Which prime lenses are used the most in terms of focal length?
- Thread starter jokerzd
- Start date
That would depend a lot on your shooting style - however - Id guess that possibly the 18mm / 35mm / 50mm and 85mm would be the most popular in terms of purchase.
David W. Jones
Veteran
Since you are asking this question I'm assuming you don't have a ton of experience.
My advice... Rather than blow your wad on 3 CP lenses, purchase a full set of used manual primes like Nikon for example.
That will give you the experience working with different focal lengths. Once you learn what works for your shooting scenario, then spend the cash on the CP lenses if you still feel the need.
Good Luck!
Dave
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
we are assuming you are talking about S35mm FoV?
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
It varies for what you are trying to do, but if you look at professional lens rentals, the range is almost always between 18-100. Under 18 and over 100, is considered specialty. <18 and >100 are commonly rented, but they are usually additional to the 'lens set' which is the typical rental.
Many big films have shot with focal lengths outside the 18-100 range... but the vast majority of the time and of less big productions use lenses within that range. Which of those they end up using is very specific to production. I've shot a film where we were 75mm and 100mm more than anything else, and on another I've rode the 18mm and 25mm almost the entire time. It really depends. My first example was in an open desert, and we wanted the mountains to look bigger and we had all the room in the world (miles and miles of empty vast nothing), while the last example was a film that took place (in large) within a motel room... shot in a real motel room. It was also a psychological film, so we were really close on wide lenses to give this sensational feeling to movement. Just yesterday, we shot a film and we did 18, 32, and 50. That was it. It was a comedy and we just did 18 for wides, 32 for two shots and occasional singles and 50 for inserts and things of that nature.
18-100 is the best answer, but which from those is almost too specific.
Many big films have shot with focal lengths outside the 18-100 range... but the vast majority of the time and of less big productions use lenses within that range. Which of those they end up using is very specific to production. I've shot a film where we were 75mm and 100mm more than anything else, and on another I've rode the 18mm and 25mm almost the entire time. It really depends. My first example was in an open desert, and we wanted the mountains to look bigger and we had all the room in the world (miles and miles of empty vast nothing), while the last example was a film that took place (in large) within a motel room... shot in a real motel room. It was also a psychological film, so we were really close on wide lenses to give this sensational feeling to movement. Just yesterday, we shot a film and we did 18, 32, and 50. That was it. It was a comedy and we just did 18 for wides, 32 for two shots and occasional singles and 50 for inserts and things of that nature.
18-100 is the best answer, but which from those is almost too specific.
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