Why 40mm Might Be the Perfect Everyday Focal Length

When you think about the focal length that defines your photography, it often changes over time. Switching systems, exploring new formats, or just rethinking how you see the world can push you toward different lenses. What once felt essential can suddenly feel limiting, and a new focal length can open up different ways of working.

Coming to you from Craig Roberts, this thoughtful video looks at why 40mm might be the sweet spot between the classic 35mm and 50mm fields of view. Roberts explains how he moved through 24mm for landscapes, 35mm for tighter framing, and 50mm for flexibility. The idea of splitting the difference with 40mm gives him a new default lens that feels natural. Instead of obsessing over sharpness tests or lens charts, he shows how real-world use tells the full story. That perspective is important if you’ve ever found yourself stuck between focal lengths, unsure which lens really matches your vision.

Roberts demonstrates this with several cameras and lenses, including the Voigtländer 40mm for Nikon F-mount and the Ricoh GR IIIx. He even touches on film gear like the Polaroid SX-70 and Olympus 35 RC, both with lenses close to 40mm. The common thread is how this field of view simplifies decision-making. Instead of debating between the wider 35mm and the more compressed 50mm, 40mm feels balanced. That makes it worth considering if you’ve ever wished one lens could do most of the work.

Roberts points out how this single focal length consistently delivers a natural perspective that feels neither too wide nor too tight. It encourages a simple approach: one camera, one lens, one focal length. That kind of limitation can actually bring freedom, letting you concentrate more on composition and less on swapping gear. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Roberts.