Really like the direction your channel is taking, gear reviews are fun but I find vids about creative choices when making pictures are where its at for me
i only use 35 and 50 too... i bought them as my "starter" lenses and thought the reason i hadn't added more to my arsenal was because of procrastination but after watching this video i realize the real reason is that the 35 and 50 capture all that i'm most interested in. I like your pics and like your voice too man. Thanks for the vid.
Thank you. It helped me decide on the 35mm. Especially the samples you provided as that is the style of shots I would be taking of our kids. We already have a zoom lens that can cover for the 50mm and above.
Really enjoyed your perspective on the two lenses. Funnily enough, I've played with a number of lenses over the years and the only two I have now are the 35mm and the 50mm for more or less the same reasons as you. I guess there are no 'rights and wrongs', just personal subjective taste. The 35mm is my preferred go-to, since it allows me to include context of the photos, whereas the 50mm allows me to get up close and personal. Both enjoyable, but both different. Thanks for the video Matt, as always!
Focal length makes little difference unless your working in confined spaces. For most out door work, you can zoom with your feet. I could get the same composition “roughly” with my 20mm as I can with my 105mm - the distance to the subject would certainly change. So why different focal lengths? We select different focal lengths because of the difference in DOF and the background compression differences to either isolate our subject or put them into their environment- simple as that.
Hey, Matt! I totally agree with you on the depth of field issue. By looking at the craze about super-fast apertures, however, it seems people want to have photos of heads in front of blurry backgrounds. I found that over the years as I got better with composition I developed more of a penchant for deep depths of field and wider fields of view. It's almost like getting rid of the training wheels. ;-) Don't you also find that 50mm is plenty for tight headshots? I feel like 85mm is already too long for me. Obviously 135mm and 200mm headshots might have their place but I personally don't like them as they seem to lack the intimacy that you get from the perspective of actually being up close to the subject. Lovely, photos. Your "everyday" photos are really inspiring to try and capture the beauty in everyday life. Keep up the good work. :)
I'm right there with you! I think the 50mm is long enough but does add that element of intimacy you mentioned. Thank you for the kind words, by the way!
You do realize that headshots are all the same crop irregardless of the focal length right? Also I hope you know that longer focal lengths are more true to life, as the camera only has one 'eye', and humans have two. As you move the camera further away, you see around the nose and cheeks in a more similar way as to how your eyes process them in real life. Dylan Patrick exclusively shoots his headshots at 200mm. I've replaced my everyday lens with the canon 70-200 2.8. It's almost like getting rid of the training wheels? Just shoot with an iPhone LMAO. All the DOF you want at a wide angle. I do shoot with a 50mm as the distortion doesn't get too crazy. I have an L series 16-35 that I barely touch. Way too wide for what I like in terms of distance from subject, especially on a FF body.
Matt Day The M10 is wonderful. I like the look and feel of it. The image quality is fantastic :) It was a great choice to switch over from Fuji - wich I also loved! But had the same reasons / issues wich you mentioned in your video.
Grew up with the 50 because back in the day, it was what was sold with the camera (K1000 in my case). Keep trying with 35, so now I'm kind of stuck between the two. My favourite photo, irrespective of focal length and apart from the last Molly photo, is the one of Nora at the bottom of the slide.
As I use 2 bodies I actually prefer using 35 and 75. 35 is my go-to, and when I want to shoot through things or get in a bit closer 75 just works better than 50 for me personally
I have an APSC camera (Fuji XPro1) and what works for me is my Nikon 35mm F2 with a focal reducer adapter and my old film fuji 55mm 1.8 lens with regular M39 adapter..(close to 80mm equivalent) .These two just cover the range nicely.
for the pice of a cla service on an m, you can buy a cam, with 24-85. no lost shots changing lenses. I had an m2 for 35 years, great for its time, now a relic.
Sorry for the off topic but I have noticed you're into vinyl also. If you wish to make some videos on that, i'm sure a lot of us will enjoy them. Thanks
I'm not much of an audiophile, I have a pretty simple setup, but I can share a few of my favorite records in a future video! In all honesty, I mostly buy vinyl just to support one of my best friends that has a record shop.
Honestly, I agree with using the 35 and 50mm combination. I have never had good luck out of a 28mm, and its hard to find fast wide glass. The 35mm is great on rooms full of people, and 50 can be used for portraits like an 85mm would in a pinch. if you're going wider than 35mm, then I really reccomend going WIIIDDDEEE. like 20mm or wider. It seems that the lenses are better built, and it produces that great "taking it all in" look.
I like your 50mm shots better. A little more focused and composed. I like your thought on keeping your shots consistent, but, there is a definite significant difference between your 35mm and 50mm shots. I do get your logic though, and the difference between 28mm and 50mm would be even more jarring.
The 90 would definitely be a fun one. If I could have another lens, it would be the 90, but I don't know if I would ever use it enough to justify the purchase.
Beautiful images Matt thanks for the thorough video as always. I like the 35(jupiter 12) on my zorki rangefinder, but I shoot with the 50(jupiter 8) more because it is faster in aperture and in use because I have to use an accessory viewfinder for the 35.
I never considered a 35mm for portraits. I normally shoot with a 50mm or 85mm. As we know art is subjective and we develop our own styles that work for us.
Those were some incredible images Matt. I really like the processing you've done. Would you mind doing a video on how you process your digital images? Do you use silverFX?
Thank you! I appreciate that. Definitely doing a video on my post processing. I use Mastin Labs Ilford Pack as my starting point, always the HP5 option. Then I adjust things like contrast from there.
Great Video! Not a professional photographer but I love photography :) Already have an ultrawide lens(11-16mm 2.8) for landscape, and a kit lens (18-55mm 3.5-4.6). Will it be wise to get the 35mm 1.8g over the 50mm 1.8g considering the focal length of the lenses I have? Thank you very much.
It's important to mention that a 35mm lens on a aps-c camera like the ones people buy the most ( Nikon d3300, Canon t5i, sony a6000) will be equal to roughly 55 mm. The 50mm will equal to roughly 78 mm. What this means is that if you have one of these cameras, you will not get the look that you see in his video because he has a full frame camera. You will roughly get the look of his 50mm lens with a 35mm lens but your 50mm will become more of a telephoto lens. This means that you wont be able to get a wide view of the scene. It will be zoomed in all the time. I write this because I didn't know that before and I always thought that my 50mm on my nikon d3300 was giving me the focal lenght of what the eyes can see but it turns out it was my 35mm who would give me the best representation. Hope that helps someone and great video dude!
For portraits I would recommend the 50mm. You get an easier nice background blur effect and the faces will appear more natural. But for events it will be very difficult to get wide shots with it. The 35mm is better for wider shots. So if you do more portraits-->50 mm. If you do more event--> 35mm. The best thing to do is to go to your local camera store and try them to see which you like the most. Hope that helps ;)
If you honestly don't know at the beginning, I don't think you could go wrong getting some version of a fast standard zoom. For canon aps-C I would recommend something like the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8. After using a decent lens like that, you start to realize which end of the spectrum you gravitate to (ie do you like your 17mm photos more or less than your 50mm photos). On the other hand if you need a walkaround lens or an event lens (like at a wedding, where you may miss shots if swapping lenses, and cannot "zoom with your feet" in certain situations) then a fast standard zoom will likely serve you much better than one fixed lens. I personally use a manual focus 50mm 1.4 old legacy Minolta MD Rokkor lens I got off ebay for $40 on a fuji XT1 and I absolutely love the perspective (it is about a 75mm FOV FF equivalent). But it took me ten tries with different lenses to figure it out!!
The general (though not universal) thrust I got from the pictures is that 35mm puts the subject in a broader context more easily; 50mm is there for when the context/background isn't so important and the subject comes to the fore.
Matt Day That is true. I need to stop telling myself "I should have brought that one instead of this one" and just shoot with what I have. I think we all get caught up in gear sometimes.
Currently, my dilemma right now. I like both but can only get one right now. Ugh its frustrating I like the depth of the 50mm but the 35 is a bit cheaper.
35mm has been my staple lens every since I discovered the X100s 3 years ago. It has ultimately changed my approach to photography and I no longer use zoom lenses. For myself, I'm also happy with only the 35mm (environmental portraits and documentary) and a 50mm (more intimate moments and portraits). I only use an 85mm for professional portraits where the compression is needed. If you were to give me one lens for the rest of my life, I wouldn't hesitate in saying 35mm!
I think the X100 series was a gamechanger for a lot of people in terms of that focal length, myself included! When the original X100 came out, that was the first time I shot with that focal length on a daily basis.
Absolutely. I have the X100F and the 35mm FOV is just perfect for family and life around the home photos. 28mm fels a bit to wide for me, and 50mm feels too tight.
I prefer 50mm. I get less lines intruding on my compositions, and it’s as much of a portrait lens as I need it to be in tighter quarters. Getting a wider view is just a matter of stepping back. I save 28mm for country landscapes 😊
Both are far more seductive when viewed through an SLR,especially the 35,RF cameras and frame lines are fine and the much vaunted Leicas are fabulous instruments, but through the lens viewing with a fine SLR is incomparable.
I always felt like 50mm on a FF is just what I see with my eyes. That's why I rather prefer 35mm because I always want a wider angle and show more. However, 50mm is also great because, as you said, it compresses things and makes the photo more focused on one object. I used a 50 to shoot Xmas last year and it turned out great, didn't feel like I missed anything in the frames and since I've been using the Nifty Fifty, they came out beautiful :)
All your videos are brilliant. Your style and presentation and personality make these THE most watchable and enjoyable I have seen in years. I can’t thank you enough for producing and sharing such great content. You have a gift.
I too have 50mm and and I miss 35mm because some times you just cant fit everything in the picture with 50 mm... You can go for from object but then u miss the details...
Great video, I always find it interesting that people struggle to figure out what mm lens to use. When I started out I was told by a pretty seasoned professional to buy a lens anywhere between 30mm and 50mm and then just move myself accordingly, it will make me a better photographer. Example: If I shoot with my 50mm and want to fill the frame more I move closer and vice versa. Obviously you can't always do that as fixed objects tend not to move out of your way easily but I have never really had an issue. Actually, some of my best shots have been because and object was in my way and I had to take the shot from a different angle that I didn't initially consider.
Very nice, although I assume that the 35mm and 50mm mentioned here refer to the full frame equivalent field of view. So, I assume it’s the 23mm and 35mm XF lenses?
Nice shots. I personally much prefer 35mm. 50mm photography actually makes me cringe for some reason. Strong aesthetic preference? My first camera was my dad's Konica c35. When I stepped into a DSLR I did the whole "nifty fifty" thing and loathed it. It feels like I am seeing the world with blinders on. I shoot a rangefinder 35mm then switch to a DSLR for basically anything else (zooms/macro/whatever).
I travelled through Japan with only the Fuji 23mm f2, it nearly did everything I needed, there may have been one two times I could have used a 24mm equivalent but for the most part it is the jack of all trades.
Hi Matt: honestly, at first I thought OK, another snob with Leica blablabla... but your photos are really impressive. You have a great eye! I have a Sony A7 with the first two lenses they made, the 35/2.8 and the 55/1.8. I do all my photos with that (the zoom is in the bag every time). As you, I prefer the 35, and use the 55 for portraits (or low light conditions, this is the only problem with the 35/2.8). I spend a lot of time thinking in buying new stuff. Maybe I should invest my time in improve my art and keep the money. Thanks for your video and your photos.
I personally love the 35mm and can live without any other lens if must be but when it comes to closer head and should type of portraits 50mm is a lot more pleasing to an eye.
Thanks Matt. I bought Fuji 35mm lens (50mm ff equiv) as my first prime - a bit tight for me at first but it grows on me. I just picked pick up Fuji 23mm (35mm ff equiv) and yes it is more versatile. Overall, 50mm (ff) is better to isolate a subject and portrait. 35mm (ff) is versatile and good at storytelling. Great to have both prime lens in our arsenal :)
You messed me up. I always thought that I preferred the 35mm but seeing your shots in comparison I feel more comfortable with the 50mm. Just looks more natural more beautiful. Damn it man :)
I am watching this video today that you made four years ago, and it is a timeless video. The topic applies today and for generations to come. I love your 35mm family photos, great composition and context for you to look at and remember in years to come.
Great images. You got very solid compositions and your shots are "live". I dont see this kind of talent very often. I was very inspired by your style. I have been shooting almost exclusively with a 50 mm for a year and was thinking maybe it is time to switch to a 35mm. By the help of your examples I can see that these focal lengths are quite close but yet very different at the same time. Keep up the quality work, we meed more people like you to get inspiration from
I hadn't even thought on consistency before this. In the age of social media and scrolling through your Instagram images or portfolio, having that consistence is a benefit indeed.
Thanks. Very useful video. I'd been considering getting a 35mm for my Pentax Spotmatic but, looking at those photographs at the end, I realise the 50mm suits my style so much better. I guess that's why the 35mm 1.4 hardly ever leaves my X-Pro2 (roughly 50mm equivalent on the crop sensor).
Great video :). I was struggling to choose between 35mm vs 50mm NIKKOR 1.8G. I went with+go with 50mm.... Creamy Portraits.... makes people go gaga over it... 35mm would be great too.
Whenever I want to see some good photographs and really enjoy watching them with good music I play this video. Is it just me? Really love your work @matt
Another great thing about 35mm is that you can crop to get the same composition as with 50mm. You lose some pixels in the process, but digital cameras these days have more than enough of them anyway. Some cameras even give you the option to digital zoom so you can compose directly at 50mm FOV even though you're really using a 35mm lens.
You are such a wonderful photographer. I can feel the warmth and love you have for your family through your images. This was, also, very educational. I do see the subtle different between the two lenses. 35mm is great for showing someone within a space. There’s a sense of depth. With the 50, you are capturing facial expressions and details. The 50mm is about the subject. However, outdoors the difference between the two lenses is a bit less noticeable. It’s tough if you don’t have 2 cameras. You want to be able to create both kinds of images, but you also want to be spontaneous..so changing lenses is not an option. A 24-70 is an option, but those suckers are heavy (though the Tamron 28-75 g2 is lighter and a perfect focal range for photos of people, but it’s not a Sony (I shoot on an a7iv). Maybe I should stop being a brand snob and just make the compromise that suits me. Or get a 35 and just accept that on days that I have my 35, I won’t be able to make exactly the same kind of images I can make with my 50, and vice versa. Eh, first world problems.
Currently only having 16-50mm zoom lens from sony, planning to buy Sony 55-210mm and cheap Horus Bennu lens but have to choose between 35mm 1.7 or 50mm 2.0.. Alpha 6000 here, thank you for your video...
