Top lens for street photography?

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xil3

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Jon
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I was just curious to see what you all think is the best lens for street photography - I'm mainly looking for primes.

I already have a Canon 24-105mm f/4 L, but that's more of an auxiliary lens to me.

I also have a Canon 50mm f/1.8

Is it worth upgrading to the 50mm f/1.4? Or even the 1.2?
 
I am currently in love with my 50mm 1.4, but pining over an 85mm 1.4 for the extra reach, which I could see really helping for street stuff, but likely to settle for the 1.8 :P
 
1.4 is nice, but 1.2 is a bit too pricey for most things
for street?? well I would have said 50 mm for standard lens stuff, and then some reach, which would be a mid zoom 2.8


I would use my 30mm and 50mm, which is more or less your 50mm and 85mm tbh
 
I love my 50mm 1.4 but agree its a bit short sometime for street stuff.

If you already know you like the 50mm though then would def recommend the 1.4! Cant comment on the 1.2, not been fortunate enough to get my hands on one...
 
I have just purchased a 200mm f2.8L for candid street shots.
What do you feel your 50 1.8 and 24-105 lack? Once you know that you can see what fits the bill surely?
 
Have used the Sigma 24-70 f2.8, is a tad heavy though.
 
jnO said:
I have just purchased a 200mm f2.8L for candid street shots.
What do you feel your 50 1.8 and 24-105 lack? Once you know that you can see what fits the bill surely?
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Well, I can't really say they're lacking, but I just wanted to see what other people used for street photography and see their opinions.

Zooms are very practical when you are doing certain things, but I find that I can be more artistic shooting with primes. They allow me to get involved more, and not just stand in one spot zooming in and out - you actually have to move your body a lot more.

But yea, the 50 1.8 is a great lens - I just want to see if there are any better primes that can give me better IQ and just make those colors stand out...

I was also looking at the 35mm L... but the price sure went up on it - last year it was at least 200 pounds less... hmm
 
sbowler579 said:
Have used the Sigma 24-70 f2.8, is a tad heavy though.
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Yeah, I used to have it awhile back... not sure why I sold it.

The only problem is the weight - I want something that's not so heavy...
 
I've just bought a Tamron 28-75 2.8 for this sort of stuff, am looking to upgrade the 50 to a 1.4 as well to go alongside it.
 
Forward: Even though you're using a full frame body, I thought I'd mention my experiences with a crop body as well as other people might find them handy.

I use the 35mm f/2 when pottering about town. Great piece of glass but a bit out-dated now (it's a 1998 design, I think). It's sharp, even wide open, light, and a great focal length on a 1.6x crop body. It's not USM and focus can be slow and noisy but it's accurate the vast majority of the time. It's also an absolute bargain. Just wish Canon would update it with USM and perhaps a more sturdy body!

I have the 35mm f/1.4L on hire at the minute and it's a lot better than the f/2 version but it's also five or six times more expensive. I'd love to get one of my own but unfortunately really can't justify the cost right now. It'd be great as a walkabout lens. As long as you're well insured, anyhoo!

I also have the 50mm f/1.4 USM and, while it's fantastic, I find it a bit too long for street-style shots on a crop body. On your 5D MkII though, it'd probably be incredible. I've not used the f/1.2L but spoke about it at great length with a 5D MkI user (while getting major lens envy!) and she couldn't have given it more praise. The f/1.4 would be a great option if you can't stretch to the f/1.2L. It's light, quick to focus, sharp, has more than reasonable quality bokeh, good colour and contrast, and is pretty much a good all-rounder. A bit soft wide open (the Sigma version is better at f/1.4 apparently) but otherwise a great lens.

Hope this helps!

George.
 
I find 50mm on my full-frame is spot-on...it's "only" the f/1.8 but is a superb lens in its own right...

I've recently created a Street Set on my Flickr and added those shots I consider "street"...and they were almost all taken with the 50mm, bar a couple...you can see them here
 
Yeah, my eyes were mainly set on the 50mm f/1.4 or the 35mm f/2, mainly because they're not heavy and produce quality images.

The main beef I have with the 35mm f/2 is the noise - my 50mm f/1.8 is quite noisy and I heard the 35 was a lot worse... so I can't even begin to imagine lol
 
By the way Jon, it's the Christmas London meet on Saturday or did we scare you off last year!. ;)

DSC06990.jpg
 
fabs said:
By the way Jon, it's the Christmas London meet on Saturday or did we scare you off last year!. ;)

DSC06990.jpg
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I'll most likely be there :)

And hopefully with a new lens to play with - I also just bought he 430EX II last night.... fun to play with :p
 
fabs said:
By the way Jon, it's the Christmas London meet on Saturday or did we scare you off last year!. ;)

DSC06990.jpg
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Oh and I forgot to mention... I'm now back with Canon - decided Nikon wasn't for me.
 
david1701 said:
siggy 30/1.4 if you're hardcore
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Does this work well for street? I've got one but must admit if I was going to take a prime I'd be leaning towards the 50. The 30 could be a good option I guess.
 
Dman said:
Does this work well for street? I've got one but must admit if I was going to take a prime I'd be leaning towards the 50. The 30 could be a good option I guess.
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Depends how close you want to get to your subject, but I can see it working very well if you are in a crowded place, especially in low light. Perfect for this time of year.
 
fabs said:
Depends how close you want to get to your subject, but I can see it working very well if you are in a crowded place, especially in low light. Perfect for this time of year.
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Where is the meet taking place? And what time should I be there?
 
xil3 said:
The main beef I have with the 35mm f/2 is the noise - my 50mm f/1.8 is quite noisy and I heard the 35 was a lot worse... so I can't even begin to imagine lol
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It's not that bad. I don't have the 50mm f/1.8 so can't compare them but the 35mm f/2 doesn't sound too bad. Unless you're taking photos in a museum or something you're not really going to notice it. It's no problem for street stuff.

It sounds like a wasp. But not a particularly angry wasp. Only problem with it is that, especially in low light, focus can hunt like a wasp as well. A wasp at a summer picnic.

USM would be an absolute God-send on this lens. Really wish there was a lens between the f/2 and the f/1.4L which had USM, or that Canon would update the f/2 version as it's a really old design. Maybe a 35mm f/1.8 (or even f/2) USM. One can dream...

George.
 
DizMatt said:
wha?? I thought this was a cropped DC lens only? APS-C sensors..
that's why we're rabbiting on about the 50mm instead for 'standard' lenses
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I thought it was a proper lens :O <goes to google>
I was thinking on ff 30 is a nice wide lens to get in close with
 
DizMatt said:
wha?? I thought this was a cropped DC lens only? APS-C sensors..
that's why we're rabbiting on about the 50mm instead for 'standard' lenses
Click to expand...

Yeah, the 30 1.4 isn't for FF
 
I was told by one Sony mirror lens owner that its the best lens for candid moments. Its so compact no one looks at you twice and its long zoom lets you point it directly at some one but as your so far away they don't react to it.
 
I got a Sigma 20 1.8 for walking the streets in the evenings (overseas - I don't walk the streets in the evenings here). I'm happy with it.
 
I mainly use the 50mm f1.4 when I'm street togging and love it.. I also use the 24-70 2.8L a lot but it is a bit bulky and people do tend to react when you point it at them!!

If I were in your shoes I would keep the 50 1.8 and then get the 85 1.8 which is a cracking lens, very sharp and should be great for street work.
 
i use an 18-50 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8 mostly,but as i now have an 11-18 wide angle,i will be using that a lot..especially for the architectural stuff.i have a 50 1.8 or 1.4 on my wishlist,just in case my missus is reading this :lol:
 
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