35MM VS 50MM lens: Which One is Better?

There are two main types of camera lenses: 35mm and 50mm. The difference between the two is that the 35mm lens is wider, giving photos a more cinematic feel. Additionally, it’s often used for shooting portraits or for capturing wide landscapes.

On the other hand, the 50mm lens is narrower, making it better for close-ups and video shoots. It’s also common to use a 50mm lens when you want to capture candid shots or shoot inside scenes without distortion.

If you are looking for a versatile lens that will give your photos a unique look, read this guide and find out which one is better for you.

What is mm?

A lens’s focal length or focal range is determined primarily by the letter “mm,” which stands for millimeters in a lens. For example, the focal length of a lens can be between 18mm and 120mm at its shortest and longest focal lengths.

This standard unit measurement will allow you to get a precise sense of which lens will be most appropriate for you to utilize based on your needs.

What are 35mm and 50mm?

Lenses come with various focal lengths, which helps in taking different types of photographs in a particular manner. 

1. 35mm lens 

A 35mm focal length lens provides a larger field of view of approximately 54 degrees, which makes it a more convenient choice when traveling or attending events.

As a wide-angle lens, the 35mm can capture a larger area of the frame and is well suited for candid, portrait, and wide-angle photography; with the help of a 35mm lens, it is simple to achieve a stunning photo in just a few minutes.

2. 50mm lens

A 50mm lens, on the other hand, has a small field of view (about 39-40 degrees), which means that you can only catch specific sections of the scene when compared to a wide-angle frame. 

This lens is ideal for beginners as well as for photographing portraits in low light. The 50mm lens provides the same field of view as our eyes do, and it is also believed to be an excellent lens because we are used to seeing things from a 40-degree angle of view in our daily lives.

Advantages of a 35mm Lens

There are some advantages and disadvantages of the 35 mm lens, which are mentioned in the following points below:

35mm lenses are one of the most popular types of camera lenses and for good reason. They offer a number of advantages that make them ideal for a variety of photography genres.

One of the biggest advantages of 35mm lenses is their versatility. They can be used for everything from street photography to landscape photography and everything in between. Let’s see what are the advantages of using a 35mm lens.

1. You can get a wide range of views with a 35mm lens

One of the great things about 35mm lenses is that they offer a wide range of views. This makes them perfect for capturing both wide-angle shots and more tight, intimate shots.

With a 35mm lens, you can easily capture sweeping landscapes or large groups of people without having to worry about getting too close or too far away from your subject.

2. They’re easy to carry around

Another big advantage of 35mm lenses is that they’re small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around with you. This is especially beneficial if you’re a street photographer or travel photographer who needs to be able to move quickly and easily.

3. They offer a natural field of view

Another advantage of 35mm lenses is that they offer a natural field of view. This means that what you see through the lens is similar to what you see with your own eyes.

This can be helpful when you’re trying to capture photos that look natural and unstaged. It’s also helpful for getting a feel for the scene before you even start taking photos.

Furthermore, because 35mm lenses offer such a wide range of views, you can easily find one that will fit your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for a wide-angle lens or a more tight, intimate lens, you’re sure to find a 35mm lens that will suit your needs.

4. It is best suitable for indoor shoots

35mm lenses also work well for indoor photography. Because they offer a natural field of view, they can help you capture photos that look more natural and less staged. Additionally, because they’re small and lightweight, they’re easy to carry around with you, making them ideal for indoor photography.

5. Limited distortion

Another advantage of 35mm lenses is that they offer limited distortion. This means that your photos will look more natural and less distorted.

35mm lenses are also less likely to cause vignetting, which is when the edges of your photos appear darker than the rest of the photo. This is because 35mm lenses have a shorter focal length, which allows them to capture a wider field of view.

Disadvantages of 35mm Lenses

1. Not ideal for street photography

35mm lenses are not ideal for street photography, as they can be too wide and result in photos with too much background information. This can make it difficult to focus on your subject and can also lead to photos with a lot of distractions.

2. Can be too wide for portraits

35mm lenses can also be too wide for portraits, as they can distort your subject’s features. This is because the focal length of a 35mm lens is much shorter than that of a longer lens, such as an 85mm or 100mm. This can make your subject’s nose appear too large or their eyes appear too small.

3. Limited zoom range

35mm lenses have a limited zoom range, which means that you won’t be able to get close to your subject if they are far away. This can be a problem if you’re trying to take a photo of a small object or if you’re trying to capture a photo of a landscape.

4. Not ideal for low light photography

35mm lenses are also not ideal for low light photography, as they have a large aperture. This can make it difficult to get a clear photo in low-light conditions.

Advantages of 50mm Lens

There are various advantages and disadvantages of 50 mm lens which can help you to know it much better:

Advantages of 50mm Lens

1. Better for street photography

50mm lenses are better for street photography, as they are not too wide and result in photos with less background information. This can make it easier to focus on your subject and can also lead to photos with fewer distractions.

2. Better for portraits

50mm lenses are also better for portraits, as they do not distort your subject’s features as much as 35mm lenses can. This is because the focal length of a 50mm lens is much longer than that of a shorter lens, such as a 35mm. This can make your subject’s nose appear more normal or their eyes appear more natural.

3. More zoom range

50mm lenses have a more zoom range than 35mm lenses, which means that you will be able to get closer to your subject if they are far away. This can be a great advantage if you’re trying to take a photo of a small object or if you’re trying to capture a photo of a landscape.

4. Better for low light photography

50mm lenses are also better for low light photography, as they have a smaller aperture. This can make it easier to get a clear photo in low-light conditions.

Disadvantages of 50mm lenses

1. Not ideal for wide shots

50mm lenses are not ideal for wide shots, as they can distort the image and make it appear too narrow. This can be a problem if you’re trying to take a photo of a large group of people or if you’re trying to capture a photo of a landscape.

2. Limited zoom range

50mm lenses have a limited zoom range, which means that you won’t be able to get close to your subject if they are far away. This can be a problem if you’re trying to take a photo of a small object or if you’re trying to capture a photo of a landscape.

Which is better, 35mm or 50mm lens?

35mm vs 50mm lens – they both have unique characteristics that make it simple to capture a specific sort of image, but when it comes to picking the best lens between 35mm vs 50mm lens, the 35mm lens is the most capable of covering everything and producing excellent results due to the following reasons:

1. When it comes to field view of 35mm vs 50mm lens, then 35mm lens has a greater angle of view is wider, giving a greater depth of field, which helps in retaining the focus with clarity. 35mm lenses are often the ideal choice for photographers who wish to capture clean and clear images.
2. With the help of a 35mm lens, you can easily capture exquisite landscape and portrait shots, in which you only need to walk closer to the subject to change the frame, there is almost no distortion of the picture quality and the picture quality is unquestionably excellent.
3. When it comes to providing a natural picture between 35mm vs 50mm lens, then 35mm lens can explain the story behind a picture much more easily as it covers a larger field of view and can take a lot of subjects in the frame easily without any kind of distortion.
4. It is the greatest lens to take on vacations since it can easily capture spectacular wide-angle images with high resolution from a distance that is comfortable for the photographer. 

Additionally, the 35mm lens is commonly used by the majority of photographers that travel all over the world.

If you use a 35mm lens, you can achieve the best bokeh mode possible when shooting at maximum aperture, which allows you to focus on a single subject with relative ease. This camera is particularly well suited for photographing vistas of mountains, vast valleys, and rivers.

Is there a big difference between 35mm and 50mm?

35mm vs 50mm lens has a big difference which makes them unique among themselves. Some of the points are:

1. Depth of field

When selecting a lens, the depth of field is an important factor to consider because it helps to keep the focus on a specific subject or object. It is observed that a 35mm lens has a greater depth of field when compared to a 50mm lens because it has a larger field of vision, which allows it to retain the range of focus without any haziness or significant distortion.

2. Angle

A 35mm lens has a broader angle of vision, approximately fifty-four degrees, whereas a 50mm lens has a much narrower angle of view, approximately thirty-nine to forty degrees, resulting in a short angle of view of approximately thirty-nine to forty degrees.

3. Natural

In contrast, with a 35mm lens, you can capture a clearer and more realistic picture, which would otherwise be impossible for a 50mm lens because of the limited angle of view, which isolates and renders the subject extremely unrealistically.

FAQs

What is a 35 mm lens good for?

A 35mm lens is excellent for capturing landscape photographs with great resolution and little distortion in terms of image quality.

Additionally, it has a magnificent bokeh setting in which the background is exactly blurred; the 35mm lens is excellent at producing realistic or natural images, and it is unquestionably the most extensively used lens in the world.

Is 35mm good for portraits?

Although a 35mm lens is suitable for taking portrait photographs, it is important to remember to maintain an optimal distance from the subject of approximately 3ft. – 4ft. in order to get a great portrait photograph with little or no distortion of the person’s appearance.

Can you use a 50mm lens for family portraits?

It is possible to capture family pictures with a 50mm lens; however, it is necessary to ensure that the photography is done outside the walls, which means outside the home, because you must ensure that you have enough space to back up while shooting in an interior setting.