For most photographers trying to pick the right lens for their projects, the debate between the 50 mm and 35 mm film camera for photography always seems to come up!
Versatile as they are, the differences in their focal lengths obviously translate to the differences in their capabilities. Stick around – we’re going to break it all down for you in this comprehensive guide.
In This Article:
The Difference Between A 35mm and 50mm Lens
The key differences between the 35mm lens and the 50mm lens really come down to how much you can fit into the frame. With the 35mm lens, you get a wider field of view, while the 50mm lens gives you a more natural, narrower view that mimics what the human eye sees.
Field of View: Wide vs. Narrow
For starters, let’s talk about one of the biggest differences between these two lenses: how much you can actually fit into your frame.
You get a much wider field of view with the 35 mm camera. That’s why it is a popular choice when you’re trying to capture more of the scene around your subject (think street photography, travel shots, or even just working in small, tight spaces).
It lets you bring in a lot more of what’s happening and tell a broader story through your images.
On the flip side, the 50mm lens offers a more narrow perspective – pretty similar to the focal length of the human eye (or what your eyes naturally see).
While you won’t be able to include as much of the background, that’s actually the point! Simply put, the 50mm focuses on putting the spotlight on your subject and keeping distractions to a minimum.
Depth of Field: Shallow vs. Broader Focus
Here’s where their differences start to get more noticeable (though with certain overlapping points with the field of view discussed above).
Overall, the 50mm lens is excellent when you try to create a dreamy, blurry background (also known as bokeh). Thanks to its ability to shoot with a wider aperture (like f/1.8 or f/1.4), you can get a shallow depth of field that really makes your subject stand out.
Portrait photographers absolutely adore this special feature since it draws all the attention to the person and gives the background a soft, creamy blur.
Meanwhile, the 35-millimeter camera is a bit different. It tends to keep more of the scene in focus, which is ideal when you want to show off both your subject and the environment around them.
Distortion: Less vs. More
Although distortion is not something you always think about, it can really affect the feel of your photos!
From our research, the view on a 50 mm lens has very little distortion. Your human subjects will look just as they are – with no stretching or warping – and you can keep their faces and features looking basically natural.
On the other hand, the 35mm lens, being the wider lens between the two, can introduce some unwanted distortion, particularly around the edges of the frame.
As a result, faces or objects near the corners might look a little stretched out, which is often an issue for traditional portraits. (though some photographers actually like such distortion because it adds a unique, artistic twist to the shot).
What Is A 35mm Lens Good For?
Street and Travel Photography
Classic street photography focuses on capturing the energy and flow of life as it happens, and the 35mm lens is practically made for this type of work! With its wide angle, you’re able to include much more in the frame than a 50mm lens would allow.
When walking through a busy market, for instance, you can easily capture the vendors, the people passing by, the architecture, and everything else that makes the scene come alive.
Even better, it’s easy to stay close enough to your subjects and capture spontaneous moments without feeling like you’re intruding. You don’t need to step way back to get the shot, after all!
Plus, the wider view helps give your photos a more immersive feel, as if the viewer is right there with you on the street to take in the entire scene.
Documentary Photography
With a documentary photography project, you want your viewers to understand not just who or what your subject is but also the context in which they exist. Fortunately, the 35 mm lens’ wider field of view helps you do just that!
Let’s say you’re documenting a community event or a worker in a factory. The 35mm allows you to capture the individual while also showing the environment around them, which often plays a crucial role in telling the story. It gives the audience more to absorb and, thus, offers a more complete narrative – the entire purpose of a documentary.
Event Photography (Example: Weddings)
As you can see, this lens is wide enough to get group shots, full venues, and candid interactions between guests without stepping too far back. At the same time, it doesn’t distort people’s faces in the middle of the frame, which can be a concern with some wider lenses.
For example, during a wedding, the 35mm lens allows you to capture a couple exchanging vows with the full altar and surrounding decorations in view. Or, if you’re photographing a birthday party, you can snap candid shots of people talking and interacting while still showcasing the colorful décor and setting.
The best part is that since this lens is light and portable, you can move around easily without feeling weighed down – which is particularly helpful if you have to be on your feet for hours at an event!
What Is A 50mm Lens Good For?
Portrait Photography
We must say the 50 mm is the go-to lens for portrait photography. It gives you a natural-looking shot, meaning your subject will look just like they do in real life — no weird distortions, no exaggerated features!
And the best results happen when you open up its aperture wide. Suddenly, your subject is in crisp, sharp focus while the background melts into a beautiful, soft blur. You don’t even need tons of artificial light to get a well-lit shot.
Product Photography
Likewise, in product photography, the 50 mm allows for tack-sharp details without any of the annoying distortion you often get from a 35 mm. Everything will look crisp and clean, even when you’re taking pictures of extremely small objects like jewelry, gadgets, or even food.
Another excellent tip is to utilize the shallower depth of field and blur out the background. Your product will stay front and center, perfect for portfolios or professional product pages.
Extra Factors to Consider When Choosing Between 35mm and 50mm
- Ask yourself how comfortable you are with moving around a lot and interacting with your environment. If you prefer to “zoom with your feet,” the 35mm might be a better fit. But if you like maintaining a bit more space between you and your subject, the 50mm will feel more intuitive.
- The role of surroundings definitely matters here. Are you more interested in detailed context or singular focus? Your definitive answer will push you toward the right lens.
- Do you often crop your images in posts? If so, the 35mm gives you more freedom to work with. The 50mm, on the other hand, might require you to nail the framing in-camera more often.
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Conclusion
We’ve given you some excellent tips to help you choose the perfect lens for your creative vision. But if you’re still stuck on whether to go with the 35mm or the 50mm even after this blog post, just shoot us a message; we’ll help you figure it out!
