Choice of prime lens

[2F/2F]

My plugs for 28mm never seem to work. They always go for the 24 instead.......

 

[Paul VanAudenhove]

My plugs for 28mm never seem to work. They always go for the 24 instead.......

My 28 gets more use than my 24! It took me a while to 'click' into the 28, prior to that I preferred longer lenses. But now I would pick the 28 over the 35 or 24. Maybe I should shoot more often with those two lenses.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Choice getting hard, hmm?
Remember this: what works for other photographers may not necessarily work for you, even with enthusiasm and dedication. As a bare-bones start, 24, 35 and maybe (even much later) 50mm. Done and dusted.

 

[tkamiya]

Choice getting hard, hmm?

No, actually.... Many folks were so kind to elaborate on reasons behind their personal choices. That helped me a lot. I never thought I'll see consensus and that wasn't why I was asking. (I know better.... just try asking what MF camera to get around here and you'll see 10 pages in few hours)

While I still read lens reviews on various sites, I am finding more and more, their usefulness are very limited. Numbers can tell just so much, and nowadays, numbers alone are taking on life of their own. I'm more interested on making images that I like, not the sharpest or most distortion free, or MTF just slightly better than the next guy's....

Anyway, thanks everybody. I have my aim set now.

 

[5stringdeath]

My plugs for 28mm never seem to work. They always go for the 24 instead.......

I use my Biogon-G 28mm all the time because its an awesome lens. But if I'm not shooting with the Contax .. well, lets say someone was leaving me on an island and I could ONLY have two lenses ... I'd probably pick a 24mm and a 50mm.

I do love the 35mm FD lens I have too

A lot of my lens choices have to do with cameras I own. My Contax G1 has a limited set. My Koni-Omega has a limited set.

Now if I'm shooting with the FD its all about what I'm in the mood for, hah. But usually I'll be in the mood for a 35mm day, and grab the Canon.

Just buy every lens you can afford like the rest of us haha.

 

[jp498]

I'm liking the voigtlander 40mm f/2 slII lens. A little wider and more versatile than the 50; a feature that's handy for digital (crop sensor) and film. Pretty rugged lens with a pleasing image. I really don't use wider than that on film...

 

[tkamiya]

Yes, I know....

step 1: acquire lens
step 2: lens for sale
step 3: go to step 1

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I usually go with either 24 or 100 macro.

Jeff

 

[Leighgion]

I'll cast my lot for a 24mm as well.

While granting the subjectivity of the whole matter, I find that the 24mm field of view is when things really start to feel wide. I've shot a fair amount with 35mm lenses and to me, it feels like a bit too compromised. It's often too wide to really zero in on a subject easily (35mm rangefinder lenses don't focus very close and even on an SLR, it takes time to really get into something's face) but not wide enough to really feel expansive. I find uses for it, but not if I want to really work with a wide FOV.

I also own the Voigtländer 40mm f2 Ultron SLII but I don't really think of it as a wide lens. Think it's more to me what 35mm is to a lot of people.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

My basic kit is 3 lenses:
21mm (or similar), 35mm and 90mm (or similar).

Does a lot of things very well...

Don't miss 50mm (I even have some collecting dust).

 

[Wade D]

My favorite prime is my 35mm MC Rokkor f/1.8. It sees more use than the 50mm f/1.7. Both are very sharp but the 35 wins the day.

 

[TSSPro]

I love a nice 35mm angle of view for full frame, but I often print 4:5, so I opt for the 28mm, which gives a similar feel to the print as the 35mm lens when cropped to a 4:5 ratio.

 

[mikebarger]

I've never owned a 28mm. My 18mm and 24mm get the most work on the wide end, the 35mm and 50mm get the least. My "normal" lens is the 105mm.

Mike

 

[SilverGlow]

24, 35, 50, 85, 135, done.

 

[chris00nj]

I think you should get the 24mm

I have a 21 and a 50 that I often take when traveling, and i think it may be too big of a spread.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have had the 35m, 28, and 20mm. The 35mm was useless. It was too close to the 50mm lens. The 28mm is used very often, especially in Europe. The 20mm rounds out the wide angle and gets a fair amount of use. I have not tried anything below 20mm, which for me is too close to being a fisheye.

As far as fish-eye lenses, they would not be used enough for me to purchase. Besides, I do not like taking photographs with my feet in the photo!

Steve

 

[benjiboy]

I like 35mm f2 and 24mm f2

 

[AmsterdamMartin]

Difference between 35 and 50 is not big enough IMO.
50 is my favorite, on any system.
For my Nikons I use 24mm additionally.
I must admit that I think it is often hard to use.
For me 28mm is the widest, though still relatively "normal", which I can use all the time for anything, just like your maximum zoomrange. Wider than that you enter into a different trade. You may or may not want that.
Also on a Leica, it is the widest lens I can use without an additional viewfinder, and that is a relevant factor for me.

So 28 it is for me, besides 50mm.

 

[tkamiya]

Does anyone want to sell those "rarely used now" lens?

 

[AmsterdamMartin]

You could get my Nikkor 24 AF-D, although it is from Nikon Europe and be sure customs will get a hold on it.
Combined with shipping you might just as well go to your local store, lol

 

[Lanline]

I've been looking for the right lens for 30 years. Last year the right lens for me was a 21mm super wide, then I started shooting 35mm wide thought...yup this is it. But that did not last, I started shooting 40mm/50mm/57mm (Konica normals) and loved the bokeh of the 50mm/57mm lenses. Now I discovered a 90mm Macro lens - real wonderful Bokeh.

My advice would be to start with the basics a 50mm. Shoot it until you feel that mastered it. Then move up to 85/90/100/135 for portraits or down 35/28/24/20 for environmental.

 

[Alex1994]

28mm on the SLR and the fabulous 35mm on my Minox.

 

[tkamiya]

My taste for photography is constantly evolving. I'm sure this won't end my GAS but that's part of photography I enjoy. (there! I said it. I have GAS and I enjoy it!!)

I just started a WTB thread in classified section to keep it in compliance with forum rules.

 

[paulie]

i would also consider 0 element air lens , servicing/replacement in 30 min guaranteed, great depth of field and free as long as you enjoy e beer or 2.

i even own three of them

 

[benjiboy]

I've been looking for the right lens for 30 years. Last year the right lens for me was a 21mm super wide, then I started shooting 35mm wide thought...yup this is it. But that did not last, I started shooting 40mm/50mm/57mm (Konica normals) and loved the bokeh of the 50mm/57mm lenses. Now I discovered a 90mm Macro lens - real wonderful Bokeh.

My advice would be to start with the basics a 50mm. Shoot it until you feel that mastered it. Then move up to 85/90/100/135 for portraits or down 35/28/24/20 for environmental.

I agree, this is very sound advice, for my street shooting I use a 35mm f2 ,and 20mm f2.8, if I could only carry one it would be the 35mm.