back alley
IMAGES
taken with the little fuji 16-50 at 16...
09.06.14.xe1.16-50.surprise! by back alley images, on Flickr
09.06.14.xe1.16-50.surprise! by back alley images, on Flickr
focal lengths for street photos?
- Thread starter back alley
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shortstop
Well-known
I think 28 and 50 combo or 35/40 alone is good. But sometimes a 90 may be useful.
For my Leica I have a 28 Color Skopar and a 50 Summicron at the moment. Should I buy an Elmar 90/4?😏
For my Leica I have a 28 Color Skopar and a 50 Summicron at the moment. Should I buy an Elmar 90/4?😏
f16sunshine
Moderator
I just don't think there is any reason to limit oneself.
Rules and all are fine but... when you need a different tool in any other job or artistic venture, you take it from the box!
A hammer is not a screwdriver but you can still use it to pound screws in!
When I shoot in close proximity as Joe does in his market series a 28-50 would be great.
If it's a larger more sprawling event or venture. I want some serious reach at hand if the need arrises.
Not having it at the ready may be limiting oneself but it could be underachieving as well 🙂
Think of it this way. You don't want to capture the best scene you find in a day because you can't do it with a 50mm ?
Rules and all are fine but... when you need a different tool in any other job or artistic venture, you take it from the box!
A hammer is not a screwdriver but you can still use it to pound screws in!
When I shoot in close proximity as Joe does in his market series a 28-50 would be great.
If it's a larger more sprawling event or venture. I want some serious reach at hand if the need arrises.
Not having it at the ready may be limiting oneself but it could be underachieving as well 🙂
Think of it this way. You don't want to capture the best scene you find in a day because you can't do it with a 50mm ?
peppard
Established
Marek:
The photos you've posted here are the reason why I admire, respect and follow your work. They are very inspirational to me. Thanks again, you're are a great teacher.
Giorgio
The photos you've posted here are the reason why I admire, respect and follow your work. They are very inspirational to me. Thanks again, you're are a great teacher.
Giorgio
gb hill
Veteran
Seems I read somewhere 28mm is the magic number for street use. I think because GW used a 28. Too wide for my comfort zone. I like the 35-50mm range. I admire all you who can use wides like a 21-24mm for street.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
This question is often asked.
Tele is for boobs watchers. 😀
Street photography is best if it replicate natural street view.
Once you notice something interesting it is natural to come close.
Beginners are using tele to get close, but it doesn't look as natural as close street shot with wide or normal lens.
28-35mm gives this natural "street view".
Tele is for boobs watchers. 😀
Street photography is best if it replicate natural street view.
Once you notice something interesting it is natural to come close.
Beginners are using tele to get close, but it doesn't look as natural as close street shot with wide or normal lens.
28-35mm gives this natural "street view".
gilgsn
Established
35mm is the standard. Fuji made the X100 lens the equivalent of 35mm and other manufacturers of fixed lens cameras have done the same. 35 is a "wide-standard" lens close to our natural vision. I'd like to experiment with 15mm when I get some extra cash, but in the mean time 35mm is my go-to lens. I only have a 50 and 90mm also. My plan is to carry one body with the 35 and the other with a 90 in my bag, just in case... For events when carrying two cameras wouldn't look out of place, I'd use my M2 with the 90mm since it has a neck strap, and my M4-P with 35mm in hand with a wrist strap. This way I can switch quickly. Switching lenses is definitely not an option..
Gil.
Gil.
Baby of Macon
Well-known
Run what ya brung is my maxim. Between 35 and 105 work for me, but there's a place for longer lenses - e.g where a shorter one might risk injury - to the photographer!
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Hey Marek, Those were Wonderful photos
Yummy Good session on Focal lengths !!!
I'm simple ... a 50 for Intimacy and just enough distance, and a 40 for going a touch wide
Yummy Good session on Focal lengths !!!
I'm simple ... a 50 for Intimacy and just enough distance, and a 40 for going a touch wide
cz23
Well-known
Generally, I shoot 50 in the suburbs and 28 in the city.
50 offers a more relaxed shooting experience for me, while 28 feels more in the thick of things. I like both on different days.
I suppose all street photography is a bit voyeuristic, but teles feel uncomfortably so to me.
John
50mm
28mm
50 offers a more relaxed shooting experience for me, while 28 feels more in the thick of things. I like both on different days.
I suppose all street photography is a bit voyeuristic, but teles feel uncomfortably so to me.
John
50mm
28mm
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I only shot with a 35mm Summicron but recently I got a Contax N with 24-85mm zoom and have made this my two camera kit while traveling. I found I really only use two positions on the Contax - 24mm and 40mm, and was surprised how often I use 24mm.
back alley
IMAGES
Generally, I shoot 50 in the suburbs and 28 in the city.
50 offers a more relaxed shooting experience for me, while 28 feels more in the thick of things. I like both on different days.
I suppose all street photography is a bit voyeuristic, but teles feel uncomfortably so to me.
John
50mm
28mm
"voyeuristic"…that's exactly how i feel when using a long lens for street!
i don't care for the feeling...
Bingley
Veteran
When shooting street photos, I'm often working very close to my subjects. At ten feet, I can get an entire human figure in the frame w/ a 35 lens. In a crowded area, it's often not possible to step back to get an unobstructed view of the subject with a 50. Street photography is about the only thing I use a 35 lens for these days.
Scratchers by bingley0522, on Flickr
Scratchers by bingley0522, on Flickr
Chris101
summicronia
I use a 35mm almost exclusively. Once in a great while, I need some reach, or perhaps more isolation, so then I go for an 85mm.
FalseDigital
BKK -> Tokyo
I prefer wides myself.
25mm, 28mm, 35mm (occasionally 50mm but it's a bit too close for me)
25mm, 28mm, 35mm (occasionally 50mm but it's a bit too close for me)
Vincent.G
Well-known
I use 50mm when I want to whisper softly.
I use 21/35 when I feel like shouting.
I use 21/35 when I feel like shouting.
jsrockit
Moderator
Agreed.... I personally use 28-55mm myself, but long lenses aren't cheating...they are just different. I've started experimenting with a 50-230mm on a APS-C camera but not for street yet.
Ming The Merciless
Established
I use a 35, 41,45 and 50 for street.
Lauffray
Invisible Cities
It's funny how that 35mm looks too close after the wider ones 🙂
I personally don't like the look of long lenses, of course it also depends on your environment and what you're shooting on top of your personal preference.
I shoot 35mm and can pretty much go with that as my only lens all year, but lately I'm trying to use the 50 a little more
JChrome
Street Worker
So if you had a shot taken very close to the subject with a wide angle would it feel less voyeuristic than a similar shot taken from far away with a tele?
Conceptually I don't think one is more voyeuristic than the other.
