Picking the right lens can feel a bit tricky, especially when you’re new to photography. Many folks wonder about the difference between a 35mm and a 28mm lens. They seem close, but they offer distinct looks.
This guide will break it down super simply, showing you what each lens does best. We’ll help you figure out which one fits your style, step by step. Get ready to see how these focal lengths can change your pictures.
Understanding Focal Lengths
Focal length is a key number that tells you how much of a scene your lens can capture and how magnified distant objects appear. Think of it as the “zoom” setting on your camera, although prime lenses (lenses with a fixed focal length, like 35mm and 28mm) don’t actually zoom. The smaller the number, the wider the field of view – meaning you can fit more into your photo.
The 35mm Lens A Versatile Standard
The 35mm lens is often called the “storyteller’s lens” or a “walk-around” lens. It’s a very popular choice for a reason. It captures a field of view that’s quite close to how our eyes naturally see the world, making photos feel very realistic and relatable.
This focal length is excellent for a wide range of photography styles. It’s great for everyday life shots, street photography where you want to capture people and their surroundings without being too intrusive, and even environmental portraits where you show a person within their setting. It also works well for landscapes if you want to include a bit more context than a tighter lens would allow.
What Makes 35mm Special
- Natural Field of View: It mimics human vision, making images feel familiar and engaging.
- Versatility: Works for portraits, street scenes, travel, and everyday snapshots.
- Good for Storytelling: Allows you to include context and background information in your shots.
- Less Distortion: Compared to wider lenses, it typically has less noticeable distortion, especially at the edges of the frame.
When you use a 35mm lens, you’re not usually forced to get super close to your subject, but you’re also not so far away that you lose connection. It strikes a really nice balance.
The 28mm Lens Capturing More of the Scene
Moving to 28mm, we step into wider territory. A 28mm lens captures a significantly wider field of view than a 35mm. This means you can fit much more into your frame.
It’s often favored by photographers who want to emphasize the environment or include a lot of elements in a single shot.
This wider perspective is fantastic for architectural photography, grand landscapes, and capturing large groups of people. It can also be used for street photography to create a more immersive feel, making the viewer feel like they are right there in the middle of the action. Because it’s wider, you can get closer to your subject while still keeping a lot of background visible, which can be a powerful compositional tool.
Advantages of Using a 28mm Lens
- Wider Perspective: Captures more of the scene, ideal for expansive views.
- Great for Environments: Perfect for showing off the setting, architecture, or large landscapes.
- Immersive Street Photography: Puts the viewer directly into the scene.
- Can Create Depth: By including foreground, middle ground, and background, it adds a sense of depth.
One thing to be aware of with wider lenses like the 28mm is that they can introduce more distortion, especially if your subject is very close to the edges of the frame. This distortion can sometimes be a creative effect, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Key Differences Explained
The main difference between a 35mm and a 28mm lens boils down to the field of view they offer. Think of it like this: if you’re standing in the same spot and taking a picture with both lenses, the 28mm will show you more of what’s around you than the 35mm.
Field of View Comparison
Imagine standing in a small room. With a 35mm lens, you can capture a good portion of the room, maybe a wall and some furniture. With a 28mm lens, you’ll be able to see even more of that same room, possibly showing two walls and a wider view of the furniture.
On a full-frame camera, the difference in degrees is noticeable:
| Lens Focal Length | Approximate Horizontal Field of View (Full Frame) |
|---|---|
| 35mm | 54 degrees |
| 28mm | 65 degrees |
This roughly 11-degree difference might not sound like much, but in practice, it significantly impacts how much you can include in your photograph. The 28mm feels distinctly wider.
Distortion and Perspective
Wider lenses tend to bend straight lines, especially near the edges of the frame. This is called distortion. While both 35mm and 28mm can have some distortion, it’s generally more pronounced with the 28mm.
For example, if you photograph a tall building with a 28mm lens from its base, the building might appear to lean inwards more noticeably than it would with a 35mm lens.
Perspective refers to how objects appear in relation to each other based on your distance from them. With a wider lens like the 28mm, you can often get closer to your subject while still keeping a lot of background. This can make subjects that are closer to the camera appear larger relative to those further away, creating a stronger sense of depth and separation.
Use Cases and Artistic Intent
Your choice between 35mm and 28mm often comes down to what story you want to tell and what you want to emphasize. Do you want to focus on a subject while still giving them some breathing room with context? The 35mm is a strong contender.
Do you want to engulf your viewer in the scene, making them feel present in a wide environment? The 28mm might be your pick.
For street photographers, the 35mm often allows for a more intimate connection with subjects without being overly intrusive, while the 28mm can be used to capture the full energy and atmosphere of a busy street, including more of the surrounding architecture and the crowd.
In landscape photography, the 28mm excels at capturing vast vistas and dramatic skies, whereas the 35mm might be used for more intimate landscape details or scenes where you want to include a specific foreground element with a pleasing background.
Which Lens Is Right for You
Your Photography Style Matters
To figure out which lens is better for you, think about the kind of photos you most enjoy taking and creating. Are you drawn to capturing people in their natural environments, telling stories with your images? Or do you prefer showcasing grand scenes, vast spaces, and the bigger picture?
Consider your typical shooting situations. If you find yourself often wanting to step back to fit more into the frame, a 28mm might be very useful. If you feel like the 35mm is sometimes a bit too tight and you wish you could include more, again, 28mm is the way to go.
Conversely, if you feel like a 35mm is already giving you plenty of width and you’re concerned about distortion or losing your subject in a too-wide frame, the 35mm might be more suitable.
Testing the Lenses
The best way to truly decide is to try them out. If you can, rent both lenses or borrow them from a friend. Take them out and shoot the same scenes with both.
Pay attention to how much you have to move your feet to get the composition you want. Notice how the background appears in relation to your subject with each lens.
Look at your photos side-by-side. Which perspective feels more natural to you? Which one better conveys the emotion or information you were trying to capture?
Sometimes, seeing is believing, and hands-on experience is invaluable.
Camera Crop Factors
It’s also important to remember crop factors. If you’re using a camera with an APS-C sensor (like many DSLRs and mirrorless cameras), a 35mm lens will behave more like a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera, and a 28mm will behave more like a 42mm lens. This makes the 35mm feel more like a standard lens and the 28mm feel a bit tighter than on a full-frame.
For micro four-thirds cameras, the crop factor is 2x. So a 35mm becomes an effective 70mm, and a 28mm becomes an effective 56mm. These longer effective focal lengths change how these lenses are used on those camera systems, moving them further away from wide-angle and into normal or short telephoto territory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is a 35mm lens good for portraits
Answer: Yes, a 35mm lens can be excellent for portraits, especially environmental portraits where you want to show the subject within their surroundings. It provides a natural perspective without significant distortion when shot from a reasonable distance.
Question: Will a 28mm lens make my photos look warped
Answer: A 28mm lens can introduce some distortion, particularly at the edges of the frame. However, this effect can often be managed by keeping your subject in the center of the frame or can even be used creatively. Many modern lenses also have built-in correction for distortion.
Question: Which lens is better for street photography
Answer: Both 35mm and 28mm lenses are popular for street photography. The 35mm offers a balanced view that’s great for capturing people and context, while the 28mm allows you to capture more of the environment and atmosphere of the street.
Question: Can I use a 35mm lens for landscapes
Answer: Absolutely. While wider lenses like 24mm or 28mm are often associated with grand landscapes, a 35mm lens can be very effective for capturing more intimate landscape scenes or when you want to include a specific foreground element with a pleasing background.
Question: Which lens should I buy if I’m just starting out
Answer: For beginners, a 35mm lens is often recommended due to its versatility and natural perspective. It’s a great all-around lens that can handle many different types of photography, making it an excellent learning tool.
Final Thoughts
Deciding between a 35mm and a 28mm lens is about understanding how each perspective influences your photographs. The 35mm offers a classic, natural view that’s fantastic for storytelling and everyday life. It keeps subjects connected to their environment without feeling overly wide.
On the other hand, the 28mm opens up your frame, letting you capture more of the world around you. This makes it ideal for dramatic landscapes, expansive architecture, or creating an immersive sense of place. Both lenses have their own strengths and can be incredibly rewarding to use.
Your choice will depend on the kind of imagery you aim to create. Don’t be afraid to experiment with both to see which one sparks your creativity the most. Consider renting them to get a feel before committing, and remember that the best lens is the one that helps you tell your story.
