The classic 35mm focal length is popular with all sorts of photographers, covering everything from news and reportage, weddings and environmental portraiture, to landscape and architectural photography. It gives a natural perspective with a more generous viewing angle than a ‘standard’ 50mm lens, which can feel restrictive by comparison, which is why 35mm is generally the preferred focal length for street photographers who need to react quickly to scenes unfolding before their eyes, often shooting from the hip.
There’s a lot to be said for f/1.8 or f/2 35mm prime lenses. They’re comparatively compact and lightweight, and are often quite inexpensive to buy. However, serious photographers will generally demand a f/1.4 35mm. These tend to be more robust, with top-flight build quality, catering to the most demanding enthusiast and professional photographers. The extra two-thirds of an f-stop in aperture width naturally enables faster shutter speeds under dull or indoor lighting conditions, so you can carry on shooting handheld without needing to bump up your camera’s ISO setting so much.