“Go to” or standard lens
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
targa75 wrote:
Having heard arguments for both 50mm
and 35mm for use as standard lens, was
wondering which of the two you
folks would recommend?
50mm or 35mm
24-120 mm is my STANDARD LENS. That said, IMHO, I like the 50. I believe it is more useful than the 35. If I was doing it all over again, I would go 50 first, then either a 28 or 24.
indoor shots mostly 35 mm. outdoors 24-70mm at about 50 mm, or the 50, used right they are all good in different ways.
A "standard" lens for a particular format, which closely replicates what the eye sees, may be different that a standard (most used) lens used by a person. Usually a lens most often used by a person is referred to as a "walk-around" or "go-to" lens.
A 50 on a full-frame would be a standard lens for that format, and a 35 (≈30) would be a standard for an APS-C format.
zug55
Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas
I personally like a 35mm or even 28mm full-frame. I think that 50mm is too long as a general purpose lens. But this definitely a personal choice that depends on your personal preferences.
I've always used a variable zoom lens over the years. Mostly 24-70 or 28-135. I asked myself the same question you are asking now. I went back and looked at the zoom length on several years of photos and discovered that the majority of my photos were shot at or near 50mm, so I bought a 50mm f/1.4. I tried using it, but I was so used to using the zoom ring on my lenses I couldn't get used to the fixed 50mm. I haven't used it since. I know that doesn't answer your question but may give some thought on which direction to go.
I shoot street and I use a M/43 camera. I use a 20mm which gives a 40mm equivalent in terms of a 35mm full frame camera.
When I use my Fuji, an APS camera, I use a 27mm lens which becomes a 42mm in 35mm terms.
I like a slightly wider perspective the "normal/standard" lens yields.
You need to what works best for your type of work that you enjoy.
Peter
Yes, it does depend. The 50mm is good for FX, and the 35mm is good for DX - in terms of a "natural view."
I never had a 35mm lens and I used the 50mm lens a lot as standard but now I think the 35mm is a better lens.
One way to narrow down what might feel ‘right’ to you is to do a quick review of your favorite images from those you have already taken. Check what approximate focal length they are. Personally, if allowed only one Prime lens, my choice would be a 50mm. But, if allowed two, I’d go for the classic 35/85 combination, which would cover most of my general shooting.
My 25 (50 equivalent) and my 14-150 are my two favorites.
My favorite walk around lenses on my FX & G9 M43 cameras are 24-105 or 24-120mm equiv. I went with a FX Sigma Art 24-35mm f/2 lens in place of 24,28 & 35mm primes. The images are beautiful and the variable length is very useful. I can’t see any quality loss compared to my primes on my DX & M43 systems. I am not a 50mm fan. It does weigh 33 ozs if that is a consideration.
targa75 wrote:
Having heard arguments for both 50mm
and 35mm for use as standard lens, was
wondering which of the two you
folks would recommend?
50mm or 35mm
The 35 f/2 on my film rigs.
With newpaper photos my favorite is nikon 18-140. I do mostly events and need wide angle as well as long length and found the 50 1.8 nearly useless for the events although the results are beautiful. I have to have a zoom for the action that changes second by second. I have found the 10-20 nikon useful also for wide angles of events but certainly not for close ups of people.
Full frame camera the 50mm lens.
Cropped sensor the 35mm lens.
I used to use the 35mm for most everything.
I think viewers perceptions have grown up and changes and a 24mm or 16mm becomes valuable.
This is if you need prime. Otherwise their are great zooms that cover mostly everything.
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