do you need the 'best' lenses for street shooting?

Go through your copy of The Americans with lens quality in mind. I think the book would not be near as powerful if shot with modern high-end lenses.

John

I think that is overstating things a bit... that's technical stuff and nobody but camera geeks care about that. ;)
 
Is there such a thing as 'too much quality'?

If no, there is no downside to using the very best lenses.

If yes, well....

But the thing is, 'too much quality' is subjective, and often, you don't need the quality anyway. I used to shoot a lot of 'street' with an 50/3,5 Elmar (when it was all I had). For the last 30 years I've used a 35/1.4 Summilux pre-aspheric.

Both deliver/delivered adequate quality for my purposes, but I prefer faster, wider lenses than f/3.5 and 50mm.

Incidentally I am intrigued by those who don't seem to like focusing, and stick with hyperfocal. I'd find that INCREDIBLY limiting.

A piece on street photography from my site: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps street.html
and a collection of street photos from China: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/sgallery/g street.html

Cheers,

R.
 
I think that is overstating things a bit... that's technical stuff and nobody but camera geeks care about that. ;)


Not really. In part, at least, it's the comparatively soft character of older lenses that gives Frank's photographs their expressiveness. Isn't that why so many prefer older lenses?

John
 
Assume you have two lenses: a Nokton 35/1.2 and a 35/2 Summicron.

Now pick two scenarios:

a) you go on an evening stroll from home for an hour.
b) you travel for a week, somewhere on the other side of the world with one camera, one lens.

Do you pick the same lens in both cases ?

Yes, of course it's the content that counts. However, it's tough to get good content when your gear doesn't work ;) (for instance, lens starts wobbeling, aperture collapses, etc.).
 
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