Favorite and/or most used focal length

Not a Number · 12-05-2019, 10:17 AM - **1 Like**

I'd say 85% of my shots are with my 105mm f2.8 Lester Dine (Kiron) macro.

7.62lew · 12-05-2019, 10:21 AM - **1 Like**

I use my DA21mm more than anything else.

SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited | Flickr

reh321 · 12-05-2019, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

This isn't about a particular lens... this is about what is the focal length you use the most - and your favorite as well if it's actually different from what you end up using he most (like a portrait photographer might use short tele the most, but really loves a 35mm/FFEq the most).

For me it's around 50mm on APS-C on both... I end up using it the most. Even when I have my DA 16-45 on, I use it a lot on 45mm which is close enough. So I guess that's around 75mm in terms of full frame.

I thought of this thread when I went out yesterday to take pictures during my lunch walk with a 24mm lens on my K10D and TWO 50mm lenses on my jacket pockets... (one a f1.4, and the other an f4 Macro...)

30mm is my 2nd most used focal length (was 35mm before I got the Sigma, that's also close enough as well). Again, on APS-C.

What about your?

Honestly, I do not have a “favorite focal length” . Since I got into AF, I have selected my perspective and then zoomed to get my framing.

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-05-2019, 10:45 AM - **1 Like**

It's about 35mm on APS-C. Last year I started buying SMC DA Limiteds. Each time a new lens arrived, it was my favorite focal length of all time. So it's not 35mm or nothing, there's more flexibility. Handling features matter to me a lot. I had an SMC Takumar 35/2 that never got used because it was too big. I got an old Vivitar M42 35/2.8 for nothing a few years ago, not even that big, but just couldn't find anything to like about using it so I gave it away. But I have used my FA 35/2 back to back with my newly acquired DA Limited 35/2.8.

**ThorSanchez** · 12-05-2019, 10:50 AM

Depends... I shoot a lot of kids soccer, and there I'm all over the place from 55 to 300 with the PLM. My most used lens after that is probably the 40mm limited, although I've used the 21mm limited quite a lot since I got it earlier this year. I've also had trips where the 15mm limited was almost glued on the camera.

And I think that if Pentax made a tiny 20-something mm WR LTD lens that would shoot to the top of my list.

**Sir Nameless** · 12-05-2019, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Regarding peaks at the common focal lengths, it's interesting how that happens isn't it?

Very true. The flip side is also true, there are some focal lengths I tend to not use unless I make myself (around 20-30 and 65-90). No clue why. I once went out one day with my zoom set at 24 just to force myself to do what I could with it.

Next thing I want to try as a design exercise is go out and compose with camera position (without looking through the viewfinder), then use my zoom to frame. As a side effect, it would be interesting to see what FLs shake out of that.

bertwert · 12-05-2019, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

How long have you had it? And were you a wide angle shooter before that?

I think I got it September last year, I like wide angle landscape shots

Part of it is probably how nice the lens is to use.

Last edited by bertwert; 12-05-2019 at 11:28 AM.

bertwert · 12-05-2019, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by ThorSanchez

And I think that if Pentax made a tiny 20-something mm WR LTD lens that would shoot to the top of my list.

Yep! If only the 21 Ltd was WR, I'd probably not use another lens again...
Took it as my only lens on a trip to Scotland and didn't find it lacking, just worried about lack of WR when out on multi-day ski touring trips through blizzards and such. End up using my 18-55 sometimes just because of WR.

**Madaboutpix** · 12-05-2019, 11:28 AM

By far my most used FLs on APS-C, which is the only thing I shoot, turn out to be the 10, 15, 18, 35, 50, 55, and 300mm. Even when using zooms, I seem to gravitate towards those focals. 18mm sees much less use since I no longer use my 18-55mm kit zoom. Likewise, much of what the 55mm zoom settings used to do gets now done with my optically superior DA50 prime.

Actually, I like having options -- extreme, moderate, as well as standard focal lengths -- but when I have no idea of what I will encounter and have to decide what lens to put on the camera, more often than not, I will grab that 50-mil. If I owned a compact-but-awesome 21, like the DA21 Limited, I bet that would see a lot of use too.

ChristianRock · 12-05-2019, 11:52 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by reh321

Honestly, I do not have a “favorite focal length” . Since I got into AF, I have selected my perspective and then zoomed to get my framing.

Why don't you surprise yourself and try to find out what the most used focal length has been?

**travelswsage** · 12-05-2019, 11:53 AM

Not traveling much anymore so I would say I probably use the 180mm macro to fool around the house and garden as much as anything else. When I do get a vacation & shoot landscapes it would be 24mm and on the DFA 28-105 the 85-100mm area.

ChristianRock · 12-05-2019, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by Madaboutpix

By far my most used FLs on APS-C, which is the only thing I shoot, turn out to be the 10, 15, 18, 35, 50, 55, and 300mm.

That's a bit vague isn't it? Are you sure there isn't one or maybe two focal lengths that you just end up using a bit more than the others?

**c.a.m** · 12-05-2019, 12:06 PM

I guess I'm a short telephoto kinda guy -- my most frequent focal length is 50 mm on APS-C.

That's not too surprising -- I shoot often with my DA* 50-135, and it's one of my travel lenses.

The next common FLs are 35 mm (DA 35mm Limited), 300 mm (DA* 300) and 21 mm. 43 mm is catching up, though.

- Craig

**kiwi_jono** · 12-05-2019, 12:09 PM

My "Favourite" seems to change over time, partially due to spending more time with a new acquisition and partially because I'm shooting a certain type of subject for a period.

However if I averaged it all, I suspect it would fall somewhere around FF 43mm and this is also a focal length I'm using quite a lot at the moment.

Jeff · 12-05-2019, 12:19 PM

On my K1 it's the DA* 50mm 1.4. If I have my KP then it's the 35mm 2.8 macro (which becomes then almost a 'normal' lens) and on my tiny GX800 it's the Sigma 19mm - also near normal. I really like these FL's as they represent what I see. And of course I also like to use the 43mm 1.9 - as perfect a normal lens as you can get on FF.

12-05-2019, 10:21 AM - 1 Like	#17
7.62lew Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,192	I use my DA21mm more than anything else. SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited \| Flickr Last edited by 7.62lew; 12-05-2019 at 10:38 AM.

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12-05-2019, 10:17 AM - 1 Like	#16
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	I'd say 85% of my shots are with my 105mm f2.8 Lester Dine (Kiron) macro.

12-05-2019, 10:38 AM	#18
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by ChristianRock This isn't about a particular lens... this is about what is the focal length you use the most - and your favorite as well if it's actually different from what you end up using he most (like a portrait photographer might use short tele the most, but really loves a 35mm/FFEq the most). For me it's around 50mm on APS-C on both... I end up using it the most. Even when I have my DA 16-45 on, I use it a lot on 45mm which is close enough. So I guess that's around 75mm in terms of full frame. I thought of this thread when I went out yesterday to take pictures during my lunch walk with a 24mm lens on my K10D and TWO 50mm lenses on my jacket pockets... (one a f1.4, and the other an f4 Macro...) 30mm is my 2nd most used focal length (was 35mm before I got the Sigma, that's also close enough as well). Again, on APS-C. What about your? Honestly, I do not have a “favorite focal length” . Since I got into AF, I have selected my perspective and then zoomed to get my framing.

12-05-2019, 10:45 AM - 1 Like	#19
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	It's about 35mm on APS-C. Last year I started buying SMC DA Limiteds. Each time a new lens arrived, it was my favorite focal length of all time. So it's not 35mm or nothing, there's more flexibility. Handling features matter to me a lot. I had an SMC Takumar 35/2 that never got used because it was too big. I got an old Vivitar M42 35/2.8 for nothing a few years ago, not even that big, but just couldn't find anything to like about using it so I gave it away. But I have used my FA 35/2 back to back with my newly acquired DA Limited 35/2.8.

12-05-2019, 10:50 AM	#20
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,805	Depends... I shoot a lot of kids soccer, and there I'm all over the place from 55 to 300 with the PLM. My most used lens after that is probably the 40mm limited, although I've used the 21mm limited quite a lot since I got it earlier this year. I've also had trips where the 15mm limited was almost glued on the camera. And I think that if Pentax made a tiny 20-something mm WR LTD lens that would shoot to the top of my list.

12-05-2019, 11:09 AM	#21
Sir Nameless Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mass a chew sits Photos: Gallery Posts: 574	Originally posted by ChristianRock Regarding peaks at the common focal lengths, it's interesting how that happens isn't it? Very true. The flip side is also true, there are some focal lengths I tend to not use unless I make myself (around 20-30 and 65-90). No clue why. I once went out one day with my zoom set at 24 just to force myself to do what I could with it. Next thing I want to try as a design exercise is go out and compose with camera position (without looking through the viewfinder), then use my zoom to frame. As a side effect, it would be interesting to see what FLs shake out of that.

12-05-2019, 11:21 AM	#22
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by ChristianRock How long have you had it? And were you a wide angle shooter before that? I think I got it September last year, I like wide angle landscape shots Part of it is probably how nice the lens is to use. Last edited by bertwert; 12-05-2019 at 11:28 AM.

12-05-2019, 11:22 AM	#23
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by ThorSanchez And I think that if Pentax made a tiny 20-something mm WR LTD lens that would shoot to the top of my list. Yep! If only the 21 Ltd was WR, I'd probably not use another lens again... Took it as my only lens on a trip to Scotland and didn't find it lacking, just worried about lack of WR when out on multi-day ski touring trips through blizzards and such. End up using my 18-55 sometimes just because of WR.

12-05-2019, 11:28 AM	#24
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,439	By far my most used FLs on APS-C, which is the only thing I shoot, turn out to be the 10, 15, 18, 35, 50, 55, and 300mm. Even when using zooms, I seem to gravitate towards those focals. 18mm sees much less use since I no longer use my 18-55mm kit zoom. Likewise, much of what the 55mm zoom settings used to do gets now done with my optically superior DA50 prime. Actually, I like having options -- extreme, moderate, as well as standard focal lengths -- but when I have no idea of what I will encounter and have to decide what lens to put on the camera, more often than not, I will grab that 50-mil. If I owned a compact-but-awesome 21, like the DA21 Limited, I bet that would see a lot of use too.

12-05-2019, 11:52 AM - 1 Like	#25
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by reh321 Honestly, I do not have a “favorite focal length” . Since I got into AF, I have selected my perspective and then zoomed to get my framing. Why don't you surprise yourself and try to find out what the most used focal length has been?

12-05-2019, 11:53 AM	#26
travelswsage Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 385	Not traveling much anymore so I would say I probably use the 180mm macro to fool around the house and garden as much as anything else. When I do get a vacation & shoot landscapes it would be 24mm and on the DFA 28-105 the 85-100mm area.

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12-05-2019, 11:55 AM	#27
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by Madaboutpix By far my most used FLs on APS-C, which is the only thing I shoot, turn out to be the 10, 15, 18, 35, 50, 55, and 300mm. That's a bit vague isn't it? Are you sure there isn't one or maybe two focal lengths that you just end up using a bit more than the others?

12-05-2019, 12:06 PM	#28
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,188	I guess I'm a short telephoto kinda guy -- my most frequent focal length is 50 mm on APS-C. That's not too surprising -- I shoot often with my DA* 50-135, and it's one of my travel lenses. The next common FLs are 35 mm (DA 35mm Limited), 300 mm (DA* 300) and 21 mm. 43 mm is catching up, though. - Craig

12-05-2019, 12:09 PM	#29
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	My "Favourite" seems to change over time, partially due to spending more time with a new acquisition and partially because I'm shooting a certain type of subject for a period. However if I averaged it all, I suspect it would fall somewhere around FF 43mm and this is also a focal length I'm using quite a lot at the moment.

12-05-2019, 12:19 PM	#30
Jeff Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Berkshire, England Posts: 837	On my K1 it's the DA* 50mm 1.4. If I have my KP then it's the 35mm 2.8 macro (which becomes then almost a 'normal' lens) and on my tiny GX800 it's the Sigma 19mm - also near normal. I really like these FL's as they represent what I see. And of course I also like to use the 43mm 1.9 - as perfect a normal lens as you can get on FF.