The Only Lens You Need For Travel Photography

When it comes to travel photography, choosing the right lens can make a big difference. The good news is, you don’t need a bag full of lenses. In fact, there’s one lens that can do it all. Whether you’re capturing landscapes, portraits, or street scenes, this lens is versatile enough to handle any shot. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and perfect for photographers who want to travel light but still take stunning photos. In this article, we’ll explore why this is the only lens you need for your next adventure.

Travel photography vs personal style

When it comes to travel photography, finding the right lens can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Every photographer has their own unique style and preferences, which can make choosing the perfect travel lens a daunting task. However, there’s one lens that stands out as a versatile all-rounder for globetrotters: the 35mm prime lens.

This focal length strikes a perfect balance between wide-angle and standard views, allowing you to capture a wide range of subjects without constantly switching lenses. Whether you’re shooting sweeping landscapes, intimate portraits, or bustling street scenes, a 35mm prime lens can handle it all with aplomb. It’s no wonder that many professional travel photographers swear by this focal length as their go-to choice for travel photography.

The best focal length for travel photography

35mm is the best focal length for travel photography for several compelling reasons. First, it closely mimics the human eye’s field of view, resulting in natural-looking images that feel immersive and true to life. This makes it easy for viewers to connect with your photos and feel as if they’re right there in the scene. Additionally, the 35mm focal length provides a perfect balance between capturing enough of the environment for context while still allowing you to isolate subjects when needed.

Another advantage of using a 35mm prime lens for travel is its versatility in various lighting conditions. Many prime lenses in this focal length offer wide maximum apertures, such as f/1.4 or f/1.8, which allow you to shoot in low light situations without resorting to high ISO settings. This is particularly useful when photographing dimly lit interiors, night markets, or capturing the ambiance of a city after dark. The wide aperture also provides beautiful background blur, helping your subjects stand out in busy scenes.

Examples of photos shot with a 35mm

Travel portraits

A 35mm lens excels at environmental portraits, allowing you to capture your subject while including enough of their surroundings to tell a story. The moderate wide-angle perspective creates a sense of intimacy without distorting facial features, making it ideal for candid shots of locals or fellow travelers. When shooting portraits with a 35mm, try to get close to your subject and use the environment as a backdrop to add context and depth to your images.

Landscapes

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always need an ultra-wide lens to capture stunning landscapes. A 35mm prime lens is wide enough to encompass sweeping vistas while still maintaining a natural perspective. This focal length encourages you to be more creative with your compositions, often resulting in more interesting and dynamic landscape shots. Try using foreground elements to create depth and lead the viewer’s eye into the scene.

Culture, daily life and travel street photography

For street photography and capturing daily life, a 35mm lens is hard to beat. Its relatively compact size and inconspicuous nature allow you to blend in with the crowd, making it easier to capture candid moments without drawing attention to yourself. The 35mm focal length is perfect for storytelling, allowing you to include just enough context in your frame to convey the atmosphere and energy of a place. Whether you’re wandering through bustling markets or quiet back alleys, this lens will help you document the essence of your travels.

Picking a prime lens for traveling

When picking a prime lens for traveling, there are several factors to consider. Weight and size are crucial, as you’ll want something that won’t weigh you down during long days of exploration. Look for lenses with robust build quality and weather sealing to withstand the rigors of travel. The maximum aperture is another important consideration, especially if you plan on shooting in low light conditions or want to achieve shallow depth of field.

Budget is also a key factor when choosing a travel lens. While there are many high-end options available, you don’t necessarily need to break the bank to get a great 35mm lens. Many manufacturers offer excellent budget-friendly alternatives that deliver impressive image quality. Consider third-party lenses from reputable brands like Sigma or Tamron, which often offer great value for money without compromising on performance.

Best lens for travel photography for Nikon cameras

Nikon users have several excellent options when it comes to 35mm prime lenses for travel. For full-frame DSLR shooters, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED is a popular choice, offering excellent image quality and a relatively compact design. If you’re using a Nikon mirrorless camera like the Z6 or Z7, the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S is a stellar option that takes full advantage of the new Z-mount system.

For those on a tighter budget, the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is an excellent choice for DX-format (APS-C) cameras. It’s lightweight, affordable, and delivers sharp images with beautiful bokeh. Third-party options like the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens also offer exceptional quality and are worth considering for both DSLR and mirrorless systems (with an adapter for the latter).

Read This Blog:

Kid-Friendly Restaurants In San Antonio That Actually Have Good Food

Best travel lens for Canon cameras

Canon photographers have a wealth of options when it comes to 35mm prime lenses for travel. The Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM is a professional-grade lens that delivers stunning image quality and is built to withstand the rigors of travel. For those using Canon’s mirrorless RF system, the RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM offers excellent performance in a compact package, with the added bonus of image stabilization and macro capabilities.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is a great choice for DSLR users. It’s significantly lighter and more affordable than its f/1.4 counterpart while still offering image stabilization and very good optical performance. For Canon’s APS-C cameras, the EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens provides a 38mm equivalent focal length, making it a great compact option for travel.

Best travel photography lens for Sony cameras

Sony’s E-mount system offers several excellent 35mm prime lenses for both full-frame and APS-C cameras. The Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA is a compact and lightweight option that’s perfect for travel photography. If you need a faster aperture, the Sony Zeiss Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA offers exceptional image quality and low-light performance, albeit at the cost of increased size and weight.

For those on a budget, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 offers a great balance of performance, size, and affordability. APS-C shooters can opt for the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS, which provides a 52.5mm equivalent focal length and includes optical stabilization. Third-party manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron also offer excellent 35mm options for Sony’s E-mount system, often at competitive prices.

Best travel lens for Micro Four Thirds (Micro 4/3)

Micro Four Thirds users need to keep in mind the 2x crop factor when choosing a lens equivalent to 35mm on full-frame. For this system, lenses in the 17-20mm range will provide a similar field of view. The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 is a popular choice, offering a 34mm equivalent focal length in a compact, well-built package. Panasonic users might prefer the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH, which provides a slightly wider 30mm equivalent view.

For those who prioritize compactness, the Panasonic Lumix G 20mm f/1.7 II ASPH pancake lens is an excellent option. It offers a 40mm equivalent focal length, which is still very versatile for travel photography. These lenses take full advantage of the Micro Four Thirds system’s size benefits, allowing you to travel light without sacrificing image quality.

Best travel photography lens for Micro Four Thirds

When it comes to the best travel photography lens for Micro Four Thirds, there are a few standout options that deserve special mention. The Voigtländer Nokton 17.5mm f/0.95 is a manual focus lens that excels in low light situations, perfect for capturing the ambiance of dimly lit streets or indoor markets. While it’s on the heavier side, its exceptional image quality and creamy bokeh make it a favorite among many travel photographers.

For those who prefer autofocus and a more compact design, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm f/1.2 PRO offers outstanding sharpness and beautiful rendering in a weather-sealed body. If you’re looking for something even more portable, the Panasonic Lumix G 14mm f/2.5 II ASPH is an ultra-compact pancake lens that provides a 28mm equivalent focal length, making it great for street photography and landscapes.

Conclusion

In the world of travel photography, versatility and portability are key. The 35mm prime lens stands out as the ultimate all-rounder, capable of handling a wide range of shooting scenarios while keeping your kit light and simple. Its natural perspective, coupled with typically fast apertures, makes it an ideal choice for everything from sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits and street scenes.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in photography, the 35mm focal length comes incredibly close to being the perfect travel companion. It encourages creativity, helps you see the world in new ways, and allows you to focus on capturing moments rather than constantly changing lenses. Whether you’re shooting with a Nikon, Canon, Sony, or Micro Four Thirds system, there’s a 35mm (or equivalent) lens out there that can elevate your travel photography to new heights.