The Lens That Fits How You See

Last time I wrote about my renewed tendency to use primes over zooms. I received some feedback on that on one from long time reader Wilf inspired this short article.

Wilf indicated that he had been working with a number of lenses over the years and by considering his personal style, he found one lens that he preferred overall for the kinds of things that he shoots. Some others were rather close in angle of view, but the one fitted his personal style and look best for him.

I get this. Eisenstadt shot most everything with a 35mm. Cartier-Bresson was very much inclined to go with a 50mm. Both also favoured rangefinder style cameras, and while that may have been the predominant choice in their day, I too find that smaller and unobstrusive body very comfortable, particularly for the photography of people.

I tend to gravitate to two lenses these days, a change over time. My 70-200 was used most often in the past, but these days it’s a 35mm or a 400mm. I’ve returned to my original model of do everything to get it right in camera and have not all stored most of my lenses, but I have also eliminated all plug-ins in my post processing. Regular attendees know that I do not use or advocate anything of the AI miasma. We all make our own choices and I am not suggesting that anyone else do what I do. What I have found is that these very simple methods, keep photography interesting and force me to commit to better seeing, using the term of Freeman Patterson, although Conan Doyle’s Holmes would take a different approach saying everybody sees, but very few observe. Whatever the terminology, this means fewer overall images, and better results. I don’t miss the image not stored.

I suppose that because when I started out as a young person, I had only a 35mm and a 50mm and being primarily inspired by Eisenstadt, I think the 35mm was the only lens mounted to that Minolta SR3 for many years. I see like a 35mm sees. It is immediately comfortable for me. Whether I use a rangefinder, a mirrorless, a 6x6 TLR, a 645 or 6x7 medium format, I choose whichever lens provides me with that field of view because it is just so darn comfortable.

Is there a lens that just fits you best? I’m curious and there is no correct answer except the one that is correct for you.

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NO AI CRAPOLA WAS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THIS ARTICLE. THE IMAGE IS LICENSED FROM A HUMAN PHOTOGRAPHER