The 40mm Focal Length
Mike Johnson explains why 40mm is his favourite focal length in the latest Sunday Morning Photographer column.
“40mm has long been my favorite focal length for 35mm cameras. I got “turned on” to the focal length when I interviewed Sally Mann for Camera & Darkroom magazine in the 1980s. She told me she had supported her artwork by doing lots of small freelance jobs, including many for the local military academy. She said she used Olympus OM cameras, and that, if she were going to do any artwork in 35mm, she would use the 40mm Zuiko. We talked about the focal length for a while, but all I remember now is Sally saying that 40mm is “about right.” That’s what started my interest in 40mms.”