Using a 28mm...

jbf

jbf

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So... to be honest... I just purchased my first 28mm RF lens. I've had an 18mm (28 equivalent) for my D70s but never really used it much as it was a very slow lens (and a zoom lens).

So, does anyone have any tips for a shooter new to a 28mm focal length? I prefer doing environmental portraiture work (although I do enjoy occasional landscapes). Any tips for insuring I get the most out of the 28 focal length, etc?

Prior to this I've mainly used exclusively 50/70 focal lengths with occasional 35mm focal lengths. So I've found myself struggling with the 28mm FOV a little.


🙂
 
I think jbf poses some excellent questions. It would be interesting to get responses on how RFF'ers use a particular focal length, with tips and suggestions.

My thought (formed more by theory than practice) is that the 28mm is particularly useful when you can't step back to get your shot; i.e., you need to move closer to your subject. Think medieval streets, alleyways, sidewalks or storefronts in situations where you can't back up, etc. I've also found the focal length to be a life-saver when shooting interiors.
 
I have a GRD digital which has a 28mm lens. I've noticed that with people, it's better to have them centered and to keep the camera on the same plain as the subject. When I tilt the camera or get close with the subject near the edge of the frame, there can be some distortions that make people look fat or have oval heads.

It's a wonderful focal length to work with. It makes you get close and has an innate drama. Give it some time to get used to the new way of seeing. Gary Winogrand loved the 28mm and his work inspires me a lot.

Have fun and I hope my limited experience helps some...
 
Hi, Jbf -- I think the key element with the 28mm (or any wide lens) is to move right in close and fill the frame with interesting stuff. This can be a bit of a struggle, and you may find some "dead" space you'll want to crop from the outer areas of your pics.

The thing about moving in close is that the perspective changes, and this is both good and bad. The bad part is when the effect is so strong it becomes disturbing, then you might consider it perspective distortion. The good part of it is that you can show the circumstances of your subject while getting to "intimate" distance, and this close-in look can lend more impact or immediacy to the image.

I like the 28mm lens a lot, and the medium format equivalents (45mm in 6x4.5 and 55mm in 6x7). Here's a shot from earlier this year (Minolta CLE, 28mm f2 Summicron) during a cancer treatment planning session with a physician:
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As much as a 28mm isnt "that" wide, a good place to start is to realise that wides distort relative depth in a photo - that is as elements are placed further from the camera they appear to fall away faster than reality. This often leads to wide shots with no real anchor point. Start to think about placing some object of interest right in the forground (very close) to anchor viewers attention and begin to lead them into the frame. This isnt the only way to use a wide but it can be a good start to begin liking the shot you take with it.
 
jbf said:
So, does anyone have any tips for a shooter new to a 28mm focal length? I prefer doing environmental portraiture work (although I do enjoy occasional landscapes). Any tips for insuring I get the most out of the 28 focal length, etc?

Prior to this I've mainly used exclusively 50/70 focal lengths with occasional 35mm focal lengths. So I've found myself struggling with the 28mm FOV a little.


🙂
Click to expand...



i've never taken any scientific approach to different focal lengths, just mounted them on a camera, get used to the fov, and shoot away. works well for me. photomagazines are full of "what to do with wide angles" and such, and though i've spent a small fortune on them over the years, they sure haven't helped much when it comes to choosing subjects, approaching them, or composition techs...


but good luck with the new lens. i hope you'll have as pleasing time with it as i do with mine...
 
I have to admit to favouring the "just mess around with it until you figure it out" approach too... with 28 I actually got one for my evil Canon A-1 first to learn on and experiment with, to avoid the massive financial outlay for an RF 28 perhaps only to discover I didn't like it.

...and no I haven't bought the RF one yet, have my eye on the 28 Biogon which will take some more saving 🙂
 
To me it's too wide and not wide enough at the same time. I'm just not skilled enough to use it appropriately 🙂 Or so I've decided!
 
Before tripping the shutter, take a step forward. That is a statement about style and taste in images. I am most drawn to WA shots when they are intimate, people are the subject and the point of view makes you feel you are part of what is going on. Regarding style, the photographer has to be comfortable doing that. Personally, sometimes I am, others I am not.
 
I've only used 28mm on evil SLRs. In fact, it was part of a set of the first two extra lenses I got. A 28mm and a 135mm. That used to be sort of the standard first two extra lenses people got. I had been drooling over telephoto lenses in the catalogues and magazines, but also realized I needed a wide for shots in Korea where I couldn't move farther back for my desired shots.

In my case, I fell more in love with the wide. Even the 28mm wastn't wide enough. But I sure used it a lot for shots in temple areas. In that instance, yes, you can't move back. Either another building or a cliff prevents it. (I never fell in love with street shooting.)

My best advice mirrors what is above, just get out and try it. First with what is now your style. But also try different things. If you see others wide photos that you like, try to develop your own style that may be similar. Always look for photos that will use the 28mm to its best advantage. Be prepared for the fact that some 28mm photos you won't like. That is part of the learning. Also, be prepared for the fact that you may wish wider.

Good luck and let us see some of what you get.
 
The 28 is my "normal" focal length. My favorite one lens to have. 95% of the images in my RFF gallery were taken with this focal length. The best tip is to just shoot with this focal length to become comfortable with it and to find out if it is right for you. There is nothing wrong in making "mistakes". It's the only way to learn. Good luck and enjoy!
 
Pitxu said:



I can't agree with this comment, in red, I find quite the opposite. It is usefull in this situation but with street shooting and crowds etc, it not only allows you, but forces you to move in closer, and the closer you get the more impact your photos will have. If you have somerthing close, and medium distance and far away as well, this gives you such more depth to the image, like 3D. don't worry too much about distortion, a 28 won't distort that much unless you get really crazy, and any way the human eyes see many situations that are distorted but the mind gets used to it and it becomes normal. In fact what many people call distortion is more like just exaggurated perspective. Try not to leave big spaces in your composition, even for a far away landscape, something of interest in the foreground maybe just to one side will give your pictures more depth and perspective.
Pitxu
Click to expand...

Absolutely spot on comment. The "I use the wide angle when I can't get everything in" is commonly heard from snap shot shooters looking at some famous landmark on holidays. Get in close, and use the lens' ability to create an increased sense of depth. The challenge comes in finding that center of interest the photograph requires and making sure the in focus background isn't too distracting in the final image. But when done right, the results can be stunning. You feel as if you are part of the scene.
 
28 is about my favorite lens for portraits. You can be nice and close with your subject, not back having to ask "what did you say?", plus the subject is able to be both in the landscape yet separated from it- a 28mm at 2.8 or 4 with a subject 6 feet away. Ah.
 
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