Learning to compose - lens advice

[01af]

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First I choose the perspective, then I choose the framing ...

... and finally you choose the lens which always is a 50 mm. Right?

[jaapv]

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Now that is not too hard, is it

 

 

And I did say a zoomlens is useful for framing, adding now, once the standpoint is chosen.

[Jeff S]

I often choose the perspective I want, then crop if needed for intended framing. One lens can work just fine for this. If circumstances preclude moving my feet, then framing choice may prevail. I sometimes carry 2 identical cameras with primes on each to expand my options.

 

Whatever it takes to get the shot. The discussion can be both technical and practical. Lots of ways to get there. The beginner needs to understand the basics, and often that requires some teaching as well as real experience.

 

Jeff

[Michael Hiles]

Notwithstanding all the above, it seems to me that the sense of perspective from my 50mm roughly matches what I see when planning the picture. And that is what I want - others may want something else.

 

One truism I have found to be generally true is - you are alwas standing n the wrong place. I move around and look carefully. The details change, sometimes in important ways, by changing points of view only slightly. And the best pictures are usually made first in my mind's eye - at least in my experience.

 

The OP in my view would be best advised to acquire one lens and learn something by limiting the variables and use his eye and mind to get some experience. In the grand scheme of things the camera simply doesn't much matter when compared with the mind's eye.

[01af]

... it seems to me that the sense of perspective from my 50 mm roughly matches what I see when planning the picture. And that is what I want—others may want something else.

Ex-act-ly

 

If you only have one lens then it should be a lens that matches your personal view. For many, that's the 50 mm lens (on 24 × 36 mm format)—but for many others, it's the 35 mm lens. The original poster's original post seems to indicate that he belongs to the latter category. Still everyone keeps trying to talk him into a 50 mm lens. I don't think he'd make a big mistake when acquiring a 50 mm for his first lens ... but I think he'll enjoy a 35 mm lens even more.

[jaapv]

Once again you are attacking your own misconceptions instead of the contents of the thread. If you had taken the trouble to read, you would have found that none of the participants is pushing the OP to get a 50 mm lens. Advising at most and that is a perfectly legitimate answer to his question.

The whole discussion about the use of the focal length is a response to post # 39 where it is called “ boring”

[01af]

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Once again you are attacking your own misconceptions instead of the contents of the thread.

You are a) hostile and mistaken.

 

 

If you had taken the trouble to read, you would have found that none of the participants (except Ruyahat) is pushing the OP to get a 50 mm lens ...

Well—using the word 'everyone' was an exaggeration ... but if you had taken the trouble to read, you'd have found that there were indeed plenty of participants who were pushing the original poster to get a 50 mm lens. See posts #2, #4, #5, #6, #20, #21, #35, #39. Only a few were encouraging him to trust his own assessment of what's best for him.

[jaapv]

So if somebody posts a question about which focal length would be best, it is not allowed to give an opinion?

[Peter H]

Jaap's right.

 

We were asked for opinions. We gave them.

 

We all know, and have acknowledged so many times that repeating it becomes tedious, that the choice of lenses is a very personal thing. To offer this truism yet again would have been less helpful than explaining our preferences and, yes, trusting him to understand the spirit in which these opinions were offered and then making his own personal decision.

[01af]

So if somebody posts a question about which focal length would be best, it is not allowed to give an opinion?

So, in a 180° turn of arguments, you don't insist in your previous notion that it was only one person who 'gave his opinion' in favour of a 50 mm lens? Fine—so we can put this to rest now.

 

By the way, I'd choose a 50 mm lens, too. But that's just me—I am not so much of a wide-angle person. Still I think the original poster would be better off with a 35 mm lens.

[jaapv]

So it is allright now for us to have opinions? Thanks

[IWC Doppel]

I suspect this thread demonstrates that both the 35 and 50 have alternative pro's, no real cons IMO.

 

I would start with a 50 as I suspect I think composition is a little easier, you'll get to know either and love either.

 

Interetsting point do people who started with a 35 think it's king and visa versa ?

[adli]

I lived my first six year of photography with a 58mm only, but now I think the 35mm is the most natural lens. With 50mm you can fotograph what is in front of you, 35mm you can photograph what is happening around you.

[pico]

Unless you first stand where the picture is what you want it to be & then adjust the frame to include the composition you want.

 

But that's what a lot of us do, Michael. It is a matter of style. You would have to see it in action. Watch my friend, a retired National Geographic photographer, or another who was a Pulitzer Prize winner, or even me. We move within the scene when possible. The NG fellow, who was once described in a book as "Six feet of legs with a baseball cap on top" would stand on his head if it made the picture.

[IkarusJohn]

I suspect this thread demonstrates that both the 35 and 50 have alternative pro's, no real cons IMO.

 

I would start with a 50 as I suspect I think composition is a little easier, you'll get to know either and love either.

 

Interetsting point do people who started with a 35 think it's king and visa versa ?

 

I started with a 35 mm, and I suspect that is my natural preference for field of view.

 

However, for the last few months, the 50 has lived on my camera - go figure! Back in the days of my Nikon FE, the 55 mm lens was the standard lens that came with the camera. I left mine sitting in the box, unused. One of the benefits at that time, switching from a Canonet with its fixed lens, was to be able to change lenses, and to use zooms.

 

If I had to choose one lens, I'd still be torn between a 50 and a 35. I suspect I'd go for the 50, but then I'd probably change my mind at the last minute. I do think a 35 is a good starting point, though.

 

Cheers

John

[NZDavid]

Lots of fascinating advice and thoughts here. I've always been comfortable with using a single focal length, and agree 50 is surprisingly flexible. Good for portraits, still lifes, and even landscapes. I also like shooting it wide open at times to give some background blur (bokeh); especially portraits in low light.

 

But Leica lenses are so light and compact (compared with DSLRs), it's easy to tuck a couple of extras into a leather waist pouch when traveling. Having said that, changing lenses continually -- especially with the M9 in dusty or windy conditions -- can be a hassle, so it's often best to decide on your preferred focal length before you head out and only change if really necessary.

 

I totally agree composition is the single most important part of photography. To George (the OP) I recommend getting some photo books, for example, National Geographics Travel photography series, and also looking online.

 

For traveling really light, I wonder if you have thought about the D-Lux 5 (really small, take anywhere, and a fraction of the price) -- even as backup when you don't want to risk taking a mega expensive camera? You can check out pictures by googling "hivemind and D-Lux 5".

 

Best,

David

 

David Killick | Freelance Journalist and Photographer

[NZDavid]

You might also consider the X1 (fixed 35) and it will be interesting to see what Leica comes up with on May 10 (possibly a new EVIL camera and M10!).

 

I still find rangefinder focusing is more accurate, if not always faster, because you choose exactly what you are focusing on.

[sblitz]

The moment you move your feet perspective changes. It's physics. Standing at the base of the empire state building looking to the top is different from looking at the top 10 blocks away. Doesn't matter which lens you are using. If u want a certain perspective wide or close moving your feet won't help. A different lens will Not sure what the argument is all about.

[gdrank]

It has become very interesting!

I know there's no "right" answer; its the personnal recommendation / preference of each one I wanted, the actual users, and more importantly the reason behind each recomendation. Thank you for that!

Filtering out responses, in my case I guess I realize it doesn't matter if its 50 or 35. Its a decision that will not be taken after carefull and extensive analysis; its a decision that I just take and make it work afterwards (as in at least 2/3 of all decisions in life...).

So I'm not stressed. I've eyed a 50mm that I will buy if its still available next week that I will be. If its not, I've also eyed a 35.. I'll hapily work with any of them and I'm confident it will become my favourite!

 

Can't wait to take the streets..

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[IkarusJohn]

The moment you move your feet perspective changes. It's physics. Standing at the base of the empire state building looking to the top is different from looking at the top 10 blocks away. Doesn't matter which lens you are using. If u want a certain perspective wide or close moving your feet won't help. A different lens will. Not sure what the argument is all about.

 

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