what type of camera lens would give the best depth of field for a 35 mm camera?

Answer 1

The camera doesn't give the depth of field; the camera is nothing more than a lightproof chamber that holds the film or sensor (in digital technology) that captures the images from the reflected light that enters via the lens' aperture and the amount of time the shutter allows it to enter.

Depth of field is the area in focus in front and in back of a subject, controlled by the aperture and the focal length of the lens, the smaller the aperture the greater the depth of field. But, also, a 28mm compared with a 90mm lens, both set at f/16, the 28mm would have a greater depth of field, whereas a 20mm lens would have still greater depth of field at the same aperture. These lenses are also known as wide angle lenses because of the wide areas they capture, most commonly use in landscape photography, seascape photography, architectural photography, and often used for large group photos (with care and understanding of the possible distortions that are possible to get). Conversely, the longer lenses are used to capture images of wildlife or for candid photos or sporting events and the longer the lens, the smaller the depth of field (say, for example, that you're photographing a cat's face, you focus on the eyes and you take the photo; when you see the image you'll notice that the shoulders of the cat are slightly out of focus and the tail is very blurry and out of focus).

WHAT are you trying to photograph? Are you using film or digital? (When you say "35mm," it is assumed that you are referring to 35mm FILM, is that what you have in mind or are you referring to a Single Lens Reflex camera?).

EDITED: I found some articles that will help you better understand the concept of Depth of Field. I hope they help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/dof.shtml
http://www.azuswebworks.com/photography/dof.html

Oops, I forgot to mention that another factor that affects the depth of field is the distance between the subject and the lens.

Answer 2

It is really a matter of what are you looking for in the photo.

The lenses are commonly known in the following ranges

Normal lens: from 35 to 50 mm

Angular: everything under 35 mm.

Telephoto: over 50 mm

Depth of field depends on two factors: the lens and the diaphragm used.

Lens certainly is important, but then you can manipulate depth of field with the use of f stops, the more open a diaphragm is the narrow the depth of field becomes; else if you use a closed one, you have more depth.

Depth of field is a proportion of the distance the object has related to the camera and the way the image is captured by the lens. Remember the image is light, so when it enters the lens it turns upside down within a proportional distance from the actual film.

Normal lenses give a decent amount of depth, zooms and teles give give less depth and angulars give more depth, then again if you use a lens with wisdom, you can then help yourself with the aperture of the diafragm.

You can have (for example) a tiny mantis, you want to have a background blurred, you could use a zoom and set diaphragm at 2.8. If you wanted background image, you could use a 32.

If you give an slower shutter speed it also modifies the image, because if you give more time to the shutter, it will give less depth. If you use a quick one it will modify the depth in a less manner.

If you really want to know more, check Micheal Langford's books.

Answer 3

Your lens 35mm-to-70mm will encompass the 50mm requirement. I can't think of any reason to require student to have just 50mm lens. Incidentally a 35mm lens is considered a wide angle (wider would be a 28mm) a 50mm lens is considered to be a "normal" lens. That is everything photographed at this setting will be normal in rendering. The 70mm is considered a medium telephoto which has a tendency to flatten objects like faces. So a 70mm actually and 85mm or 90mm is used for portraits where increased sharpness is desired. Flatten objects are like long noses ears that stick out from head, etc. I would not cancel your order. But if she is an old stick in the mud, you have to buy a 50mm lens just to satisfy her. But you will end up using the lens with the camera much more, after the course.

Answer 4

Generally speaking, the wider angle the lens, the greater the depth of field. A 10 or 12 mm lens will have almost infinite depth of field. You may object to the fisheye look, but everything will be in focus. You might be happier with the look of a photo taken with a 24 or 28 mm lens and still pretty much everything will be in focus.

Answer 5

your depth of field is from your f-stop setting the higher number
you use the wider your depth of field. so when you shoot any pics. at f-16 or above you are going to have wide focus area.
a normal or wide angle lens will give you the best depth of field
if your looking to have a wide area in focus. somebody else
might want a narrow depth of field as the best.

Answer 6

A wide angle lens.

Answer 7

Michael L is basically right, but I would add that you need a fast shutter speed also.