🔴 Let me know what lens you use for street photography below! And if you enjoyed the video please hit the like button to help it spread to more people to see - thanks for watching! 😊
I currently use a Nikon D5600 with a Nikon kit lens 18-105, but I am replacing it with an xh2 with a Tamron 17-70 f2.8. I won't be invisible but have found people like to talk rather than object. I tried using primes but found I always needed the alternative. As I am in my late 60's I find repositioning a slow process.
For urban photography I choose between prime lenses on my Fujifilm bodies according to expected conditions: 28mm for narrow streets, indoors and low light, 35mm or 40mm for versatility or when just not knowing what to expect, 50mm (Voigtländer Nokton 3mm f1.2) for artistic framing, softer look and stronger separation, 75mm für bad or dull weather, at night, as well as for abstract and detail-centered photographs. In my experience the probability of something coming between me and the subject at the wrong moment rises with the focal length, especially at rush hours and in good light. The downside of switching lenses often is the need for more warm-up shots after every change before getting "the eye" again. You'll never find me equipped with more than 2 lenses at a time. When traveling I often prefer zoom lenses like the Tamron 17-70mm (APS-C) f2.8, just because of laziness.
Beginner here: This was incredibly comprehensive and helped me to finally get my head around some of the options and effects. I loved the photo comparison! Thanks you!
I've tried 50 35 and 28 but 35 is the most natural for me, it helps to create a layered photo without having to get too close. You can also zone focus more easily with a 35 or 28, with a 50 it can be more challenging.
I use a 50mm prime lens on my crop-sensor camera for night shooting. Depending on what I plan to shoot, I sometimes switch to a 30mm prime. During the day, I like a telephoto lens, so I don't have to get so close to subjects.
For me, it's 40mm every day. It's the only lens I had for years, and I simply adapted to see the world in that focal length. I now also like the 85 or 105 compression if I'm going for portraits, but just doing street, I still pick my trusted 40.
I’ve just subscribed after watching your video. I like the way you present and your photos are amazing. I recently took my 16mm f2 and 35mm f2 on a family holiday to Italy. I left my 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses at home thinking I’d get by. I found that the 16mm was just too wide and in many places the 35mm was too restrictive. I’ve since purchased the 23mm f2 and I absolutely love it already 👍🏼
Thank you very much. Great Video and insights. I almost used all focal lenghs for street photography and they all worked for me. I used 21mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 40mm, 45mm, 50mm, 75mm, 85mm, 100mm, and 200mm. My favorite 2 focal length remain the 50mm first and the 28mm second. I love to experiment with focal lengths. I found that the 50mm gives me the required balance between the subject and environment.
I'm rediscovering photography after massive gap (it was film when I stopped) and tried micro four thirds first and loved the 14mm (28mm) lenses. I more recently switched to Fujifilm and love the combination of the very small X-M1 with the 18mm F2, often in black and white for street. I do also have an X-E4 and often have the XC 15-45mm or XF 35mm on that camera which I use at car meets. Great video, helped me a lot.
Enjoyed this! At a bit after the 3 minute mark you said another video would be over your shoulder but it wasn’t. (I use a 35mm because it gives me more control over my depth of field without narrowing my aperture too much)
Some lovely shots, there. I have tended to use standard lenses (20mm, 25mm on M43) for almost all street photography, as a good balance of having a strong subject while leaving in a bit of the environment. I have recently been challenging myself with short telephoto (45mm, M43): it is easier to get subject separation, but the narrower field of view means you have to be quick to get the shot. As you say, good for the "art shots".
I have a Nikon D3 and recently picked up the Nikkor 50mm F1.8 and its fantastic. i zone focus for 10 feet set at F8 and click away and yes the DS3 is a beast and gets noticed ( the shutter is loud ) but its now my go to lens
Excellent video. Before I switched to Fuji my go to lens was a 24mm for street and I really miss that focal length. That's my next purchase in a couple of weeks. Since switching to Fuji January 2023 my main street lens is a 23mm (35mm ff) I've also used a 35mm (50mm ff) and a 90mm (135mm ff). I like all focal lengths but my preference is definitely wider is better. The only time I use a zoom for street is when I'm on vacation as I'm also doing travel/vacation shots and want the flexibility so bring my sigma 18-50mm (28-75mm ff) I've also on occasion used a fisheye for street. Definitely makes for an interesting perspective
Yeah 100% sounds very similar to my experiences using lenses too. Definitely intrigued by a 28mm ff but know I’d miss a lot of shots with it, however could be good to change it up a bit and see what comes of it
I’ve played around with lots of prime lenses from Fujifilm, Sony and Sigma. I have enjoyed everything from 28mm to 85mm but now I shoot mostly with a Sigma 45mm f2.8. I can crop this to APSc but I sometimes miss the 28mm or 35mm focal length when using it.
Nikon Z5 + 40mm lens = great combo. Nikon with $400 off, is a steal of a deal! In regard to proper lens, it depends on what you need. Shooting 50 to 75feet away, the 28mm or 35mm is not going the work, in most cases. The 40mm and 50mm is easy for close and far shooting. The 60mm to 90mm range works, as you pointed out, but you do kick yourself when someone is close to you and you have too long a lens -- I mean to say, there is only so much room on the sidewalk to backup at times. Shooting down a street -- very good with that long lens, or drilling-down a story to just a single item, it can work. I am now using, on most days, the 30mm and 40mm length, with 50mm or 28mm still used a few times per month. I might sell my Canon 35mm -- just not using it. The Nikon Z5 is so much better in so many ways than the Canon RP. I will say, the Canon RP is still an OK camera. Nikon Z5 though is great. A tilt only lens, two card slots, joy stick, which some find useful - i seem to tap more, and great dynamic range, less noise. With my Lumix GX-9, which is MFT, I like the Leica 15mm and Olympus 25mm, though the Lumix 30mm macro is sharp. The Lumix 14mm is good for the money, less sharp, but really - really small. I use that with an Olympus PEN PL-8 -- tiny combo, when wanting a light carry, and getting in close. Good for those wide-scene shots too. The Leica 15mm is really nice to work with. It has an aperature ring. It goes on sale, now and then.
Loved my Nikon Z5 with the 40mm f2 but ultimately I sold it again because of the size and weight and went back to Fujifilm. But still missing the results I got with the Z5.
Totally agree I use primes but using a zoom is a good start. I shoot in MFT so my lenses are 12mm 17mm and 20mm or 24, 35, 40 in 35mm format. I will quite often carry two but tend just to use one during the day and not switch. Depending on the location mainly the 17mm and 20mm get used most.
Thank you for the video. Personally I use 35, 49, and 50mm the most but also like 28mm. Biggest issue I find is getting a good sei of primes depending on a full frame or APS-C body that are a good match for each other. On Fuji I tended to shoot most with their 23, 27, and 35mm APS-C lenses. On my Sony full frame bodies I’m using 35, 40, and 50mm.
Great overview. I would just add that 28mm is similar to the default camera on most smartphones nowadays which makes it very familiar to almost everyone.
I've been shooting 35mm and 40mm for the most part. I prefer 35mm the 23mm F/2 Fujicron is what I usually default to on my cameras, but I recently got a TT Artisans 27mm f/2.8 as a gift, and have been experimenting with it. It is definitely a little tighter, and it works well around my home town which is a bit more suburban than in the cities I take my street photography trips to. I have had luck with even wider lenses for night shooting in very crowded cities like Tokyo. I've used a 20mm equivalent (13mm Viltrox f/1.4) in some of the smaller side streets like Omoide Yokocho and gotten quite good results.
Nice videos and advice. Started with a 50 mm about 10 years ago, then onto 35 which I had much success with on an X100T. Tried the 28 after that when I swapped systems to full frame, which took a while to get to work for me moving closer, but now I have a Nikkor 24 mm and it has an extremely short focus throw so everything is always in focus and its tack sharp. My camera also has a crop sensor mode so if I need I can also shoot as an equivalent 36 mm. In my photo journey the wider angle has allowed me to layer and brings more dynamism into my compositions. I also have a 105 short telephoto which I would use more for street portrait if I only had a second body.....
I tend to switch between the 35mm and 50mm. The 35mm is better when I want more of the background in the scene but if I’m in crowded/busy areas, I prefer the 50mm
I prefer primes I started with a 50 loved it then moved to 35 loved it to bits now predominately 28 constantly blown away by the 28mm. I love getting as close as possible the 28 makes me do that but I enjoy landscapes too the 28 works well for me it’s a cracking all rounder. For my day job zooms are often essential as things happen in split seconds near and far away so having that flexibility is priceless. I have a couple of film cameras with fixed 40s I do enjoy that length too. Nice shots throughout this vid Tim cheers.
Thank Tim, Yes it's an interesting video and I always use a 35mm lens I used a 28mm a few years ago which is a nice lens. As well. The 35mm 1:4 full frame prime lens manual.Which was a compatible lens with a ring adapter. As the lenses are very expensive for my camera. I used it for a few years. I am now going to buy a 14-24mm lens which I have been doing my research. I will be using the lens for street photography.
I use the 27mm, mkii version, a lot for my street photography, It`s not cheap here in the UK and i find the focus hunts a little on my X-T2 but still love that lens and it`s so small.
Hey Tim! Just discovered your channel. Been binging. Love your content, love your personality Beginner here I have only one lens,the Sony 18-105 f.4 Being zoom lens it covers all the said focal lenghts. The heavy weight and the inconveniences aside.. isnt it the same thing as 35,55,76 prime lenses? Can I zoom in til I like the composition or theres some magic with 35,55,76? Kinda beginner ans stupid question but thank you
Thanks mate! Glad you’re enjoying the videos. Sure you can use a zoom and shoot at all those focal lengths. If you find yourself gravitating more to one focal length then you can look into getting a prime lens (much smaller, faster, force you to be creative) - happy shooting!
Nice video Tim…. I don’t think there is such a thing as ‘best’ focal length…. Just as everyone likes different coffee, shoes or cars…. Everyone is different thankfully. For me, it depends on my mood - I use most lenses from 28mm to 90mm - but I guess I use 28mm mostly. But is it the ‘best’ focal length, no, as no such thing! Keep up the great work… C.
Thanks Chris! Yeah 100% there is no such thing as the best focal length, different strokes for different folks as you say. I really want to try out a 28mm though…
I'm thinking about picking up a Ricoh GR IIIx for my street photography. The GR IIIx has the equivalent field of view of a 40mm lens, so I've been using my kit zoom lens at that focal length.
@@timjamiesonphotos It might be a unicorn. Maybe contact them and see if they can ship a pegasus instead? 🙄 I recommend the Nikon Z5 when it is on sale for $997 -- super deal. The 40mm lens on sale is $277 - good deal as well. Samy's Camera is excellent supplier.
So i bought a XT1 with a fujinon 35mm a while ago. If im in a conversation with an other photographer, do i say that i shoot with 50mm or 35mm? What is the common language for fujifilm x series owners?
Hi tim This is a question regarding how you use images taken on a public place in uk. It is my understanding an image of an individual taken on a public place in uk cannot be used in a commercial venture unless written consent from said individual. Is this common law ie uk law as youtube would be a commercial venture, I look forward to your reply.
Hello, I’m not a lawyer but in the UK it’s perfectly legal to take photos of people in public and share them online, in a book, zine, publication, RU-vid videos etc and there’s a long and celebrated history of people documenting life on the street. Ethics is another question altogether though. Sean Tucker did a great video on the ethics and law of street photography I recommend watching.
@@timjamiesonphotos Thank you for your prompt reply. The legalities of uk law state images cannot be used commercially unless permission has been granted from the subjects. An individual deriving income from youtube would be using the images commercially. This is my understanding of uk law. Sharing online and deriving monetary gain from the images are two completely different matters.
Actually "zooming with feet" is a misnomer, since you don't change focal length when you move forward and backward, you only move closer or farther to the subject
Tim, you make great and very helpful videos - thanks👍 I'm trying out street photography and use a full frame 16-35mm f4 lens on an APSC camera. That works well I find. The lens' size is close to my FF 35mm and 50mm lenses. The 16-35mm covers the FF equivalent of 24-52mm and the zoom gives flexibility. At (rare) times I'd love it to be faster, like 1.8 of 2.8, but it's not a bother, really. Finally it's light. I shoot in silent mode, manual, auto ISO; depending on the subject I alter btw high speed (AF-C) on slowest setting and single shooting; and zone focusing or tracking. Manual mode allows quick and easy over/under exposure changes. Street photography is fun but challenging, I find.
I got to my photo exibition with 28mm lens. I really love getting into action with it. It forces me to be litlle bit uncorfortable wirh subjects but reward is great in the editing later.
Recently I have been shooting with the 27mm f2.8 on my X-E4 and have loved the experience, reminds me of using the X100T, it’s just a very light combo, slip it in a pocket or hang it from the wrist, doesn’t start to drag on a day long photo walk. I have always kind of fallen in between 35mm and 50mm so maybe the 40mm is the perfect one for me. Helpful and thought provoking video as always Tim 👍🏻
I recently picked up the ttartisans 27mm af second hand on eBay for £90 I wanted the fujifilm but to spend 3/400 on a lens just to try the focal length didn’t seem smart to me. After playing with the lens for around 2 weeks I can happily say it’s an incredible lens for the money, sure there’s downsides like vig below f8 and some sun flares but the results have been fantastic. It will live on my camera until I get the 35mm 1.4
great video. for me my preferred focal length is the 50mm. i am introvert, i like to previsualize my pics, i like that something of cinematic look (not too much though), i like to observe the world, i like that not extraordinary bokeh that the 50mm length can give you. The abstract look, the calmness, the simplicity that 50mm images propose. All these have made me adore the 50mm look. On the other hand, i dont like to get close, i fine 35mm and wide angle shots i general childish, cartoonistic, snapshot like images that tell nothnig to me. No offence, but thats how i see the world. My idela focal length could be the 85mm as well, but i have to admitt it is sometimes too narrow. So, 50 mm for me. The one and only. For ever!!! ( Great video and polite approach of yours dude. Congrats...)
Feel 28 is most used myself nowadays bc it allows me to crop when needed but also perfect for just everyday stuff and street too. Environmental portraits can be great with the 28mm too
Agreed I love the 28 in close it produces impact move back a bit you get a nice environmental shot it’s also a cracking landscape focal length just a great all rounder imho
