I shot with a 50mm for over 15 years. As a way of self improvement I set myself a "1 year only 35mm + f8" challenge. As you, I learned a lot about composition / framing. Now I shoot mainly with a 40mm lens, which has been my ideal focal length for the last 5+ years.

The way you are explaining this is phenomenal. I love the story telling also. Thank you so much!

“Scene” (35) and “Subject” (50); perfect definition. Better than “environmental” and “portrait”. After decades and review my pics, 35 & 50 do, or could, cover nearly everything on the street and travel.

I am a street photography. I vary between 35 & 50mm. There isn’t much of a difference between them. If I want the subject larger in my frame I take a step or two closer. If I want more background I reverse the process. I focus with my feet. This is so different from using 28 or 85mm field of view. They are both so extreme the simple process of focusing with my feet simply doesn’t work. Sometimes I simply use a zoom lens to deal with the difference in perspective. Other times I carry two bodies. One with an 85mm lens and the other with a 35mm lens. It is faster to switch bodies than switch lenses. Things happen so fast on the street I can’t be bothered switching lenses all the time. Unlike you Sean, I haven’t committed to one focal length. Committing to one focal length means carrying less weight and spending less money on lenses I use occationally. Thank you for highlighting Ernst Hass and Saul Leiter. Two of my photography heros. I didn’t realize those images were taken at 85mm. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

This might be the smoothest and clear video I've seen on focal lengths. I've been shooting in a zoom lens on digital and started shooting film with my moms old pentax camera that I found on my grandpa's house. I found a 50mm and a 28mm that both were in good shape still and decided to start with the 50mm. That was my first experience with a prime lens, making each shot worth it. When I switched to the 28mm I realized it felt really good for me. This made me start shooting even more in this focal length and practicing it by keeping my zoom lens wide open at 18mm (27mm eq.). I really enjoy shooting wide open because composition is what attracts me to photography. I had been doing this for a while now, exploring the wide view and getting better at balancing, composing and getting the feeling of the 28 images. Recently I bought the Sigma 16mm 1.4 (24mm eq, slightly wider than what I got used to) in a effort of getting sharper images and more light. I'm excited and grateful for this way of approaching focal lengths that you just described here: how do you actually see the world and which focal lengths represents that more accurately for you. I'll have that more present in mind whenever switching lenses. Thank you, Sean. PS. This is the first video I have seen from you. New subscriber here

For the last few years I have been around the 24mm area. I love the flexibility that it provides in street shots allowing a bit of openness and give things a sense of scale as well as the ability to move closer to subjects in order to get something more intimate.

This is such a balanced approach to discussing focal length. I shoot 75% at 50mm and the rest at 35mm but I keep a 28-80mm zoom handy just in case. If I had to have just one lens it would be 50mm, it’s just so versatile for portraits, documentary, street, family and even landscape with some stitching in lightroom.

I use a 16-35 zoom on a full frame camera. I probably use it around 24mm the most. I like taking photos of buildings, and I like photos where I have small things in the foreground. Like a flower up close, with a mountain in the background.

This was the most helpful video for figuring out what lens I want. The way you described the focus on a subject vs the context made so much more sense than any other video or review of focal lengths I have seen or read. Thank you.

This is by far the best video on this topic for me. Very simply explained, it can only be done by someone with great experience and talent. Perfect guidelines and it made it a lot easier for me personally to find my way around, helping any of us who have not yet clearly established our photographic techniques and preferences. A big thank you

This is great, really confirmed why I like the 35mm focal length. I went through the work by these and many others and then looked to see what focal length they used and it was the 35mm almost every time that caught my eye, not too impersonal, and not too personal yet gives the sense of being involved with the subject just enough. It also includes enough of the surrounding environment to complete the story without the subject being lost in it.

My most used for well over a year now are 50mm and 40mm. I have 40mm fixed on a rangefinder film camera that I feel I appreciate more because of it being that slight bit wider than 50 without completely altering my perspective. I plan to get 40 on my mirrorless and stick with that. I also love how compact 40 is. I'm more likely to use it instead of my phone, which I appreciate

Thank you Sean. A real pleasure to hear you tell your story.

One of the most well articulated and well explained videos I have seen on photography.

I like 85 mm. To show the small things that no one sees, but tell a story is what I love most at all the moment.

This is really the best how-to-choose-a-focal-length video I've seen. Your approach to making a choice is very helpful. I thought the phrase "I went from looking for subjects to looking for scenes" was very well put when comparing something like an 85mm with a 35mm.

"wrangle all the elements together" - what a great way to describe the almost frenzied effort of keeping everything under control in a 28mm composition.

Your photos combine with your choice of music gives me goosebump. You are special.

Sean, seriously what an incredibly good video. You have explained this so well... love the scenery and your storytelling style ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you're not sure which focal length you choose, first look to your lightroom catalogue. You may be surprised what you use the most. As ever a great video, Sean.

This is a fantastic video! You have really explained the differences very clearly. I especially like the comparison to other photographers and their own work.

Sean, your content is so rich and meaningful. Been following your channel for years. Oh, and I'm a 24mm weirdo. I've always been a 24 to 35 sort of guy. I like the environmental context, I like the distortion, I like getting in close and interacting with my subject.

always a great day when another sean tucker video comes up. oh, and I'm a nifty fifty kinda guy - I find it always works for me in numerous situations and it's been my go-to for years now.

I've recently started using a 11 to 16 for street photography in crowded streets in small town India during my travels.. hugely rewarding in capturing the large canvas .. some distortion does add charm.. depending on the composition. Loved your talk and sharing.. more power to you brother 🙏🏽

I have three focal-length sweet spots: 135, 70, and 35mm. Today, I am learning my way around 45mm. It is stretching me. But, my composition skills have been steadily improving along the way. Sean, your videos and approach to photography are such a breath of fresh air! Thank you!

Perfect timing for this subject, im going through a debate in my head about my focal lengths of choice. Thank you so much for another fantastic video. Really love all your videos!

This is by far, without a doubt the best video I have seen that illustrates the different focal lengths for full-frame and crop-sensors cameras. I just purchased my Sony FX30 (APS-C) and plan to do a ton of street videography with it. I've yet to purchase a lens because there are so many out there that it has become slightly overwhelming. Watching this video has allowed me to narrow my options down to a 35mm lens and a 50mm lens after days of deliberation. I've been stuck in a state of analysis paralysis, neglecting to explore my videography style. Your video allowed me to recognize the importance of experimenting for myself and purchase a damn lens already.

Maaan the way you tell the story is incredible ❤

Thank you for your time and effort making this for us. I appreciate it very much.

I generally prefer longer focal lengths. I don't like to be up in people's business. I like 85, but if I had to choose an all-around focal length, it'd probably be 50.

Hey Sean i really appreciate your videos and the time you give to educate us Amateur photographers or to people just starting out. since i was blessed with KZfaq pointing me in the direction of your channel i have learned so much by watching your video's. so massive thanks buddy

Out walking, I use a 30mm macro lens on a Micro Four Thirds camera (60mm equivalent). I like how it both constrains the view a bit and also brings in more context than I initially expected. It's my go-to for urban landscapes. Since it's a macro lens, I can get very close when that's what has my attention. ... Sean's journey with the different lenses and cameras is a good reminder of how I've learned what works for me through the circumstances of particular cameras, their default lenses, and purposeful experimentation. I enjoy the combination of personal, philosophical and practical in the videos. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing your journey, I'm in love with the 35 mm APSC right now. Once I realize how close it is as "real vision" I found myself composing pictures even without my camera. As always, and inspiring joy watching your video.

Bro... Your videos and work is simply next level. Thank you for sharing SOOO much info and detail fro your journey (for "free"). You're a legend mate!

Great food for thought Sean and the stunning images at the end were like free dessert! So well done! Thanks for continually inspiring!

Great video, as always it's truly enriching to hear about your experience and your point of view Sean. For me my favorite lengths are the 85mm and the 35mm, as for the 50mm it's a bit of a love hate relationship. For the 85mm, I love how it allows me to isolate a subject, to make it stand out, to bring it closer to the "eye", to only focus on details and to be more creative with the depth of field. For instance, the video you've done featuring Maarten Rots inspired me to try to keep an eye out for any smaller details or "narrower" abstract compositions in the urban landscapes. Then the 35mm, is my sweet spot for when I want to focus in larger scenes, to get more of the context in my picture, to capture crowd movements... Anything wider than that feels awkward and only works for me on a case to case basis. While the bigger frame is great to use in some instances, it feel more often like I'm facing a discrepancy between the frame that I have and the picture I want to frame. But that may also be originate from the fact that I'm more drawn to telephoto lengths than wide ones, as I love how those lengths can the things that are far closer to the eye and make them keep their immensity. Finally, the 50mm, is a lenght I keep on trying to get more comfortable with. While some of my own favorite shots were taken with it, more than often I feel like I'm stuck in an awkward position, somewhere halfway between having a field of view that's to wide for me to isolate or get as close as I'd like, but at the same time too narrow to capture the scene.

120-300mm equivalent was a revelation! Living in Japan, I was quite conscious about respecting people's privacy here, it allows me to be further away without disturbing the scene. I also love being able to pick out details of the daily life that people might not have seen. You don't need to travel to a famous IG spot to find beauty :)

I absolutely love that you talk about what lens choice does for one’s visual communication as opposed to meaningless specs like sharpness and speed. Poor photos shot with an ultra sharp lens are still poor photos. Thanks for talking about what matters.

I normally use 2.8 zooms for my work and always been a telephoto guy. But on my recent trip to Rome, I could not bring my big full frame kit, so I challenged myself with a 28 mm equivalent compact. I struggled in the start but found comfort in Sean’s old gr videos where I learned to look for scenes with interesting lighting instead of only subjects.

Hey Sean - always enjoy your content. This one is especially valuable and well said. You did such a great job articulating your focal length journey. I think we all have to cross this bridge when we need some peace when it comes to not carrying 100lbs of gear. I to have concluded I’m a 35mm~50mm person and to your point, it took a journey to get here and I learned so much along the way. But there’s no greater feeling than knowing when you go out to shoot, you know in your head how you’re going to see things, not what you’re going to see and that’s the exciting part. Keep up the great work.

Such a great video Sean. There are many thought provoking points for me in these 15 mins. As a relative beginner, it really has me thinking about "subject vs scene". I have also realized that I crop more than I probably should, and as a result I completely agree with your points around initially being more comfortable with one specific element of a photo, and being worried that the composition is not right. So, many thanks for the video, I think it will really help me to set out a bit of a roadmap for my photography journey

i've been waiting for your content man. thank you so much !

50mm here, for almost everything. It's just the perfect fit for me. I'm kind of a shy guy, I realized recently that it unconsciously forces me to stay halfway from my subject, without getting too far away neither, at least for the kind of compositions I like... Thanks for the great content, as usual ;)

I’m so glad I found this channel just now. Excellent content. I look forward for more videos. Cheers

Anyone struggling with gear acquisition syndrome (new lens addiction) needs to watch this video. Such good points about the gut feeling of how you see the world and considering if you always back up vs have to crop images

33mm has been almost glued onto my X-T4 for over a year - that's how I see the world!

Excellent video, I learnt so much... Thanks!

Your compositions are as clear as your way to speak. Thanks a lot for the video ! I pick a 35mm first, regularly next to it is a 75mm.

Interesting topic, Sean! The 85mm was also my starting point in photography but I moved very soon to wider lenses. My most used focal (about 75% of my photos) is the 50mm (equivalent), and that’s because is the normal. In my eyes, 50mm is the only area that renders totally uncompressed and without exaggeration. Going to 35mm things starts to look smaller than life (it includes some of our peripheral vision in the field of view), while anything narrower than 60mm includes compression and things are looking bigger. As for the lenses, I was a prime lens person during my early days in photography but today I am using only one lens: Sony E PZ 18-105 f4 G OSS. it has the flexibility I want for any shooting situation, it’s a quality lens and it’s first party (no AF issues at all). In the end, what matters is the ability to take the photo the way you want, not to adjust yourself to a single focal length for a bit more sharpness or a wider aperture.

Wonderful analysis and clear guidance.

Hi Sean, I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate your videos on KZfaq. Your philosophical approach to gear has really helped me understand photography better. I've been using a 100mm macro lens to shoot insects for the past four years, but while the pictures have been decent, they lacked emotion. So I decided to try something new and picked up a secondhand X100 V (35mm equivalent) for street photography. It's quite scary and a constant struggle for me, but I'm really enjoying it. Thanks for all the great content!

Great video Sean! I love the metaphor you used of starting out with a "narrower" field of vision to your now "widened" perspective on the world. I typically shoot all over the focal length spectrum but quite enjoy a 35 to 50mm as you said (and coupled with an APS-C sensor)

Thanks for the inspiration as always Sean! I really appreciate the content of this video. I have filmed short documentaries with a 50mm and a 24mm with an APSC camera and so far have never felt that I've missed out on any focal length. But to find what's my focal length and more deeply thereby, what's my way of viewing the world is definitely worth exploring. I am an admirer of Yasujiro Ozu's films and he stuck to one focal length. I would love to have that one focal length with which to view the world...

I went from a Leica Q2 to a Ricoh GRIIIx because I felt 28mm was too wide. 40mm is really comfortable now. Really enjoy your videos Sean. So eloquent, clear and meaningful.

This was a great perspective on focal lengths- thanks for sharing and keep posting!

Sean, your advise always inspire or ring my thoughts to be better photographer 🙏🏻

Thank you Sean for sharing your experience!

Last year my mother died, at the respectable age of 92, and she left me some money. I wanted to buy something that would last and would be special to me. She liked my photography and bought me my first full frame camera years ago. I decided to buy a Zeiss lens, they last a lifetime and feel so nice when used. I was struggling a bit to decide on the focal length, 85 or 35 , in the end I decided on 35 and I’m very happy I did. It is such a nice focal length and so versatile. When I go on my daily walk I always take the 35. If I had to live with just one lens, that Zeiss 35 would be it.

Loving the content and thoughtfulness. My personal journey, 75mm to 50mm to 35mm to 28mm... now I'm going back up to 85mm. I spent a lot of time at 28mm with the GRs, I do have to crop but it has taught me a lot about the scene like you said. Now I'm experimenting with abstraction and feeling my new 85mm.

Thoughtful and thought provoking content and beautiful images - thanks for sharing Sean. In my heart of hearts I’m a 50mm guy, but this year I’m challenging myself to shoot the 28mm field of view and see what I can make of it. Great for personal growth and to stretch those compositional skills.

I’m in love with the focal length 85mm f/1.4 ❤ It gives me the possibility to take ownership over what I want to draw attention to, and just that. I’m moving a lot around if I want more in the frame though, and that’s just fine! If it’s in the frame, it’s there because I put it there.

It’s great to watch this video again Sean. I recently acquired the Viltrox 27mm 1.2. That Lens feels so perfect for my eyes. 40mm is a beautiful frame. Great video 👍🏽

Awesome video. I started with a 28-75 on apsc. Switched to 35mm prime and now it’s taken some getting used to but a lot of fun composing as you said. All of your points were spot on. Good job. Looking forward to checking out more or your content now

Excellent video! I couldn't have explained it any better. You just found the right words to express not only the technical part but also the emotions behind your decision which focal length to choose. Greetings from Vienna, Enver

OMG what a nice video!!! Thank you so much, Sean!!!

Such a helpful video. Thank you.

I wish I had a teacher like you during my school days. The way you explain things explains so much and so nicely. Thanks. I like 105mm, it's let me concentrate on lesser details and focus more on singular objects.

For close to 35 years I reported news throughout Africa with 17-35mm f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8. I am no longer working as a news photographer but as caregiver in Seattle. I am struggling to "unlearn" photojournalism and to learn to shoot "for myself". I am using Nikon D610 with 28mm f2.8 and 35mm f2.8. For years, the focus had to be sharp, exposure correct with details clear in all the photo. I worked to show faces and emotions, I worked hard for action photos, tight without wasting frame space...now I have to purge that off my photography. its an exciting journey and glad Seattle is the take off point. Does anyone here any know how I can go about this? or anyone who has done this in the past?

beautiful video on a subject i've been thinking a lot about recently

thank you, Sean, very useful video

A friend turned me on to your channel and I have to say it's wonderful. I'm a semi-pro/serious amateur photog (meaning I shoot anything interesting -- except weddings -- and periodically exhibit and sell prints) but don't shoot a lot of street despite its being my favorite genre to look at. My focal length is 24mm, colored by my primary genres of architecture, cityscapes, and travel. That said my 24s aren't great so primewise I shoot 28 more, with 50 and 24 next. Even with people I gravitate to wides, influenced heavily by cinema. I really enjoy space and context, but even when I push in I like the 3-d feel that wides bring. Tricky on close-up portraits, but wonderful when you nail it. Happy shooting!

You have to go through all that experience to realize what you like the most and thanks for share it with us now is easier to figure it out

I really enjoyed listening to tire journey of identifying what works best for how you see the world. This video definitely pointed me in the right direction in my photography journey. Thank you 🙏🏽

Agreed with you totally the 35mm is the idea lens.I am an urban sketcher and most of my sketches are like the 35mm focal length. Thanks for sharing.

You are a inspiration.. Jim

Brilliant video! Thanks for challenging and encouraging us to explore and discover which lens works best for us. I tend to use a zoom for my street photography, most often a 28-300 full frame equivalent on my M43 camera.

My absolute favourite lens on my crop-sensor Sony is a Voigtlander 15mm (equivalent to 24mm) That focal length makes it easy to compose scenes with a strong geometric feel. It also allows me to get super close to my subjects. 85mm is my favourite for posed street portraits of strangers. And for night street work I use a Voigtlander 35mm or 50mm Zeus's. Great video. Thanks

Thankyou for giving me so much to think about!!

This is my photography university, thnx for the great topics and new insights.

It’s take me 2/3 years to find the focal length that works for me. I like your comments about find one or two and stick with them. My focal lengths are now my loved 35 and 85mm. Covers all the areas I want. Love the video look forward always for the next one.

Great video as I'm considering between primes and zooms and focal lengths. I have a really nice 24mm 1.4 but considering a 35mm 1.4 to add

I always enjoy your videos, Sean!

Wise words. Totally agree with you. Thanks.

Thank you. You are like a photographic philosopher.

Thank you for detailing your journey in such a crisp and succinct summary. I shoot with an aps-c camera Canon 200Dii. Lately I’ve been using the 50mm for children portraiture project at my place of work. When photographing children, I realised very quickly that it’s better if I were playing with them, and constantly chatting with them, esp toddlers. Using a longer lens is useless when they are sitting within arms length. So the nifty fifty became my lens of choice in this project. It is light enough for me to hold with one hand, and its focal length is just wide enough for me to get the details on the child’s face even when only an arms length away. It’s also my favourite street photography lens nowadays because of its lightweight. I can walk and shoot for 2-3 hrs with this lens. I’ve used the 24mm in nightscape and I love the simplicity it projects. The Nikkor 35mm remained my most loved lens of all time when I used to own a Nikon aps-c. It was so easy to “see” with that lens what I wanted to shoot and how I wanted to shoot even back in those days when I didn’t know anything about photography. I thought that lens was magic. 😂

Thank you so much. Really appreciate this video and I really love you talking about when you would use your 35 or the 50 depending on a more or less contrast day. Would love to hear more about this as my favorite time to shoot is with high contrast light using a 35mm but struggle on the many cloudy days here. ❤

What an utterly brilliant and well explained video. You have a new subscriber!

Sean made the photography journey so romantic... i'm so inspired

This is a perfect topic for me. I am working through this right now. I tend to be most comfortable with the 50mm perspective but have given myself a challenge to only use the 35mm lens for a while. I do feel I am learning for sure. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.

Lots to think about here. I am on the same journey to finding my comfort zone. I suspect that I ,too, am a 35 to 55ish photographer. I have noticed that when using zooms I am using them more like a prime and not really zooming in and out. A fun ( but expensive) voyage of discovery!

Wow, cool straight talking no BS guy. So refreshing.

Just like you Sean, my favorite portrait/headshot lens is the 50 mm. For the last 5 years, I’ve been using the 24-70mm mostly for everything else. Traveling, lifestyle, street and even some commercial work.

Great thoughts. Thanks, Sean.

What an amazing advise with your vast experience 👏🏽🙏🏽

Of all the lenses that I use, 35mm focal length seems to be my go to. I also love 28mm, however it is very challenging at times where with 35mm, I always can figure out how to frame my shots.

Great discussion video. Really makes sense

Great content, as always. Thank you!

Very well articulated.

Learned so much with this video ❤

I shot with a 50mm exclusively for 4 years. I got it with a really used D600. I was broke, like for a long time. But i took that thing everywhere. The shutter count is around 286k now. I know that focal length like the back of my hand. Today i still enjoy shooting 50mm. I have smalled lighter gear now, which i prioritize more than anything.