Like a sculptor with a chisel, a lens shapes and manipulates light to create a unique interpretation of reality. The lens is the key to unlocking the secrets of light and shadow, color and contrast, texture and form. In short, lenses are the ultimate tool for any photographer, allowing them to capture and create the images that inspire and move us. When it comes to lenses for photography, there are various types and sizes available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Two popular sizes of lenses are 13mm and 35mm. A 16mm lens is considered a wide-angle lens, while a 35mm lens is considered a standard or normal lens.
But, what is the difference between 16mm vs 35mm lenses?
The main difference between a 16mm vs 35mm lens is – “The focal length and angle of view. A wide-angle lens like a 16mm lens has a shorter focal length and a wider angle of view, which means that it can capture a wider field of view in a single frame. Whereas a standard or normal lens like a 35mm lens has a longer focal length and a narrower angle of view, which means that it captures a narrower field of view in a single frame.”
16mm and 35mm Lenses Review
In this article, we are going to compare 15mm and 35mm lenses. We’ll look at what makes each one different and what they’re good for. Let’s dive in.
Angle of View
A 16mm lens has an extremely wide angle of view, typically around 100-110 degrees or more, which makes it ideal for capturing expansive landscapes or other scenarios where a photographer wants to capture a lot of visual information in a single frame.
The wide angle of view of the 16mm lens creates a sense of depth and can make even small spaces appear large and grandiose.
On the other hand, a 35mm lens has a narrower angle of view, typically around 50-55 degrees or so. This makes it more suitable for everyday photography, such as portraits or street photography, where a narrower field of view is more appropriate. A 35mm lens provides a more natural perspective that closely approximates what the human eye sees, making it a popular choice for general-purpose photography.
Photography Style
Compared to 16mm lenses, 35mm lenses offer a more natural perspective that closely approximates what the human eye sees. This makes them a popular choice for street photography, portraits, and general-purpose photography, where the photographer wants to capture a scene in a more true-to-life way. The 35mm lens produces less distortion than the 16mm lens, making it ideal for shooting subjects with straight lines or patterns, such as architectural photography or urban scenes.
Aperture Size
Typically, 35mm lenses offer larger maximum apertures than 16mm lenses, allowing for better low-light performance and more significant depth of field control.
The maximum aperture determines the amount of light that enters the camera lens, and a larger aperture means more light can reach the camera sensor, resulting in better low-light performance. Larger maximum apertures also offer more control over the depth of field. Depth of field refers to the range of sharp focus in an image, with a shallow depth of field resulting in a blurred background and a more prominent subject. With a larger maximum aperture, photographers can achieve a shallower depth of field, creating more artistic and visually interesting images.
While 16mm lenses may have some advantages in terms of wider angle of view and smaller size, the larger maximum aperture offered by 35mm lenses makes them a better choice for low-light photography and greater depth of field control.
Our Takeaway
In summary, a 13mm lens is an ultra-wide-angle lens that offers wider shots & deeper depth of field, while a 35mm lens is a standard lens that provides closer angles & shallower depth of field for a more cinematic look. The choice between the two depends on your personal preference and the type of photography you want to capture.
