Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The days of the truly cheap, plastic “fast” prime lenses maybe fading but they’ve certainly not gone and the 50mm f/1.8 prime lens still holds a place in many photographers hearts.
But buying just because a lens is cheap doesn’t make it bad and, as photographer Gavin Hoey demonstrates in this tutorial, if you plan for the limitations of a low cost lens you can maximise its positives.
In this case Gavin works exclusively with a wide open (f1/.8) aperture on a classic used Canon 50mm. His goal is to make the most of its potential to create portraits with an obvious shallow depth of field (or DOF for short) and to help you do the same Gavin shares a bunch of simple hints and tips.
One the main technique is mastered, Gavin shares a quick two light portrait set-up that maximises the background blur and plays to the strengths of a budget fast prime lens.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:34 Control the ambient light
1:34 Why patterned backdrops work
2:58 Distance affects backgrounds
3:26 Testing camera to subject distance
4:41 Posing tips for shallow DOF portraits
5:22 Focusing with budget lenses
6:01 Setting the key light
7:35 Adding a shoulder light
8:50 Budget prime lens portrait session
9:44 Conclusions and Subscribe
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➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
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Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
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Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
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✘ GEAR USED:
Used Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital SLR
adorama.com/used-canon-eos-5d-mark-iv-digital-slr-camera-body/p/imcca5dm4
Used Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
adorama.com/used-canon-ef-50mm-f-18-ii-standard-autofocus-lens/p/eol50182
Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-300-pro-ii-ttl-r2-outdoor-flash-godox-ad300pro-ii/p/fplfx300piit
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Glow EZ Lock Collapsible White Beauty Dish (42") adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-collapsible-beauty-dish-42-inch-white-bowens-mount/p/glbdez42w
Flashpoint 10' C Stand
adorama.com/flashpoint-10-foot-c-stand-turtle-base-kit-grip-arm-chrome/p/fplsc
Glow EZ Lock 12x36" Quick Stripbox
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-12-x-36-inch-quick-strip-bowens-softbox/p/glsbez1236
Flashpoint R2 XPro II TTL Wireless Flash Trigger
adorama.com/flashpoint-r2-xpro-ii-ttl-wireless-flash-trigger-olympus-panasonic/p/fprrxproiio
Tether Tools LeverLock Plate and TetherPro Optima 10G 15' USB-C
adorama.com/tether-tools-leverlock-plate-tetherpro-optima-10g-usb-c-cable-15ft/p/ttllpc15g2o
#primelens #portraitphotography #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
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__________________________________
Follow Gavin Hoey on instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model: Chloe Kerley instagram.com/chloemkerley
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
The days of the truly cheap, plastic “fast” prime lenses maybe fading but they’ve certainly not gone and the 50mm f/1.8 prime lens still holds a place in many photographers hearts.
But buying just because a lens is cheap doesn’t make it bad and, as photographer Gavin Hoey demonstrates in this tutorial, if you plan for the limitations of a low cost lens you can maximise its positives.
In this case Gavin works exclusively with a wide open (f1/.8) aperture on a classic used Canon 50mm. His goal is to make the most of its potential to create portraits with an obvious shallow depth of field (or DOF for short) and to help you do the same Gavin shares a bunch of simple hints and tips.
One the main technique is mastered, Gavin shares a quick two light portrait set-up that maximises the background blur and plays to the strengths of a budget fast prime lens.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:34 Control the ambient light
1:34 Why patterned backdrops work
2:58 Distance affects backgrounds
3:26 Testing camera to subject distance
4:41 Posing tips for shallow DOF portraits
5:22 Focusing with budget lenses
6:01 Setting the key light
7:35 Adding a shoulder light
8:50 Budget prime lens portrait session
9:44 Conclusions and Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:
➥ youtube.com/user/adoramaTV
__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama! adorama.com/MyAccount/Login
🔷
Save 5% Every Day† or Special Financing* On purchases of $199+ with the Adorama Edge Credit Card. Learn More: adorama.com/g/adorama-credit.
__________________________________
✘ GEAR USED:
Used Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Digital SLR
adorama.com/used-canon-eos-5d-mark-iv-digital-slr-camera-body/p/imcca5dm4
Used Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
adorama.com/used-canon-ef-50mm-f-18-ii-standard-autofocus-lens/p/eol50182
Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-xplor-300-pro-ii-ttl-r2-outdoor-flash-godox-ad300pro-ii/p/fplfx300piit
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro II
adorama.com/flashpoint-evolv-200-pro-ii-r2-ttl-pocket-flash-godox-ad200pro-ii/p/fplfev200pii
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket
adorama.com/glow-s2-round-flash-bracket-bowens-mount-godox/p/glbdsm02pro
Glow EZ Lock Collapsible White Beauty Dish (42") adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-collapsible-beauty-dish-42-inch-white-bowens-mount/p/glbdez42w
Flashpoint 10' C Stand
adorama.com/flashpoint-10-foot-c-stand-turtle-base-kit-grip-arm-chrome/p/fplsc
Glow EZ Lock 12x36" Quick Stripbox
adorama.com/glow-ez-lock-12-x-36-inch-quick-strip-bowens-softbox/p/glsbez1236
Flashpoint R2 XPro II TTL Wireless Flash Trigger
adorama.com/flashpoint-r2-xpro-ii-ttl-wireless-flash-trigger-olympus-panasonic/p/fprrxproiio
Tether Tools LeverLock Plate and TetherPro Optima 10G 15' USB-C
adorama.com/tether-tools-leverlock-plate-tetherpro-optima-10g-usb-c-cable-15ft/p/ttllpc15g2o
#primelens #portraitphotography #adorama
__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏
➥ TikTok tiktok.com/@adoramanyc
➥ Facebook facebook.com/adorama
➥ Instagram instagram.com/adorama
➥ X https://x.com/adorama
➥ Discord adorama.com/discord
❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏
➥ Shop adorama.com
➥ Blog adorama.com/alc
➥ Adorama Events youtube.com/@AdoramaEvents
__________________________________
Follow Gavin Hoey on instagram.com/thegavinhoey
Model: Chloe Kerley instagram.com/chloemkerley
__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
