Which lens should I buy next?!

This question gets asked all too often in the photography community and it's a hard one to answer. Truth is, I don't think there will ever be a clear answer either because everyone's needs are going to vary. For example, a street photographer might want something like a 35mm or 50mm lens while a portrait photographer or a wedding photographer might want a more versatile lens like a 70mm-200mm lens. The lens you buy should be a lens that works best for you and will help you capture the shots that you want to capture.


However, I do think that there is a lens that the majority of photographers could benefit from, and that is the 50mm f/1.8. This lens is the perfect lens if you're tired of your slow kit lens that came with your camera and want a drastic change. The 50mm f/1.8 will allow you to throw the background out of focus and let your subject stand out with it's wide aperture of f/1.8. 50mm is also a great focal length because it is close to our field of view, so it will have little distortion while still being wide enough to capture more of your scene.
Most camera companies have their own version of this lens; Canon's version is $110, Nikon's version is $197, Sony's version is $298, and most other camera companies have a similar lens for around $100. The 50mm is currently the most bang for your buck in terms of price versus quality, and it is an essential lens if you're looking to build upon your collection of lenses.

A photo I shot with my 50mm f/1.8.