50mm lens field of view
The classic normal lens on full frame and a short telephoto on Super 35. Flattering on faces at medium close-up, neutral in perspective, and the lens people reach for in interviews.
| Sensor | Horizontal | Vertical | Diagonal | Same angle on full frame |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame (36 mm) | 39.6° | 22.9° | 44.9° | 50mm |
| Super 35 (24.89 mm) | 28.0° | 15.9° | 31.9° | 72mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | 26.4° | 15.1° | 30.2° | 77mm |
| Micro 4/3 (17.3 mm) | 19.6° | 11.1° | 22.5° | 104mm |
| Super 16 (12.52 mm) | 14.3° | 8.1° | 16.3° | 144mm |
| Distance | Full frame | Super 35 | Micro 4/3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 m | 0.72 × 0.41 m | 0.50 × 0.28 m | 0.35 × 0.19 m |
| 2 m | 1.44 × 0.81 m | 1.00 × 0.56 m | 0.69 × 0.39 m |
| 3 m | 2.16 × 1.22 m | 1.49 × 0.84 m | 1.04 × 0.58 m |
| 5 m | 3.60 × 2.02 m | 2.49 × 1.40 m | 1.73 × 0.97 m |
| 10 m | 7.20 × 4.05 m | 4.98 × 2.80 m | 3.46 × 1.95 m |
| Shot size | Full frame | Super 35 | Micro 4/3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme close-up | 0.3 m | 0.4 m | 0.6 m |
| Close-up | 0.7 m | 1.1 m | 1.5 m |
| Medium close-up | 1.2 m | 1.8 m | 2.6 m |
| Medium shot | 2.1 m | 3.0 m | 4.4 m |
| Cowboy | 3.0 m | 4.3 m | 6.2 m |
| Full shot | 4.9 m | 7.1 m | 10.3 m |
| Wide shot | 9.9 m | 14.3 m | 20.6 m |
Camera to a standing adult, 16:9. A starting mark, not a rule.
- 39.6°
- 22.9°
- 44.9°
2.16 m × 1.22 m
| Extreme close-up | 0.30 m |
| Close-up | 0.74 m |
| Medium close-up | 1.23 m |
| Medium shot | 2.10 m |
| Cowboy | 2.96 m |
| Full shot | 4.94 m |
| Wide shot | 9.88 m |
For a standing adult, from the conventional height each size holds. A starting mark, not a rule.
What is the field of view of a 50mm lens?
In a 16:9 frame, a 50mm lens sees 39.6° horizontally on full frame, 28.0° on Super 35, 26.4° on APS-C and 19.6° on Micro 4/3. The diagonal figure lens makers quote is larger: 44.9° on full frame.
How far away should I stand for a medium shot on a 50mm?
About 2.1 metres on full frame and 3.0 metres on Super 35, for a waist-up shot of an adult in 16:9. For a close-up, about 0.7 and 1.1 metres.
What is a 50mm on Super 35 equivalent to on full frame?
It frames like a 72mm on full frame. Going the other way, a 50mm on full frame frames like a 35mm on Super 35. Only the angle matches: depth of field and perspective follow the real focal length and distance.
How wide is the frame at 3 metres with a 50mm?
2.16 metres wide on full frame and 1.49 on Super 35, in a 16:9 frame.
See the 50mm in the room
Put a camera with a 50mm on a lighting plan and it draws exactly this angle, so you know what is in frame before anybody rigs.