[Angelic Layer]

I am shooting the four third system after moving from 35mm film, thinking that the interchangeable adapter would enable me to use my older lenses but it didn't quite turn out the way I expected as they didn't appear as wide in the smaller sensor.
Now most DSLR in the market uses APS-C sized sensors, so 50mm on 35mm = 33.33mm, 35mm = 23.33mm.
There isn't really that much wider prime lens in the market to match up these previous standards, I still can find 14mm and 15mm, as well as 28mm for the K mount or with M42 adapter.

This question have probably been asked before, what would be your "standard" prime lens (focal length) of choice say for everyday use, or suitable for street?

[disconnekt]

For me, I mainly use 35mm & 50mm focal lengths

[Angelic Layer]

For me, I mainly use 35mm & 50mm focal lengths

The same lens instead of wider ones on APS-C?

[Serkevan]

For APS-C, I found that it was more convenient to use a Tamron 17-50/2.8 as "standard" zoom instead of a prime lens.

You may enjoy the "plastic fantastic" DA 35/2.4, or the DA 21/3.2 Limited for a ~32mm equivalent lens.

[bsamcash]

Just to clarify. Is it a 4/3 system or m4/3 system?

[Angelic Layer]

For APS-C, I found that it was more convenient to use a Tamron 17-50/2.8 as "standard" zoom instead of a prime lens.

You may enjoy the "plastic fantastic" DA 35/2.4, or the DA 21/3.2 Limited for a ~32mm equivalent lens.

From the pictures of the review section, I like the 21mm better, though I can see why the 35mm is more versatile.
Thanks.

---------- Post added 03-12-20 at 02:57 PM ----------

Just to clarify. Is it a 4/3 system or m4/3 system?

No, I mean it was just my past experience with m3/4, under the false sense of bargain that I can use adapter for different lens but the results didn't turn out the way I wanted.

I mean prime lens for APS-C in this topic.

[stevebrot]

For APS-C, multiply the focal length by 1.5 to get the focal length with the same diagonal FOV on 24x36mm FF (35mm film). To calculate the other direction, divide by 1.5.

Examples:

24mm on APS-C : 24 x 1.5 = 36mm equivalent FOV on 35mm film

50mm on 35mm film : 50/1.5 = 33mm equivalent FOV on APS-C

I have a Pentax-FA 35/2.0 that I use as a "normal" prime on my K-3. Similarly, I have a 24mm Tamron that I use for street photography on that same camera. Not surprisingly, the most popular option for portraits on APS-C is a "fast 50", meaning f/2.0 or wider at 50mm - 58mm focal length to be equivalent to shooting at 75mm to 85mm on 35mm film. There are folk who will suggest additional considerations for "equivalence", but it is best to just think of FOV and "1.5x" until you are in the mood to be confused, bewildered, and afraid.


Steve

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Last edited by stevebrot; 03-12-2020 at 03:21 PM.

[c.a.m]

what would be your "standard" prime lens (focal length) of choice say for everyday use, or suitable for street?

I shoot with a K-3 II APS-C camera.

My 'standard' prime lenses for general use are the HD Pentax-DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited and the FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited.

For 'street' shooting, I am more likely to use the HD Pentax-DA 21mm Limited.

Instead of a prime lens, I also shoot frequently with an HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm Limited zoom. I find its range of focal lengths to be well suited for a variety of scenes, and it produces enjoyable images -- sharp, great colours, and excellent contrast.


- Craig

[bsamcash]

I’m a street shooter and my favorite Pentax primes are the DA 21 and FA 43. Together they offer great fields of view on a crop sensor.

[Serkevan]

There are folk who will suggest additional considerations for "equivalence", but it is best to just think of FOV and "1.5x" until you are in the mood to be confused, bewildered, and afraid.

Steve

Equivalence talk is the photography forum equivalent (heh) of hitting your head against a wall, repeatedly, just because.

[kypfer]

Now most DSLR in the market uses APS-C sized sensors, so 50mm on 35mm = 33.33mm, 35mm = 23.33mm.

These "equations" don't really make any sense as they're written! I think what you mean to say is that for the same field of view that a 50mm lens gives on 35mm film (full-frame) one would need to use a 33.33mm lens on APS-C etc.

This question have probably been asked before, what would be your "standard" prime lens (focal length) of choice say for everyday use, or suitable for street?

With the above reasoning, my "standard" prime on my APS-C camera would be a 28-30mm lens, of which I have a wide selection of 28mm lenses, a 30mm Lydith and I'm hoping to catch a 29mm Orestegon at a "sensible" price
For "street" use I'd be more inclined to go a bit wider, 19mm or 24mm for a prime (I don't have anything in between), but the ubiquitous 18-55mm "kit" zoom can fulfil this function perfectly, provided the bulk isn't a problem

[ChristianRock]

I like my Tokina 24 2.8 and my Pentax-A 24 2.8. They give me that 35mm equivalent field of view and I don't mind manual focus. But I do agree that a "Plastic Fantastic" 23mm f/2.4 would be great.
I do plan on getting a DA 21 this year, so as mentioned before, I think that's the answer on APS-C...

For the 50mm focal length equivalent on APS-C, there's 30, 31 and 35mm lenses available... A lot of the 50mm primes from the film era were 51 or 52mm actual focal length, so 35mm fits right in, I think. And the fact that Sigma made the 30mm f/1.4 lenses fills in that "fast standard" lens. I like my Sigma 30 1.4 Art a lot.

[bsamcash]

And the fact that Sigma made the 30mm f/1.4 lenses fills in that "fast standard" lens. I like my Sigma 30 1.4 Art a lot.

This is a fantastic lens.

[Angelic Layer]

I can't find 30mm for K mount locally, and the 35mm is only available in F2, pictures I saw in the reviews doesn't look as nice as the 3.2 ones.
I guess I will go for the 21mm 3.5 AL Limited which is available, and I like the pictures at least on the review better anyway.

Thanks for all the inputs.

[aaacb]

I started with ~50mm equivalent (35mm for apsc). Then I used the 35mm on 35mm film, and realized I like it better than the narrower view, especially after shooting a 50mm lens on film too.
Then I got the FA 43 and a Konica S2 film rangefinder with a fixed 45mm lens. And slowly but surely, I got to really like the 43mm angle of view.

Maybe it's just in my head and there's no noticeable difference in perspective unique to this focal length. Maybe it's pixie dust from my two particular lenses (the FA 43 needs no introduction, but the lens on the Konica is also interesting). I ended up upgrading to the k1ii primarily so I could use the FA 43 Most of the photographs I shot along this journey were street shots, and my other camera for these purposes is a GR III.