Why I Still Shoot Prime in a Zoom World
Exploring how 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm shape the way we see
As many of you know, I've had a long-standing affair with prime lenses, particularly the 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm varieties. Each of these lenses has its unique charm and set of capabilities, making them go-to choices for photographers around the globe.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Prime Lenses
28mm, 35mm, 50mm — three focal lengths, endless possibilities.
I’ve been shooting with prime lenses for decades. No zooms. No excuses. And while I go through phases, I always find myself returning to three focal lengths: 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. Each one shapes the way I see — and shoot — the world.
28mm — The Wide-Angle Immersive
It wasn’t love at first sight. But now, the 28mm is my go-to for street, architecture, and dynamic scenes. It pulls you into the frame.
✅ Storytelling power
✅ Expansive without distortion
❌ Not great for portraits — unless you like noses.
35mm — The Street Sweet Spot
This is the classic for a reason. Balanced. Honest. You can shoot an entire city on a 35mm and never feel limited.
✅ Feels like the human eye
✅ Great for streets, scenes, and people
❌ Just barely not wide enough in tight spaces
50mm — The First Love
Everyone starts here. The bokeh. The simplicity. The intimacy. It’s the lens that teaches you composition and light.
✅ Ideal for portraits and low light
✅ Creamy backgrounds
❌ Not wide. Not forgiving.
What I’ve Learned
Preferences shift. Projects change. But primes force you to move, to think, to compose. And that’s a good thing.
Personal Journey and Conclusion
While my current favourite is the 28mm lens for its immersive wide-angle view, my preferences have shifted over time. Each lens has its place and purpose, and as photographers, we often find ourselves moving between these prime choices depending on the project at hand. Whether it's the expansive 28mm, versatile 35mm, or the classic 50mm, each lens offers a unique way to capture the world around us.
I'd love to hear about your experiences and preferences. Which of these prime lenses resonates most with your style? Share your thoughts, and let's discuss the endless possibilities these lenses offer!
📍 Want more?
🔸 Three Focal Lengths, a Lifetime of Images (Paid — a deep dive into 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm)
🔸 The Photographer’s Guide to Venice (Free — gear, lenses, and tips for shooting the city)
Stay creative!
Q3 with wider than 28mm lens. I can sit across the table from family and get them all in the shot. It’s just a bit distorted but the colors are fantastic. I always want to shoot my M11 with 50mm but it requires more intention than the Q.
Good article. I started with a zoom and now I gradually got myself a 28, 35 and 84mm equivalent (I am in the Fuji crop sensor world). And if I had to cut down to one, that’d be the 28mm. Great for architectural shots but if you zoom with your feet and get close enough you get powerful shots of people in street photography, still preserving a huge dof (no boke to save your shots from a messy backgroud, composition and layering become a must). I had great results in demonstrations, travel and street. I use the 84 for portrait or details - esp when I cannot get physically close to the subject. My first passes on the scene are always 28 and then if I see potential for isolating details I mount the 84. The 35 is my compact, inconspicuous all arounder. And a good lens in busy environments where you might need tighter framing and the occasional boke to cut out the noise.