Brad Hurley wrote:
For full frame, I think 35mm might be a better choice if you only had a single lens. A 35mm can replace a 50mm by taking a few steps forward and a 50mm can replace a 35mm by taking a few steps backward. Unless you're always shooting cinema where everything is controlled and rehearsed, 35mm might be a more versatile choice, especially if you're shooting B-roll as well. You get a wider angle of view and then if you can get closer you can effectively duplicate 50mm. And usually the wider lenses have a shorter minimum focus distance, so that's a benefit to consider if you do any very close work.
That said, I shot a 50mm lens exclusively for about 30 years when I was shooting film (I'm shooting film again now but have a lot more lenses). I was able to make it work for everything--landscapes, portraits, aerial shots, you name it. But that was for photography. For video/cinematography I always think wider is a bit better.
Thanks, that helps. With the BMPCC, I was always so cramped with that tiny sensor and I mostly used the Contax 18mm on there. To weigh in on photography:
4x5 - 240mm/350mm are my most used lenses.
Hasselblad - 80mm cuz that's what I have.
Sony FF - 65mm Voigtlander is the one though if I travel light, the CV 50mm replaces that.
I just put the Contax 50mm on my BMCC6k and will take that around. I agree, for film shooting stuff, I think wider is going to be better, the context of how I shoot will be different. I have the Contax 35mm so I can give that a go. I'll be in LA next month shooting a short film and will see what goes used when I'm doing something for someone else.