The 35mm lens is a highly versatile focal length.
In terms of photographic equipment, "35mm" refers to the focal length of a lens for use on a single lens reflex (SLR) camera. Digital SLRs with full-frame sensors, which are the same size as the frame space on traditional 35mm film, can use both old and new lenses as long as the mounts are compatible. The 35mm focal length is diverse, allowing for application in a variety of shooting situations.
Landscapes and Architecture
The 35mm lens is typically classified as a normal-wide. This means that it offers a larger field of view than a normal 50mm lens without distorting straight lines or causing vignetting (loss of quality at the corners or edges of the frame), which begins to appear at around 28 mm depending on the specific lens. A wide field of view and resistance to optical distortion makes 35 mm an ideal length for shooting sweeping landscapes or towering architecture. In your resulting shots, horizon lines will remain straight and buildings, even when captured from a low angle, will not appear to bulge toward the camera.
Event and Group Occasions
Fit everyone in with a 35mm lens.
Trying to photograph a bustling wedding after-party or a sports team's victory celebration with a long focal length can be limiting. Because of the tight field of view, you'll be forced to crop out important details of the scene, or only photograph small groups at a time. Attaching a 35mm lens will allow you to capture large groups or create full-body portraits from a short distance. If you wish to include visual elements of the scene, such as an interesting group of trees or a sunset in the background, this focal length provides a wide enough field of view for you to do so.
Candid and Street
Most 35 mms are more compact than most 50mm lenses, and surely smaller than any telephoto (generally, lenses with focal lengths greater than 70 mm). This compactness allows you to maintain a low profile while making candid portraits, as the subject will be less drawn to the heft of your camera. A 35 mm is also beneficial when shooting in the street. Again the lens's size will allow you to remain nonintrusive, and the wide field of view will allow you to capture buildings and storefronts without having to back up into the path of vehicles. Shorter focal lengths are also more forgiving to focusing errors, so you can shoot on the fly without worry.
Low Light or Night Shots
You can capture brilliant night scenes even without a tripod.
Generally, the slowest shutter speed that should be used without the use of a tripod is 1 over the focal length of a given lens. For example, when you're using a 35mm lens, a shutter speed of 1/30th of a second will provide acceptably sharp results even while hand-holding your camera. This allows you to use your camera in environments that usually require a slow shutter speed in addition to a wide aperture (lens opening), such as the dim interior of a museum or a lit city street at night. Though you can always crank up your ISO (sensor sensitivity) when shooting in low light, this often results in a grainy, speckled image. For smooth, crisp images without the assistance of a tripod, a 35mm lens is your choice.
Tags: focal length, 35mm lens, field view, shutter speed, will allow
