narsuitus
Well-known
On a full-frame 35mm SLR body, I have used 24, 28, 35, 50, 55, and 85mm focal lengths for street photography.
On a full-frame 35mm rangefinder body, I have used 21, 28, 35, 40, 45, and 90mm focal lengths for street photography.
On the full-frame 35mm bodies, I have used 28, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 as a single walk about focal length. The 35mm focal length is my personal favorite. The 21 and 24mm lenses are too wide for me to use a single walk about lens. The 85 and 90mm lenses are too telephoto for me to use a single walk about lens.
The street scene below was shot with an 85mm equivalent lens but it was not the only lens I was carrying. I also had a 35mm equivalent in my bag.
Photographer by Narsuitus, on Flickr
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I walked with 70-200 on my FF DSLR many times, in the past.
Late HCB used 90mm, where was an article (on RFF?) how he snatched one French-English couple in Paris and some of them get to this photo later.
If you get M3, and VF magnifier, then 90 frames are just as 50mm frames. And 90/4 Elmar is cheap, small lens by its price, but not performance.
Late HCB used 90mm, where was an article (on RFF?) how he snatched one French-English couple in Paris and some of them get to this photo later.
If you get M3, and VF magnifier, then 90 frames are just as 50mm frames. And 90/4 Elmar is cheap, small lens by its price, but not performance.
kuvvy
Well-known
Don’t know if I’ll prefer it as I only bought it today, a Zuiko 85mm f2 for my OM-1.
Paul
Paul
Tompas
Wannabe Künstler
(...) Pensacola Beach:
Zeiss 85/1.4:
I like these 2 photographs very much. Very well done!
To the original question:
I sometimes use a 85mm (Pentax-A 1.4/85) or 105mm (Nikkor 2.5/105 AiS) as my standard walk-around lens. But I have a 35 or 28mm lens with me -- just in case...
As an only lens, no, then I choose a 50 or 35mm.
raid
Dad Photographer
Thank you Thomas. These two images have a 50% crop, like using a 170mm lens.
jgrainger
Established
Sorry for the delay in responding, nice pictures Raid, along with some others 
I'm surprised how many people seem to like the 85/ 90 as a standard focal length.
By the sound of it the viewfinder magnifier is an interesting idea. I wonder if one could be modified to work practically on an old contax or kiev to make the 50mm viewfinder an effective 85.. might have a look for a cheaper 3rd party model.
Jonathan
I'm surprised how many people seem to like the 85/ 90 as a standard focal length.
By the sound of it the viewfinder magnifier is an interesting idea. I wonder if one could be modified to work practically on an old contax or kiev to make the 50mm viewfinder an effective 85.. might have a look for a cheaper 3rd party model.
Jonathan
I've been using a 75mm a lot lately on the street... been thinking of 90/100mm too.
Pentode
Well-known
I usually use either a 35mm or a 50mm when I shoot in the street (I have several fixed-lens RFs that dictate I use 45 or 50). I do, however, like to use something longer if I’m shooting candids of people in crowds or from a little bit of a distance. When shooting SLRs I’ve often used a 100mm or the 70mm end of my 35-70 zoom.
I’m currently shopping for 85mm primes for all four of the lens systems I use because I like that focal range so much.
I’m currently shopping for 85mm primes for all four of the lens systems I use because I like that focal range so much.
skucera
Well-known
I like the Elmar 90mm that I got with my Leica M3, but I don't use it a lot because it isn't very fast. Its f/4 maximum aperture requires a pretty bright day, or flash photography. On a bright, sunny summer day it does the most beautiful portraits. It has that lovely "Leica glow" too, and I love that. However, it's no the first lens I choose to put in the M3.
Scott
Scott
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
35mm is my "natural view" lens. That's the baseline, from which I go up or down as needed. If I tried to "walkabout" with an 85 or 90, I would be taking it off to switch to a different lens, every time I saw a shot. However, in the mountains, there are certainly enough compositions to be had with the 85mm and even the 135mm, to be worth having them along. For me. My dad used to use a 105/2.5 Nikkor for his standard lens.
Tejasican
Well-known
That is one lens that I am quite sorry I sold.
telenous
Well-known
I use the 90mm sometimes when I seek to get the impression of compression in a photo. Some photos work better when background and foreground are seemingly brought closer. That said, the 50mm and the 35mm are generally more useful to me.
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Rob-F
Likes Leicas
It's really all about whether you like to show the subject in relation to its surroundings in a three-dimensional "you are there" perspective--a complex composition--or if you prefer to eliminate all but the most essential part, simplifying to show only the subject that caught your attention. In the first case, you need a wide angle to normal lens. In the second case, you need that 85 or 90mm.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I built a hyper rig by combining a Noct-Nikkor on a Leica CL. Still a small rig by SLR standards, even with an added grip. The 1.5X crop factor makes the 58mm F1.2 into an 87mm F1.2.
The F1.2 on wide open really has a wonderful focus snap, the electronic VF'er is an asset under dim lighting, and the 3X and 6X zoom in for nailing focus makes this a very fun, interesting and creative camera to use.
By using the sweet spot lens performance is kinda perfect. The soft corners get cropped out. Pretty much renders like a Noctilux without the light fall off in the corners. Smooth OOF and wonderful bokeh. I love that I can close focus also. Mucho fun.
Cal
The F1.2 on wide open really has a wonderful focus snap, the electronic VF'er is an asset under dim lighting, and the 3X and 6X zoom in for nailing focus makes this a very fun, interesting and creative camera to use.
By using the sweet spot lens performance is kinda perfect. The soft corners get cropped out. Pretty much renders like a Noctilux without the light fall off in the corners. Smooth OOF and wonderful bokeh. I love that I can close focus also. Mucho fun.
Cal