I have decided to try to only use 20, 35, and 50mm prime lenses on 1.5 crop frame cameras for my photography for a period of unknown length.  I’m doing this to determine if I can manage without long zoom lenses.  I’m going to hold off on making any additions or changes in my cameras and lenses until I have given myself sufficient time to try this experiment.

This will change what I photograph and probably slow me down; but I’m approaching it as a challenge.  It will have a major impact on my photography and the answer will have a significant bearing on reducing camera weight, size, cost, and complexity.

I have an additional incentive in that there have been several times in my life when I could not walk without the aid of a cane.  If/when that happens again I wish to be able to handle my camera with one hand.

In the meanwhile, I’m going to learn about the power of constraints.  As David duChemin says:  “We need constraints. They force our hands creatively, and while many advocate embracing constraints, I suggest we go one better and create them.”

I will try hard to be successful with this effort since it has such potential to be enlightening and to simplify my photography.  It would both reduce the weight of my gear and reduce the time spent fiddling with the composition.  It also will help to teach me to see in just a few focal lengths.  I’m going to try to make 35mm (effective 52mm) my primary focal length but I will use a wider or narrower focal length when necessary to get the picture.