The focal lens of 27mm lens is 27mm. The FOV is coming from the sensor (or rather the image circle). But I get your point as I had the same complaint when I started with my APS-C camera. I think it would make much more sense to use the actual FOV (for the designated body) rather then the focal length. But then again we measure "light" in F-Stops which is dumb as well. The aperture is the ratio between the focal lens and the size of the "hole" in the aperture. If we want to measure light we should use T-Stop as they do in the cine world. And while we are at it: why is 4x5 large photography bigger then 6x7 medium format? Because we can't even keep the unit system the same. Also I'm pretty sure that the ISO rating on digital camera is somewhat arbitrarily. If you shoot different digital camera under the same conditions at ISO 100 you get different results. Photography is weird. :D Oh, and to get back to the topic: there is no best. 40mm is pretty good. But so is 28mm. I also like 50mm. And my 58mm. 85mm is also quite handy.. There may be a best focal length for one particular shoot .- but even that is questionable in IMO. ;-) Anyway, I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming! :D
So good to see photographs taken on a bright sunny day, which is my favourite time. I'm unashamedly a fair weather photographer. Delighted with a 27mm f2.8 fuji lens on my x-E, and delighted too with your presets. Thank you.
Nice video, like always. Lenses are measured for a 35 mm FF sensor as standard. So the lens is a 27 mm lens, the 17.7 mm is the crop factor (field of view) when you put it on a APSC Fuji camera, BUT IT IS STILL A 27mm LENS The lens decides what it is, not the camera behind it. Put that lens with an adapter ring on a 35 mm camera and it is a 27 mm lens, of course you will have some minor problems at the edges of the image. Same goes with MF lenses but then than the opposite Anyways , thanks for sharing.
My 27mm Viltrox is almost never off my X-H1 and when it is, it's the Viltrox 75mm. Both so good that my outstanding Fuji 33mm is on a shelf and will probably be sold. Glorious lenses.
Yes, I enjoyed this style of vlog. I love a bit of gear chat, I love a bit of photography chat, and yours and Shane’s videos have a nice balance of both 😊
Because the field of view equivalence only comes into play in relation with a sensor. In and of itself, optically the lens is what it says it is. A 27mm lens is a 27 mm on full frame, on crop, on m4/3. It's a physical characteristic of the actual construction of the lens and it never changes. The only thing that changes is the resulting field of view, which is a function of sensor size.
Alfred Hitchcock loved to shoot films with a 50mm, regardless of the film size being used. It was the rendering of the lens he liked so much, regardless the field of view from the film stock being used.
Forty was a favorite back in the early 10s when I had a GF7 with a 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens. It got stolen, and I hadn't thought much about it until I realized many favorites were shot with this focal length. Browsing through images last year made me realize that 40mm was the focal length I wanted. Now using a Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Classic Nocton on my Sony, it's tack sharp, has a small focus throw, and is great for range focus. Won't share images here, but your work does justice to the focal length. Happy to be shooting with a 40mm again.
Only just found you guys. As a 70-80's film guy I've rediscovered photography at 60 so I've spent the last few months with a new to me Olympus E-M10 and the 14-42mm kit lens. During that time I've tried it set at 14mm, 20mm, 25mm and 45mm which I only now realise is the 28/40/50/90mm equivalent. I've found the 28 too wide for my skill set, always cropping and the 25/45 too tight for a lot of what I do (cars shows) so have settled on 20mm(40) and bought a used Panasonic Lumix 20mm. I'll be off out with it soon.
I love 40mm as well, once Ricoh announced the GRiiix I instantly sold my griii and grabbed the X. It just suits my shooting style and the way I enjoy composing photos. It’s a very nice happy middle between 35 and 50 imo
Always a pleasure seeing your work Josh. You are the modern-day torchbearer for documenting British culture. You are Martin Parr ;-) Never forget the importance of what you do as an historian. BTW, I'm sure you're just messing with us, using this cranky old man persona from a park bench thing, but you know full well why lens manufacturers don't mislabel their lenses. Optically, a 50mm lens is a 50mm lens, regardless of the size sensor behind it. A 27mm lens can no more be a 40mm lens then a human can arbitrarily assign their own gender.
Funny you made and released this video today. I purchased the original Fuji 27mm lens yesterday. I’m not particularly in love with this focal length. I go back and forth between the 23 & 35mm focal lengths. Both have their merits. I zoom with my feet. I suspect I’ll do the same with the 27. The lens was purchased for two reasons. The small size and lite weight. I put it on the XE1 and it is a perfect fit. The lens makes this combination approach the GR size. This may become my EDC and gives the X100 a run for the money. Yes the lens isn’t silent when focusing. Not really loud. It is OK as long as I don’t make short videos. The time it takes to focus is a little slow. Again, adequate for street subjects. It seems adequately sharp. This lens is slow at f2.8. I’ll not want to use it for night prowling which I don’t do much. I’m still testing the lens out. It may be a keeper. I typically take either the 23 or 35 chrons with me when I walk the street. I love both of these lenses. I’m thinking these lenses will be used on the XP or XT bodies. The 27 lens can live on the XE. I’m retired now so I have to manage my spends more carefully. I expect this is the right tool for the right job. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I use a Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 with my A7III for street photography and I find it is the best focal length for me. Although closer in length to a 35mm, 40mm definitely feels more like a wide 50mm and the deeper depth of field when stopping down is the real benefit over a 50mm. This lens, just like a 50mm encourages stepping forwards and isolating subjects which I do a lot as well as using the wider-than-50mm perspective to step back every now and again for classic style street shots. I do prefer a true 40mm on FF to a 27mm on aps-c as I just like the perspective and depth of field a lot more on FF plus zone focusing is so much easier on FF - just my personal preference for my own photography mind.
Well-done presentation! I was an early adopter of the Canon EF 40mm STM pancake lens, and really enjoyed using it on an original-version 5D. Such a pancake lens, on a 5D-sized body, will fit into some belt pouches made for “mirror-less” cameras. I subsequently added Voigtlander 40mm and Nikon 45mm manual-focus pancake lenses, for the Nikon F-mount. With a favored 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens, I tended to frame many shots at either ~31mm or ~40mm, rather than at 28mm, 35mm, or 50mm.
Cracking video as always. Fantastic photos. I always enjoy these easygoing laidback style of vlogs where you just chat about photography whilst taking some photos 👍
Loved this video! I also fell in love with 40mm after getting a Konica C35 with a lovely little built in 40mm. Was surprised as well how much a change it was, after shooting mostly an Olympus XA with a (granted beautiful) 35mm lens
Thanks Josh, nice images. A couple of years ago I settled on a 6D mk 1 with the 40 2.8 for outdoor car shows. Lightweight setup on a wrist strap. Focal length is ideal for the type of shots I like. Pretty much the sweet spot for shooting at outdoor shows where there is lots of room to move around.
Use to mentally wrestle with the choice between 35mm and 50mm, so when I got my first 40mm, the problem was solved. With just a bit of movement, up or back, the 40mm can do the job of either. Keep a Voightlander 40mm on my Nikon D700 and an XF 27mm on my Fujis.
My favorite all time camera is the Fuji GW690 or Texas Leica as it's nicknamed. It has a 90mm lens on a 6x9 medium format film camera which equates to about a 40mm lens. The FOV is just perfect and how I love to see the world. I have been eyeing the Viltrox 27mm for sure because of that. I tried the Fuji XF 27mm but being a pancake wasn't as sharp and lacked character. These shots turned out incredible and definitely makes me want to pick it up! Thanks for sharing.
So, I just watched your old video about the 28mm being your favorite focal length. Then in the beginning of this video you say you thought you were a 35mm guy. But now (at least) you find that 40mm is really the focal length for you. I am trying to find out what focal length I am also, in order to buy a fixed lens camera with that focal length (a Fuji x100 series, or one of the two Ricoh GR III). Well can't say you helped me much in my quest for my fave focal length! (I'm saying all this in jest. I enjoyed your videos greatly, and its nice to see I am not the only one struggling with this question)
Regarding the tangent, why should lenses use the full frame equivalent? I understand the conventions and all that, but feels weird to put a focal that's not the actual focal length, and it gives the sense that full frame somehow is the "right one", which for me isn't the case (all sensor sizes have their place, from m43 to large format). If it's to get an universal measurement, then I'd rather jump head first to thinking in lenses in terms of field of view angle, and not focal length, something I'd loved lens makers displayed more prominently.
40 is really one my favs next to 50 and 35.... I didnt knowbu shot mostly in 40mm awesome video sir and that interview with neil was top notch have a bless day in the autum light and that light was really crazy good😮
I understand that some people like using certain focal lengths but for myself because I photograph so many different subjects one or two focal lengths or lenses just doesn't cut it. I have cameras from Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm, Pentax and Nikon and lens from Panasonic, Pentax, Olympus, Fujifilm, Nikon, Viltrox, Sigma and one Voitelander lens for my Nikon ZF. I guess I have a bad case of GAS.
They can't say it's a 40mm cos FL is a physical property that doesn't change with sensor size. It's up to the end user to do the calculations on their end for each format.
1:00 because 27mm - and not "mil"! - is the focal length of the lens and field of view is not 40mm, but is some angle. BTW, "mil" is 1/1000 of an inch and equals to 25.4µm.
Unfortunately I moved over to capture One or else I would buy your presets. I mainly use A Fujifilm XPro3 for my street Photography. anyway I enjoy your rants :)
You should do a blind test. Get a friend to randomly select a series of images shot on either 35mm and 40mm and see if you can actually a) even tell which are shot on which and b) if you consistently like one angle of view more than another.
I usually use 35mm (on FF) but I’ve been toying with a 20mm for my OM1 (40mm equiv) for the upcoming winter solstice at Stonehenge. I’ve set my zoom to that focal length for a while and, you’re right, there is something nice about that field of view. Food for thought.
Picked up the Viltrox this friday. Solid lens. I might never change lens again. It will be replacing my 23mm F2 and 35mm F1.4. The only negative so far is that it is slightly heavy, but that might be a matter of doing more push ups 🙂 Nice video, Josh !!
Do you ever feel constricted not having the wideness of 35 or 28 to capture those layered street scenes you shoot so well? (Not that your 40mm photography is bad haha!)
Well, that's very kind of you to say. I'd say it only ever feels a bit restricted in like shoulder to shoulder situations - IE a protest or some kind of event. But for everything else it's bang on for me - Cheers Tim
Nice philosophy, photography will always be there, no rush. Have you ever used the Fujifilm 90 f2? I'm trying to decide between it and the viltrox 75mm. Viltrox 75mm new €500, Fujifilm 90 f2 used in top condition €600.
3 things... 1. 27mm IS the focal length of the lens, we all just have this hang up of relating them to 35mm full frame field of view, ideally we'd all state a lenses field of view instead, but that's a minefield as well 2. 27mm on aps / 40mm of [35mm] full frame is a great do it all field of view and lastly.... 3. shutter noise sound effect every time a still is shown bugs the crap out of me, please please don't do it ! or at least make it super subtle barely perceptable. I've cut short viewing so many youtube videos due to this, I often use headphones and that just makes even more unbearable /rant ;-)
Well calling a 27mm a 40mm would just be incorrect. The best way to standardize labels would be to include the angle of view in degrees. A diagonal measurement would be simplest
The relative focal length isn't the actual focal length though. A 27mm lens will render like a 27mm lens but thanks to the crop factor of the camera, the 40.5mm equivalent field of view is where the similarity to a FF 40mm begins and ends.
I've been watching hundreds of photography videos the past few weeks, this video boasts the most impressive images I've seen so far. Is this the Carnaby preset?
I'd much prefer to watch a 10 min vlog tbh, doesn't even really need to have any special subject, just some meandering words and some images. I'm reassured ref the 40mm too as I've got a LUMIX H-H020AE-K 20 mm Micro Four Thirds on the way.
I’ve just picked up the Canon 5Div and the 40mm combo. I’m struggling with autofocus, your shots at 2.8 look great. Do you ever find the autofocus hard? Just curious.
Focal lenght is a measurement of the physical distance from the focusing element within the lens to the sensor. It is not a measure of the field of view. It doesnt change from an apsc lens to a full frame lens. 27mm is 27mm no matter what body you put it on. We talk in equivalence because it enables people to visualize in their mind, what field of view a lens will give them, on their specific camera. We use the full frame sensor as the point of reference and everything is spoken of in equivalence to that. So no, apsc lens manufacturers cannot just call their 27mm lenses 40mm, because they're not 40mm, they're 27mm. It is because of smaller sensor that a 27mm lens on apsc will give you the same field of view as a 40mm lens on full frame. Converserly a 27mm lens on a medium format lens will give you the same field of view as 13 or 14mm lens on full frame. But the focal lenght will still be 27mm
If they just made the convention to label lenses with the angle of view instead of - or at the very least in addition to - the focal length, we wouldn’t have this headache of translating between sensor sizes. Edit: i just realised this would not be possible as the angle of view changes based on the sensor size the lens is being use on. Doh!
TH-camrs: 50mm is the best 2 days later: why 35mm is the best choice 3 days: why 40mm is the best 4 days later: why you need 28mm 5 days later: I got every lens for free …
Wow the photos of the trees that were half covered in green half covered in orange foliage were stunning, such a beautiful time of a year to have a camera on you
Really enjoy the format. I find that gear can be a good gateway into talking about photography in general. As for your rant in the beginning, let me give a counter rant: 35mm film/sensor (so called full frame) isn't anymore true than any other sensor size. A focal length *is* a focal length and that actually has a very precise meaning. The real question is: why the hell are we talking about lenses in terms of focal length instead of actually using DEGREES field of view! That's what we should be using! As for the 40mm equivalent FOV (there I go, using that convention I use criticised), I think it's quite special. For some reason it seems to lead to rather elegant compositions and your lovely photos here are no exception! Thanks for making and sharing the video!
@@frame-lines Maybe I misunterpreted you, but you seem to imply for instance 50mm on full frame the 50mm is the true designation for that field of view, as opposed to 46.8 degrees along the diagonal. I think all lenses should be labelled with degrees according to their format(s). For instance, a 50mm lens for a system with both full-frame and APS-C cameras would say 50mm 46.8° @ Full-frame 31.4° @ APS-C Or if it’s an APS-C lens only 50mm 31.4° @ APS-C That way we could all talk across systems without doing all these conversions. Looking into the Fuji XF 27mm f2.8 myself. EDIT: typo
@@frame-lines Also want to mention that after suggesting to my wife get a small lens to make her 6D more portable (and thus want to actually bring it) she got that Canon 40mm f2.8 and she’s captured some wonderful images with it!
I tend to use the Fuji 23mm f2 on my X-Pro2 but have the pancake Fuji 27mm permanently fixed to my X-E2s. I like to have the option to switch back and forth but I think the f2.8 max aperture limits me. Maybe I should try the Viltrox.
Forty is obviously better than thirty five. It’s five better.
Wait what
@@frame-lineshes saying that 40mm is +5mm better than 35mm 😂😂
@@shuutori The lack of a question mark highlights it was rhetorical
@@kierenkd interesting
On ASP-C it's only ~3.5 better
The focal lens of 27mm lens is 27mm. The FOV is coming from the sensor (or rather the image circle). But I get your point as I had the same complaint when I started with my APS-C camera. I think it would make much more sense to use the actual FOV (for the designated body) rather then the focal length. But then again we measure "light" in F-Stops which is dumb as well. The aperture is the ratio between the focal lens and the size of the "hole" in the aperture. If we want to measure light we should use T-Stop as they do in the cine world. And while we are at it: why is 4x5 large photography bigger then 6x7 medium format? Because we can't even keep the unit system the same. Also I'm pretty sure that the ISO rating on digital camera is somewhat arbitrarily. If you shoot different digital camera under the same conditions at ISO 100 you get different results. Photography is weird. :D
Oh, and to get back to the topic: there is no best. 40mm is pretty good. But so is 28mm. I also like 50mm. And my 58mm. 85mm is also quite handy.. There may be a best focal length for one particular shoot .- but even that is questionable in IMO. ;-) Anyway, I enjoy your videos. Keep them coming! :D
So good to see photographs taken on a bright sunny day, which is my favourite time. I'm unashamedly a fair weather photographer. Delighted with a 27mm f2.8 fuji lens on my x-E, and delighted too with your presets. Thank you.
Thank YOU!
Nice video, like always.
Lenses are measured for a 35 mm FF sensor as standard.
So the lens is a 27 mm lens, the 17.7 mm is the crop factor (field of view) when you put it on a APSC Fuji camera, BUT IT IS STILL A 27mm LENS
The lens decides what it is, not the camera behind it.
Put that lens with an adapter ring on a 35 mm camera and it is a 27 mm lens, of course you will have some minor problems at the edges of the image.
Same goes with MF lenses but then than the opposite
Anyways , thanks for sharing.
Yup, the compression you have is from a 27mmm lens, not a 40mm.
My 27mm Viltrox is almost never off my X-H1 and when it is, it's the Viltrox 75mm. Both so good that my outstanding Fuji 33mm is on a shelf and will probably be sold. Glorious lenses.
Yes, I enjoyed this style of vlog. I love a bit of gear chat, I love a bit of photography chat, and yours and Shane’s videos have a nice balance of both 😊
Very much appreciate that - thank you Martin!
Because the field of view equivalence only comes into play in relation with a sensor. In and of itself, optically the lens is what it says it is. A 27mm lens is a 27 mm on full frame, on crop, on m4/3. It's a physical characteristic of the actual construction of the lens and it never changes.
The only thing that changes is the resulting field of view, which is a function of sensor size.
Alfred Hitchcock loved to shoot films with a 50mm, regardless of the film size being used. It was the rendering of the lens he liked so much, regardless the field of view from the film stock being used.
Forty was a favorite back in the early 10s when I had a GF7 with a 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens. It got stolen, and I hadn't thought much about it until I realized many favorites were shot with this focal length. Browsing through images last year made me realize that 40mm was the focal length I wanted. Now using a Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 Classic Nocton on my Sony, it's tack sharp, has a small focus throw, and is great for range focus. Won't share images here, but your work does justice to the focal length. Happy to be shooting with a 40mm again.
Only just found you guys. As a 70-80's film guy I've rediscovered photography at 60 so I've spent the last few months with a new to me Olympus E-M10 and the 14-42mm kit lens. During that time I've tried it set at 14mm, 20mm, 25mm and 45mm which I only now realise is the 28/40/50/90mm equivalent. I've found the 28 too wide for my skill set, always cropping and the 25/45 too tight for a lot of what I do (cars shows) so have settled on 20mm(40) and bought a used Panasonic Lumix 20mm. I'll be off out with it soon.
43mm is what we all really need.
I love videos like these. Even if it’s not the focal length I use, I love hearing other peoples thoughtful point-of-views.
Appreciate it - thanks for watching !!
Very peaceful and relaxing. Beautiful colours too.
Thank you ❤️
💜💜💜
Ok yes enjoyed the laid back presentation...
I love 40mm as well, once Ricoh announced the GRiiix I instantly sold my griii and grabbed the X. It just suits my shooting style and the way I enjoy composing photos.
It’s a very nice happy middle between 35 and 50 imo
Absolutely - I’d deffo get the X over the regular GR now
Always a pleasure seeing your work Josh. You are the modern-day torchbearer for documenting British culture. You are Martin Parr ;-) Never forget the importance of what you do as an historian. BTW, I'm sure you're just messing with us, using this cranky old man persona from a park bench thing, but you know full well why lens manufacturers don't mislabel their lenses. Optically, a 50mm lens is a 50mm lens, regardless of the size sensor behind it. A 27mm lens can no more be a 40mm lens then a human can arbitrarily assign their own gender.
Funny you made and released this video today.
I purchased the original Fuji 27mm lens yesterday. I’m not particularly in love with this focal length. I go back and forth between the 23 & 35mm focal lengths. Both have their merits. I zoom with my feet. I suspect I’ll do the same with the 27.
The lens was purchased for two reasons. The small size and lite weight. I put it on the XE1 and it is a perfect fit. The lens makes this combination approach the GR size. This may become my EDC and gives the X100 a run for the money.
Yes the lens isn’t silent when focusing. Not really loud. It is OK as long as I don’t make short videos. The time it takes to focus is a little slow. Again, adequate for street subjects. It seems adequately sharp. This lens is slow at f2.8. I’ll not want to use it for night prowling which I don’t do much. I’m still testing the lens out. It may be a keeper.
I typically take either the 23 or 35 chrons with me when I walk the street. I love both of these lenses. I’m thinking these lenses will be used on the XP or XT bodies. The 27 lens can live on the XE. I’m retired now so I have to manage my spends more carefully. I expect this is the right tool for the right job.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
As a Ricoh GRIIIx user, 40 is right up my street! Great video, Josh. Really funny, really relaxing. Loved it 🤟🏼
I use a Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 with my A7III for street photography and I find it is the best focal length for me. Although closer in length to a 35mm, 40mm definitely feels more like a wide 50mm and the deeper depth of field when stopping down is the real benefit over a 50mm. This lens, just like a 50mm encourages stepping forwards and isolating subjects which I do a lot as well as using the wider-than-50mm perspective to step back every now and again for classic style street shots. I do prefer a true 40mm on FF to a 27mm on aps-c as I just like the perspective and depth of field a lot more on FF plus zone focusing is so much easier on FF - just my personal preference for my own photography mind.
My favorite also I use 40mm f2.8 and my 6D❤
honestly this is my favourite type of vlog
Wow thanks Rob! Glad to hear it
Love your Vivid HDR look
Haha thanks ✨🎨
Well-done presentation! I was an early adopter of the Canon EF 40mm STM pancake lens, and really enjoyed using it on an original-version 5D. Such a pancake lens, on a 5D-sized body, will fit into some belt pouches made for “mirror-less” cameras. I subsequently added Voigtlander 40mm and Nikon 45mm manual-focus pancake lenses, for the Nikon F-mount. With a favored 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens, I tended to frame many shots at either ~31mm or ~40mm, rather than at 28mm, 35mm, or 50mm.
My brother uses the 40mm pancake on a 6D, and he mentioned it is tack sharp!
Cracking video as always. Fantastic photos. I always enjoy these easygoing laidback style of vlogs where you just chat about photography whilst taking some photos 👍
Glad you enjoyed it - very much appreciated
Josh wins at getting the conversation going in the comments today! 😊
I know, what the hell 😅
I have this combo..... My photos are still so shit hhahahaha😂
Ahaha surely not 😅
@@frame-lines will have to agree with you that this is the best focal length ever
Loved this video!
I also fell in love with 40mm after getting a Konica C35 with a lovely little built in 40mm. Was surprised as well how much a change it was, after shooting mostly an Olympus XA with a (granted beautiful) 35mm lens
Oh you need to be introduced to a Rollei 35 camera (40mm Sonnar lens)
Thanks Josh, nice images. A couple of years ago I settled on a 6D mk 1 with the 40 2.8 for outdoor car shows. Lightweight setup on a wrist strap. Focal length is ideal for the type of shots I like. Pretty much the sweet spot for shooting at outdoor shows where there is lots of room to move around.
excellent, the 6D colours are so nice too
Easy going relaxed video thanks.
Much appreciated - thanks for watching Geoff
Use to mentally wrestle with the choice between 35mm and 50mm, so when I got my first 40mm, the problem was solved. With just a bit of movement, up or back, the 40mm can do the job of either.
Keep a Voightlander 40mm on my Nikon D700 and an XF 27mm on my Fujis.
My favorite all time camera is the Fuji GW690 or Texas Leica as it's nicknamed. It has a 90mm lens on a 6x9 medium format film camera which equates to about a 40mm lens. The FOV is just perfect and how I love to see the world. I have been eyeing the Viltrox 27mm for sure because of that. I tried the Fuji XF 27mm but being a pancake wasn't as sharp and lacked character. These shots turned out incredible and definitely makes me want to pick it up! Thanks for sharing.
Nice one Nathan - thanks so much for watching
Even now, photographers reviewing focal lengths tend to skip over the 40mm. It's sad, because it is the best. OK, IMO.
haha glad you agree! Cheers William
So, I just watched your old video about the 28mm being your favorite focal length. Then in the beginning of this video you say you thought you were a 35mm guy. But now (at least) you find that 40mm is really the focal length for you. I am trying to find out what focal length I am also, in order to buy a fixed lens camera with that focal length (a Fuji x100 series, or one of the two Ricoh GR III). Well can't say you helped me much in my quest for my fave focal length! (I'm saying all this in jest. I enjoyed your videos greatly, and its nice to see I am not the only one struggling with this question)
Thanks!😉👍
Regarding the tangent, why should lenses use the full frame equivalent? I understand the conventions and all that, but feels weird to put a focal that's not the actual focal length, and it gives the sense that full frame somehow is the "right one", which for me isn't the case (all sensor sizes have their place, from m43 to large format).
If it's to get an universal measurement, then I'd rather jump head first to thinking in lenses in terms of field of view angle, and not focal length, something I'd loved lens makers displayed more prominently.
the M-Rokkor 40mm and Voigtlander 40mm Ultron are my favorite walk around lens
Haven’t tried those yet !
40 is really one my favs next to 50 and 35.... I didnt knowbu shot mostly in 40mm
awesome video sir and that interview with neil was top notch have a bless day in the autum light and that light was really crazy good😮
Much appreciated - thanks so much for watching
Enjoyed your video, thanks. ❤
Thanks for watching Chris
I understand that some people like using certain focal lengths but for myself because I photograph so many different subjects one or two focal lengths or lenses just doesn't cut it. I have cameras from Panasonic, Olympus, Fujifilm, Pentax and Nikon and lens from Panasonic, Pentax, Olympus, Fujifilm, Nikon, Viltrox, Sigma and one Voitelander lens for my Nikon ZF. I guess I have a bad case of GAS.
great photos!
Thanks so much
You are confusing focal length with field of view.
They can't say it's a 40mm cos FL is a physical property that doesn't change with sensor size. It's up to the end user to do the calculations on their end for each format.
1:00 because 27mm - and not "mil"! - is the focal length of the lens and field of view is not 40mm, but is some angle. BTW, "mil" is 1/1000 of an inch and equals to 25.4µm.
But I am just German 😇😇😇
👍
Unfortunately I moved over to capture One or else I would buy your presets. I mainly use A Fujifilm XPro3 for my street Photography. anyway I enjoy your rants :)
You should do a blind test. Get a friend to randomly select a series of images shot on either 35mm and 40mm and see if you can actually a) even tell which are shot on which and b) if you consistently like one angle of view more than another.
Haha good call
I usually use 35mm (on FF) but I’ve been toying with a 20mm for my OM1 (40mm equiv) for the upcoming winter solstice at Stonehenge. I’ve set my zoom to that focal length for a while and, you’re right, there is something nice about that field of view. Food for thought.
Picked up the Viltrox this friday. Solid lens. I might never change lens again. It will be replacing my 23mm F2 and 35mm F1.4. The only negative so far is that it is slightly heavy, but that might be a matter of doing more push ups 🙂 Nice video, Josh !!
Yeah it’s substantial but feels very well made right - deffo my preference for video over stills though
@@frame-lines Well made, Yes. And a lens that I cannot wait to use, which is a big plus also. Good job Viltrox 🤩👍
40mm is the modern day 35mm. Allows you to be 1 maybe 2 steps further back. Sometimes that makes all the difference.
Nicely put
I love you too
🥰
I've been considering that Viltrox lens but is it not a bit chonky? Im used to the 27mm pancake
Have you been able to tryout the Voigtlander 27mm? I’m tempted to pick one up because of its size and manual focus.
Not yet but deffo keen to give it a try?
F.A.B.!
Do you ever feel constricted not having the wideness of 35 or 28 to capture those layered street scenes you shoot so well? (Not that your 40mm photography is bad haha!)
Well, that's very kind of you to say. I'd say it only ever feels a bit restricted in like shoulder to shoulder situations - IE a protest or some kind of event. But for everything else it's bang on for me - Cheers Tim
Awesome, I went from 50 to 35 but neither has ever felt quite right for me. Perhaps 40 is the answer!
Nice philosophy, photography will always be there, no rush. Have you ever used the Fujifilm 90 f2? I'm trying to decide between it and the viltrox 75mm. Viltrox 75mm new €500, Fujifilm 90 f2 used in top condition €600.
I haven’t tried either I’m afraid - a little bit too long for me I think
3 things... 1. 27mm IS the focal length of the lens, we all just have this hang up of relating them to 35mm full frame field of view, ideally we'd all state a lenses field of view instead, but that's a minefield as well 2. 27mm on aps / 40mm of [35mm] full frame is a great do it all field of view and lastly.... 3. shutter noise sound effect every time a still is shown bugs the crap out of me, please please don't do it ! or at least make it super subtle barely perceptable. I've cut short viewing so many youtube videos due to this, I often use headphones and that just makes even more unbearable /rant ;-)
Well calling a 27mm a 40mm would just be incorrect. The best way to standardize labels would be to include the angle of view in degrees. A diagonal measurement would be simplest
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You know... That question about why don't they just put the relative focal length on the lenses is something that's always puzzled me too
The relative focal length isn't the actual focal length though. A 27mm lens will render like a 27mm lens but thanks to the crop factor of the camera, the 40.5mm equivalent field of view is where the similarity to a FF 40mm begins and ends.
27mm aps-c versus 40mm ff. Same FOV; different magnification.
I've been watching hundreds of photography videos the past few weeks, this video boasts the most impressive images I've seen so far. Is this the Carnaby preset?
Wow, thank you! A mixture of Carnaby and portobello for these !
@@frame-lines I bought them, your work speaks for itself.
I'd much prefer to watch a 10 min vlog tbh, doesn't even really need to have any special subject, just some meandering words and some images. I'm reassured ref the 40mm too as I've got a LUMIX H-H020AE-K 20 mm Micro Four Thirds on the way.
I’ve just picked up the Canon 5Div and the 40mm combo. I’m struggling with autofocus, your shots at 2.8 look great. Do you ever find the autofocus hard? Just curious.
No never - the lens isn’t super quick but it’s always accurate
@@frame-lines it must be user error on my part then! Do you use spot focusing?
what if i told you the aps-c lenses actually say what the actual focal length is
insert morpheus gif
How is no one in the comments asking what the heck happened with all the flooding?!
Haha excellent question
Is that town flooded?
It’s on a tidal part of the Thames that regularly floods
@@frame-lines oh that’s kind of cool lol. Made me want to go there. Cool video and amazing photos friend :)
I dropped my 40mm rocker-m and the focus ring is stiff as fuck.
This video hurts my soul.
😅
Focal length and field of view are not the same.
The owls are not what they seem
You're a "guy" when you shoot 35 and you're a Man when you shoot 40mm.
😅
Focal lenght is a measurement of the physical distance from the focusing element within the lens to the sensor. It is not a measure of the field of view. It doesnt change from an apsc lens to a full frame lens. 27mm is 27mm no matter what body you put it on. We talk in equivalence because it enables people to visualize in their mind, what field of view a lens will give them, on their specific camera. We use the full frame sensor as the point of reference and everything is spoken of in equivalence to that. So no, apsc lens manufacturers cannot just call their 27mm lenses 40mm, because they're not 40mm, they're 27mm. It is because of smaller sensor that a 27mm lens on apsc will give you the same field of view as a 40mm lens on full frame. Converserly a 27mm lens on a medium format lens will give you the same field of view as 13 or 14mm lens on full frame. But the focal lenght will still be 27mm
you nailed it 😀
If they just made the convention to label lenses with the angle of view instead of - or at the very least in addition to - the focal length, we wouldn’t have this headache of translating between sensor sizes.
Edit: i just realised this would not be possible as the angle of view changes based on the sensor size the lens is being use on. Doh!
This
TH-camrs: 50mm is the best
2 days later: why 35mm is the best choice
3 days: why 40mm is the best
4 days later: why you need 28mm
5 days later: I got every lens for free …
Helluva week
Wow the photos of the trees that were half covered in green half covered in orange foliage were stunning, such a beautiful time of a year to have a camera on you
You are way too kind Ryan!!
This lense quickly became one of my favourites.
Ha excellent
Really enjoy the format. I find that gear can be a good gateway into talking about photography in general.
As for your rant in the beginning, let me give a counter rant: 35mm film/sensor (so called full frame) isn't anymore true than any other sensor size. A focal length *is* a focal length and that actually has a very precise meaning. The real question is: why the hell are we talking about lenses in terms of focal length instead of actually using DEGREES field of view! That's what we should be using!
As for the 40mm equivalent FOV (there I go, using that convention I use criticised), I think it's quite special. For some reason it seems to lead to rather elegant compositions and your lovely photos here are no exception!
Thanks for making and sharing the video!
Thanks for watching - I thought that’s pretty much what I said though right? I said we should be talking about it in field of view … 😅🤷🏻♂️
@@frame-lines Maybe I misunterpreted you, but you seem to imply for instance 50mm on full frame the 50mm is the true designation for that field of view, as opposed to 46.8 degrees along the diagonal.
I think all lenses should be labelled with degrees according to their format(s).
For instance, a 50mm lens for a system with both full-frame and APS-C cameras would say
50mm
46.8° @ Full-frame
31.4° @ APS-C
Or if it’s an APS-C lens only
50mm
31.4° @ APS-C
That way we could all talk across systems without doing all these conversions.
Looking into the Fuji XF 27mm f2.8 myself.
EDIT: typo
@@frame-lines Also want to mention that after suggesting to my wife get a small lens to make her 6D more portable (and thus want to actually bring it) she got that Canon 40mm f2.8 and she’s captured some wonderful images with it!
AH I see !
I tend to use the Fuji 23mm f2 on my X-Pro2 but have the pancake Fuji 27mm permanently fixed to my X-E2s. I like to have the option to switch back and forth but I think the f2.8 max aperture limits me. Maybe I should try the Viltrox.
I enjoy the relaxed casual vlog style video. More will be a treat. Thank you. I... love you... (your way).
Ahaha cheers !!
4:37 is such a great shot! Looks like a still from a family drama movie! This video is pushing me further towards getting a Ricoh GR iiix 🙈
Haha love that - cheers !