Wideangle to Super Telephoto Guy

[dtcls100]

Some of you may have had the same experience. You find your photographic sensibilities match a certain focal length. You handle a very different focal length lens that you have had for some time, but rarely used. You start using it and suddenly find that it really appeals to you.
Over the 30+ years I have been using SLRs, I have thought of myself as a bit of a wideangle guy, heavily using lenses of between 18mm to 28mm. I have rarely used lenses more than 100mm, except for sport photos. However, today, I used a Zuiko 300mm f4.5 out in the Gateway National Recreation Area. I have to say that I was smitten by the compressed perspective of this short super telephoto lens. I love the way it can isolate the subject matter, but also can somehow create a certain intimacy between the subject matter and its surroundings. I am now thinking about trying it for some long range street photography -- for which I generally have, in the past, used wideangles and had to get real close.
Curious to hear if others have experienced a bit of a sudden change in focal length preference from one extreme to another.

 

[oftheherd]

Some of you may have had the same experience. You find your photographic sensibilities match a certain focal length. You handle a very different focal length lens that you have had for some time, but rarely used. You start using it and suddenly find that it really appeals to you.
Over the 30+ years I have been using SLRs, I have thought of myself as a bit of a wideangle guy, heavily using lenses of between 18mm to 28mm. I have rarely used lenses more than 100mm, except for sport photos. However, today, I used a Zuiko 300mm f4.5 out in the Gateway National Recreation Area. I have to say that I was smitten by the compressed perspective of this short super telephoto lens. I love the way it can isolate the subject matter, but also can somehow create a certain intimacy between the subject matter and its surroundings. I am now thinking about trying it for some long range street photography -- for which I generally have, in the past, used wideangles and had to get real close.
Curious to hear if others have experienced a bit of a sudden change in focal length preference from one extreme to another.

I started SLRdom with a 50mm. Didn't bother me too much as that was all I had known; normal lenses. When I started to get really interested in photography, I lusted for telephotos, as you always seemed to see interesting shots from those in the photo magazines. I snagged a cheap set of 28mm and 135mm knowing I was going to really love the 135mm. It didn't take me long to realize I really needed wide more than long. That took me to a series of wides. I still tend to 'see' that way more. But that doesn't mean I won't use a normal or long lens if I feel I need it for what I want to photograph.

I did take a journey from zooms back to primes, and then to one 35mm kit with zooms from 18mm to 150mm.

I guess the short answer is no.

 

[thegman]

I used to use wide angles all time, from a 15mm on a 35mm, to 47mm on 6x9. I've changed to only using 'normal' focal lengths now, and I don't really miss the wides.

Also these days, all my cameras bar the 4x5 are fixed lens, which kind of takes away the lens GAS, and makes it easy to decide what to take when leaving the house.

 

[j j]

I adore the drama of telephotos for landscapes compared with the more usual wide, as here with two pics from the same spot:

21mm (33 eqivalent)


Arenal wide by jj birder, on Flickr

And this at 100mm (160 equivalent)


vulture and volcano by jj birder, on Flickr

But street with a 300mm? I'm not so sure as I think that would be a bit claustrophobic for me. But I live the streets are narrow; perhaps wide boulevards would be different.


sweet treasures by jj birder, on Flickr

That said, I would be interested to see what you come up with.

 

[FrankS]

I get wider as I get older.

 

[oftheherd]

I get wider as I get older.

Good one FrankS! Thanks for the laugh. Of course, it doesn't apply to me. 😛

 

[randolph45]

I get wider as I get older.

Frank
Me too! Are we related ?🙂

 

[KenR]

J J - is that The Shambles in York?

 

[j j]

J J - is that The Shambles in York?

It is indeed.

 

[kxl]

Same here - wider as I get older... and that applies to focal length preference as well. 🙄


Like a lot of people I started with the 50mm (in 35mm format), and eventually started to shoot sports and wildlife, so I got a bit into the teles and super tele teles (600mm with teleconverters), but over the past few years, my interests morphed into street photography. While the 50mm is still my go-to lens, I have been using a 25mm and even an 18mm quite a bit.

These days, I am really into the near-far perpsective from an ultrawide angle lens. My latest purchase -- a Sigma 8-16mm.

 

[Nokton48]

I enjoy "working the extremes". So tonight at the bird park it's an SRT101 with 400mm Apo-Rokkor, and a 21mm f4 Rokkor with viewfinder on another SRT101. Both will be used.