Originally posted by stevebrot I dunno...35mm is the classic focal length for street photography on 35mm film* and what I use when shooting that genre. 50mm is also traditionally common and works nicely when you need working distance. 28mm is used, mostly for effect, but requires that you be (much) closer to your subjects (think Ricoh GR II). 24mm will work (think DA 15/4 Limited on APS-C) in close quarters though you might get punched in the nose.**
I like to take note of the focal lengths used by my two favorite PF street photographers, @Rense and @jgredline (Javier). Javier does primarily street and Rense dips into that well frequently. Rense is known for using a Pentax 6x7 with waist level finder
For Javier:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jgredline/
For Rense:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rensehaveman/
Steve
* The reason may be somewhat accidental and somewhat practical. Before retro-focus wide angles became available, the 35mm focal length was pretty much the widest lens available for interchangeable lens rangefinder cameras. On the practical side, a 35mm allows for decent DOF at moderate aperture (f/8) at a reasonable working distance. (Hyperfocal for f/8 is at 17' with 18' DOF at 10' distance.)
** It is good to be at least an arm's length away when shooting without permission. Two or three running strides is even better. 50mm buys you a fair amount of nose insurance (50mm example
HERE)
Haha, thank you Steve, too much honour!
I have tried many lenses in my street photography, but these days I tend to use shorter focal lengths (say 35mm on a FF). I use a fujifilm x100t, which changed my shooting habit in the streets a lot!!! On my Pentax K-5, I love street shooting at 10mm ....
And I think you'd better take a prime than a zoom lens. In street photography, it's all about speed and decisions have to be taken in a split second. So I set my camera and lens in a 'Idonthavetothinkmodus' , so I can focus on what is happening around me. A zoomlens distracts, because I constantly keep turning the zoom-ring... And gone is the moment. And another point: I try to blend in (even with a 6x7
) and I try to keep away from everything that shouts "PHOTOG, PHOTOG!!" A prime is small, so it's less obtrusive....
Just my two cents....