![]() ![]() Now, one could argue that I’m choosing 35mm because I really enjoy the camera to which it’s attached, but that’s not the case. My shift to 35mm began in earnest when I started shooting Fujifilm’s X100 series of cameras, which have a 35mm equivalent lens. I used to be a solid 50mm guy, and if I wanted to go a bit wider I switched to 28mm, skipping 35mm entirely. This will probably seem like I’m going for the low hanging fruit, but I would choose 35mm. Dale Baskinĭale chose a specific focal length that he didn't always love. I already use this lens as my everyday lens when I don’t have a particular creative plan and want to be prepared for anything, so it’s the one I’d choose if I had to pick just one. Shooting it on a DX-format body gives me even more reach at the long end (180mm equivalent) for portraits. I am able to immerse myself in a scene at 24mm but also step back for a portrait at 120mm, using the longer focal length to get pleasing bokeh and separation from the background. I’m choosing the 24-120mm even though it’s not one of my ‘favorite’ lenses because it is relatively small, lightweight and versatile enough to get the variety of shots I look for when photographing. My choice is the Nikon AF-S 24-120mm F4G ED VR, and my excuse is that the majority of shooting I do (documentary lifestyle and candid portraiture) requires a flexibility that is difficult to get with a single focal length. I’m going to take the easy way out and pick a zoom lens rather than a single focal length. It doesn’t matter whether I’m headed to shoot an event, a wedding, an environmental portrait, or just strolling around when some nice light hits, it’s more likely I’ll have a 35mm lens with me than any other. A used X100 was a natural next step for a more portable setup when I scored a good deal on one.Įven today, after using lens after lens and camera after camera for review after review, the 35mm focal length remains my go-to. I quickly realized that I just wasn’t a zoom guy, and the 35mm F2 was glued to my camera most of the time. Splurging on a battered old D700 after college left me without enough money to pick up anything approaching a fast zoom, so I started building up a collection of affordable Nikon AF-D primes: a 50mm F1.8, a 35mm F2, an 85mm F1.8. Now that I’ve worked at DPReview for some time, I have to say… I haven’t really changed my mind. See if you can guess! Carey RoseĪny guesses what focal length Carey gravitates toward?īefore I worked at DPReview, I would have immediately chosen the 35mm focal length. The photograph that accompanies each answer was shot with that staff member's chosen lens or focal length. To keep things interesting, and to vary the answers, we opened the question up to include one lens in particular or one focal length. Which got us thinking of a fun hypothetical: If we could only choose one lens to use for the rest of time, what would it be? We handle a lot of glass in the DPReview office, but there always seems to be a handful of lenses or fixed lens cameras that everyone is extra eager to lay some paws on. Can you guess the focal length? Photo by Wenmei Hill ![]()
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