Companion to Nokton 40/1.4

[5nap5hot]

I am going to be taking a class in street photography in January and I am planning to use my Bessa R3M for all my work. I already own a Nokton 40/1.4 SC but was thinking of getting another lens to give me some flexibility to try new perspectives.

Does anyone have any suggestions?


...or am I better off just to use the one lens and shoot lotsa film?

 

[RayPA]

Definitely a 28 or a 35 for street. I like 35's for street. I've been shooting with a 40 all week and it's not bad at all. The 1.9 is a little on the big side, but still a nice lens. I like the CV 28/3.5, too; though it's a little slow. Lots of options, lots of tradeoffs. Small and fast would be the ideal.

🙂

 

[5nap5hot]

Isn't a 35 pretty close to a 40? I mean is there that much difference to warrant spending $300 and some?

 

[Trius]

Tim: Right. I'd go for the 28 if you get anything. If I were taking a class, I'd just use just one lens and concentrate on street photo techniques. There's a lot to it that has little to do with lens selection. After you take the class and learn the basics, you'll have a better idea of what additional lens(es) might be useful for you. I mean, what if you decide a 28 isn't wide enough and you'd be better off with a 24 ... or wider? Or maybe you discover a 75 or 90 wuold be a more useful addition for your style? YMMV.

 

[RayPA]

Isn't a 35 pretty close to a 40? I mean is there that much difference to warrant spending $300 and some?

I wasn't recommending a 35. I was stating a personal generality. Those three focal lengths (28, 35, 40), IMO, work the best for street. But yes, the two are too close to be a set for one camera. If you have to get another lens then the 28, otherwise why not stick with the 40 for the class?

🙂

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

35 is practically 40

so I'd vote for the 28 ultron, great lens

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

another possibility if you really want to push the focal length envelope is to get the CV 21mm.

sharp, compact, comes with a great finder

check out Alan Soon's gallery, he uses the 40/1.4 and 21/4 exclusively on his last few trips (to great effect I might add)

 

[kshapero]

How about that sweet CV 75mm for some headshots. Go for the gold:
21/40/75.

 

[terrafirmanada]

I would go for the 28 since it is easy to use hyperfocal, then you mainly worry about composition or content. There is a nice Canon 2.8 in the rff classifieds here. I own the 3.5 and like the results I get with the slower brother ( I mainly shoot f8-f16). Very compact unit, even with a hood --good luck!

 

[back alley]

staying with one lens is probably the smart thing to do in this situation.

if you decide to get another lens i would recommend a 28 also or even the cv 25, one of my favourite focal lengths. using hyperfocal distance is very nice for street shooting, one less thing to fret over.
staying with one lens keeps things simple though and the fewer variables in a learning situation, i think, the better.
unless you have some street experience already then for sure get a wider lens.
joe

 

[5nap5hot]

Well ... thanks for the advice. I will save my money for film. ... and a new bag. I am surprised that the wide angles are being suggested. I would have thought the longer lenses would have been better.

 

[back alley]

longer lenses are harder to use on the street, on the run.

who is offering a street photo course?

joe

 

[Trius]

In addition to being harder to use, the distance you need between yourself and the subject encourages you to be more ... distant. Not a good thing. As Capa said, "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."

 

[5nap5hot]

Joe

I am a part-time student at a local photography college.

www.focalpoint.bc.ca

Trius... we all know what happened to poor Capa. 😱

 

[back alley]

thanks tim, looks pretty good.

i didn't know van had that school.

too bad there is nothing similar here.
joe

 

[jwinst]

Joe
http://www.focalpoint.bc.ca

Trius... we all know what happened to poor Capa. 😱

Yea, he took some of the best photos in history.

 

[BillBingham2]

I'd agree saving money is not a bad thing. For my vision of street photography I would use a Bessa L and a 25/4 lens. Much less to think about, light weight, fast handling and inexpensive. For now (till the 4A is out in spring), you have to use an external finder for the 25, so the L is the way I would go. Less to break.

B2 (;->

 

[Terao]

21mm f/4 or something in the 75mm range.

 

[Grober]

ZM 25/2.8 now, then add a 75/2.5 or 2.0 later.

-g

 

[sockeyed]

I would pick up the CV 25/4. It's a fantastic little lens with a great finder (make sure you get the later brightline one). The click-stop focus is very fast, and for general street shooting, I set it on f/8 and every from 1m to infinity is in focus. I found the 25/40/75 combo with an R3A is a great all-around kit.