Favorite 35mm film lens focal length...!

[Nikon 2]

Do you have a favorite focal length lens for 35mm film cameras...?

 

[mtnbkr]

I generally gravitate toward something in the 24mm to 50mm range. I spent a decade with only a 50mm lens on my OM1. I have 28mm and 50mm lenses for my current 35mm SLRs and 50+35 for my rangefinder (that is up for sale, so would that actually count?).

Chris

 

[Nikon 2]

I generally gravitate toward something in the 24mm to 50mm range. I spent a decade with only a 50mm lens on my OM1. I have 28mm and 50mm lenses for my current 35mm SLRs and 50+35 for my rangefinder (that is up for sale, so would that actually count?).

Chris

Count on it, yes…!

 

[FriedLouisStudio]

I can't pick one, I shoot with two ranges. I usually go for a moderate wide angle, 28mm or 35mm, and a short tele, 100mm or 105mm.

 

[Nikon 2]

I can't pick one, I shoot with two ranges. I usually go for a moderate wide angle, 28mm or 35mm, and a short tele, 100mm or 105mm.

For me, it’s a 35mm focal length for landscape photography, beating out the 28, 50 and 105mm lenses…!

 

[Alan9940]

I'd have a tough time picking between a 35mm and 50mm, but probably the 35 is my absolute favorite.

 

[MattKing]

Two - a 35mm and an 85mm.
Plus a 24mm for those times that call out for it.
And if you use Olympus OM equipment, they all fit together in such a tiny bag

 

[Sirius Glass]

20mm
24mm
28mm
28mm PC
50mm

 

[xkaes]

40mm f1.7, but if I were forced to use one lens it would be 24mm f2.0 -- to make sure I got everything in.

 

[benjiboy]

Canon FD 35 mm f2 Thorium, 50 mm 1.2 L, 85 mm f1.2 L in that order, however if I could only have one of them it would have to be the 50 mm 1.2 L.

 

[BradleyK]

Nikon system: 28mm F2 Ais, 50mm F1.2 Ais, 85mm F1.4 Ais.

Leica system: 28mm F2 Summicron ASPH, 50mm F1.4 Summilux ASPH.

Hasselblad system: 50mm F4 and 100mm F3.5.

 

[Breadbutter]

40mm

 

[Roger Thoms]

24mm has been a long time favorite, but lately I’m really enjoying my 85mm G4’s, I’ve got both the manual and auto focus versions. I also shoot my 28-70mm and 35-135 quite a bit.

Roger

 

[Helge]

135mm stopped down as much as possible.
It can be a tight squeeze at times, but when you manage you end up with better tighter compositions with a very pleasing compression.

All focal lengths have their uses.
45 - 50mm is definitely the one I use the most. Especially because I shoot a lot of fixed lens.
Forces a certain healthy amount of tightness.

 

[Brendan Quirk]

135mm stopped down as much as possible.
It can be a tight squeeze at times, but when you manage you end up with better tighter compositions with a very pleasing compression.

I have always really liked the 135 mm, after the 50-55 of course...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Do you have a favorite focal length lens for 35mm film cameras...?

Entirely up to you. Most people either prefer 35 mm or 50 mm.

 

[JensH]

The f/1.4 85mm Planar for my Contax.

 

[Nikon 2]

I’m very surprised on how different the answers were concerning a favorite focal length of your choosing, variety is good...!

 

[BrianShaw]

Do you have a favorite focal length lens for 35mm film cameras...?

Why, yes; indeed I do!

 

[Nikon 2]

Why, yes; indeed I do!

Thanks for sharing...!

 

[mshchem]

85mm

 

[M-88]

35 and 100 mm. These two are what I usually use more than anything else summed together.

 

[film_man]

50..no...35...no 50...no...35...erm I think 50...or maybe 35. Split the difference and go 40? Maybe...nah...probably...no...35. Or was it 50.

 

[Helge]

50..no...35...no 50...no...35...erm I think 50...or maybe 35. Split the difference and go 40? Maybe...nah...probably...no...35. Or was it 50.

43 mm for 135 is the real normal. And just happens (?) to be an awesome middle of the road FL.
None of the perspective affects of either a wide or long lens, a constrained but not too constrained FoV, and includes a lot of landscape and background.
Usually gets real close too for pseudo macro.
It’s neutral, and whether it’s boring is entirely up to you.

 

[nikkormat]

I've always favoured 50mm, but in the past year or two have come to see the benefits of 35mm. If I'm only carrying one lens, I tend to stick with the 50mm around town, but use the 35mm for trips abroad.