Why I Can’t Quit my 50

50mm vs. 35mm: Why I Keep Backing Up Instead of Switching Lenses

I’ve tried so many times to love my 35. I had one for my D850, bought another when I switched to mirrorless… and yet— I always find myself backing up—just so I can keep my beloved 50.

When I run out of space or can’t raise my C-stand any higher out comes my 35. But given the choice? I reach for the 50 every time.

For a while, I wondered if I was just set in my ways. The 35 is beloved for storytelling, capturing a wider sense of place. So why does it feel off to me?

Turns out, this is a thing.

Many photographers naturally lean toward either the 50 or the 35mm—almost like a built-in way of seeing. And once you know which camp you’re in, fighting against it can feel… frustrating.

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The 50mm vs. 35mm Mindset

I need to know—Are you a 50mm shooter or a 35mm shooter?

Before I stopped leaving my beautiful bubble for photography retreats, there was a pretty even 50/35 split—plus plenty of 24-70 shooters too.

Some adored their 35. Spacious— more alive. Others (raising hand) felt more at home with the—natural, balanced, and just right 50.

To me, it feels effortless. The proportions, the subject presence, the way background and foreground elements interconnect—it just works. When I switch to 35mm, though, I struggle with composition. My subject feels lost, the foreground can feel too much, and I often feel like I need to ‘make it right’ in post.

Just me — You too?

So why is this?

I did some ‘deep research’. (fyi deep research is the new ‘google’.)

Here is what I learned.

1. Foreground-Background Balance

The 35mm naturally exaggerates space. Foreground elements feel bigger, backgrounds stretch further, and suddenly, the whole frame feels different. Some photographers love this—it can add drama and depth. But if your eye is trained to the more compressed, balanced look of a 50mm, this might feel distracting.

2. Subject Presence

With a 50mm, the subject sits just right in the frame. It feels present. Clear. Intentional.
The 35mm, on the other hand, can make subjects feel smaller, like they’re further away—and technically, they are. This means you need to get closer, which leads me to the next …

3. Shooting Distance & Comfort

One of the biggest differences between these lenses is how they affect us—the photographer. A 35mm requires you to physically move in closer. For some, that’s exactly why they use it. It creates intimacy and connection.

But for others (me again), there’s something more natural about the way the 50mm allows space while still keeping focus on the subject.

That said, the 35mm is brilliant for editorial (and tight spaces)—when you step back, you can fit so much more into the frame. It’s why so many photographers love it for storytelling and capturing a sense of place.

For me, though, it often feels like too much—too much background, too much adjusting, too much space to manage. I like the way the 50 naturally frames in a way that feels intentional, without me having to work against it.

4. Mindset & Composition Style

Switching between these lenses isn’t just a technical shift—it’s a mental one. Some photographers say they need to be in an entirely different headspace to shoot well with a 35mm vs. a 50mm.
I totally get that!

With a 50mm, I instinctively know how to frame. With a 35mm, I’m second-guessing, adjusting, and never quite feeling at home in the frame.

It’s especially bothersome when I import and look at the images in Lightroom. Something feels off.

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At the end of the day I’m a 50mm person. And that’s okay.
And when I can’t raise that c-stand any higher or a wall gets in my way, I’ll grab my 35 and make her work.

Photography is personal. We all have different instincts, styles, and ways of seeing.

That said, if you want to get more comfortable with a 35mm, dedicated practice can help. (another post on this to come)

Some photographers recommend sticking with it for an extended period—forcing yourself to see differently. I might try that… but I also might just lean into what I love ‘cause 2025 has been a year of so much change already.

Team 50 or team 35? I’d love to hear what feels most natural to you.

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