Which is your most used focal length on Full Format 35mm cameras

[135format]

I did search to see if there was a poll already but couldn't find this exact question, so here it is:

Which is your most used focal length on full format 35mm cameras.

[ChrisP]

Something else is going to be very popular. 40mm is big around because of the CV 40/1.4 and 40mm cron and because of the imperfect frame of rangefinders

[folville]

35mm, but only with .7m focus

[Deep Fried]

most used is 35

why do you ask?

[back alley]

40 sonnar from rollei also.

the 2 most popular will be 35 and 50...time to close the poll...

[uinku]

40mm on all the compact fixed-lense rangefinders, too..

[sebastel]

currently 50.
next week maybe 28.
next month maybe i go back to 35?

this kind of poll is the perfect chance to get 42 different answers from 23 people.

[jarski]

think 35 was the winner last time. now 50 seem to lead least so far.

[geertvn]

50 almost exclusively on rangefinders
On SLRs I preferred standard zooms, 28-70. I didn't use a 50 prime for years, I had one but only used it as a loupe on a lighttable. Though I use it the las couple of years for shooting concerts.

[Lund]

Seems like I'm the only one that answered 85mm this far.

It takes some explaining however. I take more photos with my 5D2 even if I use it more seldom that my film cameras. Chimping and bracketing is sometimes the best thing about digital. And as I got hold of a 85L (older version) I have a hard time taking it of the camera. It is simply a little too good.

As I only own the 40/1.4 for my Bessa that is in close second.

[jsrockit]

50mm I think... but I switch freely back and forth between 35 and 50mm.

[EdwardKaraa]

Same here.

[John Lawrence]

50mm for me too.

John

[Nikon Bob]

These days it is a zoom.

Bob

[daveleo]

for me 35mm focal length is #1 (in FF 35mm format)

most fun however is my CV 15mm on the Bessa-T

[oftheherd]

50mm is a favorite, but on SLR I sometimes put on a 43mm to 70mm or 28mm to 70mm.

[boomguy57]

Judging by the poll results, this will turn into another 35 v. 50 thread...

[wilonstott]

This is a weird thing to try and answer.

I really want to say 35mm, and indeed, I do use the 35mm more than any other focal length (currently running 21, 28, 35, & 50).

However, I find that most of what I consider my best shots were taken with a 50mm.

But, I have thought about why this is, and I think I know why this happens (and this may be overly analytical).

You see, because I favor the wide end (over the tele), I'm used to working close, and as I'm sure many of you know, it takes a while to get accustomed to getting your a$$ in there and taking the picture--if i'm comfortable, the subject is comfortable, hence the closer I can get, and so on. Being invisible from 3 feet away takes a helluva a lot of practice, and I still need work.

Anyway, you do this for a while (or rather, I did)--cut your teeth on the 28 and 21--and then the 35 is really comfortable, but the 50---shooting with the 50 starts feeling seamless. I feel like I don't even have to get involved when I shoot with the 50 now, no matter how close I am, and that level of comfort and confidence, I think, transfers to the subject.

[dc5]

40mm, a great substitute for the 35 and 50... one step closer or one step back.

[shadowfox]

35mm if I have a choice, 50mm if I don't.
If we want to analyze a trend, the poll should allow for multiple choices (limited to 3 for instance).

[haempe]

Originally Posted by dc5

40mm, a great substitute for the 35 and 50... one step closer or one step back.

+1
Not really a substitute for 35 or 50, but a good compromise.

[135format]

Originally Posted by shadowfox

35mm if I have a choice, 50mm if I don't.
If we want to analyze a trend, the poll should allow for multiple choices (limited to 3 for instance).

I thought that but then thought if I do that it really doesn't prove anything (not that its going to anyway).

40 is very liberal ( indecisive )

The reason I asked is that I was looking at a few wedding shoots and it struck me the vast majority of images were shot on 50mm or close. And that includes a lot of head shots. 50 seems to be a very versatile focal length. You can get close or stand back for full length portraits.

[thirtyfivefifty]

Was a very big 50 user until I bought a 35 last year, 35 is now my workhorse, 50 plays second fiddle. Would enjoy a fast 28.

[GaryLH]

Did not have to think twice 40f2 Minolta m for CL and cv 40 f1.4. . So I voted something else.

Gary

[back alley]

40 is indecisive?

i see it as more bold, independent...not a sheep...