Choosing the right lens can feel tricky, especially when you’re starting out. Many photographers wonder about the difference between a 28mm lens and a 35mm lens. What makes one stand out over the other?
It’s a common question and can seem a bit confusing. But don’t worry! We’re going to break down the 28mm vs 35mm lens choice in a super simple way.
Get ready for some clear steps to help you decide.
Understanding Focal Lengths 28mm vs 35mm
When we talk about camera lenses, focal length is a big deal. It basically tells you how much of a scene the lens can capture and how magnified distant objects will appear. Think of it like zooming in or out, but without moving.
Wider lenses show more of the scene, and telephoto lenses bring things closer.
The difference between 28mm and 35mm might seem small on paper, but it really changes how your photos look. This is why the 28mm vs 35mm lens debate is so popular. Each one has its own personality and is great for different kinds of photography.
The Wide World of 28mm
A 28mm lens is considered a wide-angle lens. This means it captures a broad field of view. Imagine standing in a room and wanting to get as much of it into your picture as possible.
A 28mm lens is perfect for that.
What does this mean for your photos?
- More in the Frame You can fit more into your shot. This is awesome for landscapes where you want to show off a big sky and a wide vista.
- Sense of Space It creates a feeling of depth and space. Things that are close to the lens can look quite large, while things further away seem smaller. This can make your images feel more immersive.
- Great for Environmental Portraits If you want to take a picture of someone and also show where they are, like a street artist in their studio, 28mm works well. You get the person and their surroundings clearly.
- Can Cause Distortion Because it’s so wide, there can be some bending or stretching of lines, especially around the edges of the frame. This is called distortion. For many, it adds character, but if you want super straight lines, it’s something to watch out for.
Photographers often choose 28mm for street photography because it lets them capture a lot of the urban environment and the people within it without having to step too far back. It feels natural for documenting life as it happens. It’s also a go-to for travel photography, helping you record entire scenes and the feel of a place.
The Versatile 35mm
A 35mm lens is also considered wide, but it’s not as wide as 28mm. It’s often called a “normal” or “classic” wide lens because it’s thought to be close to how the human eye sees the world. This makes it feel very natural and comfortable to look at.
Here’s what makes 35mm special:
- Natural Perspective It offers a perspective that is very familiar to us. It doesn’t exaggerate or minimize distances too much, making your photos look realistic.
- Less Distortion Compared to 28mm, a 35mm lens has less distortion. Straight lines tend to stay straighter, which is great if you’re shooting architecture or anything where precise lines are important.
- Good for Storytelling While it captures a good amount of the scene, it also allows you to focus a bit more on your subject than a 28mm might. This balance makes it excellent for telling stories within your photos.
- Excellent All-Rounder Many photographers find that 35mm is a fantastic everyday lens. It’s wide enough for many situations but not so wide that it becomes difficult to use or distorts subjects too much.
Many documentary photographers and photojournalists favor 35mm because it allows them to be close to the action, capture the context, and still have a subject that feels connected to its environment. It’s also a favorite for candid shots and general-purpose photography because it’s so easy to work with in various settings.
Comparing Key Features: 28mm vs 35mm
Let’s put these two lenses head-to-head on some key points to make the 28mm vs 35mm lens choice clearer.
| Feature | 28mm Lens | 35mm Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Field of View | Wider (captures more of the scene) | Moderately Wide (natural field of view) |
| Distortion | More noticeable, especially at edges | Less noticeable, straighter lines |
| Sense of Space | Stronger, can make foregrounds appear larger | Balanced, realistic perspective |
| Subject Isolation | Can be harder to isolate subjects due to wide view | Easier to make subjects stand out slightly more |
| Common Uses | Landscapes, architecture, environmental portraits, travel, street | Street, travel, portraits, everyday, documentary |
| Feeling | Expansive, immersive, can be dramatic | Natural, familiar, intimate, documentary |
Think about it this way: If you’re standing on a mountain and want to capture the entire majestic view, 28mm will help you do that. If you’re at a small gathering and want to capture the people and the cozy atmosphere without feeling cramped, 35mm might be your better bet.
When to Choose 28mm
You should lean towards a 28mm lens if:
- You love capturing vast landscapes and dramatic skies.
- You want to include a lot of the environment in your portraits.
- You enjoy the creative possibilities of wide-angle distortion.
- You shoot in tight spaces and need to fit more into the frame.
- You’re drawn to the energetic, all-encompassing feel of street photography.
The 28mm lens encourages you to think about composition in a different way. You need to be mindful of what’s in the foreground and background because both will be prominent. It can make ordinary scenes feel epic.
When to Choose 35mm
A 35mm lens is likely the right choice for you if:
- You prefer a natural, lifelike perspective in your photos.
- You want a versatile lens that works well for many different types of shots.
- You shoot portraits and want your subjects to look natural without too much stretching.
- You are interested in documentary or storytelling photography.
- You want a lens that’s easy to use in everyday situations without worrying too much about distortion.
The 35mm lens is often called the “storyteller’s lens.” It lets you capture enough of the scene to give context but also allows your subject to be the clear focus. It’s a lens you can leave on your camera all day and feel confident it will handle most situations.
Putting it into Practice: Your First Shots
The best way to figure out which lens is right for you is to try them out. If you can, rent both a 28mm and a 35mm lens for a weekend and see how you feel using them.
Take the same types of photos with each lens. For example:
- Shoot a wide landscape with both.
- Photograph a person in their home with both.
- Try capturing a busy street scene with each.
- Take pictures of buildings and architectural details.
When you review your photos, pay attention to:
- Which lens made you feel more comfortable?
- Which one captured the feeling or story you wanted?
- Did you notice distortion with the 28mm? Did you like it or dislike it?
- Did the 35mm feel too “normal” or just right?
Your personal preference and the kind of photography you do most will guide your decision. There’s no single “correct” answer when comparing the 28mm vs 35mm lens. It’s about finding the tool that helps you express your vision best.
The Role of Aperture
While focal length is the main difference, don’t forget about aperture. Most prime lenses (lenses with a fixed focal length) in these ranges come with fast apertures, like f/1.8 or f/1.4. A fast aperture means you can:
- Shoot in Low Light You can capture good photos even when it’s dark.
- Create Bokeh You can get that lovely blurred background effect, which helps your subject stand out.
Both 28mm and 35mm lenses can offer these wide apertures. So, while the focal length dictates the field of view, the aperture influences how much light enters the lens and how much background blur you can achieve.
Considering Your Camera System
The type of camera you have also matters, especially when thinking about sensor size. If you’re using a camera with an APS-C sensor (often called crop sensor cameras), a 35mm lens will behave more like a 50-56mm lens on a full-frame camera. Similarly, a 28mm lens on APS-C will act more like a 40-45mm lens.
This “crop factor” can actually make a 35mm lens feel quite versatile on an APS-C camera, offering a standard field of view that’s great for portraits and everyday use. A 28mm on APS-C would give you a wider, but not extremely wide, perspective.
On a full-frame camera, both 28mm and 35mm provide their true focal length perspective, offering a wider view than on a crop sensor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is a 28mm lens too wide for portraits
Answer: A 28mm lens can be used for portraits, but it’s often considered best for environmental portraits where you want to show the subject in their surroundings. If you get too close, it can distort facial features, making noses look larger. For traditional headshots, a 35mm or longer is usually preferred.
Question: Which lens is better for street photography 28mm or 35mm
Answer: Both are excellent choices for street photography. A 28mm lens lets you capture more of the scene, giving context and energy. A 35mm lens offers a more natural perspective and allows for a bit more subject isolation while still showing the environment.
Question: Will I see a big difference between 28mm and 35mm
Answer: Yes, while it might seem like a small difference, the change in the field of view is noticeable. 28mm captures a significantly wider scene than 35mm, giving a more expansive feel. 35mm is closer to what the human eye naturally sees.
Question: Can I use a 35mm lens for landscapes
Answer: Absolutely. While 28mm is wider and captures more, 35mm is still wide enough for many landscape shots. It offers a more natural and less distorted view of the landscape compared to a very wide lens.
Question: Which lens is more versatile 28mm or 35mm
Answer: Many photographers consider the 35mm lens to be more versatile for general use. It strikes a good balance between being wide enough for many situations and having a natural perspective that works well for portraits, street, and everyday photography without significant distortion.
Final Thoughts
Deciding between a 28mm and a 35mm lens is all about finding the focal length that speaks to how you see the world and the stories you want to tell. The 28mm lens pulls you into the scene, offering an expansive view that’s perfect for grand landscapes and capturing the hustle of city life. It encourages you to include more context, making your images feel vast and immersive.
On the other hand, the 35mm lens provides a perspective that feels wonderfully natural, much like our own vision. It’s often praised for its versatility, allowing you to capture intimate moments, tell stories with clarity, and keep your subjects connected to their environment without the exaggerations that wider lenses can bring. Many photographers find that 35mm becomes their go-to lens for a wide range of situations because it’s so easy to live with.
Experimentation is key; try shooting with both and see which one makes your creative heart sing. Trust your instincts and the results you see when you use them. Your camera and lens are tools, and the best tool is the one that helps you create the images you envision.
