How do you choose your prime?

How do you choose your prime?

  • Choose a focal length and then go shoot with it

    Votes: 72 66.7%

  • Decide what I'm shooting and pick FL for each shot

    Votes: 36 33.3%
  • Total voters
    108
M

mh2000

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Just wondering what other people's thoughts on choosing a prime focal length are. Recently I was all excited about ordering the new Oly 25, but something happened. I suddenly started shooting my Oly 17 almost exclusively. Then I was asked to write a photo piece for Bad Subjects and I went through my Lightroom catalog and selected photos pretty much all shot with the 17 (even though the vast majority of photos taken in the last year were shot with my Sigma 30).

So my question is, Do you select a FL first and then go out shooting with it or do you decide what you want to shoot and choose the FL for each individual shot?

Obvioulsy, there is no "right" answer... I just like discussing things like this and thinking about them. :)
 
I tend to use what I think will give me the photo I want. I have happily shot a lot of photos with a 50mm lens. But I have used everything from 18mm to 600mm.
 
I voted the first option.

However. If I cannot make something I see work with that focal length then I make a note to return with the correct lens. I have a zoom for those times I'm constrained by geography and can't walk foward or back up. Otherwise I perfer a prime.
 
I think first and foremost, one would have to ask themselves what their intentions are, and what kind of subject matter they would expect to come across, especially if you're going to restrict the number of lenses you will bring to lets say one. Time and experience will dictate what range of focal lengths a photographer settles on. Next would be a question of what focal length or focal lengths to choose to maximize your intents. I'm not advocating that a photographer switch their lens constantly to pair a shot with a particular lens, but whatever lens you put on your body will ultimately influence your decision making in the field.

So for me, the second option is a slightly better approach.
 
First option usually. Like zuiko85, I will bring a different lens if I see how it needs to be used. Usually a longer lens, as I normally have a 35 on my camera. Once in a while I see where a tele is needed, so I also have an 85, 105 and 400.
 
I usually select one lens before leaving home unless I am going to travel for an hour or more, then I will load the hard case with all of my lens collection into the car. I may still only select one lens to use when I arrive at my destination. My most used prime lenses are the PL 25/1.4 and the Sigma 60/2.8.

Mike
 
Many people find a specific focal length most congenial, or best fitting how they see the world. For me, it's 50-60mm. For others, it's 35mm or wider.
 
Trial and error. Over many years of shooting, I find I like to leave my cameras in a "ready to go" state with a*fast normal-ish lens fitted. And most of the time when I grab the bag to go shooting, I leave it in place.

Whether that's a 35, 40, or 50 on 35mm format, a 21 or a 40 on APS-C, a 25 on FourThirds ... depends on what's available. I happen to like both 21 and 40 on APS-C as normal-ish, all three of those focal lengths on 35 FF, and the Summilux 25 on FourThirds is just right.

My second lens for nearly all cameras EXCEPT the Leica M9 is a portrait tele: 45 on FourThirds, 90 on APS-C, 90 on 35FF. For some reason, on the M9 what I always seem to want when I don't want the 50 is a 28.

Again, trial and error—and long habituation—rules the selection process. There are times when I get into a long lens mode (90/135/180 on 35FF and equivalents), and other times when I get into a wide mood (20/24-ish on 35FF). But those are*the exceptional moments rather than the rule.

G
 
I voted for chosing my FL, but I'm not sure I actually operate that way... I spend a lot of time with a 50mm prime on my camera and photograph whatever comes my way.

I do try to think about what I'm going to shoot before I head out. If I'm going to be doing anything environmental, I'll throw my normal on. If know I'm going to be doing a portrait/person shot I'll through my portrait prime on (50mm m43, 135mm* 35mm, 150mm 645).

*Unfortunately, I'm a having a hard time finding a OM 85mm or 100mm prime for a price I want to pay, so I'm stuck using my 135mm 3.5. It's a nice lens and I like the results, but holy heck do I need to stand far away from my subject .
 
If its a specifiic assignment, obviously I bring whatever is appropriate to the subject matter. If travelling abroad, I bring a 16-35 and a 105 or 180. That covers most eventualities. I rarely use the zoom at home when I have access to primes.
 
Most of time I have an idea about what I'm going to shoot and bring a lens I feel appropriate to this. On a long (more days) trip I bring more lenses with me, but usually I work maybe one day with the 35 if I think more in terms os street and next day the 50 or the 75 if I think in terms of portrait. Or if I'm in the mood for more "extreme" shots I only grab the 20...
robert
PS: all referred to 35mm film.
 
While I also shoot many FL's, really I can boil down my main lenses used to be 35, 50 and 90mm (in 35mm format). I have always shot the vast majority of my photos with a normal lens and feel most comfortable going out with just that. The irony is, that when I shoot a good shot with a 35mm (eq.) lens, I tend to think the results are better, even though I am less comfortable with the FL. Even still, I can't seem to ever force a FL on myself, just grab what seems will be most enjoyable to use when I step out. As I always say, "there are infinite photos that you can take, so no matter what lens you choose, you should be able to take many good shots with it."

What I like about shooting m43, is that I can often carry 2 lenses just for security! I like pairing my Oly 17 with the Oly 45... but tend to stick with just the 17 when I have this pair.
 
I used to carry several lenses with two film SLR cameras in the past. Now, I avoid changing lenses with digital cameras, so I pick one lens per camera per day.
 
I tend to plan the subjects and formats before I select lenses.

This could be macro, portrait, landscape, sports, grandchildren, low light, telephoto, etc.

Then I decide on the look I want - maximum focus or selectively focused.

This process generally leads me to a prime lens choice.

Additionally, for some subjects, I might take one lens, but 3 different format cameras with lens adapters. This approach is almost like having a zoom lens. I use full frame 35, 1.6X crop format, and 2X m43 cameras + possibly telephoto adapters.

Texsport
 
That small shoulder bag that came free with the camera can fit 3 (small) prime lenses in it.
So it's more like which one to stick to the camera and which on stand by, 14, 20 or the 40 on adaptor (45/1.8 is not available yet back then)
 
I choose a lens - maybe a couple then go out and shoot. If something comes up that is not ideal for the lens I am carrying then its my bad luck. More often though I over do it and have several lens that I carry around like an overloaded donkey. And then never use most of them. When will I ever learn? :^)
 
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