28MM Lens vs 50MM Lens: Which Lens is Right for You?
When it comes to standard prime lenses, 28mm, and 50mm lenses are at the top of the list. Both of them can be used differently and you can count on them for a unique look. It is no surprise that many people want to know which of the two lenses is better.
To find the better lens of the two will majorly depend on what you are trying to achieve. Basically, the 50mm lens is more subject-centric while the 28mm lens is ideal for capturing the environment and often forces you to get really close with your subject. For street photography, the two lenses perform in equal strength depending on your shooting style. For events, the 28mm lens is more versatile.
This article gives a thorough comparative review of the two lenses to give you a broader insight and to help you make a decision.
28MM Lens vs 50MM Lens
When comparing the 28mm and 50mm lenses, it is important to understand that both focal lengths serve a different purpose. Your ideal choice will often come down to your shooting style. However, there are some cases where one focal length is better than another.
If you choose to go the 28mm route, there are limited choices in terms of lens variety. Some original manufacturers and brands offer f/1.4, but the choices aren’t as many. The 50mm is the most popular focal length, which means that there is a wider variety of lenses to choose from.
Comparison Table
Below is a comparison table of the two lenses to compare their features and other aspects side by side.
| 28MM Lens | 50MM Lens | |
| Focal length | 28mm | 50mm |
| Shutter speed | 1/60 | 1/100 |
| Lens variety | f/1.4, f/1.8 | f/1.8, f/1.2, f/1.0, f/0.95 |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
28MM Lens Overview
The 28mm is the focal length that most photographers are familiar with. It happens to fall in the middle of the standard focal length range—it is not too wide nor too telephoto.
This focal length makes a great choice for shooting events since it is wide enough to fit crowds. It also performs superbly when it comes to street photography since it captures more of the environment.
On top of that, the 28mm lens comes with a wide aperture that makes it suitable for shooting in low light photography. It also allows you to use a longer shutter speed. This shutter speed may be considered low but you can still use it even when hand-holding the camera.
Pros
- It is better for shooting the environment
- You can easily avoid camera shake
- It is the standard focal length range that makes it not too wide and not too telephoto
Cons
- It has limited lens choices
50MM Lens Overview
If you have worked with different lenses in your photography journey, then you know that the 50mm lens is basically the go-to for just about any photographer. Most of the iconic photographer’s vouch for this focal length.
Many of the 35mm film cameras come with the 50mm lens as a kit. This focal length has taken its rightful place as the go-to portrait lens. It offers a perspective that is much less similar to what we see with our own eyes and comes at an affordable price.
When used in low light, the shutter speed dictated by the revised rule of thirds is 1/100. This is not as bad, but relatively worse when compared to its counterpart 28mm. Still, there are 50mm lenses with wide apertures if they fit your budget.
Pros
- This lens is ideal when focusing on the subject
- It comes at an affordable price
- It has plenty of lens choices
Cons
- You cannot use this lens to shoot photos from a far distance.
Features Compared
Focal length
The 50mm lens is a bit tighter and it compresses the background more. This means that things that are further apart will appear closer. Meanwhile, with the 28mm lenses, it tends to capture more of the environment.
If you shoot the same spot with the two lenses, you will notice that the 50mm lens tends to crop into the field of view of the 28mm lens.
If you use both of these focal lengths on a crop camera, you will notice the same behavior, only that the 28mm becomes 42mm while 50mm becomes 75mm. So when deciding between the two, it will depend on your preference between tighter or wider shots.
Shooting scenarios
For street photography, the ideal choice between the two will solely depend on your shooting style and overall preferences. The 28mm lens is better if you are focusing on the environment while the 50mm focal length is recommended if you are looking for subject separation.
When it comes to events, the 28mm focal length makes it easier to use as it captures crowds better and at the same time, you can separate a subject from the background.
Verdict
The final verdict when comparing the two lenses will come down to what you are trying to achieve. Both lenses have different capabilities making them best suited for different scenarios.
Each of their focal lengths offers different things. While the 50mm lens is more subject-centric, the 28mm lens forces you to get really close to your subject or really environmental about your shots.
However, with the 50mm lens, you will have more lens choices for every budget compared to the 28mm focal length.
Recommended Products
Below are some of the lenses recommended in the 28 and 50-mm focal lengths.
Sigma 28mm F1.8
The Sigma 28mm lens is ideal for shooters who are looking for a faster 28mm lens for low-light conditions. It features a fast f/1.8 maximum aperture coupled with micro-focusing abilities.
The 9-bladed aperture diaphragm can help you obtain beautiful out-of-focus images. This lens also incorporates a floating focus system and the use of two aspherical lens elements to minimize distortion, astigmatism, and spherical aberration.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM
The Canon 50mm lens features exceptional low-light performance and beautiful bokeh. It is ideal for portraits, action, as well as nighttime photography.
Moreover, you get to enjoy the fast, and near-silent autofocus to achieve stunning images and videos.
FAQs
Which lens is better for street photography?
For the longest time, the 50mm lens has become a staple in street photography, and rightly so. Generally, street photography depicts everyday life, and hence a lens that is close to the field of view of our eyes will fit the criteria. The 50mm lens provides the perfect balance of field of view and subject separation.
What is the 50mm lens best for?
When it comes down to quality for price and value for money, the 50mm is one of the best lenses in the market. It is one of the most popular lenses and can be used for anything from portraits and car photography to landscapes and nighttime shots. However, when using the 50mm lens, you are discouraged from standing far away from your subject.
Conclusion
There has been a growing debate between the 28mm and 50mm lenses in terms of use. These lenses are differently suited to achieve certain results. Their main difference lies in the focal length but they can perform some similar tasks. This article helps to shed some light on the same.
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