Why 40mm Might Be the Best Focal Length in Photography

[@jimmywestphoto]

What’s your favourite focal length? 😊

[@salami99]

50

[@petermcginty3636]

M43 = 25 mm, similar to 50mm full frame

[@alangamble3236]

Hi Jimmy, when I started my photography experience back in the 1970’s the camera I used the most was a compact Ricoh 500G which has a fixed f2.8 40mm lens. A few years later I purchased an Olympus 35RD which had a fixed 1.7f 40mm lens. I am currently using several Olympus MFT bodies and have the Lumix 20mm 1.7f ( 40 mm equivalent on MFT) which I find is perfect for everyday shots.

[@jimmywestphoto]

Hi there! Thanks for sharing your journey in photography-it’s always fascinating to hear how people started. Those classic cameras like the Ricoh 500G and Olympus 35RD are iconic, and it’s amazing that you’ve kept the 40mm focal length as a constant throughout your photography. I agree, the Lumix 20mm f/1.7 is a fantastic lens. That 40mm equivalent really does hit a sweet spot for everyday shots-versatile and natural, like how the eye sees the world. I’ve found myself gravitating toward that focal range too; it just feels so intuitive for storytelling and capturing scenes as they are. It’s great to hear you’re still enjoying Olympus cameras and embracing MFT-it’s such a capable system. 😊

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Greqt video 🙂👍

[@robertavery8002]

Yeah, agreed. IMHO there's a lot to be said for the 40mm FF focal length. My 'go to' for street photography is my OM5 coupled to the OM 20mm f1.4. And in the UK the weather sealing is essential!

[@pikku-iikka]

Back in my film shooting times, the 50 mm was always called "the normal lens", or at least in Finland it was called "normaaliobjektiivi". The perspective thing is true. These days I mostly have my M.Zuiko 25 mm 1.8 attached to my OM-5, as an allround choice. Too bad it is not a pro lens, and no weather sealing unlike the camera itself. But for the price I got it it is a wonder. Sometimes the lack of zoom is a bit annoying, if you are used to one. Zooming must be done the old way, moving closer to or further from the subject... In rainy days I luckily can attach my trusty 12-50 zoom, a kit lens from the first ever Olympus OM-D EM-5 mk I. Nice lens, has even a macro mode - just a bit too long to be the every day choice.

[@jimmywestphoto]

The ‘nifty fifty’ is such a classic for a reason-it just works for so many things. Personally, I lean toward something a little wider, but I totally get why the 25mm 1.8 is such a solid all-rounder. Like you, I keep my 12-45 handy for rainy days since my 1.7 isn’t weather-sealed either. Great minds think alike?

[@smkunder1]

Enjoying your prospective , which 20 mm are you using

[@jimmywestphoto]

Its the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 😊

[@bigmontz]

I am also shooting MFT and the first lens I've got was the Sigma 19mm 2.8. Since I've got this lens, it's the most enjoyable to use. Especially in tighter streets where 50mm is already too tight in some cases.

[@jimmywestphoto]

Oh yeah, I agree. "The Nifty Fifty" is something every photographer has heard but I'm 100% with you on this, sometimes or for me, most times it feels a bit to tight

[@AndreasWHold]

To be honest, I turned to 40mm (on full frame, just because I was longing for the very compact size of the camera-lens-combo. I had no idea whether I was going to appreciate that unfamiliar focal length located in that No Man's Land between the family 35 and 50. And I did right away. Not only because it's so similar to what our eyes perceive, but mostly because a 40mm (equivalent) lens enables me to take any shot when I'm out and about: portrait, landscape, street, even close-up. First time I came across your channel, Jimmy, and really enjoyed the video! I like the down-to-earth and unpretentious tone of your presentation and how you're not bragging about or advertising camera brands or lenses. Best wishes from a new follower from the far west of Germany, Andreas

[@jimmywestphoto]

Thank you so much, Andreas! I’m glad you enjoyed the video-and welcome to the channel! 🙌 It sounds like that 40mm lens has earned its place as your all-rounder, and I completely agree-it’s such a versatile focal length for just about anything. And no worries, I’ll never try to be someone I’m not. If I ever start bragging or sounding like a walking advertisement, feel free to throw a virtual tomato my way. 😅 Thanks again for the kind words and support-it really means a lot! - Jimmy

[@cristibaluta]

I sold my sony 35mm and got the 40 with aperture ring, much nicer lens and focal length

[@xtra9996]

Since 40 mm is very close to the human eye and hence to everyday human view one could call it boring. But it isn't. I use a 40 mm f1.2 quite often and I love this lens.

[@jimmywestphoto]

I guess that’s the beauty of photography as well. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion 😁

[@paolobertolami9738]

Like most of us I started with zooms, then I moved on to primes looking for the "right" focal length. Now I don't use (and I'm not good at) zoom lenses. On Fuji 28mm and 50mm equivalent, looking for a prime for OM (maybe 35 equivalent). Although my comfort zone is between 28 and 50, lately I'm finding the 28 a lot of fun, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be the 50.

[@jimmywestphoto]

It sounds like you're exploring some great focal lengths! For OM, I’d suggest the 17mm f/1.8-it’s small, sharp, and super versatile. If you’re looking to go all-in, the Voigtlander 17.5mm f/0.95 is an absolute beast with beautiful character (though VERY big). Both would complement that 28-50mm range nicely!

[@LigreDesubi]

I don't have a prime lens. I would like to buy one but never decide if a 17mm, 20mm, 25mm... I always think that I'll miss something if I don't have a zoom 😂

[@jimmywestphoto]

I think it really depends on what you like to shoot. Since I’ve been moving more into urban/documentary-style photography, I find around 20mm works perfectly-it’s wide but not too wide. I’m really happy with my 1.7, even though the autofocus can be a bit slow at times. I also love the colour rendering when shooting JPEG

[@salami99]

i found using a prime forces me to move and shoot for that lens, for the photography I do. In good way.

[@goodwolf152]

If the idea is to limit yourself to a specific focal length to achieve a creative result, you can always use a zoom and just keep it at the focal length you primarily want to use. That way, you can spend all day at your desired focal length, but if an opportunity presents itself, you have your zoom ready to go. I specifically do this for 40mm…I even marked 40mm on my standard zoom lens so I can find it easily, and I use the lock switch on my lens to keep it there until I want to move off of it.

[@awake780]

40mm is arguably the most natural and versatile focal length IMO. It’s the deserted island lens. Anything between 28 and 50 is normal for me, but 40 is the sweet spot.

[@jimmywestphoto]

I mean, if I was stranded on a deserted island with just one lens, I’d want it to be the 40mm too! At least I’d have a decent excuse to take all those coconut selfies!