Henk
Established
Hi,
Why is a 35mm lens considered the standard lens for a Leica M ?
Thanks for some opinions on this !
Why is a 35mm lens considered the standard lens for a Leica M ?
Thanks for some opinions on this !
Chuck Albertson
Well-known
It's purely a matter of personal preference. Many people consider a 50mm to be a "standard." I use a 35mm for probably 90 percent of what I shoot, but that's strictly down to my own shooting preferences.
majid
Fazal Majid
There isn't really any precise definition of what normal would be. One is that the focal length is equal to the diagonal of the frame, but seems rather arbitrary (for 35mm film, i.e. 36mm x 24mm, the diagonal is 43mm).
Another definition I have seen actually makes sense: a normal lens is one that yields prints that have the same perspective as real life when viewed from a normal viewing distance. This is not very precise, however - depending on how large you print and how long your arms are, the normal would be different.
Don't sweat it - just use whatever feels right to you. For me, it's 50mm. For you, it may well be 35mm, or even wider.
Another definition I have seen actually makes sense: a normal lens is one that yields prints that have the same perspective as real life when viewed from a normal viewing distance. This is not very precise, however - depending on how large you print and how long your arms are, the normal would be different.
Don't sweat it - just use whatever feels right to you. For me, it's 50mm. For you, it may well be 35mm, or even wider.
aka5ha
Member
A normal lens is one that when, ahem, you are looking through an SLR viewfinder, then open both eyes, the image looks the same. This is about 50mm for FF 35mm format.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Standard for you or for manufacturers?
My standard is 35mm, but it seems that the manufacturers' standard was the 50mm for a looooong time.
In short, you pick your poison. Have fun!
My standard is 35mm, but it seems that the manufacturers' standard was the 50mm for a looooong time.
In short, you pick your poison. Have fun!
majid
Fazal Majid
SLR viewfinder magnifications vary widely, from less than 90% in cheaper models to 100% for high-end professional models. By your definition that would affect the focal length of normal, even though what matters is what is captured on film, not what is seen through the viewfinder.
__hh
Well-known
I thought the "standard 50mm" was because of economics... the 50mm lens was the easiest and cheapest lens to manufacture, so every manufacturer's kit lens was the 'standard' 50mm lens
After a while, everyone seems to have used (and even started with) the 50mm... hence the "standard"
After a while, everyone seems to have used (and even started with) the 50mm... hence the "standard"
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I always understood that 50mm was the nearest approximation to our vision.
After using 35mm a lot lately I've noticed that 50mm seems more and more like a portrait lens ... when I leave the house with one camera and one lens now it's generally a 35mm!
After using 35mm a lot lately I've noticed that 50mm seems more and more like a portrait lens ... when I leave the house with one camera and one lens now it's generally a 35mm!
mike kim
Established
In my opinion, 35mm is what we see, our entire field of view. The 50mm is what we're looking at and the 75mm (or 90mm) is what we're observing, even more specific. As Keith said, 50mm is considered the standard because it resembles our vision the most, both in still photography and in motion pictures...