ever not get along with certain focal lengths?

reeftool · 10-19-2012, 11:16 AM

My DA 40 Ltd doesn't get much use. It's an excellent lens but it just doesn't work well for me other than indoor people shots. As a walk around prime, I prefer my 28/3.5 Takumar.

Wired · 10-19-2012, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

i avoided answering this for a long time, not because I am a great photographer, just the opposite, I find that EVERY focal length is difficult

OK now that the fun response is out of the way, I think the bigger issue is that with zooms, you get lazy, and only use them at extremes for a very high percentage of shots. Often the middle gets left out, because you never position yourself to use the middle of a zoom, you are either too close, and back up just enough to frame at the widest FL or are too far and approach until you are framed at the longest FL. The problem is, you are never forced to look at anything other than the two ends.

I think the OP did not spend enough time at the focal length to start thinking in terms of only 30mm. nothing more and nothing less.

Don't get me wrong. I love my zooms too, but have also assembled both K and M42 MF prime kits, that I use when i am in control of the schedule, and are shooting for pleasure.

In K mount I have 8, 24, 28, 35, 50, 85, 100, 105, 135, 300 and 400mm
In M42 Mount I have 16, 24, 28, 35, 50, 55, 58, 85, 90, 105, 135, 200, and 300mm

I take them out, usually 3-4 lenses at a time, and shoot primes exclusively with limited focal lengths, and work on what I can do with each. do i have favorites, yes, but I shoot them all, and work with the focal lengths to learn how to see with each. it takes more than a week however. What I suggest the OP should do is pick up a cheap 28-35mm MF lens and learn how to see with that lens. He may then go back and get one he likes after he figures out uses for it.

It could be he is still in the same position, maybe the styles he shoots do not fit with the focal length etc, but the lenses have a use, it is just identifying how best to use it,

I wouldn't jump to assumptions so quick. I use my 16-50 all over the place. In fact on an exposure plot you see spikes at 16, 21, 35, 43, 44, 50, 55, 65, 68, 77, 100, 135, 120.

With the biggest use at 21, 55, 77, 135.

This is a polling of about 45000 photos.

I also find I shoot 2.8-2.0 unless in ultra low light.

Tells me I need a 21mm limited

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-19-2012, 01:06 PM

Originally posted by Wired

I wouldn't jump to assumptions so quick. I use my 16-50 all over the place. In fact on an exposure plot you see spikes at 16, 21, 35, 43, 44, 50, 55, 65, 68, 77, 100, 135, 120.

With the biggest use at 21, 55, 77, 135.

This is a polling of about 45000 photos.

I also find I shoot 2.8-2.0 unless in ultra low light.

Tells me I need a 21mm limited

Perhaps, but why don't you use something between 21 and 35? It just seems a little funny that's all, but then again, if you have looked at this many photos, you could be right, the focal length does not appeal to what you shoot.

It would still be interesting to go out with an old MF 28 (they;re cheap) and just use it for a while

8540tomg · 10-19-2012, 01:27 PM

I seem to be in the same boat as the original poster.

I find the focal lengths between 28 and 40mm just don’t seem to suit my eye. I have a M 28/2.8 and a M 35/2 but neither sees the light of day very often. I've often thought a FA 31/1.8 would be great to have but balked because it sits right in the middle of a focal length I don't especially like. I do use the K 24/2.8 when I want something on the wider side and don't want to carry my heavy DA* 16~50/2.8 around all day.

Another focal length which never really felt right was 135mm. It wasn't long enough for a birding and many sports and seemed too long for everything else. Kind of an in-between lens. I shoot mainly telephoto and any focal length 200mm and beyond is fine with me.

Tom G

Last edited by 8540tomg; 10-20-2012 at 04:58 AM. Reason: typo

StephenHampshire · 10-19-2012, 02:26 PM

i had a DA35mm 2.4 and just didn't get on with it, perhaps because in film days i always used a 35mm as my standard, so miss the extra width on APS-c. I have 24mm and 28mm manual primes and like the shorter of those two, don't use 28mm much either. I eventually sold the 35mm, and the 28mm has been passed to my son.

**baro-nite** · 10-19-2012, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by StephenHampshire

i had a DA35mm 2.4 and just didn't get on with it, perhaps because in film days i always used a 35mm as my standard

24mm is my favorite walkaround FL on APS-C, and now that I'm gearing up to try shooting some film again I look forward to using my 35mm primes on film, more or less the equivalent field of view.

nono · 10-19-2012, 02:55 PM

I too find 28mm on APS-C unappealing, too wide for most of what I shoot (that is mostly street and concerts with the occasional portrait) and too long for architecture. I bought a Takumar-A 28 f/2.8 2 years and a half ago, seldom used it except for the monthly challenge in last june.

I'm not sure the issue I have is with the focal length per se or with the lens itself though; the Takumar-A is not exactly stellar. I just bought a s-m-c Takumar 28 f/3.5 to find out, not really had time to try it yet.

Kozlok · 10-19-2012, 08:40 PM

I just love my 28. Seems to be right much more often then wrong.

My 50 I can't stand. Always feels claustrophobic, or no where near enough tele.

The funny thing is I love the POV of my Helios. Why would 58 feel fine, but 50 is always wrong?

mikeSF · 10-19-2012, 08:43 PM

i cant say this is any sort of issue ive experienced, though i dont really get excited about 18mm because it lacks the drama of 16 or 15 for my wide shots. other than that, i havent met a focal length i didnt like.

hoanpham · 10-19-2012, 09:49 PM

Same as Mike here.
All focal are fun. Just need a bit mentally adjustment.

philbaum · 10-19-2012, 11:50 PM

The lens i most use for my landscape shots is the DA50-135. On the end of the K5, its just poetry. I took the both of them showshoeing last winter and it worked great. I used to use a FA-50, and before that i had the Tamron 18-250, but looking at the FLs i was using from the Tamron, it was a no-brainer to buy the DA50-135 since thats my favorite range. Gave the Tamron to a nephew who enjoys it :-).

I often carry a DA-21 with the larger zoom and use/enjoy that, usually for street shooting and crowded outdoor events. I'm so used to the frame that i can shoot it without looking thru the viewfinder and often get some interesting pics.

Least used lens: Sigma 10-20, i really tried to make this lens work Its a sharp lens but i don't have the knack for it. yes, i've read all the guidance on using UWA - just doesn't produce compelling pics for me, but i enjoy seeing others pics from this and other UWA. I will be selling it.

ihasa · 10-20-2012, 12:00 AM

Originally posted by hoanpham

Same as Mike here.
All focal are fun. Just need a bit mentally adjustment.

True. You just become accustomed to seeing in certain focal lengths. On film I liked 24mm, 35mm, 50mm. This probably explains why 15mm, 24mm and 35mm do it for me on digital. I have tried 28mm, 30mm, and 43mm on digital and just struggled to previsualise my shots before I took them. That said, I have taken just the 28mm lens out with me and the results were really nice...

I kind of agree re 50mm on digital too... a bit of an awkward focal length, but I will always have a fast fifty because they're always sharp fast and cheap.

Wired · 10-20-2012, 01:14 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

Perhaps, but why don't you use something between 21 and 35? It just seems a little funny that's all, but then again, if you have looked at this many photos, you could be right, the focal length does not appeal to what you shoot.

It would still be interesting to go out with an old MF 28 (they;re cheap) and just use it for a while

Got an M 28mm 2.8. In fact I got two!!! I only like them on my film bodies. it was my second lens I ever had too, so I got a long history with it. I keep wanting to revisit it, but get annoyed with it because its not what I'm used to on FF.

Granted, on FF my 28 got more use than my 50. Now my 50 gets more use on apsc

**miltona580** · 10-20-2012, 04:18 AM

I have trouble with 40mm. It's too long for indoors, too short for outdoors. Or maybe the problem is I don't like taking the FA31 off my camera!

**baro-nite** · 10-20-2012, 04:51 AM

Originally posted by miltona580

Or maybe the problem is I don't like taking the FA31 off my camera!

Some problem -- I wish I had that problem!

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10-19-2012, 11:16 AM	#31
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	My DA 40 Ltd doesn't get much use. It's an excellent lens but it just doesn't work well for me other than indoor people shots. As a walk around prime, I prefer my 28/3.5 Takumar.

10-19-2012, 12:12 PM	#32
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge i avoided answering this for a long time, not because I am a great photographer, just the opposite, I find that EVERY focal length is difficult OK now that the fun response is out of the way, I think the bigger issue is that with zooms, you get lazy, and only use them at extremes for a very high percentage of shots. Often the middle gets left out, because you never position yourself to use the middle of a zoom, you are either too close, and back up just enough to frame at the widest FL or are too far and approach until you are framed at the longest FL. The problem is, you are never forced to look at anything other than the two ends. I think the OP did not spend enough time at the focal length to start thinking in terms of only 30mm. nothing more and nothing less. Don't get me wrong. I love my zooms too, but have also assembled both K and M42 MF prime kits, that I use when i am in control of the schedule, and are shooting for pleasure. In K mount I have 8, 24, 28, 35, 50, 85, 100, 105, 135, 300 and 400mm In M42 Mount I have 16, 24, 28, 35, 50, 55, 58, 85, 90, 105, 135, 200, and 300mm I take them out, usually 3-4 lenses at a time, and shoot primes exclusively with limited focal lengths, and work on what I can do with each. do i have favorites, yes, but I shoot them all, and work with the focal lengths to learn how to see with each. it takes more than a week however. What I suggest the OP should do is pick up a cheap 28-35mm MF lens and learn how to see with that lens. He may then go back and get one he likes after he figures out uses for it. It could be he is still in the same position, maybe the styles he shoots do not fit with the focal length etc, but the lenses have a use, it is just identifying how best to use it, I wouldn't jump to assumptions so quick. I use my 16-50 all over the place. In fact on an exposure plot you see spikes at 16, 21, 35, 43, 44, 50, 55, 65, 68, 77, 100, 135, 120. With the biggest use at 21, 55, 77, 135. This is a polling of about 45000 photos. I also find I shoot 2.8-2.0 unless in ultra low light. Tells me I need a 21mm limited

10-19-2012, 01:06 PM	#33
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Originally posted by Wired I wouldn't jump to assumptions so quick. I use my 16-50 all over the place. In fact on an exposure plot you see spikes at 16, 21, 35, 43, 44, 50, 55, 65, 68, 77, 100, 135, 120. With the biggest use at 21, 55, 77, 135. This is a polling of about 45000 photos. I also find I shoot 2.8-2.0 unless in ultra low light. Tells me I need a 21mm limited Perhaps, but why don't you use something between 21 and 35? It just seems a little funny that's all, but then again, if you have looked at this many photos, you could be right, the focal length does not appeal to what you shoot. It would still be interesting to go out with an old MF 28 (they;re cheap) and just use it for a while

10-19-2012, 01:27 PM	#34
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	I seem to be in the same boat as the original poster. I find the focal lengths between 28 and 40mm just don’t seem to suit my eye. I have a M 28/2.8 and a M 35/2 but neither sees the light of day very often. I've often thought a FA 31/1.8 would be great to have but balked because it sits right in the middle of a focal length I don't especially like. I do use the K 24/2.8 when I want something on the wider side and don't want to carry my heavy DA* 16~50/2.8 around all day. Another focal length which never really felt right was 135mm. It wasn't long enough for a birding and many sports and seemed too long for everything else. Kind of an in-between lens. I shoot mainly telephoto and any focal length 200mm and beyond is fine with me. Tom G Last edited by 8540tomg; 10-20-2012 at 04:58 AM. Reason: typo

10-19-2012, 02:26 PM	#35
StephenHampshire Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Winchester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,523	i had a DA35mm 2.4 and just didn't get on with it, perhaps because in film days i always used a 35mm as my standard, so miss the extra width on APS-c. I have 24mm and 28mm manual primes and like the shorter of those two, don't use 28mm much either. I eventually sold the 35mm, and the 28mm has been passed to my son.

10-19-2012, 02:42 PM	#36
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by StephenHampshire i had a DA35mm 2.4 and just didn't get on with it, perhaps because in film days i always used a 35mm as my standard 24mm is my favorite walkaround FL on APS-C, and now that I'm gearing up to try shooting some film again I look forward to using my 35mm primes on film, more or less the equivalent field of view.

10-19-2012, 02:55 PM	#37
nono Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 248	I too find 28mm on APS-C unappealing, too wide for most of what I shoot (that is mostly street and concerts with the occasional portrait) and too long for architecture. I bought a Takumar-A 28 f/2.8 2 years and a half ago, seldom used it except for the monthly challenge in last june. I'm not sure the issue I have is with the focal length per se or with the lens itself though; the Takumar-A is not exactly stellar. I just bought a s-m-c Takumar 28 f/3.5 to find out, not really had time to try it yet.

10-19-2012, 08:40 PM	#38
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	I just love my 28. Seems to be right much more often then wrong. My 50 I can't stand. Always feels claustrophobic, or no where near enough tele. The funny thing is I love the POV of my Helios. Why would 58 feel fine, but 50 is always wrong?

10-19-2012, 08:43 PM	#39
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	i cant say this is any sort of issue ive experienced, though i dont really get excited about 18mm because it lacks the drama of 16 or 15 for my wide shots. other than that, i havent met a focal length i didnt like.

10-19-2012, 09:49 PM	#40
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	Same as Mike here. All focal are fun. Just need a bit mentally adjustment.

10-19-2012, 11:50 PM	#41
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	The lens i most use for my landscape shots is the DA50-135. On the end of the K5, its just poetry. I took the both of them showshoeing last winter and it worked great. I used to use a FA-50, and before that i had the Tamron 18-250, but looking at the FLs i was using from the Tamron, it was a no-brainer to buy the DA50-135 since thats my favorite range. Gave the Tamron to a nephew who enjoys it :-). I often carry a DA-21 with the larger zoom and use/enjoy that, usually for street shooting and crowded outdoor events. I'm so used to the frame that i can shoot it without looking thru the viewfinder and often get some interesting pics. Least used lens: Sigma 10-20, i really tried to make this lens work Its a sharp lens but i don't have the knack for it. yes, i've read all the guidance on using UWA - just doesn't produce compelling pics for me, but i enjoy seeing others pics from this and other UWA. I will be selling it.

10-20-2012, 12:00 AM	#42
ihasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Midlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,066	Originally posted by hoanpham Same as Mike here. All focal are fun. Just need a bit mentally adjustment. True. You just become accustomed to seeing in certain focal lengths. On film I liked 24mm, 35mm, 50mm. This probably explains why 15mm, 24mm and 35mm do it for me on digital. I have tried 28mm, 30mm, and 43mm on digital and just struggled to previsualise my shots before I took them. That said, I have taken just the 28mm lens out with me and the results were really nice... I kind of agree re 50mm on digital too... a bit of an awkward focal length, but I will always have a fast fifty because they're always sharp fast and cheap.

10-20-2012, 01:14 AM	#43
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519 Original Poster	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Perhaps, but why don't you use something between 21 and 35? It just seems a little funny that's all, but then again, if you have looked at this many photos, you could be right, the focal length does not appeal to what you shoot. It would still be interesting to go out with an old MF 28 (they;re cheap) and just use it for a while Got an M 28mm 2.8. In fact I got two!!! I only like them on my film bodies. it was my second lens I ever had too, so I got a long history with it. I keep wanting to revisit it, but get annoyed with it because its not what I'm used to on FF. Granted, on FF my 28 got more use than my 50. Now my 50 gets more use on apsc

10-20-2012, 04:18 AM	#44
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309	I have trouble with 40mm. It's too long for indoors, too short for outdoors. Or maybe the problem is I don't like taking the FA31 off my camera!

10-20-2012, 04:51 AM	#45
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by miltona580 Or maybe the problem is I don't like taking the FA31 off my camera! Some problem -- I wish I had that problem!