Should I choose a 35mm or 50mm prime on a crop-sensor camera?
Asked 5/3/2013
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I shoot with an APS-C crop-sensor camera (about 1.6x crop) and I’m deciding between a 35mm prime and a 50mm prime. Since a 50mm lens on full frame is often described as a versatile “normal” focal length, would a 35mm prime make more sense on crop because it gives a similar field of view? Or is a 50mm still the better choice for street photography and general use on a crop body?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Yes, the nifty fifty for a crop frame would be closer to the 35 prime, but ultimately the order of the day is still choose the lens you need for the shot you want. If you wanted a telephoto shot, then a 50mm wouldn't be the right choice for any sensor size. If you want 50mm effective, then a 35mm prime will give it to you on the crop sensor.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
On a crop sensor, a 35mm prime is generally the closer match to the classic “normal” field of view than a 50mm. A 35mm on 1.6x APS-C gives a full-frame-equivalent view of about 56mm, while a 50mm behaves more like an 80mm equivalent.
So if you want a versatile everyday lens or something well suited to street photography and tighter indoor spaces, the 35mm is usually the better fit. If your goal is more like portraits or a tighter, short-telephoto look, the 50mm can make more sense.
Also, the idea that 50mm exactly matches human vision is an oversimplification. Human vision is more complex, and if you’re trying to match a natural-looking field of view on APS-C, some photographers would even prefer something a bit wider than 35mm.
Bottom line: for street and general use on a crop body, choose 35mm; for tighter framing and portraits, choose 50mm.
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