Starting Focal Length

[Fractal]

What focal length to ya'll find yourself "starting" at when using a zoom lens?

What I mean by that is best explained by an example: I have a S9000 which has a 28 - 300mm lens. I initially look at a shot through 50mm. Then I first adjust my position; or if that didn't produce the composition I wanted, I adjust my focal length.

If I want a wider angle, I'll back up; then go to 28mm. If I wanted a tighter cropping, I'd step forward; then go up to 150mm.

Does that make sense? I hope so...

[Nicole]

I start at wherever my lens is currently at when I pull it out of the bag So, usually that's somewhere around 35mm on my 18-55, 70mm on my 70-300, or 50mm on my 50 lol

[jmadigan]

I usually zoom out as wide as the lens goes, then start to compose by either moving myself or zooming in.

[NaturesPixel]

hmm if im out hunting birds i start at 200mm and zoom in to 300 depending on the light and the bird.. sometimes if im shiooting hummers ill zoom out to 150mm if they are used to me...

if im using my 18-70 and shooting my son then i start in at 70mm and zoom out...lol

and like Nic if im using either one of my 50mm then im stuck at 50mm

[johnkearney]

As someone that has long had a love affair with 24mm and 28mm wide angle lens photography(35mm film), I always seem to start at the 16mm end of my 16 -45 lens, then move to compose and then finally zoom if necessary to complete the composition. If I am using my 100-300mm lens then I am probably trying to get close to something and usually start at the 300 end. So I think it depends on many factors and there is certainly no right or wrong method.