nicolas_renon Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Hello, Can someone explain me why there are so many 28mm lenses? Why 30mm or 25mm focal lenght are not as common as 28mm? Is there an historical reason at that? Thank you very much for your answers. Nicolas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_lofquist Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Many of the so-called "standard" focal lengths for 35mm cameras originated with the Leica and Contax cameras. The first really wide angle lens produced by Leitz back in the '30s was the 28mm f/6.3 Hektor, establishing this focal length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesp Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 anything longer would be too close to 35mm. anything shorter and the price starts getting really high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbing Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 It probably runs in 'fashions'. For a while 28mm was 'fashionable' but, I think it has been over used and so now, I expect 24mm or 21mm are the new 'fashionable' wide angles. I still have 28! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustys pics Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Probably because it was the most affordable "superwide" lens. Until the 1990s, 24mm was a relatively exotic, pricey focal length. Anything in 20mm or wider range was just for a pro budget. The 28mm provides a natural, but true wide angle setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charles_stobbs3 Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 I haven't actually plotted the angles but I suspect it might be a logical choice following 50mm and 35mm in terms of coverage. You might get a protractor, plot the angles and see if it fits in neatly in the series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_chow Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Comparing to longer lenses:- 28mm is ideal for close range group shots. More forgiving of focussing error. Comparing to wider lenses: Small size. Cheap and easy to manufacture. Acceptable distortion level. Good flash coverage. Easier framing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_kimble Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 And all lens are not what written on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franka t.l. Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 As previous thread been stated, most of the classic focal length are derived from long established ones used by Leica and Contax, and there's a good technical reason for that. The 50mm lens roughly cover 40 degree on horizontal, the 35mm covers 55 degree, and at the wide end, the game tally up like fellow, 28mm covers 65 degree, 24mm is roughly 75, and 20mm roughly 85 - see a pattern here If you want some data, you can take a look at my Angle of coverage against focal length data sheet I've made up here http://homepage.mac.com/franka_lieu/A-of-C.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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