One Lens Is Enough - A Week With 35mm
The 35mm focal length has consistently been one of my least used focal lengths for years now. I’ve never made a conscious effort to avoid it, however I always found myself subconsciously expecting that I wouldn’t get good shots with it. I’ve owned the 35mm f/1.4 GM from Sony for a year or so, and often had the thought that I was wasting money not putting it to use. This last week I spent some time in Maine, and I just happened to pick up the 35mm and stick with it almost exclusively.
Bass Harbor Head Light Station, Bass Harbor, ME.
Pros
Less thinking - Shooting with one lens, especially a prime lens, gives you less room for analysis paralysis. If you’re anything like me, you’ll also take fewer shots. When using a zoom lens, I tend to take the same shot at multiple focal lengths, thinking surely I’ll get a good one. This just means later on I have that many more photos to cull.
Lightweight - One camera body and one prime is a great combo if you don’t want clutter and deadweight. I’ve carried my entire kit with me more times than I can count, and more often than not regretted it.
Adaptation - You’re forced to move around and recompose. This is a great way of getting a better feel for the composition, rather than standing in one spot and zooming. This will often coax you into getting a bit more familiar with the scene and force you to think a bit deeper about what you’re shooting and why.
Cons
Less versatility - If the shot of a lifetime comes by, and you’ve only got your 35mm prime, you might be simply unable to move fast enough to catch it. You might also be in an area which would be unsafe to move through, or not worth the risk. Zoom lenses are great for this.
Comfort - This sounds like a pro, but hear me out. If you love that one shiny lens, and it’s absolutely the one you grab every time you leave the house, you might be leaving a lot on the table by neglecting other focal lengths. I do this constantly, and so often have to remind myself to pick up a different lens now and then. For me, my 50mm and 70-200mm lenses often entice me for weeks on end.
What It’s Actually Like
It’s entirely dependent on what kind of person and photographer you are, but in my experience, shooting with one prime is a lot of fun. It can be a wildly liberating experience if you’re one (like me) to overthink, shoot and reshoot every angle. Instead, you: Take the shot - hate it - recompose, or take the shot - like it - done. Sure, you could miss a dream shot by running one body and lens, but we always run that risk. If you find yourself feeling a little bored with photography or feeling like you need a way to push yourself to improve, I think this is a great method to try out. I’d recommend it for at least a day.
Cropping
Depending on your camera, there’s also the option of cropping. I shoot most of my photos these days with my A7RV, which has a 60 megapixel sensor. That leaves a ton of room to crop in and recompose in post if necessary. Honestly, though, most modern cameras have megapixel counts high enough for this. 60 Megapixels is overkill, but can be extremely handy.
To summarize, you should try shooting with a single prime lens for a day or two at minimum. It can be difficult, but it’s also a wildly effective teacher. Also, you might learn something about your personal style.
