cv 21 vs 25 for Street Photography

[gbb]

Hi, All

I've been using a CV25/4 for the last couple of months, mostly for street photo and some indoor shots. I was wondering if anyone uses a wider fl, like the cv 21 for street shooting. If anyone has used both focal lengths, how did it play out for you? Also, would it make sense to keep the 25 and get a 21 or even 15, or would one wide lens keep you covered, as long as you have a 35 for tighter shots(as I do)? I realize that ultimately only I can answer these questions for myself given my type of shooting and taste, but I usually learn something from others' experience in similar terrain. Thanks in advance,

GB

 

[Taipei-metro]

Hi, All

I've been using a CV25/4 for the last couple of months, mostly for street photo and some indoor shots. I was wondering if anyone uses a wider fl, like the cv 21 for street shooting. If anyone has used both focal lengths, how did it play out for you? Also, would it make sense to keep the 25 and get a 21 or even 15, or would one wide lens keep you covered, as long as you have a 35 for tighter shots(as I do)? I realize that ultimately only I can answer these questions for myself given my type of shooting and taste, but I usually learn something from others' experience in similar terrain. Thanks in advance,

GB

It's true, it all up to you, your pespective toward your surroundings, and your cycle of lens options.
Many times I took one lens for street work, for a 10 year period, I start w a 35/2, then 24/2.8, then 20/2.8 then back to 35/2, then 28/2.8, 28/2.
Many times when I have the 28 w me, I wish it's a 24.
When looking at photos I shot w 20, I'd think it's a bit too wide.
If you look at other photographers work, w a 21 or 15, you probably have ideas of if you like it or not. At this time, I am not into 21 or wider for a one lens street work.

 

[Pherdinand]

if you want ufo-headed people, girls with too long legs and many many useless stuff around your subject, all within the image frame, go as wide as you can!

 

[wrenhunter]

Yeah, if you're trying to photograph the actual street, then go 12mm baby! 🙂

Seriously, I have a 21 and have been considering a 25, but I suspect they are pretty close. I'm thinking a 28 or 15 might offer more options.

Is there something about your 25 street shots that you don't like?

 

[Bertram2]

Also, would it make sense to keep the 25 and get a 21 or even 15, or would one wide lens keep you covered, as long as you have a 35 for tighter shots(as I do)?
GB

You are right , you should ty it yourself and then first decide , if possible.
Actually 25 and 21 differ more than one would expect it, for street the 21 id too wide for me.

If you got a 35 and a 25 go for 15 if you need a real indoor lens ori f you must shoot often in the middle of the crowd.

Bertram

 

[photogdave]

The 21 actually has coupled focusing which can be nice at times. It also has a nicer viewfinder.
I really like the 21 because it doesn't distort nearly as much as my AF Nikkor 20 2.8, it's really small and really sharp. I like the 21 FOV and if I don't want to go that wide then the 35 usually fits the bill!

 

[bmoc]

I agree with points made above regarding the style you wish to shoot. I also think your comfort level is a significant factor. i.e. how close are you comfortable getting, because most good shots with a 21 really accentuate the near-far relationship of objects. If there is not a subject in close, images tend to be static. For instance, I can use a 21 shooting people in the busy streets of Manhattan, but in Queens, where there are far fewer people walking around, I can't get close enough--people's personal space needs differ in different environements.

 

[rool]

If you have the 25, I would go wider than 21. The 15 is tempting me right now (I have the 25 and 35).
I found 25mm a really nice focal lens for street shooting, 21 is too wide for me for street.

 

[RML]

I too have the 25 but I wouldn't go wider, really. But that's just me.

 

[pvdhaar]

25 is the limit for me too. I've already enough trouble filling the frame with that one..

 

[gbb]

The way I use the 25 is either for full body shots of people in environment, where the 35 wouldn't cover, or up close head shots w more backgrd showing, as well as that rounder look u get w a wa. I tend to work close either w the 35 or 25. Would post examples but lack scanner.
Another quick point, in comparing the 25 vf fov w what I see through an SLR's 28, they're almost identical. I'm guessing the 25vf is conservative, if so, how would you compensate to get the full view when shooting? Just use the outside of the frame?

 

[BillBingham2]

GB,

I shot streets mostly with a 35/2, while I have a 21/2.8, it was just too wide and had too much distortion for my preference.

I got a CV 25/4 about a year and half ago and love it. I grew up on a Nikkor 24/2.8 on an FTn and the CV is better, less distortion, bit slower, but I have no mirror to worry about. My 35 has become a 40/1.4.

I also have a CV 15mm, but it has not gotten a lot of use yet. I love the 24 so much, I do not take it out. Next month I am work on using once a week to get used to it. I like the span it gives me, I just need to get more comfortable with it.

I don’t see a lot of value in the 21. I would jump to a 15mm.

B2 (;->

 

[Memnon]

the difference between 21 and 25 is quite big actually, more than one would suspect. I think both are to wide for street photog. One nice thing about them is that there is hardly any need for focussing so you can shoot fast, the angle is just to big to get decent shot (personal opinion)
For street photography I use a standard 50mm lens, sometimes the 35 but always revert to the standard 50.

 

[micek]

The 21mm is wide indeed for street shooting, but I find it ideal for busy or crowded areas. I replace the viewfinder with a spirit level and simply position myself in the middle of the action, holding the camera at waist level and looking down at the spirit level, which means that a) people are not aware of me shooting and b) I avoid any distorted perspectives.

 

[Toby]

I read a quote by garry winograd where he said wide angles were all about the lens rather than about the picture. The wider you go the more this will be true, In all honesty I would stick with 25 as plenty wide enough

 

[wrenhunter]

The 21mm is wide indeed for street shooting, but I find it ideal for busy or crowded areas. I replace the viewfinder with a spirit level and simply position myself in the middle of the action, holding the camera at waist level and looking down at the spirit level, which means that a) people are not aware of me shooting and b) I avoid any distorted perspectives.

An interesting idea! Do you have any sample images using this method?