I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
p.2 #1I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
jonshonda wrote:
Yes it's Monday and I've likely had too much caffeine, but this new photographer just doesn't seem to have an eye for going wide. My widest lens is currently the 24-70 2.8g, and I don't seem to get excited enough to want to reach for it over 851.4d, 105 2.8 Micro, 135mm 2.5 AIS.
I have my sights set on a 70-200 2.8e FL ED, and thinking that I might carry that and maybe try to find a special 35mm prime (zeiss 35 f2 ZF.2?) for a two camera carry hike setup.
Do others feel the same way?
Photograph what you want to the way you want unless someone is paying you for a job.
At this point I'm only using a few selected SLR lenses that don't exist in MILS.
Wide and ultra-wide designs especially benefit from the short back focus of the MILS, and Z mount is only 16mm.
Since you are not so much into the wides there may be less imperative to transition from F to Z, though there are many other reasons for Z like the teles and the 24-105/4. In the future there will be more and better Z lenses.
EBH
Yes it's Monday and I've likely had too much caffeine, but this new photographer just doesn't seem to have an eye for going wide. My widest lens is currently the 24-70 2.8g, and I don't seem to get excited enough to want to reach for it over 851.4d, 105 2.8 Micro, 135mm 2.5 AIS.
I have my sights set on a 70-200 2.8e FL ED, and thinking that I might carry that and maybe try to find a special 35mm prime (zeiss 35 f2 ZF.2?) for a two camera carry hike setup.
Do others feel the same way?
Photograph what you want to the way you want unless someone is paying you for a job.
At this point I'm only using a few selected SLR lenses that don't exist in MILS.
Wide and ultra-wide designs especially benefit from the short back focus of the MILS, and Z mount is only 16mm.
Since you are not so much into the wides there may be less imperative to transition from F to Z, though there are many other reasons for Z like the teles and the 24-105/4. In the future there will be more and better Z lenses.
EBH
Nov 02, 2026 at 02:57 PM
p.2 #2I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
If coverage demands a UWA, that's what is required. There are golden rules: keep the camera level, look carefully through the EVF before shooting, look at all the pixels, especially the corners, try walking back or forward if you can - as things change fast. A few from the big V's little 14/4:
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Nov 02, 2026 at 03:55 PM
p.2 #3I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
I have mixed feelings about wide. Generally, it is a difficult to make a good shot. Most people use a wide/superwide for a landscape...but you mostly get a lot of grass or rocks on the bottom half. So then most people crop it to a wide format and I just don't like it. Super wide in a city sounds like a good idea...till all the buildings start falling back.
The vast majority of my lenses have been in the 35-58mm range and that's where I'm most comfortable. I always have a wider lens, just in case but 28mm is my regular.
Interestingly, when I had the ZM 21/4.5 I found it a peculiarly easy lens, maybe because it was so well corrected or because the slow aperture made it a point and shoot...I don't know.
As other said shoot what you like. You don't have to like wide. You like tele? Good for you. I don't particularly like it, I always end up buying a 70-200 or a 180/200 and quickly get rid of it. So what!
The vast majority of my lenses have been in the 35-58mm range and that's where I'm most comfortable. I always have a wider lens, just in case but 28mm is my regular.
Interestingly, when I had the ZM 21/4.5 I found it a peculiarly easy lens, maybe because it was so well corrected or because the slow aperture made it a point and shoot...I don't know.
As other said shoot what you like. You don't have to like wide. You like tele? Good for you. I don't particularly like it, I always end up buying a 70-200 or a 180/200 and quickly get rid of it. So what!
Nov 02, 2026 at 04:07 PM
p.2 #4I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
jonshonda wrote:
Do others feel the same way?
Yes. And it's a nice feeling TBH, knowing what I want. Besides, it's more cost efficient! I only shoot within the 24-85mm and my GAS keeps two mid-sized dry cabinets nearly full. My costs would have skyrocketed if I needed the same coverage [1] for the 14-800mm range.
[1] Fast+heavy, slow+compact, manual+auto, "character" and "clinical", vintage and modern, etc.
Do others feel the same way?
Yes. And it's a nice feeling TBH, knowing what I want. Besides, it's more cost efficient! I only shoot within the 24-85mm and my GAS keeps two mid-sized dry cabinets nearly full. My costs would have skyrocketed if I needed the same coverage [1] for the 14-800mm range.
[1] Fast+heavy, slow+compact, manual+auto, "character" and "clinical", vintage and modern, etc.
Nov 02, 2026 at 04:34 PM
RoamingScott
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p.2 #5I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
jimmuller wrote:
...Great pictures. Your posts and the quality of your picture always demonstrate how thoroughly you know what you are doing. It is a level we can all aspire to.
Thanks Jim, much appreciated!
RoamingScott wrote
I have a lot of thoughts on the matter, but I'll keep them brief....
Thanks Jim, much appreciated!
Nov 02, 2026 at 04:56 PM
p.2 #6I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
old-gregg wrote:
Yes. And it's a nice feeling TBH, knowing what I want. Besides, it's more cost efficient.
I've found that regardless of my hobby/interest/past time if I'm not using something I either find ways to motivate myself to use it, or it goes to a new home. Not too many things around the house gather dust.
That might be my problem with photography at this early stage in my journey....I just don't have the time nor have I put in the work to really dive into the different ways I can explore the hobby and my brain is needing to find ways to justify keeping gear. My journey has primarily consisted of photography on hikes with the dogs where I need to pull dual duty, keeping an eye out for interesting subject matter and the other eye on the pups as I'm a bad dog dad and let the two labs run off leash (sorry, it just kills me to not let them explore).
I really need to get my 15yo son on a hike with me again soon, give him the D3S with xxxx lens and I take the D700 with xxx lens and a tripod, and we see how things go.
Yes. And it's a nice feeling TBH, knowing what I want. Besides, it's more cost efficient.
I've found that regardless of my hobby/interest/past time if I'm not using something I either find ways to motivate myself to use it, or it goes to a new home. Not too many things around the house gather dust.
That might be my problem with photography at this early stage in my journey....I just don't have the time nor have I put in the work to really dive into the different ways I can explore the hobby and my brain is needing to find ways to justify keeping gear. My journey has primarily consisted of photography on hikes with the dogs where I need to pull dual duty, keeping an eye out for interesting subject matter and the other eye on the pups as I'm a bad dog dad and let the two labs run off leash (sorry, it just kills me to not let them explore).
I really need to get my 15yo son on a hike with me again soon, give him the D3S with xxxx lens and I take the D700 with xxx lens and a tripod, and we see how things go.
Nov 03, 2026 at 04:39 AM
p.2 #7I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
I don’t use anything wider than 28mm often, but sometimes it’s necessary. And I wish I could master 21mm like Jeanloup Sieff did.
Nov 03, 2026 at 05:50 AM
p.2 #8I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
I think 24mm is good for MOST people. Depends on what your shooting and your style.
I will say the 20mm 1.8's are very nice as well, but personally don't have a need to shoot wider than that. I feel 28mm is limiting but the 24-70 is excellent choice.
I will say the 20mm 1.8's are very nice as well, but personally don't have a need to shoot wider than that. I feel 28mm is limiting but the 24-70 is excellent choice.
Nov 04, 2026 at 05:04 PM
p.2 #9I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
sonofjesse2010 wrote:
I think 24mm is good for MOST people. Depends on what your shooting and your style.
I will say the 20mm 1.8's are very nice as well, but personally don't have a need to shoot wider than that. I feel 28mm is limiting but the 24-70 is excellent choice.
I'd agree with that, I mostly use the 20mm 1.8 for astro and waterfalls while the 24-120 covers most of the all-round use, there aren't too many normal situations where 24mm isn't wide enough for me.
I think if you go much wider than 20mm you have to be a lot more conscious of distortion and skewed perspective etc, 20mm is wide while still giving quite a natural perspective.
I think 24mm is good for MOST people. Depends on what your shooting and your style.
I will say the 20mm 1.8's are very nice as well, but personally don't have a need to shoot wider than that. I feel 28mm is limiting but the 24-70 is excellent choice.
I'd agree with that, I mostly use the 20mm 1.8 for astro and waterfalls while the 24-120 covers most of the all-round use, there aren't too many normal situations where 24mm isn't wide enough for me.
I think if you go much wider than 20mm you have to be a lot more conscious of distortion and skewed perspective etc, 20mm is wide while still giving quite a natural perspective.
Nov 04, 2026 at 06:03 PM
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p.2 #10I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
I finally dedicated a hike to the 24-70 and even brought my tripod with, as there we've had a lot of rain lately and there is a stream I was excited to explore. Well I've been experimenting with methods for hiking with a camera, and am trying out the cotton carrier. I totally forgot that I removed the RRS L-bracket from my camera and the cotton carrier attachment DOES NOT double as an arca-swiss mount.
At least I've got ideas and know what I need for next time.
At least I've got ideas and know what I need for next time.
Nov 05, 2026 at 06:11 AM
p.2 #11I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Camera Pod is kind of the gold standard for hiking with a camera, but I'm not sure if the large size would fit a larger dslr and some big f mount lenses like the 24-70. May want to check out the specs and compare to the size of your camera setup.
This camera pod is really popular for people doing thousand plus mile thru hikes.
This camera pod is really popular for people doing thousand plus mile thru hikes.
Nov 05, 2026 at 06:49 AM
p.2 #12I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
I actually think it's an interesting topic. I frequently use ultra wides but I like travel and landscape photography.
If you're more on the street/artsy side of the equation, I can easily see why you wouldn't gravitate towards wide focal lengths.
I think wider focal lengths are the most polarizing for photographers. Certainly you can create some very good photos with interesting looks with wides, but the majority of people land in the 28 and up range.
So a rambling way of saying I don't think you're in the minority.
If you're more on the street/artsy side of the equation, I can easily see why you wouldn't gravitate towards wide focal lengths.
I think wider focal lengths are the most polarizing for photographers. Certainly you can create some very good photos with interesting looks with wides, but the majority of people land in the 28 and up range.
So a rambling way of saying I don't think you're in the minority.
Nov 05, 2026 at 07:43 AM
p.2 #13I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
They take some thought, do the UWAs. To get on top of them in your work, it might be best to (carefully) walk around with your eye on the EVF, because of the sheer unpredictability of the image's look. It's worth it to most, because the look can be very effective and unique.
The other reason is that lenses are now emerging that are both fast and very wide, which is important for cine/hybrid use. AS an example, Thypoch recently released a 16/f1.8 at under 500 grams in full cine livery. I don;t use UWAs much but sometimes just need to angle of view, so a small light lens fits that bill. But I'd love to explore a fast one sometime, for artistic purposes. Some ideas below:
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The other reason is that lenses are now emerging that are both fast and very wide, which is important for cine/hybrid use. AS an example, Thypoch recently released a 16/f1.8 at under 500 grams in full cine livery. I don;t use UWAs much but sometimes just need to angle of view, so a small light lens fits that bill. But I'd love to explore a fast one sometime, for artistic purposes. Some ideas below:
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Nov 05, 2026 at 02:35 PM
p.2 #14I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
Funny. When I had the F-Mount (D850) I was all about wides. The 14-24mm and of course that amazing 20mm 1.8 G, but, now? I haven't needed a wide. My widest for the most part is a 35mm. I see the appeal of the 14-30 F/4 because its just a stellar lens, light, compact, and sharp. I do run into a few situations when I need a wide, but its seldom.
Nov 05, 2026 at 02:45 PM
p.2 #15I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
philip_pj wrote:
If coverage demands a UWA, that's what is required. There are golden rules: keep the camera level, look carefully through the EVF before shooting, look at all the pixels, especially the corners, try walking back or forward if you can - as things change fast.
Not just back or forward, but also moving the camera higher or lower can make a huge difference to perspective and composition.
If coverage demands a UWA, that's what is required. There are golden rules: keep the camera level, look carefully through the EVF before shooting, look at all the pixels, especially the corners, try walking back or forward if you can - as things change fast.
Not just back or forward, but also moving the camera higher or lower can make a huge difference to perspective and composition.
Nov 06, 2026 at 03:54 AM
p.2 #16I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
GravelBen wrote:
Not just back or forward, but also moving the camera higher or lower can make a huge difference to perspective and composition.
Yes. I think Uwa shots really need to go high or low to exaggerate the effect and probably not keep the camera level
philip_pj wrote
If coverage demands a UWA, that's what is required. There are golden rules: keep the camera level, look carefully through the EVF before shooting, look at all the pixels, especially the corners, try walking back or forward if you can - as things change fast.Yes. I think Uwa shots really need to go high or low to exaggerate the effect and probably not keep the camera level
Nov 06, 2026 at 09:52 PM
p.2 #17I Don't Like Shooting Wide Focal Lengths....What's Wrong With Me?
I got out with the 24-70 and got a few keepers, I need to really work on my photo editing skills as well.
Nov 07, 2026 at 07:22 AM