Prime lens for a year

[Waterbug]

I recently read an article that suggested using a prime 35mm lens only for a year would greatly enhance your skills. The writer stated that it would force you to not be lazy, get into the action etc.

Any suggestions for getting the most out of a 35mm lens?

Thanks

 

[astroNikon]

It depends. But if you only have a kit lens right now one of the advantages to using a, say, 50mm/1.8 nifty fifty is learning about aperture control. This is assuming a more novice knowledge of everything.

There are two camps on this .. ppl who think primes are better and those that don't think primes are better.

But me for one, I learned alot when I bought my first 50mm/1.8. Not necessarily in that it gets me more into the action and have to use my feet more, but in learning how the aperture is used in extremes as I never really saw the difference of a kit lenses aperture extremes.

funny info on primes -->
funny into on Zooms -->

 

[Waterbug]

I have the 50 mm f 1.8 and the 35 mm f 1.8 is on the way. I am learning how stopping it down one stop at a time while shooting the same subject gets you different results. I still have a lot to learn about light.

Thanks

 

[KmH]

I think a year is, uh, lets say - excessive - unless you only shoot a few days a year.

If you shoot regularly - say several times per week - I think a month would be sufficient.

 

[Derrel]

To get the most out of it I would say first, get a lens shade for it. If you are using a 35mm lens on an APS-C camera, look for a thread-in lens shade designed for a 1970's era 50mm lens, which will be substantially, NOTABLY LONGER, and narrower in diameter than the shade for a 35mm. Most 35mm lens shades are very short, wide shades, and are little more than finger-guards, whereas a 50mm lens shade is actually about an inch long, and around 58mm or so in diameter. The easiest way to boost image quality is with a GOOD lens shade--a shade that actually gives MAXIMUM protection from light sources. A 35mm lens used on APS-C is like a 50mm lens, so you want an old-school shade for a 50mm.

Keep the lens clean, and free from haze from airborne cooking oil, smoke, and so on.

Using a prime lens teaches you exactly what the field of view is, and what the foreground/background compression/expansion characteristics will be. On APS-C, a 35mm is pretty "normal". On FX, a 35mm prime is a wonderful semi-wide-angle length.

 

[mcap1972]

Learn about seeing good light, composition and some basic photography rules.

 

[D-B-J]

Seems excessive. Maybe two weeks or a month would work well.

 

[Andreas Timm Photography]

Agre with the other posts: A full year is probably a bit too much. Don't limit yourself too much. What I do is to pick a certain lens for e.g. 1 Day and only shoot with that. That already is quite insightful.

Enjoy photography!

Andreas

 

[Rick50]

Agre with the other posts: A full year is probably a bit too much. Don't limit yourself too much. What I do is to pick a certain lens for e.g. 1 Day and only shoot with that. That already is quite insightful.

Enjoy photography!

Andreas

I do this a lot myself. It's a good exercise in expanding your skills in perception.

 

[tirediron]

I recently read an article that suggested using a prime 35mm lens only for a year would greatly enhance your skills. The writer stated that it would force you to not be lazy, get into the action etc.

Any suggestions for getting the most out of a 35mm lens?

Thanks

Read another article! Seriously... this sort of pompous drivel is designed to do nothing more than attract traffic to a writer's 'site. Really. It's the same as saying that you should put away your 20v DeWalt cordless drill and use a breast-drill for a year because it will teach you drill holes more accurately. Granted, working with primes is a good idea, and there's NOTHING wrong with saying, "I'm going out today and shooting with nothing but my XXmm lens. But for a year? Sorry, that's just foolish.

 

[robbins.photo]

I recently read an article that suggested using a prime 35mm lens only for a year would greatly enhance your skills. The writer stated that it would force you to not be lazy, get into the action etc.

Any suggestions for getting the most out of a 35mm lens?

Thanks

That is a lot like reading an article that says you should put away every other tool you own for a year and just use a phillips head screwdriver for everything.

Nothing wrong with a screwdriver but its a bit of a challenge to mow your lawn with one and frankly a little silly to try if you have a perfectly good lawnmower on hand.

My advice? Forget the article and learn to use all of the tools you have on hand.

 

[tirediron]

I recently read an article that suggested using a prime 35mm lens only for a year would greatly enhance your skills. The writer stated that it would force you to not be lazy, get into the action etc.

Any suggestions for getting the most out of a 35mm lens?

Thanks

That is a lot like reading an article that says you should put away every other tool you own for a year and just use a phillips head screwdriver for everything.

Nothing wrong with a screwdriver but its a bit of a challenge to mow your lawn with one and frankly a little silly to try if you have a perfectly good lawnmower on hand.

My advice? Forget the article and learn to use all of the tools you have on hand.

Hey! Ape-face... get outta my head!

 

[robbins.photo]

Hey! Ape-face... get outta my head!

Oh, so that's where I am! Crap.. no wonder. Jeez it is really dark and dusty in here. Would it kill you to put in a few lights? And maybe a minibar?

Lol

 

[Waterbug]

I think a year is, uh, lets say - excessive - unless you only shoot a few days a year.

If you shoot regularly - say several times per week - I think a month would be sufficient.

Thanks for the input

 

[Andreas Timm Photography]

Agre with the other posts: A full year is probably a bit too much. Don't limit yourself too much. What I do is to pick a certain lens for e.g. 1 Day and only shoot with that. That already is quite insightful.

Enjoy photography!

Andreas

I do this a lot myself. It's a good exercise in expanding your skills in perception.

Yes - photography should be FUN!!