When choosing between a 35mm and a 50mm lens for an APS-C (Advanced Photo System type-C) camera sensor, it's essential to consider the crop factor associated with APS-C sensors. Here's a breakdown to help you decide:
Understanding Crop Factor
Crop Factor: APS-C sensors are smaller than full-frame sensors, typically having a crop factor of 1.5x (Nikon, Sony) or 1.6x (Canon).
Effective Focal Length: To find the equivalent focal length on a full-frame camera, multiply the lens's focal length by the crop factor.
35mm Lens on APS-C:
Effective Focal Length: 35mm × 1.5 = 52.5mm (Nikon/Sony) or 35mm × 1.6 = 56mm (Canon)
Use Case: This range closely resembles the classic "standard" 50mm lens on a full-frame camera, making it versatile for everyday photography, portraits, and general use.
50mm Lens on APS-C:
Effective Focal Length: 50mm × 1.5 = 75mm (Nikon/Sony) or 50mm × 1.6 = 80mm (Canon)
Use Case: This range is more suitable for portrait photography, offering a tighter field of view and greater background compression.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a 35mm lens. It provides a similar perspective to the 50mm lens on a full-frame camera, making it ideal for general-purpose photography, street photography, and situations where a natural field of view is desired.
Choose a 50mm lens. It's better suited for portraits and scenarios where you want to isolate your subject from the background with a more compressed perspective.
Additional Considerations
Aperture: Wider apertures (e.g., f/1.8, f/1.4) allow for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field, which is beneficial for portraiture and creating a pleasing bokeh effect.
Lens Quality: Prime lenses (fixed focal length) like the 35mm and 50mm often offer superior image quality compared to zoom lenses, including sharper images and better low-light performance.
Personal Shooting Style: Consider what you primarily shoot. If you favor versatility and a natural look, the 35mm might be more suitable. If you lean towards portraits and need a tighter frame, the 50mm could be the better choice.
Conclusion
For an APS-C camera sensor, a 35mm lens is generally recommended if you're aiming for a field of view similar to a 50mm lens on a full-frame camera. It offers versatility and a natural perspective suitable for a wide range of photography styles. However, if your focus is on portrait photography and you desire a more compressed background, a 50mm lens might be the better option.
Ultimately, both lenses are valuable additions to your kit, and the best choice depends on your specific photographic needs and preferences.
Here's a guide on how to use the TTArtisan 35mm manual lens on your camera. This lens offers a great balance of affordability and optical performance, but it requires manual focusing and exposure adjustments. Let’s break down the process:
1. Mounting the Lens
Ensure your camera and lens are compatible in terms of mount type (e.g., Sony E-mount, Canon EF-M). Follow these steps to properly mount the TTArtisan 35mm lens:
- Align the lens’s alignment mark with the corresponding mark on your camera mount.
- Gently twist the lens clockwise (or per your camera's system) until it clicks into place.
2. Set Your Camera to Manual Mode
Since the TTArtisan 35mm lens is fully manual, you’ll need to switch your camera to Manual (M) mode to control exposure manually. Here's how:
- On your camera's mode dial, turn it to M (Manual mode).
- Alternatively, if you want semi-automatic exposure, you can use Aperture Priority (A/Av) mode where you control the aperture, and the camera handles the shutter speed.
For Sony mirrorless cameras, enabling "Release without lens" in the settings is necessary since the camera won’t detect a manual lens electronically.
3. Focusing
Since the TTArtisan 35mm is a manual focus lens, here’s how to achieve sharp images:
- Use Focus Peaking (if available): Many modern mirrorless cameras like Sony models feature focus peaking. Enable this function in the camera’s settings. It highlights areas that are in focus with a coloured overlay.
- Zoom in for Precision: Use the magnification option in your camera’s viewfinder or LCD screen to zoom in on your subject. This allows you to fine-tune your focus.
- Focus Ring: Rotate the focus ring on the lens barrel to bring your subject into focus. Turn it slowly and carefully for precise focusing.
4. Aperture Control
The TTArtisan 35mm lens features a manual aperture ring on the lens itself:
- Aperture Ring: Rotate the aperture ring on the lens to adjust the aperture size. The f-stop numbers (e.g., f/1.4, f/2.0, f/2.8) on the ring correspond to the size of the aperture opening.
- Lower f-stop (e.g., f/1.4) = Larger aperture, shallow depth of field, more background blur (bokeh).
- Higher f-stop (e.g., f/8, f/16) = Smaller aperture, more of the scene in focus.
5. Exposure Settings
In Manual mode, you’ll have full control over the camera’s exposure settings:
- Shutter Speed: Adjust the shutter speed on your camera according to the lighting conditions. The faster the shutter speed, the less light enters (useful in bright conditions). A slower shutter speed lets in more light (better for low light but risks motion blur).
- ISO: Manually set the ISO sensitivity. Lower ISO values (e.g., ISO 100) give cleaner images but are best for bright conditions. Higher ISO (e.g., ISO 800 or above) allows shooting in lower light but can introduce noise.
- Metering: Use your camera’s light meter to judge if the exposure is correct. The camera’s meter might suggest underexposure or overexposure as you manually adjust aperture and shutter speed.
6. Composition
The 35mm focal length on an APS-C sensor gives you an effective focal length of around 52-56mm, which is close to a "normal" or standard field of view. Here are some composition tips:
- Street Photography: The 35mm lens is great for street photography because it offers a natural perspective. Try capturing candid moments while blending into the environment.
- Portraits: At f/1.4, you can create beautiful bokeh, isolating your subject with a soft, blurred background.
- Environmental Shots: The wider field of view is ideal for capturing a subject within its surroundings, great for storytelling shots.
7. Practical Tips
- Check Focus Regularly: Since it’s a manual lens, always double-check your focus, especially at wider apertures like f/1.4, where focus can be very shallow.
- Use a Tripod (for Low Light): In low-light scenarios where slower shutter speeds are necessary, a tripod can help prevent motion blur.
- Practice Manual Focusing: Using a manual lens requires practice. Start with stationary subjects and gradually move to dynamic ones as you get used to the focusing process.
- Sunny Conditions: Use a lens hood (if available) or adjust your angle to avoid flaring or harsh light spots.
8. Post-Processing
Because the lens is manual, your camera may not record lens metadata (EXIF data like aperture used). Keep track of your settings manually, especially if you’re experimenting with different aperture and shutter combinations.
Conclusion
Using the TTArtisan 35mm manual lens requires patience and practice but offers creative control over your images. Its fast f/1.4 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur, making it a favourite for street photography, portraits, and artistic work. By mastering manual focus and exposure settings, you’ll unlock the full potential of this affordable yet high-quality lens.
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