Lenses
Choosing the lens that fits you, the different types of lenses
Before you start your search, know your mount or know what mount you want. Camera lens mounts are the way lenses attach to camera bodies—and not all mounts are the same. Different systems have different designs, and knowing a bit about them can help you understand which lenses work with which cameras.
There are two common types of mounts:
Screw Mounts: These use a simple thread—like the M42 mount, where you screw the lens into the camera like a bolt. It’s easy to use and was popular in older cameras.
Bayonet Mounts: These use a twist-and-lock method. You insert the lens, give it a small turn, and it clicks into place. Most modern cameras use this kind of mount because it’s quicker and more secure.
Each mount type has its pros and cons, and they’re not always interchangeable without adapters. But whether you're using a classic screw-mount lens or a modern bayonet one, the mount is what keeps everything connected and working smoothly.
Short Focal Length Lenses for Analogue Cameras:
28mm and 35mm short focal length lenses like 28mm and 35mm are beloved tools for capturing wide perspectives while preserving a natural feel. These lenses fall into the wide-angle category, making them ideal for street photography, landscapes, and environmental portraits.
Both lenses encourage getting closer to your subject and being more deliberate with composition, which aligns beautifully with the tactile, mindful nature of shooting on film. Whether you lean toward the immersive quality of 28mm or the balanced versatility of 35mm, these short focal lengths are essential tools in any analogue photographer’s kit.
The 50mm lens is a timeless classic, often considered the “normal” lens for 35mm film. It offers a natural perspective close to human vision, with minimal distortion. Lightweight and versatile, it’s ideal for everything from portraits to street photography, and is often the first lens many analogue photographers fall in love with.
The 135mm lens provides a short telephoto reach that’s perfect for portraiture and capturing subjects from a distance. It compresses the background for a pleasing, cinematic look and helps isolate your subject with a shallow depth of field, even at moderate apertures.
Macro lenses open up an entirely new world by allowing you to focus incredibly close to your subject. From intricate textures to tiny details in nature or everyday objects, macro photography invites a slower, more curious approach—something that pairs beautifully with the intentional process of shooting film.
Longer telephoto lenses (such as 200mm and beyond) are ideal for wildlife, sports, and any scenario where you want to remain at a distance. They allow you to frame tightly and pull distant scenes closer, all while maintaining the organic quality that film so uniquely renders.
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