35 or 50: The Ultimate Debate for Fujifilm and Leica Photographers

[@DavidMBanes]

I just took the hobby up again after a 35 year gap, I shot a Zenit E with Helios 58mm then, and bought a used X-E4 and 15-45mm lens. I worked with just that for as long as I felt like I hadn't worked out if I was happy at the 35mm'ish+ (50mm equiv) setting. On looking at my favourite photos after a few months I realised most were at 18mm (27mm equiv)! I bought the Fujifilm 18mm f2 and part exchanged a cheap Lumix for an XF10 at 18.2mm. So my tip for beginners, like yours, is stay with the zoom for a while, it'll tell you what your favourite focus length is.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Since the kits are so inexpensive with most of the cameras these days why not do that. I agree. But with most people a wide angle to moderate telephoto zooms they gravitate to the wide end.

[@ЛеонидБахвацкий]

Thank you mr. Williamson for your content, and first of all for great examples of truly american photo school. Any picture just clear enjoy for eye. P.S. about focal length - 35 mm(23 on crop) its most versitale length, but i also find myself stock in it. so i this sometime photographer need to try something new

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Thanks and yes try the 50mm you might like it.

[@SteveMcClanahan]

Interesting question Kirk. Like you I'm more of a 35mm "wide" guy but also like you, I only shot with a 50mm because that was what was on my first Canon film camera (the AL-1). Only later on after transitioning into digital did prefer the wide prime lenses.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

I find using the 50 really expands my visualization of subjects. So I take it out more and more.

[@turboplopp]

Great topic and I really appreciate your take on this one. After 8 years I'm still struggling here. I own 35 and 50 primes only, no zoom. I do prefer the look of the 35 but found myself creating way more keepers with the 50. It helps me to create a clean composition and I don't have to get so close to the subject, wich I find especially helpful when taking pictures of my kids. However, nailing the 35 is more rewarding. Maybe I'll sell my 50 to force me to get better at 35...

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

I would keep it and force yourself to use it once a month.

[@brandonprescott5753]

I find that the 23mm F2 on my Fuji gives me that bit more versatility over my 35mm F2 which I find a bit too tight in some situations.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Same here. But if I shoot with the 50mil more I might get better at seeing with it.

[@DavidGrossman-t6y]

So, your video is timely. Just bought an X-T50 with the kit as a walkabout alternative to my FX Nikon DSLR. Have a bunch of primes for the Nikon, but wanted the Fuji to have with me at all times. Looking at the 27mm f2.8 pancake for sheer portability. The 27mm would create a dillemma since it’s about 40mm equivalent. Not sure either 23 or 35mm you discuss makes sense if I go with the 27? Why would Fuji destroy traditional gapping by making the 27 such an attractive travel lens?

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Basically because sometimes engineers just like to produce things that make no sense to people who use the product.

[@denislaroche3957]

the 35 in landscape at 2m sees 2m wide, at 3m sees 3m wide and so on; same for the 24mm in portrait mode...

[@Honkus]

I tend to be a 50ish. Really love my Fuji 33’m f1.4, 35 f2 and even the 27f2.8 (a bit shy of 50). I tend to focus on details in scenes which lends to mid tele lenses. Sometimes even my 90mm f2 is my favorite.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Michael - When I take the 50 out I find things I would not normally. Yes love the 90 as well it’s an awesome lens.

[@randyk1919]

When shooting on film years ago, like you I gravitated to the 24mm as my favorite all around focal length. More recently on Fuji-X, however, I've been preferring the 35mm FOV (aka 23mm on a Fuji). I've yet to go through my metadata, though.. so my actual preference of keepers may indeed be a surprise.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Randy take a look you may be surprised. I know I have.

[@law1951]

The white picket fence photo was by Paul Strand, a early classic.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Ahh, Strand, yes you are correct. Thanks for letting me know. I knew it was one of those guys. Doesn’t it remind you of it?

[@law1951]

@@KirkWilliamsonphotography It does, although I think yours could use a lick of paint...

[@DennisMook]

Neither Kirk. My favorite prime is a 40mm. I first used one on my little Leica Minilux film camera years ago. It has a 40mm f/2.4 lens. I fell in love with the focal length. It is perfect for my way of seeing. Luckily Fujifilm makes the 27mm f/2.8 lens. Also, Viltrox makes a 27mm f/1.2 lens and Voigtlander makes a 27mm f/2.0 lens, both for Fujifilm X mount. And…, why just take either the 23mm f/2 or 35mm f/2? They are both tiny. Take both! Thanks for your videos. Always well done, enjoyable and informative.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Thanks Dennis! I have only shot that focal length once when I stuck my Leica 28 Elmarit on my Fuji. Not a fan sorry. I often tell my students that are new to photography to shoot one focal length to start then when they are used to it try another.

[@traceybartlam7737]

Im an indecisive, can’t be caught out so keep leaving my primes and default to a zoom person 🤦🏻‍♀️ I always worry I’ll miss out, particularly if I want detail and can’t get close enough. I’m hoping to do many more trips so I can just take a prime and then go again another day with a different one. I’ve not been out for some time and missed it.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Tracey - It will help you develop a more consistent approach to visualizing compelling compositions. Give it a try. You will find that there will be things you miss but you will soon forget them.

[@benpascoe6892]

I’m definitely a 50 guy, I just bought a 50mm v2 summilux, I feel like don’t see in 35mm…it’s part of the reason I gave my original x100 to my sister. In contrast when filming, I find myself shooting 28mm(equivalent) a lot.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Ben - Enjoy the V2 of the Summilux. I used my Dad’s collector V1 for many years before I found out it was a serious collectors item. I finally sold it at auction to fund my M-P 240. The 50 Summilux I bought is a newer Aspherical and is beautiful. But that being said I don’t use the 50 enough and I should.

[@nevillewatkins4997]

I've found a 28mm lens on my Fuji gives me a happy medium of 42, and I find that very good for general use.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Never liked anything in the 40mm range. Old school I guess

[@brsaravia]

Thank you Kirk, learned a lot !!

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Thanks for watching

[@Natzcape]

Settled on both...😁

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Well nothing wrong with that!

[@fredschmidt8609]

Its really easy to dismiss a focal length until you need it to get what you want. Sometimes we back into the truth and other times we trip over it.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Since zooms became so good I had been using my 16-80 on the Fuji. It now I’m picking up the Fuji 23 1.4 more and more.

[@RandumbTech]

35 all day every day.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Me too!

[@ccoppola82]

I use 35 on DSLR and 50 on leicas. I don’t know why but that’s the way my brain works.

[@KirkWilliamsonphotography]

Not strange really. If you are using Leica M it makes sense since you can see around the outside of the 50 mm frame lines as you compose.

[@RazeTheWeak]

Funny. I’m the complete opposite. I love working with the 35mm frame lines on my M6. I find the 50 to be too small in the viewfinder. However, 50 feels more natural when looking through an SLR.