Most Used "Street" Lens

[drew.saunders]

Like many, I use my 35/2 (on an M6TTL) mostly for street, but some days I'm in the mood for a 50, so I'll use the 50/1.5 CV or my new-to-me 50/3.5 from 1952 (it's so tiny!). This past weekend, I took the 24/2.8 ASPH up to San Francisco. Whichever lens, when I'm in a "street" mood, I'll often take just one lens and stick with it.

[SimonSawSunlight]

there are other focal lengths than 35mm?

[kdemas]

I prefer a 50mm by and large for my street shooting (C-Sonnar and 50/2.8 Elmar at the moment). Occasionally I'll break out the 35/2 Biogon.

On the SLR side it's a 45/2.8 P Nikkor.

[D.O'K.]

For street shots, the 40mm on the Rollei 35--a discreet camera with the right angle of view for this work (for me, at least), plus a big uncluttered viewfinder.

Regards,
D.

[zupstermix]

For me, it's 35mm as well.

[semilog]

50 to 21mm effective focal length.

I've mostly used a 35, but the longer I've shot, the wider I've gone. Currently mostly 28mm but also 21.

I like to work close-in and I find that I don't focus fast enough with the limited DoF of a classical 50. But now that I'm shooting an X-Pro1, I'm reconsidering that view. The combination of 1.5 crop and the camera's exceptional high-ISO capability make it possible to shoot with 50mm EFOV and reasonably deep DoF. Great combination!

[kbg32]

My main focal length is 28mm, followed by 24mm, and 21mm. Wide angles force you to get close.

[Jamie Pillers]

If I know I'm going to be in crowded sidewalk or event, I take the 28mm. If I'm planning to be in more open space, like spacious, sidewalk-cafe type streets, then a 40 or 50mm will do fine. If I could only have one lens, then the 35mm.

[helenhill]

If You must know
My Hand & Heart always reach for a 50
but its my Eye that prefers a 35
so therein lies the Dilemma
And the Constant Battle Chatter my Mind goes through
...

[back alley]

Originally Posted by helenhill

If You must know
My Hand & Heart always reach for a 50
but its my Eye that prefers a 35
so therein lies the Dilemma
And the Constant Battle Chatter my Mind goes through
...

and the 40 didn't work for you?

i would think that it would have been the perfect compromise lens!

[rizraz]

When I was in Bangkok earlier this month, it was a 21mm..... the other lens was the 35mm

[jatiphoto]

35 in general BUT if i see that i can 'fill the frame' a 28 is AMAZING....

[Tom A]

It depends on the "street". Narrow european streets usually a 28 mm. often a 35 mm - and as a "walk about" camera, a M2 and the Nokton 40mm f1.4.

[DNG]

On my Nikon FE: Nikon 24mm f/2.8 AiS
On my OMD E-M5" the Panasonic G 14mm f/2.5 ASPH (Rarely the Panasonic G 20mm f/1.7 ASPH).

I like to get close and wide
E-M5/14mm


Candid: Monument Circle: Indianapolis, IN 9-1-2012 by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

[Dirk]

It's the 50mm 75% of the time. The rest mostly 28mm. I do mostly street, so that's really all I need. Why do I have a bunch of money tied up in focal lengths I don't use? Um, I'll get back to you on that one...

[fstops]

Originally Posted by SimonSawSunlight

there are other focal lengths than 35mm?

Actually 35mm became such a popular lens among HCB-inspired photographers simply because it was the best lens to use with a Leica M.

On a SLR a 35mm is not wide enough and not long enough, on a RF with the space outside of the frame a 35mm looks wide enough (space outside of the frame) and long enough (the frame).


Personally, I think a small zoom lens that has a reach of 24-75mm is the best for street photography, but that is only for advanced shooters.

[finguanzo]

28 usually... rarely a 50.

[jkrumsick]

I shoot with a 35mm 65% of the time and my 21mm the rest of the time. All day NYC street photo!

[maddoc]

21 < 35 < 50 < 90

[Vincent.G]

I bounce between 35 and 50.
35 is usually what I take if I am undecided.

[Marc G.]

50 is pretty much all I need for street. the small 28 elmarit is in my pocket in case I need it for indoors/architecture/landscape

[raphaelaaron]

35 to me feels better in terms of composition as what many others have said. so when i use the leicas, i take along my 35 summilux

lately i've been using a 15mm Super Wide Heliar by voigtlander on a Nex-7, so it really equals out to a 21mm.

[reaperman]

35mm and lately in crowded cities like Tokyo 15mm

Akihabara * 秋葉原 von strichcode auf Flickr

[Kingsfan]

14mm with my EPM1

35mm mostly on film, CV 50mm f/1.1 at night

[smk]

I own only two focal lengths, one is wide and slow (28mm Elmarit ASPH), and one is normal and fast (50mm Summilux ASPH).

Usage of each one depends on two things: 1) availability of light, 2) number density of subjects (e.g., people).

- Plenty of light + high number density: 28mm

- Plenty of light + low number density: 28mm + 50mm (depending if I want to be close to subject or not).

- Low light + low number density: 50mm

- Low light + high number density: 50mm but sometimes I wish there was a 28mm 1.4.