BEST LENSES FOR STREET PHOTOGRAPHY - 28MM VS. 35MM LENS

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[scottbrennan]

No man, on the Leica analog cameras 28mm framelines were not "the standard" by any means. In fact the M3, the M2, and the M4, all considered the three best Ms by many did not include 28mm framelines. The analog Ms did not have the 28mm framelines until the Canadian made M4-P. All subsequent models did. But to claim that 28mm was "the standard" when the three most iconic Ms did not include them is entirely misguided.

[artromano]

Use the widest angle lens like a 28 or 25mm. put it on f8 or f11 and look at the depth of field range you will find that it covers infinity down around 3ft or less. this is the zone focusing dream come true. just point and shoot. faster than auto focus.

[sameer]

I fell like you should be smoking cigar while doing this review. 👌

Anyway I like the 28 and 50mm combo. 28 for objects and 50 for people.

[chirag]

very enlightening video for newbies of street photography who are starting out with leica digital RF

[euroyank]

I've been doing documentary photography, linked to "street photography", for a long time and there is one lens that should be in the video, the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit. At 1.4 or 2.0 work in the streets is almost impossible, same for the Summilux 35mm, there is no way. The 28mm f/5.6 on the other side is only for very favorable light. The aperture setting is not emphasized enough in this review. Aside, the Elmarit 28mm is also a lens that is relatively affordable. "Zone focus" I've never believed in it, an amateur approach as far as I'm concerned, it just doesn't give you depth in your work. Keep on the good work in doing the reviews, I enjoy them :-)

[FotosyMas.]

What I don't like about 28mm is that that's the focal length most smartphone cameras have. I had a Ricoh GR II that I loved but ended up selling it because the pics looked like cellphone pictures.

[shy-guy]

Excellent presentation. One thing that you did not mention is that use of a wider angle lens enables you to use a slower shutter speed.

[Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

I've seen people argue this before, i.e. the best lens for street photography. Seldom does anyone consider Leica's 75mm f/1.2 lens in 'street photography' discussions. It's a big lens and it's a heavy lens, but the 75mm f/1.2 is my first choice when I plan to shoot on the street. If I choose to shoot 'wide open, ' which I often do, I absolutely must have Leica's Visoflex EVF installed. Except for its weight and size, it's an amazing lens.

[olympusOM]

You also can use the Leica summicron 40mm f2 from the 70s that comes with the Leica CL. A very little, light invisible lens in the streets. And affordable too. About 500 to 600 Dollars in good condition. There is no frame line in the Leica Ms for 40 mm. But you can guess in comparison with the 50mm frame line very good.

[stefanol]

My favorite lens serie is Summicron and I am in the middle of buying the new 28 mm Summicron. Because I use it for street and very much also for portrait. But hey we all have different taste and references

[chrishuang]

My favourite focal length for street photography is 24mm. Get more sense of place when shooting with it.

[marc]

No rule in photography. I had a 35mm F2 most of the time on my M6, but a 50mm F1.4 80% and a 28mm F2.8 20% on my M240. Currently, I use a M4/3 with a 25 F1.4 (50 eq) and sometimes a 75 F1.8 (the smallest, lightest and sharpest 150 equivalent ever made) for street photographie and it's a delight.

[kanitboonnam]

I still prefer 35 more than 28 even for the street photography because getting too close to the subject with 28 is not good for both distortion and intimidation to the subject.

I always dream about the Leica Q with the 35 equipped. That will be the best combo for the street photography in my opinion.

[udiencefne]

I would love to hear your opinions on zone focusing. Hope to see a video on it soon!

[neilpiper]

Ricoh 28.mm on a Petri gx1.
5.9 mm 28mm 2.4 equivalent on an 8.1 megapixel Ricoh gr digital camera from 2006.
My favourite for street and candid.
I used Nikkor 28mm lenses back in the 1960s and 1970s as a press photographer. Very few people were using Leica. Nikon Slrs were the mainstay, not Leica.
No

[Narsuitus]

I have used 21, 24, 28, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 85, and 90mm prime lenses for street photography.

On my Leica rangefinder, I normally carry the 21mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, and 90mm f/2 for street photography. The 35 is my personal favorite.

On my Leica Contax rangefinder, I normally carry the 28mm f/2.8, 45mm f/2, and 90mm f/2.8 for street photography.

[stogies]

I think for street the 24 and 50 mms are the best.Too bad there is no 24mm frame line in the leica M.

[NegativeCompensation]

Very good explanation of the focal lengths, but it would have been stronger if yo would've included some sample photos of the same street scenes at the different lengths.

[danremigino]

It is possible that I am I don't think the M Typ 240 has frame lines (in the viewfinder) for a 28mm. You stated that the M240 and M 10 had these frame lines. Am I correct ? The M6, on the other hand, DOES have 28 mm frame lines. I know this for a fact.

[Termidryna]

And what about very wide angle? Sometimes I use 17-24 mm and it's ok.