35mm: The Best AND Worst Focal Length?

Is 35mm the best or the worst focal length?
Today we discuss the ways in which 35mm is a really bad focal length, which might just make it a real good one.
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[@albertsmith9315]

I've been a 35mm as my basic everyday lens shooter for 40 years. I came up when zooms hadn't yet reached fixed focal length lens quality so we used primes. There is a terrific mathematical truth to the 35mm lens that I learned from the Leica school, where prime lenses were the only game in town... The distance from the subject with a 35mm lens is equal to the edge to edge coverage in the landscape orientation. If you are 10 feet from a wall, you'll capture 10 feet of that wall in the frame. No need to get out a tape measure, close enough is good enough. After some time, you will see the image with your eyes and move to the right spot to raise your camera and shoot what you saw in your mind's eye. This will make you very effective on the street or in journalistic type shooting, versus someone standing in one spot "playing their trombone" with a zoom trying to find the shot. After I left film and went digital, with every system that I got, a 35mm (or equivalent) was the first lens that I bought for that brand.

[@edwardeaton4266]

Great comment Albert and very interesting.

[@JamesParsons1]

What a wonderful insight! Thank you so much man! 35mm feels so natural to shoot with, and this explains a lot. Thank you so much for sharing, great to have your input :)

[@Habs8691]

When I was shooting news in the 80's I used a 28mm as my everyday lens. Get it all and crop it later. Lazy photography but it worked in the confines of spot news. Then I decided to grow up photographically and for my own work I used a 35mm lens exclusively and only printed full frame. That's when I really honed my skills compositionally. Every little mistake was magnified. After years I found myself putting the camera to my eye and great stuff would be captured. I liken it to a guitarist that never looks at the fret board and is just in the moment. That's what the goal should be. Your eye, camera and brain all working as one. Tough place to get to.

[@careylymanjones]

35mm has long been a standard for photojournalism. Its field of view is great for "telling a story". Wide enough to put your subject IN CONTEXT, narrow enough that your subject doesn't get lost. That's why it's a classic focal length for "environmental" portraits. With it you can capture the blacksmith AND his forge, without having to choose between them.

[@JamesParsons1]

Great insights! Thank you for sharing

[@Narsuitus]

Over the decades, I have tried 21, 24, 28, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55mm in a one prime lens/one body situation. All worked well; however, my personal favorite was the 35mm f/1.4 on a full-frame SLR or a full-frame rangefinder camera. For a one zoom lens/one body situation, I have tried the following zoom lenses on full-frame SLRs : 35-70mm f/2.8 28-70mm f/2.8 20-35mm f/2.8 18-55mm f/3.5 to f/5.6 The 28-70mm was my personal favorite.

[@matrixate]

I've never heard one person say the 35mm being the worst lens....ever.

[@JamesParsons1]

Thanks for your comment - Perhaps I wasn't clear in my explanation. It's not that its 'the worst' its just the least exciting in terms of a 'professional' look to it. It struggles to create the same depth of field/ compression as a telephoto, yet doesn't have the same reality bending distortion of a wider lens. I've heard many photographers say they can't get along with a 35mm prime, rather than saying its the worst lens ahah. Does that make more sense?

[@fuelediowa]

Good video my man. I really liked your explanation and insight.

[@JamesParsons1]

Thank you! Glad you found it so insightful 🙌 thanks for commenting and supporting the channel

[@UP209D]

You made a point, I love 35mm to be wide enough with 50mm, and I hate 35mm to be not wide enough with 24mm

[@jordanthornton]

Quality visual storytelling in this one - the cat + trees was particularly good educational resources. Gratz man - striking balance between teacher and entertainer very well 🔥

[@JamesParsons1]

Thank you my dude 🙌 I was quite proud of that little animation, felt like it did a good job communicating the concept

[@paulasimson4939]

Excellent, excellent advice. And the effort you put into this video made it so engaging.

[@JamesParsons1]

Thanks Paula- glad you enjoyed the video and the edit :) thank you for the support

[@GeoChild]

Great video! The focal length I've fallen in love with is 40mm full frame equivalent. Closer to a 35mm than 50mm (I find 50mm a bit too tight for my style). I used to use zooms exclusively, then after reviewing my images discovered that more often than not for my style I shot around 40mm. I got the affordable 40mm Nikon Z lens for my Z5 and it was like lightning striking. I now use my Ricoh GRIIx as my everyday carry and have shot some of my best work with it.

[@JamesParsons1]

YES BRIAN - that's magic to have discovered that! Buzzing for you. I don't think I've ever shot at 40mm, but you might have just peaked my interest. Thank you for sharing my dude

[@jordanthornton]

Same music track as London’s Mourning starting at 02:25? Sign of a good emotional imprinting, I started seeing the street black/white photos from that video while you were speaking hahaha 💪🏻

[@jamesbaber1748]

Brilliant video, James. You hit the nail on the head.

[@JamesParsons1]

Thank you so much James

[@TerraThink]

I started with primarily videography using a slow 24-120mm full frame equivalent lens. Zoomed only to the extent it was faster and more convenient than moving my feet. Had no idea that each focal length changed the entire perspective of the image. Then I got more into photography, got a new full frame camera with a 35mm prime. And that lens + watching a ton of youtube videos on various focal lengths taught me that 35mm (or 50mm) is not just a zoomed in 24mm. And now that I'm aiming to get a zoom lens again, I'll probably use it more like primes, being more aware which focal range I'm at and what that does for the image :D It feels abit like coming full circle.

[@JamesParsons1]

Amazing to hear you’ve had that breakthrough! Signs you are really learning to understand the craft! I am lucky that I have zoom lenses for my professional work, and never use them for personal stuff, but I do think I use them differently because of the understanding gained from primes

[@Pendragon2879]

I love a fixed lens! Great video James! I love how picking a lens and making it my primary lens forced me to find solutions. Looking at a scene and hunting for the right vantage point, waiting and directing in portraits to get the best shot possible.

[@JamesParsons1]

EXACTLY that - couldn’t have said it better myself man. You feel so much more…. Creative(?)When forced to stick to one focal length

[@professionalpotato4764]

I'm a fan of the 28mm and 50mm pairing. The 35mm is indeed one of the flattest and most boring focal length. It is versatile, but the versatility lies in how boring it is, hence it's usable for everything. I would actually argue the 28 is far more unforgiving. Actually the wider you go, the more unforgiving it gets and your skills will be questioned. You'll be unable to "crop" out unwanted elements, and you'll have to learn how to layer them together. The 35mm is like semi easy mode, and 50mm is easy mode for street photography. >85mm is tutorial level. That said, I'm taking the 35mm if I'm out with my gf (she gets impatient if I change lenses too much) but 28/50 if I'm out to shoot street photography or travel. If I'm travelling for the purpose of photos, I almost never used the 35mm for the last 4 years until now.

[@JamesParsons1]

Ahaha that's a really interesting perspective my dude! And while I agree with your points on layering etc, I think the wider you go, we get wide angle distortion which is a very different perspective to what our eyes see. Obviously an extreme case, most photos at 12mm look mad, because we never usually see that perspective. But, maybe with this being said, that's why I like 35mm and not the 28mm on the Q2 ya know? Thanks for sharing my dude

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

I like the 35 mm equivalent focal length on my X100V. It’s a little tighter than my iPhone camera and more often than not, that’s a good thing.

[@JamesParsons1]

Facts 🙌 I think the iPhone is a 27mm but don't quote me on that ahaha

[@walkingmanvideo9455]

I just purchased a XPro3 with 23mm(35mmFF) and love the focal length.

[@JamesParsons1]

That's a fantastic set up man! Bet its lovely tonuse

[@mikutai6395]

Same here brotha :)

[@boris.dupont]

Thanks! I don't know about best or worst but the 35mm has become my favourite lens. The 50mm, which I used most of the time in my Canon days, now looks as a compromise to me but I still I use it together with the 75mm and that's about all I need. Cheers!

[@JamesParsons1]

Glad you agree - looks like we’ve got similar opinions on this! Have a great day dude

[@adeniyiadedayoa]

Spot on. The 35mm brings out the creativity in you, you have no choice else your pictures would look completely flat and unimpressive.

[@JamesParsons1]

Exactly this! I always find it pleasantly amusing when people say they don't like it 👀

[@lorenschwiderski]

Every focal length works. The 50mm is the most forgiving. One day I shoot wider, the other middle, followed by tight. It's all good. - Loren Schwiderski, on the street.

[@JamesParsons1]

Every focal length for sure has its advantages - have you ever tried and extended period of shooting with just one focal length?

[@lorenschwiderski]

@@JamesParsons1 Not really -- I have not stayed a course with any length but the 50mm, maybe a little more than others. Search my name and take a look. Loren Schwiderski

[@albrechtn]

...great insights...learned something new...will use my 35 tom again...

[@jkroemer2685]

I just picked up a Leica X and it’s got a fixed 35mm prime. So far the pics I’ve taken on it all have some 3D pop and not flat looking at all. My other camera has a fixed 24mm-75mm.

[@JamesParsons1]

Thats great to hear man! Now the net question is why are they popping? I'll hazard a guess that you've probably shot subjects that are much closer to your sensor relative to the background, creating that fall off :)

[@chippy511]

Hi James watched this I think I would call this a Love in for 35mm and of course the magical instrument in the Fuji X100V - I think your have answered the question😊 today. Sending Love and a hug ❤ Michael

[@JamesParsons1]

Right back at you dude! Love and hugs for you and the X100V hahaha

[@chippy511]

@@JamesParsons1 thank you James appreciate that have a great day, and look after your precious partner 😂❤️

[@TheArtist441]

I've found numerous situations where 35mm was just too short for me to take the photo, I couldn't move any closer and as a result, I found it to be a lens that "sucks up" too much of the things I do not want in the frame. I don't like cropping either, I want to use the image as shot, so 50mm is my favourite. My 50 just works in 90% of situations, oh and I LOVE it's perspective/look!

[@stefan33uk]

I wish there was a compact fixed lens 50mm camera. I’d be happy with f/2.8 on full frame or f/2 on APS-C if it made the camera tiny.

[@robbie4585]

great points!

[@daannielism]

Yea great video except for the fact that 50mm is the best but who’s counting (I’m counting)

[@JamesParsons1]

I’ll 1v1 you on Rust mate to sort out which focal length is the greatest

[@lsamoa]

I've never heard anyone call the 35mm controversial haha, it's one of the most widespread focal lengths in photography, alongside the 50mm. Nice to get a different perspective though.

[@JamesParsons1]

Hey man - Thanks for commenting. I feel like its a love it or hate it focal length, usually having beef with the 50mm gang ahaha. Please tell me you are 35mm gang?

[@walkingmanvideo9455]

Hang on 35mm as in apsc lens or 35 full frame?

[@JamesParsons1]

Full frame equivalent- I should have been clearer :)

[@mylesvpolk]

Thanks man. I think I needed some of that truth.

[@arneheeringa96]

I started out with the 40mm of my Agfa and the 50 and 135 Nikons of my father. But now 35 is my favourite prime, like Aleksey Myakishev. Though I often use the 35-105 (the long side is my favourite for portraits.

[@sojourningstudios738]

I love prime lenses because you’re forced to work with one focal length and really have to think about composing your images within that constraint. “Zooming” feels a bit like cheating to me, and I get a really good bang for your buck for the quality of prime lenses.

[@JamesParsons1]

Spitting straight facts here man! The art of composition is definitely lost when you just zooooooom your way into your subject. You just don't get the same learning experiences like you do with a prime lens!

[@ThePurpleHarpoon]

Zooming is not cheating. Zooming is merely choosing a focal length that is best suited to the image you are taking. If I need a focal length of 116mm to frame my desired image, then nothing but a 116mm focal length will suffice. Every focal length has it's use. Understanding perspective is a key ingredient in creating a great photo. Feel free to zoom to any focal length you choose. Just make sure it's the right one.

[@viktorpaulsen627]

@@ThePurpleHarpoon "Understanding perspective" ... Perspective is not changed by zooming or cropping, but by moving the camera.

[@christopherleecowan]

35 mm makes you work for the capture. For me I think I have started a new thing, photographers yoga to get the most interesting angles from the scene 😂😂. I would encourage people to work with the 35 mm it will make you a better photographer. I like the 28 mm as well, it's more forgiving.

[@jasonbalenweddingfilm3749]

cause of the overlap if I got an 85 why get a 50 ? that's why my trio is an 18mm/20mm 1.8 a 35mm and an 85. doesnt make sense to me to get a 24,50 then 85.

[@JamesParsons1]

Hey Jason - I agree. I'd probably use a 20mm, 35 + 85. If I had to choose I'd definitely not swap a 35 for a 50mm.

[@careylymanjones]

@@JamesParsons1 That's what I've been using, lately. 20mm f/2.8, for light weight (bokeh on a 20mm lens isn't really a thing). 35mm f/1.4, because fast glass DOES make a difference on 35mm. And 85mm f/1.8, to keep the weight and bulk down, and because f/1.8 is fast enough, with 85mm. I can fit all three, and a full frame body, in a Peak Design 6L bag, and still have enough room for a spare battery, neck strap, and cleaning kit.

[@travelrecordmusic8265]

The brutal truth about the brutal truth! Thanks JP! Enjoy the coffee. 😊

[@JamesParsons1]

Ahahah the Brutal Truth really do be brutal 🙌 thanks for watching dude

[@FrancisJacquerye]

I must say, 35mm is the focal length that leaves me unimpressed. Either 28mm or 45mm, but I can’t figure out how to use 35mm. But valid point 😅.

[@JamesParsons1]

That’s exactly the point Sir ;)

[@stephenelliott7071]

IMO 35mm is a bit boring, too tight...It's neither a 50 or (for me) a 28mm for a wider focal length is better. 28mm and 50mm primes would be ideal, if only a 1 choice then definitely the 28mm is more versatile.

[@JamesParsons1]

Stephen - That is the point ahah. It's suppose to be boring. That way we have to play with the fundamentals of photography which will push us to take better photos!

[@lxhk3595]

This was rather intelligent

[@JamesParsons1]

Glad you think so! Thanks for leaving a comment and supporting the channel

[@makmak69L7]

Thank you for bringing this interesting subject. Basically I don’t think there is a good or bad focal lengths. Each focal length has it uses. Personally, I think the 35mm focal length is boring with no character. I agree with the negative stuff you mentioned about the focal length, as did the positive stuff they apply to 50mm focal length as well. Personally I would rather go wider or tighter than 35mm. 24mm for landscape, 28mm and 50mm for street photography.

[@JamesParsons1]

Whaaaats up Mohammed. I agree that the 35mm has no character, but that's why I love it as a training tool. Because there is nothing special about it / boring, it forces you to be more creative in order to get photos that are genuinely interesting and engaging. Most photos shot on 16mm or 200mm look more interesting than at 35mm, but that's purely because of their interesting lens characteristics. All of this said though, I'm probably too in love with 35mm hahaha

[@kenn6592]

Interesting video. Annoying music!

[@JamesParsons1]

Thanks for the feedback - I've gradually learnt my lesson and hopefully my more recent videos have better audio ahaha

[@jotjotzzz5357]

35 mm is important. It’s the same focal length as your eyes. It’s what you basically see. And that’s important. It’s the best.

[@JamesParsons1]

Some say its between 40 and 50mm, but I agree, I feeeeeel like I see at 35mm. Someone has previously mentioned something about the 35mm optics being quite mathematically interesting. Apparently, if you stand 10m away from a wall, you can see 10m width of the wall, which makes it very easy to use

[@-Hustle]

35 mm is absolutely not what our eyes see Our eyes can see way more that that Our eyes can see like 5mm or 10 mm without the distortion If you want to see a real life example ..go to a normal size room.. grab your camera..put a 35mm on it and see the difference between your eyes and 35mm You will be able to see the walls around you but your 35mm can't do that neither 16mm

[@KingFiercer_zip]

@@-Hustle When I focus on an object or scene, it feels like I have 50mm (35mm aps-c) really. I think this was meant, and not the maximum coverage, including peripheral vision.

[@-Hustle]

@@KingFiercer_zip "it's the sensor size" For example "imax" With the bigger sensor we can see more area without the distortion and it will feel like 50mm

[@geofftonks8960]

Mate. It’s Vegemite. And all Aussie love Vegemite. As should everyone with a camera get into 35mm. Look, I’m no professional photographer, but at 73 I’ve been around the block a few times. My latest, hopefully not last, iteration on photography has been this object from the devil X100V. I genuinely had no idea it was so popular when I bought it, I just wanted some of the Fuji shit on a pocket camera. I use Sony and Leica usually. This evil device threw my on my back. I took 200 shots, put it away for 3 months. Picked it up took 200 more. Listed it on eBay (which was when I realised it was a massive fad, because my kids saw it and told me). So I took down the listing and decided all else would have to languish while I got my head around this bloody camera. I can’t put it down now, bad signs for the A2. You can’t get all the shots and you generally have to work harder for the ones you get, but oh what fun. I’ve come to like this 35 very much. And I will continue the journey so distance yet. Won’t separation, go find the composition. Won’t perspective, walk around and find it, or abandon it. Wide shot, walk back. Anyway. Mate. I’m enjoying your videos and style of production. You’re going to go far.

[@theapocalypsechronicles3]

When you overthink photography.....

[@JamesParsons1]

In what way? Would love to know your thoughts dude

[@careylymanjones]

@@JamesParsons1 He could explain, but then he'd be overthinking it. 🤣🤣🤣