If you had only 3 focal lengths to choose (for Narrative)

[Tom C. Hall]

Hi Roger,

Which are the most common focal lengths you tend to use for narrative work? I remember reading somewhere on here long ago you used 32mm most often, but what would you say are your three most common focal lengths for narrative work? Is there a lens you prefer for master shots, compared to close ups? Do you have a preference for perspective on keeping a fixed distance from a subject in a scene or do you sometimes move in with the same lens from a medium shot to a close up, or a medium to a long? etc etc.

If I had to guess do you tend to stick in the 24mm-32mm-40mm territory?

Cheers

[NGM]

Good guess. Roger answered a similar question here and you're pretty much on the money.

[Tom C. Hall]

Thanks, I tried a brief search but I wasn't very clear with my terms and didn't find anything.

[octopoli]

I shot many music videos with just a 32mm and 50mm. Basically the 50 for close ups and the 32 for everything else. Its sometimes nice to just have 2 options. I would sometimes need a super wide like a 20 or 22 but very rarely. I do like a 55 or 60 for close ups but the 50mm is fine. I think for sure you can shoot a feature with 2 lenses and not have any quality issues.