Ch-ch-ch-changes (focal length preferences)

[FrankS]

I seem to be evolving into more of a wide angle shooter. While I have a (very rarely used) 90 Elmar (and a never used 135 Hektor) for RF photography, 50 is my longest commonly used long lens. 35 feels too in between to me, too normal. 28 has become my favourite/most used lens with both SLR's and RF's, followed by the more extreme 20/21.

28f3.5 and 2.8 Olympus SLR
28f3.5AI and 2.8 AIs Nikkor SLR
28f3.5 (black) and 2.8 Canon RF

20f3.5AI and 2.8AIs Nikkor SLR
21f4 CV RF

I remember my photography early years, lusting over longer and longer lenses, but that has ch-changed.

You?


(David Bowie reference)

 

[celluloidprop]

I've never had much use for lenses longer than 50mm, but I'm starting to find myself wishing for a 85-90mm (maybe semi-macro) for detail shots.

Generally have always shot with a 35mm or equivalent, but I'm finding that it's usually more of a compromise than I'd like, it either includes too much or little in the frame. I'd rather have a 24 and a 50, or maybe a 28 and a 50 if 24 isn't a good option.

 

[kxl]

I was just about to post a similar thread... although for me it's come around to a full circle.

I started out in my photography as a 50mm shooter, then wated to see what the fuss was about with 35mm lenses... while I enjoyed shooting with the 35mm focal length, I have found that my best work have been 50mm on a film body or 35mm on an APS-C sensor body.

35mm on a film body just is not working for me. So I'm back to using a 50mm (ZM Planar) as my primary lens on my ZI.

 

[back alley]

i've been all over the map when it comes to focal length choice...

right now my preference is 2 cameras with a i.5 crop factor, using a 21/40 mix and a 28/50 mix...deciding factor is my mood when picking a kit for the day.
that is for rf.

on my dslr...i now have a 40 micro and a fast 50...planned buys include...a 24 and a 85...no zooms

 

[helen.HH]

hmmmm...
used to be 50mm & 21mm
then I became Drunk on 35

and NOW
Full Swing back to 50
A 50 Planar has Won my Heart
(with the 40 Nokton in my Pocket for SPEEEED and a Touch of Softer Glow)

 

[dct]

Always loved urban architecture as well as indoor familiy shots. So I had to go wide. My favorite combo are the CV 28/3.5 and 50/2.5.
For "real" wide I just bought a CV 15/4.5.
The upgrade will be a faster 28 and 50mm.
And I will try an inexpensive 90 and 135mm, just for the experience (for focal lenghts over 50 I still have my SRL system)

 

[Brian Legge]

50mm (or lenses just a hair narrower) feel too tight after spending a while shooting with 38mm-42mm fixed lens rangefinders.

I still end up using 50s more than anything else due to the range of lenses out their (compact, fast, etc). I'd probably shoot wider lenses if similar quality lenses were as prevalent.

I have developed a bit of an attachment to 100mm lenses. Odd, but I find when I do decide to grab them, I'm more than often happy with the results.

 

[noimmunity]

Frank, is the change related to how you relate to your subject(s)?

 

[maddoc]

For me it changed from 50 to 40 mm, 35 mm still being a tad to wide for me so ... yes, preferences changed by 10 mm ! 😀

 

[shimokita]

grew up using 35mm. 28mm is currently my favorite on a RF. For (d)slr I prefer the 85 depending on the subject and situation (fast 85s tend to be heavy ;-)) or a 35 for multi purpose. The 50 and 15 get a fair bit of play on the RF, but always go back to the 28.

Casey

 

[Doug]

28 can be awfully useful for an... err... wide variety of circumstances. The wider you go, especially wider than this, the more challenging it gets not to allow "wideness" to be the main element of the photo. In my experience, a 28 is a comfortable walk-about lens. I think a "28" is needed for my current dSLR...

 

[FrankS]

Frank, is the change related to how you relate to your subject(s)?

I think so. Most of my early photography only included people if they were friends or family. I was not comfortable with street photography. Nowadays I'm more confident and don't mind so much getting close to people walking on the street, or closer to friends and family while taking those kinds of shots.

 

[oftheherd]

When I first started using an interchangable lens SLR, I lusted for all the telephoto lenses I saw. But I soon found my photography really needed wide more than long. 135mm was long enough for a while, but I soon found 28mm wasn't wide enough. I got a 35mm and 18mm. 35mm was too much like 50mm. When I got the chance, a 24mm fit in nicely with the 28mm and 18mm. Later I got a 300mm and then some zooms.

I used the zooms some, but just never was satisfied with them like the wides. The 300mm and a fairly recent 200mm prime/macro get very little use. I just "see" wide more. I think it may be the reason I am not so enamored with my Kiev. The only wide is 35mm. Sure that is better than nothing, but not so much. 😛

 

[jsrockit]

I never quite get away from 35mm and 50mm lenses. I flirt with others, but I go right back to my 35mm and 50mm lenses.

 

[Jani_from_Finland]

I have settled for 50mm mostly, when wideangle is "needed" i prefer 24mm, never really felt comfortable with a 28mm. 35mm is in som cases ok, but i always seem to fall back to 50mm. When i owned the pentax 43mm lens it felt as the most natural lens i have ever used.