Did I make the right choice? What would you have chosen? Let me know in the comments, maybe we can use the comments as a topic for a future video. Cheers! 🙂
Photography is art: there is no right or wrong in my opinion, only personal preference (taste). My personal preference is 35mm: narrow enough to become intimate, wide enough to capture an entire scene.
That's easy, 35 and 85. Since I made this video, when not using my fixed 28mm lens Q2M, I've been travelling with just a 35 and 85. I've found that's all I need most of the time.
@@petripuurunen Agreed. Actually, I recently purchased an old 20mm prime, and that is my third lens, if I feel I might need it for landscapes or interiors.
Great video. I did an experiment in lightroom I look at all my photos and worked out my preferred focal length was 37.5mm. If they ever make 37.5 prime I am so on it.
The Mir 1V is exactly that, its a manual Russian lens. It’s 37.5mm f2.8 (rounded down to 37mm) I recommend looking into it, I bought one recently, I’m very excited for it to arrive
In the list of the best 28mm lenses on the market, you forgot to mention the excellent 28mm equivalent found on the Ricoh GR III. Kind regards, and thank you for your excellent videos.
Over the decades, I have tried 21, 24, 28, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55mm for one-lens/one-body street, documentary, and travel photography. All worked well. My personal favorite is the 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon ZM for my Leica M6 M-mount rangefinder. My personal favorite is the 35mm f/1.4 Nikkor for my Nikon F-mount SLR. The 23mm f/2 is my personal favorite on my APS-C Fuji X-Pro digital mirrorless.
Thanks for the input, that's interesting to know. I'm thinking the same as you now I've been shooting 28 and 35 since I made this video. I'm really liking my 35mm f1.8 Viltrox. That Zeiss is on the wish list!
Same .I've got a Nikon ais f2.8 24mm , Nikon ais f2 35mm. Nikon f2.8 55 mm micro Nikkor . Love them all. If I had to decide which lens is best , that's tough,It would be like choosing which is my favourite son or daughter .
@@jonathanbaxter4366 In my case, I had no control over the order in which my three children were born. However, I had total control over the order in which I purchased my three lenses. The 35mm was purchased first. The 55mm macro was second. The 24mm was third. If I were to lose all three, I would replace them in the same order.
@@Narsuitus ahh yes . If I was to look at the order I bought my now lenses. It was my 35 first 55 next and lastly the 24. So I reckon I would have to say the 35 would probably be the first choice.
Great video Simon! Have to admit, I'm in the camp of 50mm prime is best overall, but I would love to play around with a 28 I think, especially for street sessions.
Since making that video and shooting lots more, I'm veering towards the 35mm as being the best all-round choice if I could only have one lens. Yes, I did crop the 28mm shots a little., since I had 48MP to play with and the monochrom sensor on the leica is more like a medium format sensor as far as quality goes.
Man that is some great images 🔥🔥🔥, your experience shows. I watched y'all live and commented that I wish I was there all the way from South Carolina. I subscribed and looked forward to your content. Great video 📸 . Oh yeah and I have the Nikkor 40mm f2 for Nikon and I would say it's my most day carry around lens, it's right in between that 35mm & 50mm range. I love it
Great photos, Simon! I've just picked up a Nikkor 28mm 2.8 AIS for my Nikon FM2. I used 50mm for travel photography, but I felt in some situations it was too tight (especially for architecture shots). Remember shooting Berliner Dom, and I just had to keep stepping back since 50mm wasn't wide enough. Will keep using both, but I'm very excited about 28mm.
Great video! Enjoyed the question. I've shot landscapes for years but over the last 2-3 years I'm capturing the human landscape with my Fuji's X-T2/X-T4 and now X-T5 (APS-C). I have a Fuji 33mm 1.4 (50 eqiv) and about two months ago I bought Fuji 1.4 18mm (28mm eqiv). Anyway, Fuji has a fantastic line of lenses but the 18mm stands out big time. Linear motor, and SHARP as a tack! I love the images I've gotten but you have to get close for portraits, no doubt. Only the Fuji 90mm is in the same league when it comes to quality but the 33mm is excellent as well.
Thanks for the comment, appreciate it. I'm interested to hear about Fuji, I've been tempted to move to their APS-C system for every day use myself. The 18mm and 33mm sound like the perfect duo!
You should try the Viltrox 28mm 1.8 for Z mount. I love it so much I got rid of the 35mm 1.8 S. For weddings, I now use 28, 50, and 85. And the 70-200 for ceremony, if it is a huge church or venue.
just ordered a 28mm. i tried to be a henri cartier bresson fanboy and only shoot 50mm for the dreamy artsy look but i feel like im not really capturing the environment. yes you can capture beutiful moments with 50 but its so far from reality due to the long focal length. 50 you create cinematic isolated bubble world. i love it but its very restricted. i find myself seeing things so often and i just look through the viewfinder to find out that this photo will be so zoomed its pointless to even take it. many times its impossible to move further back.
Yes, I agree. I used a 50mm for years, and once I started shooting with a 28, wondered why it had taken me so long to find my preferred focal length. Enjoy your 28!
These past few months that's exactly what I'm doing, taking out a 35mm and 85mm for travel and general photography. Haven't used a 15mm though, that sounds interesting!
Amazing images at the end. I love 35mm but I'm captivated by 28mm. I'm on Sony and there aren't many good small 28mm. I have a 25mm Zeiss Batis and an old Caonn FD 28mm.I don't think Voightlander/Leica work well with the thick glass on the Sony sensor. The Zeiss is great but I wish it was 28mm!
What is travel photography? For me, it is recording memories of travels with family. 50mm is way too long for that. If sharing a meal, I'd have to leave the table to get a photo. If on a walk, I'd have to distance myself from the group to take a photo. Both 28mm and 35mm are good options, but I prefer 35mm for vacation travel. 35mm takes less mental effort to get decent photos. So I can spend more time enjoying the moments rather then thinking about how to get great photos.
I have to agree with you, 35mm is a perfect lens for general travel photography. In fact, I'm travelling tomorrow and a 35mm will be my main lens for walking around with. Hopefully I'll make a video about that trip. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Ah, but what about the crop factor? 😆 I'd have to shoot a 17mm to get close on a Fuji. I don't know about Nikon. I do agree though. Film would be a better comparison for me, and I only ever tend to use a 28, and a 50mm. They are the only two lenses that matter. Great video though Simon. I did enjoy that.
Good point! I'm shooting full frame, on both cameras, so can crop my images a little. Having been thinking further since I made this, I've come to the same conclusion as you, 28mm and 50mm is all you need. The end. They are my two lenses going forward, with a cheeky little 85mm making a guest appearance once in a while. Cheers mate!
@@SimonBurnCreativewell you can rest assured that no matter what you picked someone wouldn’t like it. But most would keep that to themselves. Great video.
Did I make the right choice? What would you have chosen? Let me know in the comments, maybe we can use the comments as a topic for a future video. Cheers! 🙂
Photography is art: there is no right or wrong in my opinion, only personal preference (taste). My personal preference is 35mm: narrow enough to become intimate, wide enough to capture an entire scene.
@@TimMer1981 Totally agree, and it's also ok to change our minds too. I do love the 35mm, that might be my favourite next month! 😆
50mm first, but I also carry a 28mm. Perfect 2 lens combo imo.
28 + 50 is an incredibly versatile combo. Yes, perfect!
I am a 35mm prime guy. However, I absolutely dig your 28mm shots nailing the bokeh and subject separation. Great video.
Thanks, appreciate the kind words. 🙂
Nice philosophic thoughts. What about if you have 85 and you need to pick either 35 or 50 with the 85... ?
That's easy, 35 and 85. Since I made this video, when not using my fixed 28mm lens Q2M, I've been travelling with just a 35 and 85. I've found that's all I need most of the time.
@@SimonBurnCreative Yup ! And adding 24mm to the set you have light&portable kit. Thanks for philisophic thoughts.
@@petripuurunen Agreed. Actually, I recently purchased an old 20mm prime, and that is my third lens, if I feel I might need it for landscapes or interiors.
Great video. I did an experiment in lightroom I look at all my photos and worked out my preferred focal length was 37.5mm. If they ever make 37.5 prime I am so on it.
Thanks Paul. It's quite interesting seeing what your most used focal length is. I'm sure many of us don't need telephotos once we realise.
The Mir 1V is exactly that, its a manual Russian lens. It’s 37.5mm f2.8 (rounded down to 37mm) I recommend looking into it, I bought one recently, I’m very excited for it to arrive
In the list of the best 28mm lenses on the market, you forgot to mention the excellent 28mm equivalent found on the Ricoh GR III. Kind regards, and thank you for your excellent videos.
Yes, you are correct, I didn't mention the Ricoh - a great camera! Thanks for the comment, appreciate it. 😊
Over the decades, I have tried 21, 24, 28, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55mm for one-lens/one-body street, documentary, and travel photography. All worked well.
My personal favorite is the 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon ZM for my Leica M6 M-mount rangefinder.
My personal favorite is the 35mm f/1.4 Nikkor for my Nikon F-mount SLR.
The 23mm f/2 is my personal favorite on my APS-C Fuji X-Pro digital mirrorless.
Thanks for the input, that's interesting to know. I'm thinking the same as you now I've been shooting 28 and 35 since I made this video. I'm really liking my 35mm f1.8 Viltrox. That Zeiss is on the wish list!
Same .I've got a Nikon ais f2.8 24mm , Nikon ais f2 35mm. Nikon f2.8 55 mm micro Nikkor . Love them all. If I had to decide which lens is best , that's tough,It would be like choosing which is my favourite son or daughter .
@@jonathanbaxter4366
In my case, I had no control over the order in which my three children were born. However, I had total control over the order in which I purchased my three lenses.
The 35mm was purchased first.
The 55mm macro was second.
The 24mm was third.
If I were to lose all three, I would replace them in the same order.
@@Narsuitus ahh yes . If I was to look at the order I bought my now lenses. It was my 35 first 55 next and lastly the 24. So I reckon I would have to say the 35 would probably be the first choice.
Great video Simon!
Have to admit, I'm in the camp of 50mm prime is best overall, but I would love to play around with a 28 I think, especially for street sessions.
Me too for 30+ years... and give me a few months and I may go back to that 50mm camp 😆
I like the 28mm the most also. 35 and 50mm are a bit of lazy choices for me. Question: Did you crop on the 28mm portraits?..
Since making that video and shooting lots more, I'm veering towards the 35mm as being the best all-round choice if I could only have one lens. Yes, I did crop the 28mm shots a little., since I had 48MP to play with and the monochrom sensor on the leica is more like a medium format sensor as far as quality goes.
That was awesome!! I think I would pick the 50mm lens!
Thanks! 50mm was my fave for many years, I'm glad I don't really have to pick just one lens, because 50 will always be in my camera bag.
@@SimonBurnCreative I mean same! I always have it with me a long with my other lens! 😁😁
Great video I have one question what’s the song? I want to hear it in full.
Thanks! I've archived the files from this video and don't have access to it right now, but it was a track from Artlist.
Man that is some great images 🔥🔥🔥, your experience shows. I watched y'all live and commented that I wish I was there all the way from South Carolina. I subscribed and looked forward to your content. Great video 📸 . Oh yeah and I have the Nikkor 40mm f2 for Nikon and I would say it's my most day carry around lens, it's right in between that 35mm & 50mm range. I love it
Thanks, appreciate the comment and sub! I love South Carolina, need to re-visit. 40mm is actually a very good focal length, a good choice!
50mm in the past. But since I started using the Fujinon XF 18mm F1.4 (28mm equiv.), as you've said, "it does everything that I need". Nice video mate!
Nice lens you have, great little system! Appreciate the comment. 👍🙂
Great photos, Simon! I've just picked up a Nikkor 28mm 2.8 AIS for my Nikon FM2. I used 50mm for travel photography, but I felt in some situations it was too tight (especially for architecture shots). Remember shooting Berliner Dom, and I just had to keep stepping back since 50mm wasn't wide enough. Will keep using both, but I'm very excited about 28mm.
once you get used to the 28mm you'll rarely go back to 50!
For the longest time I was stuck with a 200mm prime since my other lenses got stolen. It was an interesting way to shoot street.
Very interesting way to shoot street!
40mm
Great video! Enjoyed the question. I've shot landscapes for years but over the last 2-3 years I'm capturing the human landscape with my Fuji's X-T2/X-T4 and now X-T5 (APS-C). I have a Fuji 33mm 1.4 (50 eqiv) and about two months ago I bought Fuji 1.4 18mm (28mm eqiv). Anyway, Fuji has a fantastic line of lenses but the 18mm stands out big time. Linear motor, and SHARP as a tack! I love the images I've gotten but you have to get close for portraits, no doubt. Only the Fuji 90mm is in the same league when it comes to quality but the 33mm is excellent as well.
Thanks for the comment, appreciate it. I'm interested to hear about Fuji, I've been tempted to move to their APS-C system for every day use myself. The 18mm and 33mm sound like the perfect duo!
No problem and they also have the 23mm 1.4 but I don't have that lens. @@SimonBurnCreative
That was really nice. Fun day!
It was, you'll have to come out on the next one!
Hi Simon, Discussing this with Narsuitus, I am going to put my neck on the line and say my Nikon 35 mm ais f/2 is my lens of choice.
As a Nikon shooter, for most of my photography, I would have to agree. 😊
howdy?! Yeah- this is top upload!so long, Simon,🤙
thank you!
For me it’s easy the Nikon AF 85mm f/1.4D IF on my Nikon D4. Have a Nikon AF 28mm f/1.4D but don’t use it not so much.
I've been taking my 85mm with me along with the 35mm, for travel photography. Great combo. 👍
You should try the Viltrox 28mm 1.8 for Z mount. I love it so much I got rid of the 35mm 1.8 S. For weddings, I now use 28, 50, and 85. And the 70-200 for ceremony, if it is a huge church or venue.
I love my Viltox 35mm and 85mm, and use them most these days. Didn't know they had brought out a 28mm, thanks for the heads-up! 👍
28mm 👌 love your content
Thanks, appreciate that James. 🙏 😊
I'd select the 24-70 f/2.8 zoom. 😄
Fair enough, a very handy travel lens. I use my for travel videos. 👍
28 and 50, 85 is amazing for when the situation calls for it
I agree, these three are my default lenses when travelling now. They are all I need. Sometimes I do replace the 28 with a 35 though.
just ordered a 28mm. i tried to be a henri cartier bresson fanboy and only shoot 50mm for the dreamy artsy look but i feel like im not really capturing the environment. yes you can capture beutiful moments with 50 but its so far from reality due to the long focal length. 50 you create cinematic isolated bubble world. i love it but its very restricted. i find myself seeing things so often and i just look through the viewfinder to find out that this photo will be so zoomed its pointless to even take it. many times its impossible to move further back.
Yes, I agree. I used a 50mm for years, and once I started shooting with a 28, wondered why it had taken me so long to find my preferred focal length. Enjoy your 28!
I use 35mm and 85mm for street photography. I have a 15mm F4 7Artisans for the super wide shots
These past few months that's exactly what I'm doing, taking out a 35mm and 85mm for travel and general photography. Haven't used a 15mm though, that sounds interesting!
Amazing images at the end. I love 35mm but I'm captivated by 28mm. I'm on Sony and there aren't many good small 28mm. I have a 25mm Zeiss Batis and an old Caonn FD 28mm.I don't think Voightlander/Leica work well with the thick glass on the Sony sensor. The Zeiss is great but I wish it was 28mm!
Thanks! There is limited choice for a good small manual 28mm for most brands, and more choice fro cropped-sensor cameras it seems.
hey thats me.
That was my best shot from the day, it had to feature on the thumbnail! 🙂
Is the color of this video intentional?
Yes, just experimenting. B&W next time 🙂
Good video. I've settled on (equivalent) 28mm on my small daily (Fujifilm X-M1+18mm) and 50mm (Fujifilm X-E4+35mm) for 'sessions' out and about.
I find myself always defaulting to a 28 now, after 8 months it's still my favourite. 35 a close second. Enjoy, 28 and 50 are a great combo!
What is travel photography? For me, it is recording memories of travels with family. 50mm is way too long for that. If sharing a meal, I'd have to leave the table to get a photo. If on a walk, I'd have to distance myself from the group to take a photo. Both 28mm and 35mm are good options, but I prefer 35mm for vacation travel. 35mm takes less mental effort to get decent photos. So I can spend more time enjoying the moments rather then thinking about how to get great photos.
I have to agree with you, 35mm is a perfect lens for general travel photography. In fact, I'm travelling tomorrow and a 35mm will be my main lens for walking around with. Hopefully I'll make a video about that trip. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
I have 50, 35,20. But i don't have 28. I feel 28 is going to be my favorite
I'm still loving my 28mm, after about 8 months of using it as my main lens.
For me the most used lens was my 40mm.
That seems like a good focal length.
Ah, but what about the crop factor? 😆 I'd have to shoot a 17mm to get close on a Fuji. I don't know about Nikon. I do agree though. Film would be a better comparison for me, and I only ever tend to use a 28, and a 50mm. They are the only two lenses that matter. Great video though Simon. I did enjoy that.
Good point! I'm shooting full frame, on both cameras, so can crop my images a little. Having been thinking further since I made this, I've come to the same conclusion as you, 28mm and 50mm is all you need. The end. They are my two lenses going forward, with a cheeky little 85mm making a guest appearance once in a while. Cheers mate!
Music is horrible 🤦🏻♂️
thanks!
@@SimonBurnCreativewell you can rest assured that no matter what you picked someone wouldn’t like it. But most would keep that to themselves. Great video.
@@lingham2099 I actually take great pride in my awful choice of music, terrible colour grading, and camera choices that suck. 😊
50mm marmite lens…😂😂😂
Color science in this video is terrrible. Lots of green. Green skin tones. Washed out colors. Dude Z6 SUCKS.
Thanks for the kind words, I hope you feel better about yourself now. 👍
@@SimonBurnCreativei would like more green. 😂
@@lingham2099 You almost got it, i ws going through my green phase when I made this 😁