Choosing between a 28mm lens vs 35mm lens can feel tricky when you’re just starting out with photography. Both are super popular focal lengths, and it’s easy to get confused about which one is best for what. Don’t worry, though!
This guide breaks it all down super simply. We’ll look at what each lens does best so you can pick the right one for your photos. Get ready for some clear steps to figure out your perfect lens.
28mm Lens vs 35mm Lens What’s The Big Difference
When photographers talk about lenses, they often mention focal lengths. These numbers, like 28mm or 35mm, tell you how wide or zoomed-in your view will be. Think of it like looking through a window.
A wider number means you see more of the scene, while a smaller number zooms in on a specific part. The 28mm lens vs 35mm lens debate is so common because these two focal lengths are very close, but they offer distinct looks and uses for your pictures.
Understanding how these focal lengths affect your shots is key to making them look exactly how you want. They are both considered “wide” lenses, meaning they capture more of your surroundings than a “normal” lens (often around 50mm). This makes them great for many types of photography, from street scenes to landscapes.
But the small difference in millimeters makes a noticeable impact on how much you see and how subjects appear in your photos.
Seeing The World With A 28mm Lens
A 28mm lens is wider than a 35mm lens. This means it lets you fit more into your frame. Imagine standing in a tight spot and trying to get a picture of a whole room.
A 28mm lens would be like stepping back a little further to fit more in. It gives you a broad perspective, making spaces feel larger and capturing more of the environment around your subject.
This wider view is fantastic for several reasons:
- Environmental Portraits You can include the surroundings that tell a story about the person you’re photographing. Think of a musician playing on a street corner, with the bustling city life in the background.
- Architecture Photography It’s excellent for getting entire buildings or large interiors into your shot without having to be super far away.
- Street Photography You can capture a sense of place and atmosphere, showing the busy streets and the people moving through them.
- Group Photos When you can’t step back far enough, a 28mm lens helps you squeeze everyone into the frame.
However, because it’s so wide, a 28mm lens can sometimes introduce distortion, especially at the edges of the frame. This means straight lines might look a little curved, like a fisheye effect, though this is usually subtle on good quality lenses. Also, subjects closer to the lens can appear smaller than they would with a more zoomed-in lens.
This is something to keep in mind when composing your shots.
The Charm Of The 35mm Lens
A 35mm lens is often called a “classic” or “natural” focal length. It’s very close to how our eyes naturally see the world. It provides a slightly more focused view than a 28mm lens, bringing your subject a bit closer without being too tight or too wide.
It offers a good balance between showing context and highlighting your subject.
Here’s why a 35mm lens is a favorite for many photographers:
- Versatility It’s a true all-rounder. It works well for portraits, street shots, travel, and even some landscape photography.
- Natural Perspective It doesn’t exaggerate distances as much as wider lenses, leading to a more realistic portrayal of a scene.
- Good for Storytelling You can show your subject clearly while still including enough background to give context and tell a story.
- Less Distortion Compared to a 28mm lens, a 35mm lens usually has less noticeable distortion, making straight lines appear straighter.
While a 35mm lens is very versatile, it might not be wide enough when you’re in extremely tight spaces or want to capture a vast panorama. You might have to take a few steps back to fit everything in, which isn’t always possible.
Comparing 28mm vs 35mm Direct Comparison
Let’s put the 28mm lens vs 35mm lens side by side to see how they stack up in different situations.
| Feature | 28mm Lens | 35mm Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Field of View | Wider, captures more scene | Slightly narrower, more focused |
| Distortion | Can be more noticeable, especially at edges | Generally less noticeable |
| Subject Isolation | Less, more background inclusion | Better balance, can isolate subject more easily |
| Best For | Wide landscapes, architecture, tight spaces, environmental portraits | Street photography, travel, everyday life, versatile portraits |
| Feel | Expansive, immersive | Natural, observational |
When you’re deciding between the two, think about the kinds of photos you want to take most often. If you love capturing big scenes and including a lot of the environment, 28mm might be your pick. If you prefer a more natural look that’s great for everyday shooting and telling stories with people in them, 35mm could be the better choice.
How Focal Length Affects Your Photos
The focal length of a lens doesn’t just change how much you see; it also changes how you perceive depth and how subjects appear in relation to each other.
Wide Angle Effect (28mm)
With a 28mm lens, subjects that are closer to the camera appear much larger, while objects further away seem smaller and more distant. This creates a sense of depth and can make scenes feel very expansive. It’s like the lens pulls you into the scene.
This can be great for making a small room look bigger or emphasizing the vastness of a landscape. However, if you’re shooting portraits, this can lead to facial features appearing a bit stretched if the person is too close to the lens. It requires careful framing to make sure your subjects look their best.
Natural Perspective (35mm)
A 35mm lens, being closer to the “normal” field of view, has a more natural compression. Distances between objects appear more as you’d expect them to see them with your own eyes. This makes it easier to achieve flattering portraits because facial features aren’t distorted.
It also helps in capturing a scene with a good sense of how things relate to each other. You get a good balance of subject and context without the extreme effects of wider lenses.
When To Choose Which Lens
Your choice between a 28mm lens vs 35mm lens really comes down to your personal style and what you shoot most frequently.
Pick 28mm If.
- You often find yourself in tight spaces and need to fit more into the frame.
- You enjoy capturing the atmosphere and context of a scene, like busy streets or large interiors.
- You like the look of wide-angle shots that emphasize depth and scale.
- You shoot a lot of architecture or landscapes where a broad view is essential.
- You want to get creative with environmental portraits where the background is as important as the subject.
Pick 35mm If.
- You want a lens that feels natural and versatile for most shooting situations.
- You prioritize a realistic perspective without much distortion for portraits and general scenes.
- You shoot a lot of street photography where you want to capture life as it happens with a good sense of place.
- You value a lens that performs well in low light for everyday shooting.
- You’re looking for a great “walk-around” lens that can handle a variety of subjects.
Many photographers find themselves owning both because they serve different, complementary purposes. You might use a 28mm for grand vistas and a 35mm for intimate street portraits.
28mm Lens vs 35mm Lens For Different Genres
Let’s explore how these focal lengths perform in popular photography genres.
Street Photography
For street photography, both 28mm and 35mm are excellent choices. The 28mm lens vs 35mm lens debate here is about how much of the street you want to include. A 28mm lens can capture the energy of a whole street scene, the people, the buildings, and the signs all at once.
It’s great for showing the environment that your subjects are in. On the other hand, a 35mm lens offers a slightly more intimate view. It lets you get closer to your subject while still keeping enough context to tell a story.
Many street photographers prefer 35mm for its natural perspective and its ability to isolate a subject just enough.
Travel Photography
Travel photography often requires a lens that can adapt to many situations. A 28mm lens is fantastic for capturing sweeping landscapes, vast cityscapes, and the scale of historical sites. It allows you to take in a lot of what a new place has to offer.
A 35mm lens is also a superb travel companion. It’s perfect for candid shots of people, bustling markets, and everyday life. Its natural perspective makes your travel memories look authentic.
Many travelers find a 35mm to be the most versatile lens for a single-lens setup, offering a great balance for almost any scene.
Portrait Photography
When it comes to portraits, the difference becomes more apparent. A 28mm lens can be used for environmental portraits, where the background plays a significant role in telling the subject’s story. For example, a chef in their busy kitchen or an artist in their studio.
However, if you’re shooting close-up portraits, the wide nature of 28mm can distort facial features, making noses look larger and eyes appear further apart. A 35mm lens is often a better choice for portraits that are not super tight. It provides a flattering perspective, and you can still include some background to add context without the wide-angle distortion.
For tighter portraits where you want to fill the frame with the face, you’d typically use a longer focal length like 50mm or 85mm. But for mid-range or full-body shots where you want to show the person in their environment, both 28mm and 35mm can work, with 35mm generally offering more flattering results for the face.
Event Photography
At events, you often have to work with limited space and react quickly. Both focal lengths can be useful. A 28mm lens is great for capturing the overall atmosphere of a wedding reception, a conference hall, or a concert stage.
It allows you to get a wide shot that shows everything happening. A 35mm lens is excellent for capturing candid moments between guests, speeches, or performances. Its more natural perspective helps in creating images that feel genuine and immediate.
Many event photographers use zooms that include both these focal lengths, or they might carry two prime lenses to switch between them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which lens is better for beginners 28mm or 35mm
Answer: For beginners, a 35mm lens is often recommended because it offers a more natural perspective, similar to how your eyes see. It’s very versatile and less prone to distortion, making it easier to learn with for a wide range of subjects.
Question: Does 28mm lens make people look fat
Answer: A 28mm lens is a wide-angle lens. If you get too close to a person, especially their face, it can distort features and make them appear wider or stretched. It’s better for environmental portraits where the subject is further back or for full-body shots.
Question: Can I shoot portraits with a 35mm lens
Answer: Yes, you can definitely shoot portraits with a 35mm lens. It’s a very popular focal length for portraits, especially if you want to include some of the background to give context. It offers a natural perspective that is usually flattering.
Question: Is 28mm good for landscapes
Answer: Yes, 28mm is an excellent focal length for landscape photography. Its wide field of view allows you to capture expansive scenes, grand vistas, and include a lot of the surrounding environment.
Question: Which lens is sharper 28mm or 35mm
Answer: Lens sharpness depends more on the specific lens’s quality and design rather than just its focal length. Both 28mm and 35mm lenses can be incredibly sharp if they are well-made. High-quality prime lenses in either focal length will generally be sharper than budget zoom lenses.
Final Thoughts
Deciding between a 28mm lens vs 35mm lens is a common question because both offer fantastic capabilities, but in slightly different ways. The 28mm lens pulls you into the scene, letting you capture vast landscapes, wide architectural shots, and plenty of context in your street photos. It’s your go-to when you need to fit more into the frame and emphasize the sense of space.
On the other hand, the 35mm lens offers a more natural view, very close to what the human eye sees. It’s incredibly versatile, making it ideal for everyday shooting, storytelling portraits, and capturing the authentic feel of a moment without significant distortion. Think about what kind of stories you want to tell with your camera.
If you love grand views, lean towards 28mm. If you want a lens that’s a reliable all-rounder for most situations, 35mm is a superb choice. Many photographers find that having both provides a great range of creative options.
Experiment with both if you can, or consider which type of photography you do most often to make your decision. Happy shooting!
