Calling all pride and true Urban photographers.

[Mediation]

Now... I know where my passion lies. To freely hold my camera in my hand, running into the middle of the road with zooming traffic. Jumping on top of benches and kneeling down on the bare concrete is urban.

At the moment I am struggling with what kind of gear is needed to do the job. The only lens I use is the Sigma 17-70mm. Please state here what lenses you use for your urban photography.

Here is where I am heading. I want to discover minimalist, abstract urban photography. I want to discover the wonderful forms and shapes of the city in an abstract sort of way. I have learned that my Sigma (being zoom) is important.

But I have a 70-200mm and a 50mm that seems to be... of no use at all... I should probably be posting in equipment. But I want to hear from the true urban freaks out there.

Thanks.

[TheHoff]

For me, a street lens is:

Stealthy
Fast
and
Sharp

In that order. The 17-70 sounds excellent; I walk around with the 16-35. 2.8 or wider is essential for me (my city is grey and overcast 8 months of the year).

[Mediation]

For me, a street lens is:

Stealthy
Fast
and
Sharp

In that order. The 17-70 sounds excellent; I walk around with the 16-35. 2.8 or wider is essential for me (my city is grey and overcast 8 months of the year).

Ah ha I see. O.k so a stealthy Fast and Sharp combination. Sounds good to me. Now I have been struggling to decipher these two lenses for my style that I want to head towards.

I have been struggling to decide on the Canon or Sigma 10-20 (22)mm vs the Sigma 30mm 1.4

Now this is a question. As an urban photographer, which one of these lenses would be more important for you? and why?

[whuband]

I use the Sigma 17-70 almost exclusively on a 1.6 crop body-without the hood if you want to be less conspicuous. I've looked at the 17-55 2.8 IS for some other shooting I do, but I find that I use the 70mm range a lot on the street.

I think that the 30mm is not wide enough to shoot from the hip and not as effective for the ground level angles that I like. The 10-20 would give some great perspective, but you have to be in the subject's face.

I can't think of a lens that is better than the Sigma unless it is possibly the Canon 17-85 with IS--not fast, but IS would be nice.

After looking at some of your Flickr photos, I think maybe the 10-20 range would be good for you. I tend to shoot more of people than objects, so I want a longer lens.

[Skip Souza]

I use a 1.6 crop camera with a 17-85 IS. While not a "see in the dark" fast lens the IS is wonderful and I don't shoot in the dark.....usually. I also always carry a 70-300 DO, very compact and great if I need to reach out and touch someone. Again it has third generation IS which works wonders.
I carry this in a Tamrac 5405 shoulder bag along with a 580 EX plus all my other equipment. Altogether quite a compact package. With this bag I can change lenses on the run (OK, brisk walk). For me it is the perfect combination of compromises ;-)

[Tee Why]

I think the 17-70 would be fine. A 17-50 range is what I used to use for street shooting.

[sjones]

...But I have a 70-200mm and a 50mm that seems to be... of no use at all... I should probably be posting in equipment. But I want to hear from the true urban freaks out there...

For the past two years, I used nothing longer than a 35mm on a 350D (1.6X crop), and this month, I picked up a 50mm. I will soon update to a full frame so that my 25mm will finally serve as a wide. I've found wide (or at least, wanting wider) to standard to be optimal for urban photography, which your Sigma effectively covers, and as your photos prove.

As others have mentioned, if you plan to stick with an APS sensor, you might want to consider the 10-20 variants for even wider shots. For more reach, should their be an elusive gargoyle on which you want to home in, you've already got the 70-200mm, plus you've got a 50mm, which serves as a great fast lens, so you seem pretty much set. Also, with an APS sensor, the 50mm (almost regardless of brand) is good for tighter shots that reveal good texture when doing abstracts.

Now this is a question. As an urban photographer, which one of these lenses would be more important for you? and why?

On either an APS or full frame, the 30mm Sigma seems like it would be a great street photography lens in terms of candid shots, although I can only speculate on that one; read good stuff about the Sigma, though…

I previously had a Canon 20-35 L 2.8 (bought used, excellent lens). I found that I used ranges from say 24mm to 35mm more than in the 20-22mm range, so based on what is admittedly personal preference and anecdotal experience, I would go with the 30mm, at least at first, but you may still want to consider the wider option later. Also, if this is worth anything, Henri Cartier-Bresson primarily used, though not exclusively, a 50mm, which basically has the equivalent field of view of a 30mm when using an APS sensor.

[TeeTee]

Get a good bag, comfortable sneakers, and jeans or cargos you don't mind getting dirty.

As for the camera, I throw a 24-105 onto a 1D. For telephoto I've also got the 135L which is great for candids and when you don't want to interrupt your content. Basically I find that focal length ideal (mind the 1.3x crop) and IS is a lifesaver at times. Keep your kit light, the more you walk the more you discover.

I thought New Zealand was just rolling hills and sheep...

[Perry Ge]

I don't do urban stuff much, but when I do, I usually rock a 50mm prime, a film camera, and a few rolls of Ilford HP5+. I like black and white urban shots, and as sexy as my 5D is, I still sort of refuse to do monochrome work digitally when I can do it in film. Colour is another story, but digital prints will never reach the level of black and white film.

USM and full time manual are very important in a lens for me in urban (well...any) photography - like Hoff said, it's gotta be fast, stealthy, sharp, and autofocus speed and accuracy is essential, as is the ability to manually override it any time. The Sigma 10-20, Canon 10-22 and Sigma 30 1.4 all have USM/HSM, so they all pass in the autofocus department. If it were me, I'd go with the 30 1.4, because ultra-wides, whilst nice, are limiting in their usefulness, and there's more of a danger of putting too much crap in the frame than making a compelling urban landscape photo.

But don't listen to me, I'm a sucker for fast normal primes.

[DaVinci]

I stick with my sigma 18-200 OS, that way I can go from wide enough to long enough without changing lens (thus keeping my sensor safe!). And the OS makes it much easier to hand hold.

[Mediation]

alright there is so much valuable information here. I am going to read through this about three times. Ive put my 70-200mm on a site where you sell goods. In New Zealand its called Trademe.

I have a kind of nervous feeling in my stomach. But Im going to do it... Sigma 30mm F1.4 here we go. A new journey in my photography. Cant wait for a fast prime.

[Village_Idiot]

One of the reasons I bought the 70-200 is for street shooting.

[condyk]

i have urban with all kinds of lenses and they all present challenges ... which is good. You should shoot with what suits you. the 17-70 is a very smart lens and I doubt you could choose anything better without spending silly money. I usually walkaround with a zoom and a fast prime. A 30mm 1.4 would go nicely with your 17-70. i used that exact combo in barcelona when I was last over there and worked great. At the moment I have a 17-40mm L which is Ok on a crop body but a bit short.

[cosworth]

17-40
70-200 2.8
50 1.4 or 85 1.8 depending on mood.

I'm trying get into the habit of bringin a flash and pocketwizards with me for more darmatic effect. I rarely fund use but when I do I'm happy I have them with me.

Hardcore bagger/backpacker here. I even carry a pod.

I could give Malone a run for the money packing gear around.

[Mediation]

Well I went to the camera shop...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2114/2250835311_e46085993c.jpg

tehe :p

[TooManyShots]

Hehehehe.....I am the opposite. I like to isolate my subjects from their urban chaos in order to depict their emotion. So, I always use my 70-200.

Now... I know where my passion lies. To freely hold my camera in my hand, running into the middle of the road with zooming traffic. Jumping on top of benches and kneeling down on the bare concrete is urban.

At the moment I am struggling with what kind of gear is needed to do the job. The only lens I use is the Sigma 17-70mm. Please state here what lenses you use for your urban photography.

Here is where I am heading. I want to discover minimalist, abstract urban photography. I want to discover the wonderful forms and shapes of the city in an abstract sort of way. I have learned that my Sigma (being zoom) is important.

But I have a 70-200mm and a 50mm that seems to be... of no use at all... I should probably be posting in equipment. But I want to hear from the true urban freaks out there.

Thanks.

[JAcosta]

1VHS and 50L. Ill keep the 16-35 in a lens pouch on my belt.

Its all about traveling light with fast gear.

[Karl C]

I don't do urban stuff much, but when I do, I usually rock a 50mm prime, a film camera, and a few rolls of Ilford HP5+. I like black and white urban shots, and as sexy as my 5D is, I still sort of refuse to do monochrome work digitally when I can do it in film. Colour is another story, but digital prints will never reach the level of black and white film.

Check out Silver Oxide's (http://www.silveroxide.com/) B&W filters for PS.

[vkalia]

Asking others what they use for street photogrpahy is sort of useful, but ultimately, it depends on your vision.

The old master of street photography - Bresson et al - used fast wideangles (20-30mm) the goal is speed - you wanna be ready to capture the "decisive moment". You cannot do that if you are swapping lenses. Wideangles stopped down and docussed at their hyperfocal length, drastically improve your speed of shooting.

But a lot depends on how you see. I'd hate to be stuck with just a prime. For me, a 17-50/70 range lens would be ideal. Whatever you choose, remember that here, more than anywhere else, it isn't about gear but all about you.

I actually use a Panasonic LX1 and G9 for urban photogrpahy. Added benefit - small and unobtrusive.

Vandit

[condyk]

... G9 for urban photogrpahy. Added benefit - small and unobtrusive.


That is what I use mainly these days. people just ignore you with it while with the big stuff they are wary.

[vkalia]

Another thought that came to me later - the essence of street photography is that should be participatory in nature. That is means getting up close and personal with a WA, as opposed to sitting back and sniping with a tele. The closer perspective also gives a better sense of the ambience and surroundings, while maintaining emphasis on the subject.

Now, not everyone agrees with this or even finds it comfortable to shoot in this manner, but do this - go to Borders or Barnes/Noble and check out some of the work of the top street shooters. Without exception, you'll find a WA at work.

Vandit

PS: Condyk - any plans to get the DP1? I cannot wait for it...

[sjones]

Another thought that came to me later - the essence of street photography is that should be participatory in nature. That is means getting up close and personal with a WA, as opposed to sitting back and sniping with a tele. The closer perspective also gives a better sense of the ambience and surroundings, while maintaining emphasis on the subject...

The way I see it, if I'm going to take a photo of someone without permission, the least I can do is be close enough for them to take a swing if they don't like it, or at least shout me down; I owe them that.

Anyway, it appears that the OP went with the Sigma 30mm, which, with his 17-70mm, should suit him very well.

[condyk]

PS: Condyk - any plans to get the DP1? I cannot wait for it...

Happy to wait ;-)

I will look at the reviews when it arrives because the G9 serves my needs pretty well. The Sigma will have to add some significant image value and not be too bulky. I can get what I want from my DSLR gear in terms of image but then the G9 adds in the small/easy to carry attributes. The DP1 needs to combine both at a reasonable price. It is looking like a streetshooters camera tho' in the classic mould.

[freaking102]

Now... I know where my passion lies. To freely hold my camera in my hand, running into the middle of the road with zooming traffic. Jumping on top of benches and kneeling down on the bare concrete is urban.

At the moment I am struggling with what kind of gear is needed to do the job.

you need knee pads and an orange traffic vest.