Street Photography Lenses

I am planning on doing some street photography work to help out the Bachelor of Social Work Student Association that I am a part of and was wondering what lenses the street photographers on this forum would recommend. I am shooting with a 40D, and am on a pretty limited budget since I will be a student for the next couple of years. I currently only have the 28-135mm and the 50mm f/1.8. I would like to get something at the wide end to compliment the 28-135, and was thinking about picking up a Tokina 12-24 for wide shots. I also am considering the 17-55 f/2.8 IS, but it is double the price and not as wide. Would I be better off going for more on the wide end, or more on the long end? What lens do you prefer for general shooting?

Tamron 17-50 would cover most of it but it does not cover a longer range

Good call. The Tamron lens looks very nice, especially for the price.

My 17-55 is my most used lens. It's just about perfect as a walkaround lens. But it's overpriced.

17 is about 26mm equiv? That is plenty wide, I'd say.

what is the best way to zone focus with a zoom? namely the 17-40..?

Stay at 24mm or so for maximum depth of field and hope you have enough light? I often don't here with overcast days. It is as simple as putting the focus where you think your subject will be and then giving yourself enough of an aperture to maintain depth of field a few feet in front and in back. This works well if you 1) have enough light and 2) are consistently shooting in a similar framing as you walk as you keep subjects the same distance.

re1ex wrote in post #6461298
what is the best way to zone focus with a zoom? namely the 17-40..?

Same for all lenses having a guide on the lens barrel....focus via turning the focus ring on the 17-40L for F8 hyperfocal (lookfor the infinity symbol), then setting camera to evaluative metering, then fire away, no worries. This will insure the fattest depth-of-field for F8....do same for F11 if required.

Well technically that is hyperfocal and not zone focus. Zone implying you know what zone your subject will be in, say between 3 and 6 feet away, and you can set your focus and aperture accordingly without having to get to infinity.

If you can wait a little the upcoming Tamron 10-24 can be quite good, from UWA at 10 to a decent WA at 24. At 10mm f8 it will be in hyperfocal distance and that is good for street pictures.

Luigi

tv mode @ 24mm and guesstimate the distance to the subject and pray there's enough light to get a good DOF?

my 17-40 doesn't come with those guides, only the IR marking. I think only primes come with those guides.

re1ex wrote in post #6461438
tv mode @ 24mm and guesstimate the distance to the subject and pray there's enough light to get a good DOF?

my 17-40 doesn't come with those guides, only the IR marking. I think only primes come with those guides.

It sure does...look again!

re1ex wrote in post #6461438
tv mode @ 24mm and guesstimate the distance to the subject and pray there's enough light to get a good DOF?

my 17-40 doesn't come with those guides, only the IR marking. I think only primes come with those guides.

Shoot M .

17-55 should cover you for a lifetime of street photography.

So it appears that the 17-55 f/2.8 IS, is the way to go. What about the tamron 17-50 f/2.8. Is this a viable alternative to the canon, or is the IS a deal breaker here? A lot of people think that the 17-55 is a must have canon lens for the crop sensor I know. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and get the best thing for the job. I will probably rent the 17-55 and try it out sometime.