I've come from a DV background where I've never had the luxury of interchangable lenses? I wondered if anyone had any tips and or advice on how to appropriately mix focal lengths. I'll give you an example.
1. Establishing shot (Wide): Joe walks into a large bar room. The camera pans with him as walks through the crowd toward the bar.
2. Joe sits up at bar (M.S): We can see people moving behind him in the background
3. Talent's POV: Bartender walks from the other end of the bar to serve him.
4. Talent orders a drink (MCU)
In this situation I would be thinking medium/wide lens for shot 1.(perhaps 24mm - 4/3 sensor), then shot 2. I might use the 24mm or perhaps a 35mm, then shot 3. the same as shot 2. because it's a reverse situation, then shot 4 I would maybe use a 50mm because it's close and I would want a shallower DOF for this shot.
My background is going to be compressed in shot 4 compared to shot 2 if I use a longer lens: is the audience going to think this is weird? or is this normal.
I know people say it's good to mix up your lenses to keep things interesting, but I find that I use my 24mm lens in about 85% of my shots. Maybe I'm being lazy, but it just always feels like the right lens to use.