Is 28mm the best focal length for STREET PHOTOGRAPHY?

If you're a street photographer, you know how popular the 28mm focal length is. We think it's the best focal length, but it isn't for everyone. In this video, we look at what we love about it and give some ideas to help you improve your 28mm street photography.

Books featured in this video with our Amazon Affiliate links:

'GLASGOW' - Raymond Depardon

'IN ENGLAND' - Don Mccullin

'CIRCUS SIDESHOW' - Antonin Kratochvil

‘LOST AND FOUND’ - Bruce Gilden

'PARIS + KLEIN' - William Klein

'THE ANIMALS' - Garry Winogrand

'THE ENGLISH' - Ian Berry

'RAGE AGAINST THE LIGHT' - Markus Andersen
Out of print. Contact T&G Publishing

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All of the black & white images in the video were edited with our SilverChrome profiles and presets for Lightroom:

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2024 WORKSHOP INFORMATION

1-2-1 TUITION & MENTORING

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Gear used in the making of this video with our Amazon Affiliate links:

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M9-P
Leica M6TTL Titanium
Leica 28mm Elmarit-M ASPH
Leica 28mm Summicron-m ASPH
Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH

Adobe LightRoom Classic
Apple Final Cut Pro

[andrewowen-price]

My experience of trying 28mm is that shooting at 35-50mm is like listing to a single melody in a song, where the 'focus' of the scene / sound is so precise that it is easy to create a composition with few elements. Changing to 28mm is like starting to learn Jazz - many more elements to be aware of and manage and a much greater challenge to put that single melody into context of the the bigger range of counterpoint and harmony. Making a pleasing Jazz composition will always be a greater challenge than a single melody - but, when it works, it's very rewarding.

[simonbarnes]

Lens choice can also boil down to what city you shoot in. Here in the UK 35mm suits me fine here, but say in Canada on the streets then a 50mm is better due to the much wider streets and the fact that people are far more spread out. In Hong Kong for example 28mm is a good choice because the streets are narrow and the people are almost on top of you as the streets are very densely populated.

[johnscratchley]

I use my 28 mm f/2.8 lens a lot. It's one of my favourite lenses to use when shooting street photography. I even use it for landscapes.

[sshapiro]

I typically use a focal length between 40mm and 50mm for street photography in order to not get too close to people. However, last week, I shot at a 35mm focal length and was impressed with my results. I would like to try 28mm as well. The idea of using layers is not something I have pursued, but it seems 28mm would be a good resource for learning how to use layers in my street photography. Thank you for posting the information!

[fabricetranzerphotographer]

You nailed it on the head. It’s all about distance to subject and what a photographer feels comfortable with. Personally I don’t want my subject to react to my presence (which is what a 28 will often allow), so definitely 50 for me. My wide angle is a 35 as it still keeps a consistent look to my 50 work. Really loving your channel btw! Cheers from NYC.

[carlmcneill]

I bought a 40mm nearly a year and a half ago for street photography. I felt it was a good comprise between the 35mm and 50mm. I love that lens. I recently bought the 28mm to get in closer. I haven't had any issues transitioning to it. I'm getting some pretty good shots up close. The larger depth of field helps get more in focus. I also use zone focusing. I hardly ever put the camera up to my eye to take a picture.

[donjagoe]

Outstanding video—not only well thought out and articulated, but the accompanying images punctuate your points perfectly. Thanks!

[JBRose]

Just found your channel this week. Love the work from both of you and your channel. I shoot a Fuji X-Pro3 and have fallen in love with 28mm focal length over the last 6 months.... getting myself into the huge NYC holiday crowds and events... just so much more dynamic... so much more story. When I ran my event photography business, I relied on the 24-70 on my Nikon system, leaning on the wide end. However, now retired from that, I found myself stuck at 35mm, being new to street. So, Ironically, I just received the new Voigtlander 18mm/2.8 for Fuji yesterday and am heading into NYC today to give it a go... Nice sunny and warm day... zone focusing... off we go.

[londonfoto]

Great video, totally agree with you there. Love my 28mm, I'm so comfortable with what it captures that it's the only lens that has been around the world with me since 2008 to shoot street. I've tried other focal lengths but always return to the 28mm.

[philipthomas]

Thank you, Jeff and Sarah. Been following your work for almost 20 years! Beautifully crafted videos and very helpful. Keep up the great work.

[seanms]

I just did a full year of exclusively using a 40mm, I brought my 35mm on vacation to Japan & HK. I really did enjoy getting a bit closer or more inside the crowds when shooting. About 1/3 of the time, I do wish the lens was a bit wider. I’ve never used a 28mm, but now I’m intrigued.

Then this past week I went out shoot with a different intention and tried focusing more on a kinda zoomed “Moment/Emotion”. I borrowed my friend’s 50mm. I realllly enjoyed using the 50mm, and this has me wanting to experiment with 75 or 90mm for another look.

[richardhutson]

Thank you for discussing the 28 mm lens in such easy-to-understand language.
I've been shooting almost exclusively with a 28 mm lens for close to ten years, ever since Leica introduced the first Q in 2015. Now, my Q3 with a 60 mp sensor gives me the freedom to capture a variety of scenes and subjects to create print-worthy photographs by cropping, as needed, into the intended subject and using the magic of Topaz Photo AI to sharpen, up-scale, and reduce noise. I love my Q3. It's perfect for an 84-year-old photo freak who can't comfortably tote a bag of extra lenses around.

[richardvlcko]

28mm is ideal point n shoot lens, literally. Most of the time i dont really check the screen. I see my subject and i let my hand and camera do the rest with the bit of a randomness mixed into process.

[ThePensionerAdventurer]

Hello Jeff,
Sorry I have been on the missing list, back now and a really interesting video for my return. Thank you.
Take care.
Paul, ,

[kiwipics]

When I started in the 1970s, I started with the starters trinity .. 28mm, 50mm, 135mm.
I tend to shoot between 24mm and 300mm+ these days, but around towns it all goes back to the 28mm, 50mm and 135mm.

[Durio_zibethinus]

I always tell a smartphone with full manual mode is a good thing to start. Years of development and the 28mm~ish always on there as main camera, mostly.
With zone focus, especially in a good light, you can finally feel your own favourite taste in street photography.
Just feel and click, and playing once a while with 1/3 stop adjustment. It should not bothering your mood (or concentration).
Great results once again, buddy 👍
Full of stories and well composed 😊

[ambientjapank]

ah I had no idea about zone focusing until this video, that was a helpful tip, thank you

[stansabev]

Very helpful ideas for 28 mm. I’ve been shooting with it for and year now and it is hard to be that close all the time 🤯

[timpenner]

I've heard a lot of talk about 28mm, but never anyone who said they were a 28mm-shooter. Very interesting. I have two cameras with a 28mm lens - a Canon 5D Mk II with their 28mm f/2.8 IS and an Olympus E-M1 Mk II, with a Panasonic f/2.8 14mm. I sort of favour the Canon, but then when I pick up the Olympus, I wonder why I don't use it more. I've used 24mm and 35mm a lot as well. I don't so much favour 28mm as find it a little easier to align my brain to when I take the first few shots - less zooming in or out with my feet. I guess you could say, when it comes to fixed lenses, 28mm chooses me; and it seems most versatile for its size. I try to match the focal length to the type of day I'm expecting or planning. Sometimes it's 50mm; and others, it's an actual zoom lens. I also have a Loawa 7.5mm for the Olympus. This video is a good story. You got me going. Thanks.

[kstrohmeier]

I have a Q2M and struggle with the 28mm if I haven’t used it in a bit for exactly the reason you point out, I don’t get close enough.