[Walter Sobchak]

I am not sure if this is the place to ask this question. If not, please point me in the right direction. Those of you who enjoy street photography, just going out into the crowd and looking for interesting people or interesting shots -- if you take just the camera and one lens, what focal length do you use? Assuming you want to use a prime to keep things relatively unobtrusive. Pentax has several that fill that bill, but which focal length do you find most useful?

Thanks in advance.

[Swift1]

The traditional "street" lens on a 35mm camera was a 35mm lens. On APS-C sensors, a 24mm lens would give nearly the same angle of view. I think the Pentax DA Limited 21/3.2 would be a great choice. If you don't mind MF, the older Pentax K and A series 24/2.8 would be perfect.

[SpecialK]

Here it is. Examine what other people use. Go from there.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/43981...eet-style.html

[RioRico]

Depends on the size of the street. Something between 10-1000mm should do.

[crewl1]

I like to use the FA 35mm F2 with my K-5 personally. It is wide enough for subject + surroundings if you step back, and can let you get close when needed.

I used the Traveling Fifty (A50 1.7) earlier this month for a day but felt it was a little too tight for the distance I like to shoot at. Then again, I got some portraits I couldn't get from the 35.

I travel with a K-x + DA40 so most of my non Los Angeles street I've used that one, but I prefer the 35. I just picked up a DA21 that I have yet to try out on the street.

My street photo Flickr is linked below, you can see the exif for my shots and see what lens I used.

[Colbyt]

My city is not a pedestrian city. Street scenes are hard to find except for special events.

When I travel some place where there are people on the street, I will use the DAL 21 and maybe slip the 40 in my pocket as a back-up.

[Frogfish]

Walter. I don't think it matters one iota whether you prefer to shoot with primes or a zoom on the street - unless it is a big honking Canon thingy !

My preference is for a Sigma 30/1.4, great street lens. However I have also used my Sigma 50-150/2.8, 77/1.8 Ltd and 43/1.9 Ltd (those last two are usually together, one in the pocket). The Zeiss 28/2.8 is good for more expansive, landscape type shots and Zeiss 85/1.4 or the 77 again when I'm specifically after people. The 15 Ltd is great for buildings and starburst traffic night shots.

So in other words, use what you've got and what you enjoy shooting with !

[Aboudd]

I find the 35mm on FF to be a bit wide. I like getting close to the action so I use a 50MM, on a rare occasion an 85MM. Anything longer than that and you are a peeping tom! Or perhaps too shy to shoot on the street.

[wlachan]

I guess it depends on what kind of photographer you are. The traditional way was to get close and interact with people and took the shot. For that 28-35mm (in FF sense) would be great.

[RioRico]

As I briefly said before, it depends on the street. In many places I depend on my Tamron 10-24 for tight spaces, F35-70 for large spaces, and DA18-250 for most everything else, often locked at 18mm for from-the-hip shooting. If I'm feeling primal I may stick to a Tokina 21/3.8 (set to f/11, hyperfocused to 2m for DOF from 1m to infinity). Or a Kiron 24/2, or Komine 28/2, or FA50/1.4, or Nikkor 85/2, or SuperTak 105/2.8, or GoldE Anastigmat 127/3.5. Or I'll select from my ultralight minikit: CZJ Tessar 50/2.8 (12 iris blades); Enna Sandmar 35/4.5 and Tele-Sandmar 100/4.5 (10 blades each). And sometimes my Sakar 500/8 mirror is best for the street. It all depends.

And that includes my comfort level for human interaction, which depends on who's on the street. The shorter the focal length, the closer must be the subjects, and sometimes we just don't want to be too close. Is the subject armed and angry? Use a longer lens.

[FrancisK7]

I like my DA*50-135 for street photog because it allows me to get candids without the subject knowing... it feels safer.

I'm one of those peeping tom I suppose.

[Aaronofford]

It really depends on what your comfort level is on the street. I quite enjoy the 28-40 FL for street as it gives great depth to your photos adding a nice 3d effect without the compression of the longer lens. The wide angle allows you to get really close and compose without pointing your lens directly at your subject. I find with the longer lens ppl notice more your camera pointed directly at them....With all that said I use the 43 and 77 as well. In places that aren't as populated it is much harder to get close to a subject and the longer lens are helpful.
I am getting the 21 ltd soon but it seems like it would an excellent lens. Don't worry too much about MF on the older lenses as in street using the MF is much quicker than AF (and much quieter )
To start just take our you kit 18-55 and try it out for a couple weeks. See what focal length you use the most and then go from there in getting your lenses....then at least the LBA is backed up with some facts
good luck in your street shooting

[Rense]

When I'm shooting street I use everything between 10 tot 55mm or so. The classic look can only be obtained with somewhat WA lenses, so from about 28mm on your crop sensor.

[Rense]

Walter. I don't think it matters one iota whether you prefer to shoot with primes or a zoom on the street - unless it is a big honking Canon thingy !

I don't agree, at least not completely. Street shooting is about split seconds. As the famous 'father of street photography' Cartier-Bresson said: "Photography is an immediate reaction, drawing is a meditation." With a zoom you never know which focal length is currently on your camera.... With a fixed length you know what your field of view is and you don't have to think about that at least. So I guess that will give less missed 'decisive moments'.....

[RioRico]

When I'm shooting street I use everything between 10 tot 55mm or so. The classic look can only be obtained with somewhat WA lenses, so from about 28mm on your crop sensor.

I will quibble that 28mm isn't wide on APS-C, it's normal. 24mm starts looking wide, with the AOV of a 35mm lens on FF. My street-wide lenses are 21/3.8 and 24/2 -- especially the 21mm stopped down to f/11 for immense DOF and 70-degree AOV.

With a zoom you never know which focal length is currently on your camera.... With a fixed length you know what your field of view is and you don't have to think about that at least. So I guess that will give less missed 'decisive moments'.....

Yes, familiarity with a focal length allows fast reaction. One reason I use various primes for extended periods is to gain such familiarity. Not that my reactions are so fast any more, but I stay in practice...