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This is the first post in a series of posts about focal length for food photography. Read more about the 50mm, 85mm & 105mm focal length here.
The 35mm focal length was a lens that I acquired later in my food photography journey once I had a few other lenses. It’s considered a wide-angle focal length.
We mostly decided to get this lens for travel. But you’ll hear a lot of food photographers talk about it being a good lens for our niche. While that’s not an incorrect statement, it’s not the whole truth either (it’s a good option for cropped sensors, not full frames).
Now, there is an element of personal preference here but there are two occasions I think the 35mm works well. Let’s look at those.
Capturing Food Events & Restaurant Scenes
I’m mostly a ‘narrow shooter’, meaning that I like to photograph food with narrow focal lengths. But I did take my 35mm lens with me to most on-location shoots for restaurants, cafes and events.
If you’ve shot in restaurants, you’ll know that they can be tight! Especially if there is low light and you don’t have a flash, you’re more than likely shooting with a tripod.
The 35mm focal length is good for capturing the ambience of restaurants and cafes. I mostly used it for interiors and ambience. The idea was to show visually what the space and feel were like to potential diners online.
Typically I would shoot with a more narrow focal length to capture the restaurant dishes and food items.
When You Need More Space For Super Large Flatlays
You might recall that I mentioned the 50mm focal length is the best for flatlays. I still stand by that, but there are occasions where I have used a 35mm.
Typically when I am capturing very large flatlays like this green and white vegetable flatlay.
It’s not my go-to focal length and I will try to either get higher with my 50mm rather than use the 35mm. The reason that I’d try that first is we can get perspective distortion with the 35mm focal length for shots like this.
Don’t Get Up Close Due to Distortion
The biggest drawback with the 35mm for shooting food is that you can’t get up-close without the shot looking weird and distorted.
We have perspective distortion to thank for that.
Because the 35mm is a wide-angle, it’s meant to be used for wide-angle scenes. So when we try to get up close to our food, we get perspective distortion.
If you’re shooting with a full-frame, don’t rely on this focal length for taking up-close shots.
35mm Focal Length is a Good Length For Journalistic Food Photography
Even though we can see more perspective distortion with this focal length, it is good at capturing journalistic type photography.
So if your style is more towards the journalistic feel, then this perspective can be a nice touch. I know photographers who like using the 35mm to get a little bit of distortion because it adds something unique to their work.
I don’t like to give hard and fast rules as that doesn’t always allow room for creativity. So just know that distortion is something we can see with still life and food photography at the 35mm focal length.
And if you choose to use that to your advantage, then good for you!
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Marcellina
Interesting article. I don’t have a full frame camera and use a 35mm because I understood that to be closer to the recommended 50mm – is that correct?
Rachel
That’s correct Marcellina! The crop factor is approx 1.5, so the 35mm is closer to the 50mm. I have put together a post just for cropped sensors about focal length that you can read here:https://twolovesstudio.com/blog/focal-lengths-for-cropped-sensor/ 🙂
Ashley Madden
Thank you Rachel! I use a 50mm and 105mm but feel like I want to experiment with another lens. Any recommendations on adding a 60mm or 24-70mm zoom? I thought 35 mm but after reading your super helpful summary, it’s not what I’m looking for.
Thx so much!
Ashley
Rachel
Great question! I’m assuming you have a full-frame? As you have a macro already and the 50mm, I would likely go for an 85mm. Unless you feel that you want to create large table scenes. I think that mostly the 50mm will cover you when it comes to that. So if you are looking for more ‘food portraiture’ style, the 85mm could be a good choice. We will look at that focal length in the next post in the series. The 60mm macro is a good choice for cropped sensors, but as we don’t tend to get as close with that focal length, it would be better to get another focal length. I am biased to primes. A good 24-70mm can be very versatile. See what you think after the 85mm post: https://twolovesstudio.com/blog/85mm-focal-length/ !!
Ashley
Thank you Rachel! Yes I have full frame and I’ve read the 85mm! First your pictures and style are just beautiful! And I think 85 mm is prob a good choice, I guess where I’m still learning I keep doubting what I want or what will serve my style! I’m in a bit of a slump actually, so I’m going to just binge on Two Loves lessons to get motivated 🙂
You’re the best!
Ash
Ashley
Oh another question! Does the 85mm tilt lens perform like an 85mm regular lens?
Rachel
Currently, I just have the portrait lens, so the regular 85mm. I do like the tilt-shifts, but there are a few drawbacks that don’t make me want to invest in one at this time. I just rent them if I really need them.
Rachel
Ah yes, I totally understand that! I think what I would do is think about the shots I want to create, and then try to work out why it is hard for me to create them. Am I missing gear? Or do I need some additional styling techniques? I find asking those questions helps us to figure out what we need to get there! xx
Ashley Madden
You’re the best! Thanks!
Dina
Hi Rachel,
I have only 50 mm macro lens and I have been thinking of 24-70 as a way of change to have wider frame but after reading this article, I am not sure. I was afraid that if go for 85 or 100, I want feel the change, I will still focus on close ups. And one last question, what is the difference between 50 mm and 50 mm macro?
Rachel Korinek
Hey Dina, in terms of focal length, there is no difference between a 50mm and a 50mm macro. But focal length and lenses are not the same thing. So in terms of the difference between lenses, a macro is different from a regular lens because it’s minimum focusing distance can get us really close to our subject, (which a regular 50mm lens won’t do). Do you have a cropped sensor camera Dina? The 24-70 2.8 lenses are great investments. If you like flatlays and food scenes and you might want to consider a 35mm. But I really only use this focal length for restaurant and even work.
Alex
Hi Rachel,
Thank you for your quality articles! They are very helpful! But can you please help me with making the right decision?
I’m a beginner food blogger, that own a cropped sensor camera (Nikon D3100) paired with a 35mm 1.8G.
I’m thinking to buy another lens for 45 degrees up-close food photos. I’m looking at the used market and I have the options of buying the 50mm 1.8G for 130euros or 60mm 2.8G micro for 250euros.
Is it worth the double price for the 60mm? Or to stick with 35mm for now, and later when I will jump to a FF camera to pair it with 50mm & 100/105mm Lens?
Thank you!
Alex.
Rachel Korinek
Hi Alex, so glad to hear that you found it helpful! I personally would recommend getting the 60mm macro so that you can take up-close macro shots and 45-degree angle shots. The 60mm is a wonderful lens and definitely worth the extra cost. This was the first lens I purchased and I still have it to this day and I use it instead of using my 50mm. I love the way it captures light. There isn’t a perfect answer to when you move to full-frame as to whether you want the 50mm or 60mm. If you have the 60mm you can still upgrade to FF and use it. If you are planning on upgrading soon, say in the next 6 months, I would then hang on and save up for the FF upgrade and then the 105mm. Hopefully, that helps!
Rafael Cedano
Hi Rachel, thank you for your article!!! I have a 50mm 1.8 and the kit lens 24-50(the one that came with the camera) I want to get another lenses and I am between the 105mm and the 85mm, what would be your advice? I hear great things about both? Thank you !
Rachel Korinek
You’re so welcome Rafael, thanks for reading! Do you have a cropped sensor or a full frame? Depending on what you have, I might recommend something different. You can check out this post to see which lenses I recommend on each part of your journey. I did flow chart of what I recommend. In short, though, I don’t recommend getting the 85mm before the 105mm. The 85mm is more something you get when you have all the other core lenses, like 50mm and 105mm. If you have any questions after reading that post, let me know!
Rafael Cedano
Hi Rachel !!! I am so happy you answer me back, I have a Nikon z5, and like I said above I have the 50mm 1.8 and the kit lens 24-50, so you recommended me to get the 105 before the 85mm , also is it better to get the mirror less lenses or the DSLR, thank you so much!!! You are so an inspiration !!!
Rachel Korinek
Ah, love the Z5! That’s a great entry-level full-frame. Therefore I would recommend the 105mm first. I think for you, if you’re staying with the mirrorless system, which is the way of the future, I would invest in the 105mm Z lens. Another option is to get a second-hand DSLR lens with an adapter. Let me know what you think!