35mm Lens Focal Length: Everything You Need to Know

ByBrenda Bergreen

When it comes to versatile, lightweight, and compact prime lenses, the 35mm lens is a standout choice. Whether you’re shooting landscapes, portraits, weddings, or everyday moments, this lens delivers exceptional results. In this post, I’ll explore what makes the 35mm lens so special, compare it to other popular focal lengths, and share practical tips for getting the most out of this lens.

Plus, I’ll include links to helpful videos and affiliate links to purchase the best 35mm lenses for your needs. The 35mm lens focal length is a favorite for a reason. It’s lightweight, compact, versatile, and great for storytelling. But you do need to know how to use it properly.

Let’s walk through the why and the how of shooting with the 35mm lens.

Why Choose a 35mm Lens?

The 35mm prime lens is one of the most versatile tools in a photographers kit. Here’s why:

  • Lightweight and Compact: It’s easy to carry around, making it perfect for travel and long shoots.

  • Incredibly Versatile: The semi-wide focal length works well for everything from landscapes to portraits, indoors or outdoors, and in both wide-open and confined spaces.

  • Great for Contextual Storytelling: The 35mm strikes a balance between capturing a scene with context and avoiding unflattering distortion. This makes it ideal for environmental portraits and photojournalism.

The 35mm lens truly shines at weddings, where storytelling is key. It allows photographers to include enough of whole scene and the surrounding environment to tell a rich, compelling story.

35mm vs. Other Popular Focal Lengths

35mm vs. 50mm

The choice between a 35mm and 50mm lens often comes down to personal preference photography lenses and shooting conditions. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Versatility in Small Spaces: The 35mm excels in tight spaces where movement is limited.

  • Depth of Field: The 50mm creates a shallower depth of field, while the 35mm offers a wider depth of field for more context.

  • Portraits: The 50mm is better for isolating subjects, while the 35mm is ideal for environmental portraits.

  • Distortion: The 50mm has less distortion, but the 35mm’s distortion is minimal and manageable.

Check out our in-depth comparison of the 35mm vs. 50mm lens for more details.

35mm vs. 16-35mm Zoom Lens

The 16-35mm zoom lens offers more flexibility with its wider range but the wider lens comes with trade-offs:

  • Size and Weight: The 16-35mm is significantly bulkier, which can be inconvenient for travel.

  • Wide-Angle Capability: The 16mm end immerses viewers in dramatic landscapes or architectural shots.

  • Versatility: While the 16-35mm covers the 35mm focal length, it lacks the low-light performance and compactness of the 35mm prime.

If you’re considering the 16-35mm lens, check out the video below.

35 vs 24 vs 28

Are you looking at the 35 as it lines up fairly close to the 24 or the 28? In this video on the Battle of the Wide Primes I walk through how to choose between these three focal lengths.

Tips for Shooting with a 35mm Lens

  1. Get Close to Your Subjects

    • The compact size of the 35mm lens makes it less intimidating for subjects, encouraging natural expressions. By physically moving closer, you can create an intimate, immersive feel in your photos.

  2. Minimize Distortion

    • Keep the lens level and your subject away from the edges of the frame to reduce distortion. The 35mm is forgiving, but intentional framing is still crucial.

  3. Be Mindful of the Background

    • Since the 35mm captures more of the scene, take care to frame your shots thoughtfully. Use foreground elements to hide distractions or add depth, and adjust your perspective to include or exclude specific elements.

  4. Utilize Composition Techniques

    • Use negative space, leading lines, patterns, or repetition to enhance storytelling. The 35mm’s wide field of view makes it perfect for experimenting with creative compositions.

Pros and Cons of the 35mm Lens

Pros:

Cons:

  • Limited background separation compared to 50mm or 85mm

  • Not wide enough for dramatic landscapes or tight architectural spaces

When to Use Other Lenses

  • Switch to a 50mm or 85mm for portraits with strong subject separation and shallow depth of field.

  • Opt for a 16–35mm zoom when you need ultra-wide perspectives for landscapes or immersive scenes.

Understanding the 35mm Lens – A Deeper Dive

If you need a wide angle lens a little more background, let’s five deeper in the 35mm lens. 35mm focal length.

What is a 35mm Lens?

  • A 35mm lens is a type of camera lens with a focal length of 35mm, offering a wide-angle perspective and a natural field of view.

  • It’s a popular choice among photographers and videographers due to its versatility and image quality.

Benefits of a 35mm Prime Lens

  • Prime lenses offer a fixed focal length, encouraging photographers to think more creatively about framing and composition.

  • The 35mm prime lens is a great choice for portrait photography, street photography, and environmental portraits.

  • It provides a shallow depth of field and a wide aperture, making it ideal for capturing high-quality images in various lighting conditions.

Prime Lenses vs Zoom Lenses

What about the difference between a 35mm prime and a zoom lens that includes the 25mm focal length?

Understanding the Trade-Offs

  • Prime lenses offer exceptional image quality and a wide aperture, but they have a fixed focal length.

  • Zoom lenses offer flexibility and convenience, but they may compromise on image quality and aperture.

When to Choose a Zoom Lens

  • Zoom lenses are ideal for situations where you need to adapt to changing circumstances, such as wildlife or sports photography.

  • They’re also a good choice for beginners who want to experiment with different focal lengths.

35mm Lens Applications

Here are some more thoughts on when you might use a 25mm lens.

Street and Documentary Photography

The 35mm lens is a great choice for street and documentary photography, offering a wide-angle perspective and a natural field of view. It’s ideal for capturing candid moments and telling stories through your images.

Portraits and Close-Up Photography

The 35mm lens is a great choice lens for portrait photography, offering a shallow depth of field and a wide aperture. It’s ideal for capturing high-quality images of your subjects, with a natural and flattering perspective. Portrait photography lenses also include more flattering focal lengths like the 50mm and 85mm where distortion isn’t a concern.

Wedding Photography

The 35mm lens is a popular lens for wedding photographers. The 35mm focal length is great for storytelling and it’s wide enough to work in tight spaces without being so wide that distortion is a big issue.

Choosing the Right 35mm Lens

How do you choose the right 35mm lens for you?

Key Considerations

  • Look for a lens with a wide aperture (like f/1.4 or f/2.8) for better low-light performance and a shallower depth of field.

  • Consider the lens’s weight, size, and build quality, especially if you plan to use it for extended periods.

  • Check the lens’s compatibility with your camera body, whether it’s a full-frame camera, APS-C camera, or Micro Four Thirds camera.

Best 35mm Lenses and Where to Buy

Looking to add a 35mm lens to your kit? Here are some top options for photo or video lenses. Most of these are prime lenses for a full frame camera but I’ll include one of my favorite zooms as well. For those of you shooting with different camera bodies, feel free to reach out if you want my suggestions.

Final Thoughts

The 35mm lens focal length is a must-have for photographers who value versatility and storytelling. It’s perfect for all photography genres capturing the beauty of a moment while including the surrounding environment. While it’s not ideal for every scenario, it’s often the first lens to pack for its balance of portability and performance.

The 35mm lens is a staple for photographers who value storytelling, versatility, and portability. From weddings to shooting portraits to serious travel photography, this lens can handle it all. While it has limitations, pairing it with complementary lenses like the 50mm, 85mm, or 16-35mm ensures you’re prepared for any scenario.

Whether you’re shooting weddings, travel adventures, or everyday scenes, the 35mm lens is an exceptional tool to elevate your photography. Experiment with its unique qualities, and you’ll discover why it’s a favorite lens among professionals, street photographers, and enthusiasts alike. Ready to level up your photography with the 35mm lens? Check out our YouTube video for real-world examples and don’t forget to subscribe for more practical photography advice.

Similar Content on the Blog

Looking for longer focal lengths for your full-frame cameras. We have content on some of the ideal focal lengths for every scenario. Learn everything you need to know about the 85mm focal length. And check out this 35mm to 50mm comparison.

Everything you need to know about drone photography, a comparison of mirrorless and DSLRs, our best gear for night photography, or our favorite Peak Design backpacks.

Interested in more content like this? What else do you want to hear about?

Camera tips, posing tips, or mindset ideas? Let us know.

About the Authors

We’re the Bergreens, a photography team based in Evergreen Colorado. On the blog, we share my favorite gear tips. You can find everything you need to know about drone photography including drone accessories as well as more gear guides such as this ND filter guide.

Be sure to check out how to shoot with the 70-200mm lens or this 35mm to 50mm comparison. Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love. If we link to a product we love, Amazon links are affiliate links.

Download our free guide on how to build a creative business and a life you love or our free money and gear guide for photographers. Don’t hesitate to contact us and let us know how we can help! If we link to a product we love, Amazon links are affiliate links.

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