Topic: Changes in focal length preferences

[hookstrapped]

Ever since I got back into photography in 2007 and soon after got a Leica M2 (which I stupidly traded for a Fujifilm X100), I found that as for focal lengths, I really favored 28mm and 40mm, as opposed to a more standard kit of 35mm and 50mm.

I had to sell one of my favorite cameras of all time when I was unemployed, my Minolta TC-1 that has a fixed 28mm lens. Ever since I've been dreaming of getting another. But they are very pricey so haven't yet got one. When I discovered old CCD sensor digital, I got a Richo GRD iv as a substitute. And though I like many of the pics taken with that camera (if you dig on my site you can find them), I never really recaptured the magic of the TC-1.

I think the reason is I don't like 28mm anymore. I think my preferences have changed. I still love 40mm and still dislike 35mm, but now I like 50mm and maybe even 85mm.

Have any of you gone through similar changes in focal length (field of view) preferences?

[astrobeck]

I started long ago with the nifty fifty on a K1000 Pentax, but as I "matured" and toy cameras kind of took over, was totally smitten with the vivitar wide and slim which is 22mm.

I still like the 22mm, yet still haul around the Pentax because it's just an easy camera to love.

When you add pinhole into the mix, then it's out your ears wide.

[Francois]

This happened to me too.
A long time ago, I was a ±100mm guy. Then I went all the way to 28mm. Now I'm back to 50mm for the more shallow depth of field and bigger apertures.
And who knows what will be next.

But I find that more than the depth of field, I tend to fall in love with the rendering of a specific lens. I find that some are nice-sharp while others are just sharp. And some are nice-soft and others are just soft. I know I'm not a fan of the swirly bokeh thing.

It's a bit like that new Nikkor 50/1.8 I got last Xmas. Wonderful lens, really sharp and nice. But somehow it's not as nice as that old Minolta 50/2 I have. But for me, my love goes to that Industar-61 I got for my FED. That thing just blew my pants off! But like all these things, it's a question of taste.

[Bryan]

That's why I like interchangeable lens cameras, I always have options for different shooting situations.  The Leitz Summaron 3.5cm is one of my favorites.