35 mm or 50 mm: choosing one lens for travel
Why I keep coming back to a single prime lens, and how to pick yours.
Carrying one fixed lens sounds limiting. In practice it makes me look harder and move more, and my photos have improved because of it.
The case for 35 mm
Wide enough for streets, interiors and landscapes with a foreground, but not so wide that everything looks distorted. It is a great lens for telling a story about a place.
The case for 50 mm
Closer to how we notice details. Better for portraits and for isolating a subject from a busy background. Usually smaller and cheaper, too.
What I chose
For Patagonia I took the 35 mm as my main lens and a small 85 mm for distant peaks and wildlife. The 50 mm stayed at home, and I didn't miss it.
Tip: Spend a week shooting only with the lens you are considering before the trip.