Fixed Focal Length

[SThornton]

You may have seen an earlier post of mine but today I purchased a Nikon AF-S 35mm, my first fixed focal length lens.

Tonight, I have had a play with it around the house and have really enjoyed it. I have taken quite well to having to move myself rather than using a zoom but was wondering what experiences other people found using their first fixed focal?

(also, am I right in saying that a fixed focal length lens is called a prime lens or do I have the definition all wrong?)

 

[Carl V]

(also, am I right in saying that a fixed focal length lens is called a prime lens or do I have the definition all wrong?)

Yes you are correct. A fixed lens is also known as a prime lens, and I do prefer them myself. All my wide angles through to short telephotos are fixed lenses. My only zoom is a 100-300mm which I must admit I rarely ever use.

 

[Noah_]

A lens with a fixed focal length is called a Prime, you're right :}
After I'd adapted somewhat, I found I actually preferred working with a fixed focal length which initially
surprised me. Next on my wishlist are the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L & 85mm f/8.2L lenses. Lenslust is such a burden!

 

[towershot]

I started at the other end Olympus OM1n and prime 50,135 and 300
When I managed to get one of the zooms 80-210 it was love at first zoom
I do have a couple of primes but lazy me use the zooms.

 

[Phil Young]

I've had both zooms and primes and really can't see the benefit of primes, not with the quality of todays zooms. I just find them too restrictive, hence prefer zooms.

Had the 35mm and still got the 50mm. Probably prefer 35mm.

 

[Noah_]

I think with primes it depends on the aperture value as well as the focal length range. Primes can often reach a lower F/number, much like the Canon 85mm f/1.2L which is on my own wishlist. Mind, I'm desperate to get my mits on the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L just as much.

Depends on a photographers' individual requirements I guess?

 

[Carl V]

I've had both zooms and primes and really can't see the benefit of primes, not with the quality of todays zooms.

You are quite right in that zoom lenses have improved a great deal. Many years ago zooms just didn't have quite the same sharpness as a fixed prime lens in most cases, but I personally like primes because of their speed (maximum aperture) and the fact they are nice and compact in general. A while back, I also used to reverse them for macro photography which would have proved quite difficult with a zoom due to the size of their front element.

 

[Suvv]

You may have seen an earlier post of mine but today I purchased a Nikon AF-S 35mm, my first fixed focal length lens.

Tonight, I have had a play with it around the house and have really enjoyed it. I have taken quite well to having to move myself rather than using a zoom but was wondering what experiences other people found using their first fixed focal?

(also, am I right in saying that a fixed focal length lens is called a prime lens or do I have the definition all wrong?)

I like to use primes as they make you move and once you start moving in and out you also start thinking about moving a bit sideways or changing the shooting height. I know that you should be doing that with a zoom anyway but it is so easy just to change the focal length and nothing else

You will often hear people say "Zoom with your feet not with a lens" however the two are not the same. Notice that as you move closer or further away the perspective of the scene changes, notice the relative sizes of the foreground objects and background objects and how the distance between them appears to alter.

Sometimes a zoom is needed as you have not got the right prime to get the composition you want and I normally have a zoom on as a walkabout lens.

 

[donut]

A lens with a fixed focal length is called a Prime, you're right :}
After I'd adapted somewhat, I found I actually preferred working with a fixed focal length which initially
surprised me. Next on my wishlist are the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L & 85mm f/8.2L lens. Lenslust is such a burden!

i'd go for a faster one Ashly ......

 

[boliston]

Definitely prefer primes as it just feels more "involving" as you have to think more. Much in the same way as I prefer manual focus & manual exposure rather than auto everything - actually feels more like photography than just pressing a button.

 

[cambsno]

Definitely prefer primes as it just feels more "involving" as you have to think more. Much in the same way as I prefer manual focus & manual exposure rather than auto everything - actually feels more like photography than just pressing a button.

Using my 50mm makes me think more about the shot and I believe has improved my skill. It is very sharp and DOF is excellent, although the 24-70 is a great lens.

 

[Phil Young]

Using my 50mm makes me think more about the shot and I believe has improved my skill. It is very sharp and DOF is excellent, although the 24-70 is a great lens.

True...but the amount of great shots I've missed because I've changed my position rather than move my hands doesn't bear thinking about!

 

[viewfromthenorth]

I never got used to the 50mm focal length (even on film) and prefer 35mm on full frame. I've also had 14mm and 24mm primes in the past, but these have been sold and the majority of the time I use zooms. Top end zooms have excellent image quality, although I'm always impressed with the Nikkor 35mm F2 whenever I (occasionally) use it. It's just a bit imbalanced on a large body like my D700.

 

[Noah_]

I'd go for a faster one Ashly.

Just wondering, what d'you mean by faster?
Been discussing it lot in this following thread →
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=378373

Definitely prefer primes as it just feels more "involving" as you have to think more. Much in the same way as I prefer manual focus & manual exposure rather than auto everything - actually feels more like photography than just pressing a button.

My preferences are pretty much the same!

 

[faddius]

Just wondering, what d'you mean by faster?

Re read your previous posts, carefully!

 

[cambsno]

True...but the amount of great shots I've missed because I've changed my position rather than move my hands doesn't bear thinking about!

Yes, if it's possible I will use a prime over zoom. But have often picked a zoom for convenience as you say.

 

[Noah_]

@faddius Hahahaha
My mistake, I must've been pretty tireddd. I meant the 85mm f/1.2L & There was me thinking "I don't understand?" what a fool.

 

[donut]

yeah i know what you meant ,,,i was just being a pheasant ,,er peasant ,,,,er pedant ???

 

[jonbeeza]

I did read some place that the 50mm lens creates natural looking images, especially when creating portraiture.

Often called the standard or normal lens, it produces images that closely match the true perspective of the human eye.

So do images produced using a 50mm fixed lens, give better images to the eye or not ?

 

[boliston]

I did read some place that the 50mm lens creates natural looking images, especially when creating portraiture.

Often called the standard or normal lens, it produces images that closely match the true perspective of the human eye.

So do images produced using a 50mm fixed lens, give better images to the eye or not ?

I find that 28mm (on Full Frame) seems to give the view most similar to what I actually see.

 

[boyfalldown]

I find that 28mm (on Full Frame) seems to give the view most similar to what I actually see.

you have odd eyes

 

[jonbeeza]

I find that 28mm (on Full Frame) seems to give the view most similar to what I actually see.

Hmm ok cheers, I am sure you have a keen eye ...and I will not mention the phrase in the eye of the beholder

 

[FruitFlakes]

I did read some place that the 50mm lens creates natural looking images, especially when creating portraiture.

Often called the standard or normal lens, it produces images that closely match the true perspective of the human eye.

So do images produced using a 50mm fixed lens, give better images to the eye or not ?

Pretty much. 50mm gives a FOV similar to what the eye sees when you focus on a single object, 35mm would be a single object + a bit of the periphery.

 

[jonbeeza]

Pretty much. 50mm gives a FOV similar to what the eye sees when you focus on a single object, 35mm would be a single object + a bit of the periphery.

Seems a little more clear now, thanks

 

[Zetec]

The only prime lens I have is my Nikon 50mm F1.4 although I love using it some times I find that I could do with some thing wider. I only ever really need some thing wider when I am photographing Karate Club Essex as I will not use a flash due to their safety.

Ashley I know what you mean lens lust is no good I am forever wishing I had some of the kit some of the Pros have got when I go to Brands Hatch.

 

[mortimerhill]

Pretty much. 50mm gives a FOV similar to what the eye sees when you focus on a single object, 35mm would be a single object + a bit of the periphery.

The more refined formula is that a standard lens should have a focal length equal to the diagonal of the sensor.

For full frame 35mm, this is actually 43mm. The 50mm standard came about because Leica already had a very nice 50mm lens

 

[KIPAX]

wondering what experiences other people found using their first fixed focal?

I have a 35mm prime on my canon.. i use it for shooting boxing... when two boxers are moving fast aroun d the ring and lunging to box.. I prefer to focus and shoot and not worry about zoom.. you need to be fast.. by the time i zoom then focus the action is over...

To other posters who say zooms have come a long way.. well yes they have.. I cant tell much difference in daytime shooting between my canon 70-200 mkII (£1,800) and my (£700) 135 prime... However in lower light the 135mm still beats the 70-200 easilly...

 

[simonblue]

Tend to use Zoom theses days,did have a big collection of primes once

 

[HoppyUK]

I did read some place that the 50mm lens creates natural looking images, especially when creating portraiture.

Often called the standard or normal lens, it produces images that closely match the true perspective of the human eye.

So do images produced using a 50mm fixed lens, give better images to the eye or not ?

A 50mm lens is 'standard' on full frame, nothing else. Defined as roughly the length of the diagonal across the frame, as stated above. If you take that measurement as focal length, then you'll usually get something around 45 degrees angle of view regardless of format.

Also, if you then look through the viewfinder, the image will be about life size, though that varies a bit depending on the viewfinder. It's all very approximate.

Field of view of the human eye varies enormously. From around 180 degrees total, to only about 2 degrees of critical clarity. Look at the text you're reading now, and see how many words are clearly legible either side - very few. Outside that there are various zones, such as the one that you scan with your eyes before moving your head, and then the one before colour begins to fade more towards monochrome. Pin an angle of view and focal length on that if you can.

Perspective* is something else, and related only to camera to subject distance. The lens plays no part in that, other than wide-angles allow you to get closer and still include everything, and the closer distance exagerates perspective. Equally, with longer lenses you tend to shoot from greater distances, which flattens perspective.

Natural looking perspective is another moveable feast, highly dependent on the brain's interpretation, and the kind of distance we normally look at different subjects from. With portraits, if you're closer than about three feet, you get into the zone of personal space, perspective begins to look unnatural and a bit uncomfortable. Five or six feet is better, though greater distances don't change that much.


*Perspective is the relative size of objects, eg two people standing a few yards one behind the other. Shoot close with a wide angle and fill the frame with the first person, the second person will apppear much smaller. Then move back and shoot with a longer lens, the second person will appear much larger.

 

[HoppyUK]

I like to use primes as they make you move and once you start moving in and out you also start thinking about moving a bit sideways or changing the shooting height. I know that you should be doing that with a zoom anyway but it is so easy just to change the focal length and nothing else

You will often hear people say "Zoom with your feet not with a lens" however the two are not the same. Notice that as you move closer or further away the perspective of the scene changes, notice the relative sizes of the foreground objects and background objects and how the distance between them appears to alter.

Sometimes a zoom is needed as you have not got the right prime to get the composition you want and I normally have a zoom on as a walkabout lens.

Yes. Not the same at all. If perspective is important, and it surely is, then zooms will get you the better result.

And they are visually more challenging than primes in that sense. Good photography is not just about framing. Change perspective with your feet, then frame with the zoom

 

[Deleted member 49549]

Hi Richard, glad to see somebody point this out!!

A normal lens giving a "natural perspective" seems to have turned into an internet meme.