35mm Experiment

For every dead Frenchman genius declaring you must use a fixed length 50mm there is a modern day photographer who swears you need a superzoom. The truth of the matter is you need to find what works for you. With my blog inspired quest to improve my photography I recently obtained a 35mm f2 lens. I did look into its more expensive sisters but chose this due to its size (small!) and due to the fact that its performance is not that different than its siblings.

I headed into the city to try it out and to practice street photography. In general I found that I definitely prefer 35mm to 28mm as I had expected. The field of view just seems more natural and easier to “handle.” In my continuing quest to be open and perhaps cathartic I will admit that I missed at least five shots because I was too chicken to take them. Those photos will require some more interaction than I have heretofore been uncomfortable with. I have some plans to improve this and I will share them as I put them into action.

If you are interested in trying some different lens options I would recommend renting. Places like borrow lenses offer a fairly inexpensive way to try before you buy. Your local camera shop may have something as well.