Picking the right lens can feel tricky when you’re just starting out. Many people wonder about the 50mm vs 35mm lens because both are super popular and often recommended. It’s easy to get confused about what makes them different and which one fits your style.
Don’t worry, though! We’re going to break it down simply. You’ll soon see which lens might be best for you and how they capture your world.
Let’s get started and clear up any confusion.
50mm Versus 35mm Lens Which Is Right For You
When you look at camera lenses, you’ll see a lot of numbers. Two of the most common ones you’ll hear about are 50mm and 35mm. These numbers tell you the focal length of the lens.
Think of focal length like how zoomed in or out the lens is. A smaller number means a wider view, and a larger number means a more zoomed-in view. This is a key difference that changes how your photos look.
What Does Focal Length Mean
Focal length is measured in millimeters (mm). It’s basically the distance from the center of the lens to the image sensor inside your camera. But for us photographers, it’s more about what we see through the lens.
A lens with a lower millimeter number, like 35mm, offers a wider field of view. This means you can fit more of the scene into your photo. A lens with a higher millimeter number, like 50mm, has a narrower field of view.
It zooms in more and shows you less of the surroundings, making subjects appear larger.
The Magic of 50mm
The 50mm lens is often called the “nifty fifty.” It’s popular because it’s very versatile and many think it mimics how the human eye sees things. It’s a great all-around lens for many types of photography. When you look through a 50mm lens, it feels natural, not too wide and not too zoomed in.
This makes it excellent for portraits because it can capture a person’s face and upper body without distorting their features, which can sometimes happen with wider lenses.
Portraits with a 50mm Lens
For portraits, a 50mm lens is fantastic. It gives you a nice distance from your subject, so you’re not crowding them, and they don’t feel like they have to pose unnaturally. The compression it offers can make backgrounds look nicely blurred, making your subject stand out.
This background blur, known as bokeh, is a big reason why photographers love prime lenses like the 50mm.
Everyday Photography and the 50mm
Beyond portraits, the 50mm lens is also good for general-purpose shooting. If you’re walking around and want to capture scenes without being too wide or too zoomed in, the 50mm is a good choice. It’s excellent for street photography if you like to get a bit closer to your subjects.
It’s also useful for shooting details or still life. The clarity and sharpness you can get with a 50mm lens are often top-notch.
Exploring the World with 35mm
The 35mm lens offers a wider perspective compared to the 50mm. This wider view makes it ideal for capturing more of your environment. If you’re shooting in tight spaces or want to include a lot of context in your photos, a 35mm lens is a great pick.
It’s often seen as a “storytelling” lens because it allows you to show the subject within its surroundings.
Street Photography and 35mm
Street photography is where the 35mm lens really shines. Because it’s wider, you can capture more of the bustling street scene, the atmosphere, and the people interacting with their environment. You can get close to your subject and still include enough of the background to tell a complete story.
This makes your photos feel more immersive and engaging.
Wide-Angle Views and 35mm
Even though it’s not a super wide-angle lens like a 24mm or 18mm, the 35mm still gives you a nice expansive feel. It’s perfect for landscape shots where you want to show a sweeping view, or for architectural photography where you need to capture the scale of a building. It’s also good for group photos because you can fit more people into the frame without having to step too far back.
Key Differences in Image Style
The most noticeable difference between a 50mm and a 35mm lens is the field of view. A 50mm lens gives you a tighter, more focused look. It’s like looking through a window, focusing on one thing.
A 35mm lens gives you a broader view, like standing in a room and seeing most of what’s around you. This affects how you compose your shots and what you choose to include in the frame.
Perspective and Distortion
Wider lenses like the 35mm can sometimes introduce more perspective distortion, especially at the edges of the frame. This means that straight lines might appear to curve slightly, and objects close to the edges can look stretched. This isn’t always a bad thing; sometimes, it can add to the dynamic feel of a photo.
A 50mm lens, on the other hand, has much less distortion, making it more natural-looking for subjects like people’s faces.
Background Compression and Bokeh
The 50mm lens generally offers more background compression. This means that the background elements appear closer to your subject than they actually are, and they can also be blurred more effectively if you’re shooting with a wide aperture (a low f-number). This is great for making your subject pop.
The 35mm lens offers less compression, so the background will appear further away from the subject and might be sharper, showing more detail.
When To Choose 50mm
You should lean towards a 50mm lens if your primary interest is portraits, especially headshots and half-body shots. If you want a natural perspective that’s easy on the eyes and produces pleasing bokeh for subject isolation, the 50mm is a strong contender. It’s also a great choice for general photography when you want to capture a scene without getting too wide, and you appreciate a slightly more “zoomed-in” feel.
Consider the 50mm if:
- You shoot a lot of portraits and want beautiful background blur.
- You prefer a natural perspective that closely matches human vision.
- You want a versatile lens for everyday shooting that isn’t too wide.
- You’re interested in capturing details and isolating subjects from their environment.
When To Choose 35mm
Opt for a 35mm lens if you’re interested in street photography, environmental portraits, or any situation where you need to capture more of the scene around your subject. If you enjoy telling stories with your images by showing the context, the 35mm is your friend. It’s also a go-to for landscapes and architectural shots where a wider view is beneficial.
Think about the 35mm if:
- You do a lot of street photography and want to capture the atmosphere.
- You shoot environmental portraits and want to include the subject’s surroundings.
- You need a wider perspective for landscapes or architecture.
- You like to include more context in your storytelling photos.
- You want a lens that can work well in tighter indoor spaces.
Comparing Lenses Side-by-Side
Let’s put them side-by-side to see how they stack up. Both lenses are often available as prime lenses, meaning they have a fixed focal length and do not zoom. This usually means they have wider maximum apertures (like f/1.8 or f/1.4) which are great for low light and achieving shallow depth of field.
| Feature | 50mm Lens | 35mm Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Field of View | Narrower, more focused | Wider, more expansive |
| Best For | Portraits, details, general use | Street, environmental portraits, landscapes |
| Perspective | Natural, similar to human eye | Slightly wider than human eye |
| Background Compression | Higher | Lower |
| Distortion | Minimal | Slightly more noticeable, especially at edges |
| Common Aperture | f/1.8, f/1.4 | f/1.8, f/1.4 |
Common Misconceptions and Truths
One common idea is that you absolutely must have a 50mm lens. While it’s fantastic, it’s not the only great option. Similarly, some people think 35mm is only for wide shots, but it’s a very useful focal length for many things beyond just landscapes.
The truth is, both lenses are incredibly capable, and your personal style and subject matter matter most.
Another point of confusion is how they perform on different camera sensor sizes, like full-frame versus crop sensors (APS-C). On a crop sensor camera, a 50mm lens will behave more like a 75mm or 80mm lens (due to the crop factor), making it even more zoomed in. A 35mm lens on a crop sensor might feel more like a 50mm lens.
This is important to consider when choosing, as it changes the effective field of view.
Choosing Your First Prime Lens
If you’re buying your very first prime lens, think about what you enjoy shooting the most. If you’re drawn to people and want to make them the clear star of your photos, the 50mm is likely a safer bet. If you’re more interested in capturing the energy of places, the stories happening on the street, or fitting more into your frame, the 35mm might be a better starting point.
Don’t be afraid to rent lenses before you buy. This is a great way to test them out in real-world situations and see how they feel in your hands and through your viewfinder. What looks good on paper might feel different when you’re actually using it.
Understanding Aperture and Depth of Field
Both 50mm and 35mm lenses can come with wide apertures, like f/1.8 or f/1.4. This is a significant advantage. Aperture controls how much light enters the lens and also affects the depth of field.
Depth of field is the area in your photo that is in focus. A wide aperture creates a shallow depth of field, which means only a small part of the image is sharp, and the rest is blurred.
With a 50mm lens and a wide aperture, you can achieve a very pleasing, creamy bokeh that isolates your subject beautifully. This is perfect for portraits. With a 35mm lens and a wide aperture, you can still get some background blur, but it will be less pronounced than with a 50mm lens at the same aperture.
This can be beneficial if you want to keep more of the background in focus to provide context.
The “Nifty Fifty” Advantage
The nickname “nifty fifty” comes from the 50mm lens’s ability to produce great results at an affordable price. Many manufacturers offer excellent 50mm f/1.8 lenses that are relatively inexpensive, making them accessible to beginners. Their versatility also means they are lenses many photographers keep in their bag for a long time, regardless of how many other lenses they own.
This affordability combined with high image quality makes the 50mm lens a fantastic learning tool. You can experiment with composition and focus without breaking the bank. It teaches you to “zoom with your feet,” meaning you move closer or further away from your subject to achieve the desired framing, which is a fundamental photography skill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Which lens is better for portraits 50mm or 35mm
Answer: For classic portraits where you want to isolate your subject and achieve beautiful background blur, the 50mm lens is generally preferred. It offers a more flattering perspective for faces and less distortion compared to the 35mm lens.
Question: Can I use a 50mm lens for street photography
Answer: Yes, you absolutely can. A 50mm lens can work well for street photography if you’re comfortable getting a bit closer to your subjects. It provides a more focused view of the action.
Question: Which lens is wider 35mm or 50mm
Answer: The 35mm lens is wider than the 50mm lens. This means the 35mm will capture more of the scene in your photo.
Question: Does lens focal length matter on crop sensor cameras
Answer: Yes, focal length matters even more on crop sensor cameras. The camera’s sensor “crops” the image, making the effective focal length longer. For example, a 50mm lens on a crop sensor often acts like an 80mm lens.
Question: Are 35mm and 50mm lenses good for low light
Answer: Yes, both 35mm and 50mm prime lenses are often available with wide apertures like f/1.8 or f/1.4, which let in a lot of light. This makes them excellent choices for shooting in dimly lit conditions.
Final Thoughts
Deciding between a 50mm and a 35mm lens really comes down to the type of photos you want to create and the stories you want to tell. If you’re all about capturing people with lovely blurred backgrounds, the 50mm might feel like your perfect match. Its natural perspective is a big plus for portraits.
On the other hand, if you love capturing the energy of a place, showing how people fit into their world, or need a lens that’s great for tighter spaces, the 35mm offers that broader view. Both lenses are fantastic tools for learning and growing as a photographer. They encourage you to think about your composition and how you interact with your subjects and environment.
Don’t overthink it too much; consider what inspires you most when you look through the lens. Try them out if you can, and trust your instincts. The best lens is the one that helps you create the images you love.
