If you’re lens shopping then here are 3 Reasons Why the 35mm is my go-to camera lens. So many great lenses to choose from, it can be confusing!
3 Reasons why the 35mm is my go-to camera lens…coming right up! Welcome back to another installation of Photo Tip Tuesday, where I’ll share why the 35mm lens is my go-to camera lens. {Links contain affiliates} SO many lenses, so many questions, I remember way back when I was learning to really use my camera the right way, I did not understand why there wasn’t just ONE lens that could do everything. I still wish there were, but there isn’t. I keep 3-5 lenses in my camera bag and often switch them out on photo shoots, but when I travel, if I want to make it easy on myself, I JUST take the 35mm lens, and today I’ll share why.
When I used to teach camera workshops based off of my Say NO to Auto book, I mentioned that the 50mm lens is the greatest to help you learn manual for the least amount of money, and I still stand by that. It’s one of the most inexpensive lenses I can think of, and such a great deal. BUT, the 35mm is a step above in my heart, thought it’s more expensive, and here is why. Just FYI, it runs about $350 at a base price.
I’ll always love my 50mm lens, but here is why I love his sister, the 35mm lens
- Captures The Big Picture
- Portable
- No distortion
I remember the day my youngest graduated from a stroller, and I was bummed, because it meant the basket down below would no longer be there to carry my heavy camera around.
I’d be responsible for it. When I traveled to places like our adventures around Ghana and London, if I didn’t have a car to keep my lenses in, I’d just strap my camera on me with the most versatile lens I have, and that’s the 35mm lens.
- More Space–What do I mean when I say “the big picture?” Well the 35mm is more like what you might actually be seeing with your eye, than any other lens. Â It’s most used in movies, because of that more realistic feel. I’ve found that I have to move around more, but it also gives me more flexibility with the distance, than I have on the 50mm lens. Generally speaking, if I was standing in front of a 2 story home, I could not capture it with my 50mm lens, but the 35mm gives me that extra space I need. Here is an image I would not have been able to capture with my previous favorite, the 50mm from our trip to Hollywood Studios in Florida
- Portable–The 35mm is my baby lens, it’s the smallest, the lightest, less bulky, and the easiest to tote around when I don’t want to drag my bag around. Â Because of this, and #1, it’s often the only lens I take when I travel. When we went to Disney World, I just kept my camera strapped to me all day, and that’s the lens I had on. Here is a pic of me on vacation with my camera strapped to me. (I love my FOTOstrap strap)
- As a “people” photographer, I’m all about close, intimate images. I love the up close and personal that I can get with my 85mm lens, and that 50mm lens, well I’ll always have a love for it, but the 35mm I love because it allows me to photograph people and still see the environment–without distortion. It’s great inside to capture a room, that’s what I use to photograph rooms in my home. Here is a picture of our family with the background of our home clearly visible. I love that you can see HOW we live surrounding our faces.
There you have it! If you have a 50mm lens and love it, you might just consider the 35mm lens as your next purchase, you’ll love it, too!
FYI, links to Amazon are affiliate links, which means you don’t pay any extra, but I earn a small percentage if you purchase within 24 hours of clicking on the links on this site. The 35mm lens tends to start around $300
Tell me, do you have, or have you tried a 35mm lens? What do you love about it? What is your current favorite lens?
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