the 50mm lens, a chameleon that when used solo can provide all that is needed.
Ralph Gibson said that if you use one lens long enough you learn how that lens sees the world and, at the same time, the lens learns how you see the world... And Ralph knows something abut it :)
And it just eliminates so many distractions.
This was the vlog that started me on a 2+ hour binge-watching all of your videos on YT tonight. So inspiring Daniel! Found this video on another photography related channel. You have a new Fuji-shooter fan! Hope you keep up with the vlogging!!
One of the best photography videos I've ever seen. Every beginner should see this as you explain exactly why gear is not important. People are obsessed with gear, Instagram and likes etc. Get out there, take photos, tell stories and print projects. Superb 👍
Thanks Daniel. Appreciate that. The gear conversation is really just for amateurs, many of whom don't really shoot. I get it. It's easy and everchanging, but if you are interested in actual imagery it doesn't hold water very long.
These videos are reaching me exactly at the right time.
Good. More on the way.
Same here. 50mm is the one lens to have.
Nice chit-chat - inspiring - thanks, Steve
That's great
Thanks Dan 😊
I loved that and makes complete sense
Thanks Daniel for this video. I've been shooting almost exclusively with a 50 mm equivalent for the last 18 months. I decided to make a photo book of my of 2022 photo journey through rural Iowa and really noticed the consistency the single lens created. Overall shooting with just the 50 mm has really improved my work. I can't recommend highly enough taking this path! Binging all your videos now :-).
I'm heading to Albania to teach and that 50mm will be glued to my XH2. I will also take the 35mm but that's it. I love keeping it simple and working around the constraints that a lens creates.
Some very good points you made about using 1 lens. Thank you for this video; it's been a great help.
I like that you're generously showing your job, 99% of photography advisers on CZcams don't do it. And you're a lot of fun. Thank you...
Ha, if you only knew. Much of what I do isn't that sexy. A lot writing, some phone calls, a webinar and A LOT of pubic presentations at least when the world isn't under pandemic rules.....
@@DANIELMILNOR505 I meant your photographic work, some pictures to chew and admire, even old works. And your videos on the road are gorgeous, as a filmmaker I see your creativity is alive and kicking. All the best
I'm headed to New York City this week with only my M3 and 50mm f2.0. After watching this video I'm even more excited to see what I can capture.
This is the single most important photography-related YT video for me. Must’ve watched this at least ten times just to drive those three important points home.
It's a great way to work. I can't say it's easy but it reduces distraction which always seems to pay off on the images.
35 almost never leaves mine. I had serious gas when I first started last year..now Im realizing story is key. Thanks for free content sir.
Less is more and your back will thank you. Mine is shaped like an "S" and is angry with me most of the time.
Thanks Daniel, you’ve made my day, telling about the importance of using one body and one lens. I own a Summicron-M 1:2.0/50 & M10-P. Now I knowing what I have to do 👍🏻greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
I love the Netherlands. Such unique light. I know why the painters were so happy to catch those moods. Ya, I'm about to buy ANOTHER 50mm but will only use one at a time....
Oh YEAH! it’s so true and no pressure with one len one body. You got a lots of good good points Daniels
Thanks amigo. Less is more.
Absolutely love your honesty... there is no BS and you aren't up your own backside... Many of the things you do I do... but there is stuff you do that I don't do that I should do and will now do... you can teach an old dog new tricks...
David Edwards hey David, I think that’s the key to many things. Just knowing no matter how much we know we probably still don’t know. A healthy thing.
I believe in less is more so 'one camera one lens' works for me. I switched over to Fuji mainly because of the X100 which is exactly that. 50mm used to be my favorite but the 35mm forced me to get 'inside' the picture and it changed my perspective. Thanks for your videos, you rock!
you can get the fuji add teleconvertor which takes it to 50mm without loss of quality
Totally agree! I bought an x100v because I was using 35mm on my big Sony always anyways
It's such a great video and advice (watched it more than once but never commented I see), every video I've seen with you Daniel has been superb. It's not about the gear, it's about pretty much everything else and yet gear has such a powerful way of attraction for many of us :-/
Downsize is often the way to go, not only in photo but in life in general.
Thanks for posting superb content!
Gear is a dead end. But a profitable one for many CZcamsrs.
It really is!
Love the advice, especially killing batteries!!
Daniel. What a refreshing change you are to CZcams photogs. Theres so much on here about kit reviews and technical aspects of photography (which is cool) but not enough about the art of photography. I love how you share your thought process and help others to understand how to create art rather than the emphasis being on creating technically perfect images. Love what you're doing man and I'll continue to follow with interest. Kind regards. Neil Matthews, UK.
Hey Neil, thanks for taking the time to write. The truth is I'm not really interested in the gear, don't have a goal of gaining a massive audience and really don't know enough gear and tech to really matter. So, here we are.
@@DANIELMILNOR505 well it's awesome stuff. Thanks for your reply and all the best 📸 regards. Neil M.
In 2013, I stopped taking a DSLR and bag of multiple lenses when traveling abroad and switched to the XT-1 with a 50mm lens. I got back to creating a body of work and printing. No regrets.
Your back thanks you....
Just recently stumbled into your channel. This is perhaps the most important advise a photographer can get. If I may add: don’t stick to any one lens, but stick to a 50mm. It’s perhaps the hardest one, because it’s brutally honest and it requires true skill and creativity to get interesting images. My happy place is walking around with just my M7 and a 50 Lux.
Took me several tries but it stuck and when it did it never let up.
My first job after photo school was the local newspaper. All they gave me was a K1000 and a 50mm f/2 lens and some HP-5 each day.
It's amazing what you can do with one lens when you have no other choice.
Same for me kinda. Screw mount Nikkormat with 35mm.
Great video - solid message. I'm running around with a Nikon FE + Series E 50mm 1.8 lens. Also, your photo at the 6:36 mark brought mind the photo by Arthur Leipzig - "Divers, East River", one of my favorites from that era. Thank you!!
I used to use an FE that belonged to the school. You know if a college is loaning out a camera how indestructible it must be.
Refreshingly honest. Photo magazines exist to sell you gear, while pretending to teach photography. Like you, I pass on my experience to others and keep the narrative simple “if you are wondering what lens to use, the picture is already gone”. One camera, one lens is the best teacher.
Yes, it's quite something to see photographers standing on the street staring at menus while life goes by in front of them.
Very nice inspiring video Daniel! I love my 35mm f2, it is a great go-to lens. It was my only lens for 2 years when I got my first Fuji camera.
Small, light, weather sealed. Done.
I have a bunch of 50mm lenses. That Fuji 50mmf2 is a sweet little lens
Great vlog Daniel! It inspired me a lot. Will go with one camera and one lens for a month; x-t3 & xf35f2.0. Big thanks
Smart way to work. I recently stopped using zooms and went to primes only, almost exclusively a 35mm and 50mm for photo and video work. I have yet to feel like I missed a shot because I didn't have "x" piece of gear. My photography is better and my back and elbows are, too. Thanks for sharing, Daniel!
Zooms would probably destroy me at this point...
I have the little Fuji 35mm f2 (50mm equiv) and their f1.4 version. As soon as I start thinking I'll sell one of them I start using the other one and love it. I guess I will keep them both :)
Never have too many...
Fantastic advice!
I thought I was 'old fashioned' shooting with a 50mm (AND shooting on film) so invested in a 35mm. I DO enjoy the 35mm (especially when zone focusing) but I can't always get close to my subjects.. a problem that doesn't happen so much when using the 50!
The 50mm kinda is old school and for years the lens that came with most basic film cameras was the 50mm. But you can't dispute the results.
word!
Really interesting point of view. I had the same problem with the 85 mm many years ago, I bought almost 3 lenses without using them… I totally agree with 1 camera and one lens. I put a 40 mm equivalent on my lumix GX1, a 28mm Voigtlander on my Nikon Df, and a 50 mm on Nikon F4s, and I gonna get the 20mm Voigtlander and… an 1,8/85 mm… I really enjoy your videos sir, may be because we started the serious photography at the same time and we have the same age with the same « philosophy ». Greetings from France.
Hello France. I think generationally there are mind "reminders" that probably feel the similar for you and I. I love this.
I watch ur videos since day 1. Keep up the good work. Also make sure you visit Macedonia 🇲🇰 one day, so many photo opportunities there.
That is on the list. Might actually get there on this next trip.
Awesome video and advise I work as a press photographer in New Zealand and lug about with various lenses so when on my own time I prefer to use just the Fuji X100f with its 35mm equiv lens or my Minolta 9 with a 50mm 1.7 I just love the freedom of one body one lens makes you work for your shots.❤️📷
I too find it a relief!
Daniel Milnor a great challenge as well mate enjoying your vids some great content cheers
But I want to see the photos you got with the 50mm! Great video, great advice. Thanks Daniel.
It's all in my Albania magazine.
Hi. Thank you so much for your insights. These really helped me look at documentary photography more deeply and inspired me to do a long term project. I had a question about documentary photography and didn't know how else to reach you! For projects that have a social justice/change/activism aspect to it, I'd be required to be in a rural space and live there for a long period of time. But what I do there all this time? I mean I will be part of a community, but do I have to take up an occupation? Do I have to leave camera for a long time and do something else before I can pick it up again? I don't know if I make sense
Nope. Your job is to make the best quality work you can, and that is a full-time job. If you NEED to get a job then so be it but doing nothing but make connections and make pictures is enough.
I have either the 23 or the 35 f2 lenses
For Me, 45mm f2 is my go everywhere lens for film. For Sony a6000 , I'm trying something wide. Spiratone 20mm 2.8- acts as 30mm. I want to see what I can accomplish in 12mos only using that.
Thank you for all your advices ! I'm watching each of your videos and taking notes, your tips are awesome ! I'll start a dance documentary project soon and I would like to use only 1 lens: the 50mm equivalent (speedmaster .95 or XF f/2). But I'm fearing to be too tight for some group shots or environment shots. How do you convince yourself to not take the 23mm f/2 "in case of" ?
I've just used both of them enough to know what I think will most likely be the best choice. But subject matter dictates.
@@DANIELMILNOR505 Thank you ! I think I'll start with both 35mm & 50mm eq. and keep only one lens when I'll see which one fit the best.
Great video, inspiring to do more with less (as I look longingly at my bag of 20+ lenses). I might have missed it, but was this the 50mm F/2 or the 35mm F/2 (50 in full frame)?
Yep, 35mm f/2 for Fuji so 50mm equivalent.
Just a hobby photog but I like your stuff. I’ve probably seen this video at least three times now. The thing I find odd here is the focus on print. I never see print in my daily life. I live in a small town with a small bookshop and a library. Bookshops are rarer and rarer. The library doesn’t have much. I like print. I grew up in a world that was pre-digital. But it is dying. Or so it feels too many of us, especially people living outside large cities.
It might seem that way but print still rules at the highest levels of the industry. And it reigns in industries like design and illustration as well. Every top photographer in the world, everyone that I know personally, still wants a book deal. It's not that they don't work in the digital space, they do, but it's just different. Print is considered while digital, often, is not. One thing I will question you on, the library. It might not have much on the photo front but it's a goldmine in other ways.
Great video Dan! My xf35/1.4 is literally living on the X-E2 body! 50mm is the most universal focal length. But I do love 24mm (full-frame), that's why I've compromised with quality over a price and have this cheap 16-50 always in my pocket. It's my backup to 35/1.4 and "24mm". I'd say if there is an assignment these two lenses are my minimum kit. I'm 24/50 kinda guy. There is a stellar wide angle lens 21mm for a Leica - I would willing to try it someday. I definitely wouldn't go any wider than 21mm in portrait photography, no matter how much of context I need. Please, let me know if you ever in Krakow, Poland!
I think I'm just lazy....
No, no, no! You're not!)
If I would've payed the price for the M4 with the 50 mm f/2, I would've commited, too :D Joking aside, that's what happened to me with the Helios 58 mm f/2. I've sold and re-bought that lens three times before seriously taking pictures with it. Thanks for the video as always!
Guess what I paid for the. M4?
@@DANIELMILNOR505 I‘m not sure I want to know but go for it, how much? I looked it up just now, the M4 goes for about 1000€ in Germany and there aren’t many of them.
It's interesting that 'films' are now replaced by 'batteries' ;-)
I find 50s a very interesting lens for, depending on the composition, it might look more like a tele or a wide angle. For many years I didn't had my own camera and borrwed them from my friends. All had 50s. Maybe that's whu I learned to like it
It was the default kit lens for decades.
Dan, I love your videos. I tried working with the Blurb software, But I find using a completely empty template for a photo book, Too empty and I don't know how I can reach a template or an explanation on how you created your magazines. I would love to print magazines but the magazine templates are too text oriented. Also, Can you explain how did you get the 50mm Leica lens to work for you? I find it too difficult to use zone focusing because of the small DoF, And a closed aperture with film is too dark.
Thanks!
Sharon, it takes a bit of practice. You can start with the templates at Blurb, then remove the ingredients you don't like. Second, look at photography books. Go to your local bookshop, or look online, and begin to study how photography books were put together design-wise. Find a spread you like and then built that spread in Blurb. You can then save that template as a custom, personal template. I got the 50mm to work when I committed to it exclusively. It took four attempts but it finally began to click for me.
@@DANIELMILNOR505 Thanks Daniel I'll create my own template, Great advice. Regarding the 50: I sometimes feel the Depth of field is too narrow for zone focusing. Are you focusing with the 50mm and the M6 per each frame?
I really enjoyed this video as the one camera one lens approach is vastly underappreciated these days. Consistency and becoming intimately familiar with the capacity of one's setup means little when there's a body upgrade every 2 years and one carries four+ lenses covering 10-400mm at every aperture.
To test the waters, I did a one camera one lens experiment for 6 months using an X100V for documentary photography as well as everything else. Would you be willing to take a look at that work and critique it using the points you brought up in this video as well as your background as a docu photographer? If you have the time, of course.
Hey Earl, I wish I could be with my current workload there is no way I can critique anything at this point including my own work. Blurb and AG23 have me hopping. I long for the day of doing a one lens project.
@@DANIELMILNOR505 Understood; knew it was a long shot but I've not had a real critique in ages. Good luck keeping up with your current load and thanks for continuing to share your thoughts here!
Keep it simple is the name of the game for me as well....
The printing part... I suck.
🥴
Nice episode
//freddie
Practice....
What I don't get is why you didn't get the 'normal lens' point with the SLR? Is it because the rangefinder is even less obtrusive? I also feel more free with only one normal lens. The high contrast of the video I find distracting but enjoyed the straightforwardness.
Not sure. I was too distracted at the time by the 24mm/300mm lifestyle.
I use the 35mm 1.4 the most, which is a 50mm equivalent
Batteries ... and cards, I may add
I want to travel my country and capture it in my camera Will fujifilm X100v ok for me
A lot of people love that camera but I do not. I think the other Fuji cameras are better options. Xt or Xe.
Daniel do you use Tri-X in the Fuji?
Hard to cram in the SD slot but I try....
Same with me 80% of the time I use the 35 mm, one of the three lenses I own. The 16mm 1.4 an 56mm 1.2 are the other two. By the way, why do you use a filter? Remove it, it does not add anything, without you get crispier photos.
Doesn't add a thing. It subtracts. Scratched front elements.
Why Do you use fujifilm X-T2 and not X-pro2?
They are both solid cameras but the rangefinder doesn't work for me when it comes to an all around system. I am now using the XH2s and the XH2.
@@DANIELMILNOR505 thanks, I have a fujifilm X-T3 and X-H1, enjoys this X-H2, your videos are amazing and very important for the real photographer
Dear Dan, thanks for the Inspiration, made my first Book this year because of your Videos :-)
since you were already with leica, why didnt you switch to a digital rangefinder?
Regards from Germany
Michael, good question. I stayed with film until about five years AFTER I stopped working full time as a photographer. Then, when I realized I HAD to have digital, it was more for my job with Blurb than for myself. So, I looked at the cost of a Leica, and compared that to the Fuji and determined I could buy an entire Fuji system, two bodies, three lenses, booster, batteries, etc. for far less than a Leica body. And that was it. The Leica is good stuff just too costly for me.
I suppose you would be even happier if you just added a M10 or M10 Monochrom to your M6. Your old lens would continue to serve. This also would had been good from a sustainability pov. To drive it even further there had been the option to go for a used M10 to make it financially neutral to the Fuji road you decided on. Just my 2ct.
Steve, I would love a digital Leica but they are so insanely cost prohibitive I've never really considered one. I have so many interests and dropping that amount of money on a short-lived digital body just isn't gonna happen. But, they look nice, no doubt.
...♥
I've been listening to you in other videos on the Advance Your Photography channel in recent days and agree wholeheartedly with most of what you have to say and after debating where to order affordable photobooks from I've decided Blurb magazines are the go instead for my personal annual "albums" and might try the tradebooks for anything more serious. But I'm a little confused about why you have sung your praises of the 50mm focal length on your film SLRs but then chose the 50mm f2 (ie.75mm full frame equivalent) on your Fuji instead of the 35mm f2.
Hey Szilvia, thanks for writing. Blurb Magazine is a great tool. I think you will enjoy. My mistake, I do mean the 35mm f/2 so 50mm equivalent. I am now using the Speedmaster .95 35mm.
This should to be written on stone, I spent my last year with only one lens, a 35mm f2, and I started finally to learn something...
It's true Fabrizio. Less is more, to coin a totally overused phrase, but it's true.
You can buy that Canon EF 50mm 1,4, toss it in the bag and never use it. And if you carry that same bag around for 6 months or so, that lens is not new anymore. Great build quality indeed 🙃
I think I bought that lens three times before I figured out how to use it...
@@DANIELMILNOR505 I bought the EF 50 f1.8 twice, broke both of them. Bought the third one, broke it but was able to put it back together, gave it to a friend of mine and she still has that lens. Now I got the EF 50 f1.4 which rattles like an old car, but still works...
I assume you really meant the 53mm equivalent 35/2, not Fuji's 50/2.
Yep, 35/2 in Fuji speak. 50 equivalent.
@@DANIELMILNOR505 It's a fine lens.
@@DANIELMILNOR505 Saw your great video and indeed got really confused about working exclusively with a 50mm on APS-C. That is very long... The 35mm is a cute little lens indeed.
@@luchuyghebaert708 It's a 50mm equivalent. With my Leica M4 I use an actual 50mm.
I actually just bought that lens tonight! I sold my Sigma Art 35 1.4 and picked up the Fuji 35, really can't wait to get out and about with it.
BTW Dan, love your videos, first heard you chatting to Neale James on Photography Daily and was drawn to your way of thinking. My dad also is suffering from Lyme's the last couple of years so told him to check you out.
The new minimalistic gear is just to use a smartphone (24mm).
I'd rather eat a lightbulb.
35mm with Fuji x100t...next month it will arrive the x100v...
For whatever reason, I never loved those cameras. I had the second gen but dropped it about two weeks after buying it. I"m more of an XT fan but people are jazzed about the new x100
Uuu thank you for answering...I can understand that it is a camera that you love or not..I am not totally sure about my love for it...but...but sometimes we need to compromise...so X100 series answer to this...budget, pocket, 35mm lens in FF, big sensor (Apsc), rangefinder, ...Ovf/efv...
@@matteoenricocattaneo People love it. I'm an oddball.
You look like Brad Pitt giving valuable life (photography) lessons.
I once had to run from a van full of people who thought I was him. It was kinda scary.
@@DANIELMILNOR505 Fanboy moment ;)
@@DANIELMILNOR505 Could you please make a film exclusively on how to edit (ruthlessly) and any techniques associated with it?