Friends of mine make really great images with modern digital rangefinder cameras like the Sony RX1 or a Fuji X100T. They have a fixed focal length lens on either a full frame or a cropped sensor. I never really considered any of these the cameras - they are expensive and there is that little bit about not having interchangeable lenses. But - WOW - are they getting gorgeous images! So my question to a few other friends was: "What is like to only have a 35mm focal length"?

To make a long story short, I got an answer to a different question: "What's so good about primes"? Shallow depth of field, sharpness, compact size, etc. So I guess the only way to find out what its like to have only a fixed focal length is to put a prime lens on a camera and keep it there all the time. ITS A GREAT IDEA! Here are some example photos. The subjects are all different -- the common theme is that "restrictive" 35mm lens choice.

First Night in Frederick, MD (2007)

Cathedral Towers Apartment Lobby

Noah Willman at Kogod Courtyard, National Portrait Gallery for A

Photo by John St Hilaire.

Jamilla

B&W Photo by John St Hilaire

Barber Shop, McLean, VA

This is the new one. The old one dated back to the early 1960s. McLean, VA is still a small town in many ways, it just happens to be inside the Beltway and within easy bicycle or walking distance of Washington, DC. Photo by John St Hilaire.

Glencarlyn Park

Glencarlyn Park in Arlington, VA. Stream beds like this are typical in VA.

38A2745-b.jpg Photo by John St Hilaire.