What is a 35mm lens good for?

[dave lackey]

Seriously.

Since 1971, I have never used a 35mm as my only lens on a camera. I have never even owned a 35mm lens. A 50mm field of view is burned into my being. It is how I perceive the world with a camera in my hand. I am considering a 35mm lens on the M3.

So, I tried an effective 35mm lens (the X1) last week. The images appear much smaller within the frame and the image includes so much other stuff. I am used to excluding so much when taking a picture that the extra clutter seems to get in the way. But the smaller images and details are off-putting. Even interior shots.

Then, I tried some building abstracts. Not bad. But I cannot approach even these with the same mental process let alone position, etc.

Outside of using 18-200mm zooms, I have never considered just using a wide-angle for an all-around, everyday, do-it-all lens, much less for documentaries or portraits. It doesn't seem to work for me.

I am still stuck with the question...what is the strength of a 35mm lens and where does it really fit for everyday use? Snapshots?😕

 

[cicala]

I think that is very important also what kind of camera you use , if it is digital apsc the 35 is very similar to 50 , a little less ........and also the deep of field change a lot if you have a manual focus for rapid scenes it is usefull! sorry for my english ....I hope it's clear

 

[rover]

35 is good for everything a 50 is good for, just with a different perspective. When I am out shooting I use a 50 to shoot "that" and a 35 to shoot "all of that.". Make sense?

 

[dave lackey]

35 is good for everything a 50 is good for, just with a different perspective. When I am out shooting I use a 50 to shoot "that" and a 35 to shoot "all of that.". Make sense?

Yes, it makes perfect sense...it's just "all of that" and the smaller image details that seem to drive me crazy at the moment. Maybe I need recovering 50 therapy session?:angel: It is going to be hard to sell my 50mm lens and start with a new approach without professional help.😛

 

[rayfoxlee]

Alan, many of use are more comfortable with certain focal lengths. When it comes to RF cameras, I like 35mm as a general everyday lens. Fast, easy to focus and wide depth of field. Street photography, landscapes, buildings - it can do most things apart from macro and wildlife. Using your feet to adjust the pictorial content will solve your problems IMO!

Ray

 

[ReeRay]

Like yourself I too have been a dedicated 50mm FL shooter but having lately acquired a 35mm I am applying it as a "get in there amongst it" lens. Too early yet to say if I'm achieving this aspect but it's certainly bringing about a different attitude to my shooting.

Good question though and look forward to other opinions.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I use 35mm a lot because I do a lot of architectural work where backing up to include the whole building may not be possible with a 50. Same goes for my 28mm. I rarely use them for a wideangle perspective; I would use a 50 for everything if I could.

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

everything. 😉

 

[hellomikmik]

a "get in there amongst it" lens.

100% agree with your definition, i also prefer 50 or even 85.

 

[dave lackey]

I use 35mm a lot because I do a lot of architectural work where backing up to include the whole building may not be possible with a 50. Same goes for my 28mm. I rarely use them for a wideangle perspective; I would use a 50 for everything if I could.

This is making sense especially in an urban area such as this:

Quick snap in the rain, no composition considerations, just a snap, not what I would like to see in an image:

Crop:

 

[jsrockit]

Dave, you are experienced enough to know that you just need to use it more and get more experienced with it. You'll be fine if you decide to keep going. I'd bring two bodies with you... one with your 50mm lens so you can get what you need in a comfortable way and one with a 35mm equivalent that you can use when you think it could work. I think once you get some photos that look great with the 35mm, you're attitude towards it will change.

 

[paulfish4570]

the 35 makes you get closer; it also is really good for interior shots where, with the 50, you just cannot back up a few steps to get in that little piece of environment that makes the shot.

 

[dave lackey]

Dave, you are experienced enough to know that you just need to use it more and get more experienced with it. You'll be fine if you decide to keep going. I'd bring two bodies with you... one with your 50mm lens so you can get what you need in a comfortable way and one with a 35mm equivalent that you can use when you think it could work. I think once you get some photos that look great with the 35mm, you're attitude towards it will change.

I reckon it will boil down to more bonding time than a 10 minute trial walkabout in the rain with a new and unfamiliar camera. Although, I was impressed with the IQ of the images and that is all the snaps above were for in the first place.

This 35 mm lens thing is so weird, because I am more interested in the 80mm Summilux R and the 105 and 135 DC Nikkors and the images produced with those lenses. :angel: Those are the focal lengths I have used for many years to supplement the 50.

OOF and bokeh is far more interesting to me than sharp, deep dof images, so it may be a futile exercise for me.

 

[helen.HH]

Just my 2cents on 35 ...😀
You can Shoot Everything Indeed.... It tells a bit more of a Story

It was once the 50mm for me 98% of the Time...now its the 35 98% of the Time
Sometimes the 50 is too Tight, the 35 seems PURRfect
'Portraits' go in a bit Closer...
'Street' ties You in with tHe Mood of the area

 

[ruby.monkey]

If you throw it hard enough at the right person, it's a way of acquiring a free Noctilux.

 

[Griffin]

I find the 35 neither here nor there. It doesn't butter my toast. 50 and 24 are my favorite focal lengths.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

I hardly ever use a 50mm anymore. It's not even in the bag.
35, 99% of the time for me.
It's just what you like and are used to. If 35 doesn't work for you stick to your 50.

 

[umcelinho]

depends on the style of your photos and the way you see the world around you, i guess. i started out with a 50 and managed to work really well with it, but then i tried a 35 and after using it for a while i found out it's pretty much the field of view that better captures how i see everything around me.

that doesn't mean i don't prefer a 50mm sometimes.. when i prefer to stay a little more distant from the subjects or it's a wide area and getting closer won't be that quick, have more subject separation against a more blurred background or when i want to capture specific sections of a scene i'll use a 50.

also, when i go out with a 21mm i pair it with a 50, if i leave with a 15 i'll take the 35.

 

[David Hughes]

HI,

Haven't you anwered your question:-

" I am more interested in the 80mm Summilux R and the 105 and 135 DC Nikkors and the images produced with those lenses. :angel: Those are the focal lengths I have used for many years to supplement the 50... "

Nuff said? I mean is any one twisting your arm until you buy a 35mm? Or is it the M3's view-finder that stops you using a 35mm. For the same reason that I've not used a 28mm or 135mm on the M2.

Regards, David

 

[braver]

I love 50mm cause you can really get rid of a lot of the extra stuff around a subject, but without going all telephoto/macro.

I love 28mm cause you can get all that extra stuff in the image, make it feel like you're there, but while keeping a somewhat natural perspective.

With a 35mm you can do both.. sorta.. not really but almost.