Street Photography Lenses

When I think "street photography", I think 28mm, 30mm, 35mm. Something in that range. I use the 16-35 mostly but I wish I had a 35/1.4

One thing with this type of photography is that you have to be sure to get close.

If you plan on using zone focus, or hyperfocal, or anything past 5.6 or f/8... and you're not likely to be on the long end of the zoom... I'd say either lens will do. Not that I know anything about either lens, but you're not planning on using it at a demanding aperture so I can't see how there would be much difference in a street photography setting where you don't need perfect distortion correction or corner sharpness.

i'm pretty sure it doesn't come with those guides. perhaps we're thinking of different things.

I'm talking about those lines with #'s above the focus distance. set it to that certain aperture and you're focused within that distance.

sadly i can't use a ef-s.

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TheHoff wrote in post #6461563
If you plan on using zone focus, or hyperfocal, or anything past 5.6 or f/8... and you're not likely to be on the long end of the zoom... I'd say either lens will do. Not that I know anything about either lens, but you're not planning on using it at a demanding aperture so I can't see how there would be much difference in a street photography setting where you don't need perfect distortion correction or corner sharpness.

i'm not at that level in photography to bring my camera up to my face and frame in the middle of the street YET. so i hip shoot. AF is out of the question for me that way.

re1ex wrote in post #6461608
i'm not at that level in photography to bring my camera up to my face and frame in the middle of the street YET. so i hip shoot. AF is out of the question for me that way.

You can use autofocus. I shoot from the hip still at times with a 5D and 16-35. If it is a bright enough day, I'll let the camera select the focus point. Since it normally will key off of whatever object is the closest, and that is generally your subject, the hit rate is pretty good. If it is too dull out, though, the outer points will fail and you're better off sticking it on center.

40Driggs wrote in post #6461188
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?

all I would say is keep it simple for the street. Most of my street shots on a crop camera would have been on a 50mm or 85, which you already have covered. Will you really take enough wide shots to warrent a new lens??

For general shooting I prefer a normal prime. I'd look into the Sigma 30 1.4 if you're on a budget or 35L if you're feeling spendy (you mentioned the 17-55 which is up there in price). Shooting on the street at dusk/night is fun with a fast prime.

TheHoff wrote in post #6461838
You can use autofocus. I shoot from the hip still at times with a 5D and 16-35. If it is a bright enough day, I'll let the camera select the focus point. Since it normally will key off of whatever object is the closest, and that is generally your subject, the hit rate is pretty good. If it is too dull out, though, the outer points will fail and you're better off sticking it on center.

sorry for being off-topic but i just need to ask...is hip shooting a common practice for street photographers?

nordstern1 wrote in post #6463004
sorry for being off-topic but i just need to ask...is hip shooting a common practice for street photographers?

It is an easy way to start and sometimes the only time to get the shot without changing the scene.

thanks man! ive been trying out street photography since i like candid shots of people, urban architecture, the hustle & bustle of daily life...

i use my 17-55 80% of the time on my 40D because i find its range adequate for my needs. im planning to get a 35L or 24L just to have something more fun to use...

Sounds like I might be good with my current setup to start out, which is good. I do mostly wildlife, so I am really wanting to save up for a 100-400 or 300 f/4. I am still debating between these lenses....I will probably get a Tokina 12-24 in the future, which I think would make a good lens when I need the wider angle, but for now it will probably not be my #1 priority.

It has been my experience that the 35 1.4 is a marvelous lens for shooting on the street, and for an EF-S camera I think the Sigma 30 1.4 would also be a great choice though I do not have personal experience with it.

It depends what you mean by street photography. I wouldn't think of shooting SP without my 70-200.

It ain't the best lens in the world, but the Canon 28/2.8 is CHEAP and does a reasonable job.