Street photography question

MSM · 04-29-2010, 02:03 PM

I was reading an article on the online photographer, yesterday. It was a story of the celebration of the Passion in Spain. There were photos from Peter Turnley. I thought they were wonderful images. The Online Photographer: The Faces of Semana Santa, Seville, Spain

I love the image with the young girl in white flanked by the men in black hoods and the image with the ladies with their lace head dresses.

I really liked the images that involved close up portrait type photos yet still gave a sense of the surroundings. Obviously, the artistry is all with the photographer. But, it got me wondering what Pentax lens would allow me to obtain that perspective. I suspect a WA was used. Do you think this could be done with say 21 mm or would you need to go wider like the 15 mm?

Cosmo · 04-29-2010, 02:12 PM

28mm on full frame. For digital, kit lens at the wide end, or 21mm would do.

fractal · 04-29-2010, 06:13 PM

If you want the background OOF you'd want to use a fast WA & most importantly, get as close as you possibly can. I love to get close up portraits with a WA but, it is not easy due to how close you have to be. IMO, if you are willing to fork out the cash, the DA 21mm would probably be better than the kit lens as it's smaller & thus a little less intimidating.

MSM · 04-29-2010, 06:32 PM

Thanks, guys. I knew that it had to be a wide angle but just wasn't sure on how wide I had to go. Also, I was surprised that some of the photos he was able to limit the DOF given the use of a WA. I guess he must have been pretty close with a fairly wide aperture. I have a A 24 but have thought about getting the 21 or 15 mostly for the AF. I know that as you go a few mm wider the fov changes are more pronounced when dealing with the wide end.

axl · 04-30-2010, 02:11 AM - **1 Like**

Those shots were taken by Nikon D3 with 28mm lens.
Mostly at f2.8 which would explain the dof... and there is your problem.
To mimic that FOV/DOF you would need 18/2.0 lens. Unfortunately there isn't anythig remotely close...
21/3.2 would mimic ~31/4 and 15ltd would be closest to 20/5.6 on FF!
Your artistry with playing with DOF will be much more limited there....
BR
Peter

MSM · 04-30-2010, 08:18 AM

Thanks Peter. I knew that the answer was going to be expensive! Wow, and that doesn't even include the expense to Spain

I guess it is FOV or DOF but not both. I think the 21 is calling me again. Help... I can't stop the ringing...

Originally posted by axl

Those shots were taken by Nikon D3 with 28mm lens.
Mostly at f2.8 which would explain the dof... and there is your problem.
To mimic that FOV/DOF you would need 18/2.0 lens. Unfortunately there isn't anythig remotely close...
21/3.2 would mimic ~31/4 and 15ltd would be closest to 20/5.6 on FF!
Your artistry with playing with DOF will be much more limited there....
BR
Peter

axl · 04-30-2010, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by MSM

Thanks Peter. I knew that the answer was going to be expensive! Wow, and that doesn't even include the expense to Spain

I guess it is FOV or DOF but not both. I think the 21 is calling me again. Help... I can't stop the ringing...

I know how do you feel!
FA*24 has been calling my name for few months now... so far I'm strong... but there are few cracks appearing in my wall....

Igor123 · 05-01-2010, 10:23 AM

I don't know much about the op's question, but if the solution is the focal length/aperture combo mentioned above, there is a sigma lens that is 20 mm f1.8.

MSM · 05-01-2010, 08:35 PM

I guess someone else had the same inquiring mind.

Field notes and late night rambing: Peter Turnley's head, hands and feet

Cosmo · 05-02-2010, 03:37 PM

^^^

I don't know why he's kicking up such a fuss over him using a wide lens, lots of journalists only use wide lenses.

creampuff · 05-02-2010, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by axl

Those shots were taken by Nikon D3 with 28mm lens.
Mostly at f2.8 which would explain the dof... and there is your problem.
To mimic that FOV/DOF you would need 18/2.0 lens. Unfortunately there isn't anythig remotely close...
21/3.2 would mimic ~31/4 and 15ltd would be closest to 20/5.6 on FF!
Your artistry with playing with DOF will be much more limited there....
BR
Peter

I can understand the change in the equivalent angle of view but aperture?

pinholecam · 05-03-2010, 01:43 AM

I'd think that any FL would do for the FOV, depending on how close the subject distance is. A 15mm to 28mm would likely let the photographer get closer and reduce the chances of other ppl obstructing the subject.
The shallower DOF, I'm not too sure, but shooting at f2.8 might be able to do it. I can't be too sure though as I often shoot at f4 to 5.6.

Here are some shot using 24mm (f4-5.6 though)

jgredline · 05-03-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by axl

I know how do you feel!
FA*24 has been calling my name for few months now... so far I'm strong... but there are few cracks appearing in my wall....

Yep, I held out for a long time, but broke down a few weeks ago and bought the FA*24F/2.0. It is a really nice lens. 24mm is my most used focal length. I have 7 24mm lenses. Of course Like you, I use manual focus so it is easy...

For street, I prefer deep DOF. I am not a huge fan of shallow DOF though in some cases it does work to isolate the subject. That of course is just me. The nice thing about the DA21 which is my next used focal length, is that there is much more room for error as is with the Sigma 10-20..28mm works ok as well, but that is pretty much the limit for me.

axl · 05-03-2010, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by creampuff

I can understand the change in the equivalent angle of view but aperture?

Not the aperture as such but DOF provided by the FL/f stop combination. f2.8 lens on APSC will not yield the same DOF as the f2.8 on FF.
Therefore to get the same image from APSC sensor as compared to FF you have to change both focal length (roughly 1.5x) and f stop (roughly 1 stop difference).
For example shot taken on FF with 43ltd @f2 would require 28/1.4 lens to achieve the same framing/magnification/DOF from the same shooting position..
my 2p

Originally posted by jgredline

Yep, I held out for a long time, but broke down a few weeks ago and bought the FA*24F/2.0. It is a really nice lens. 24mm is my most used focal length. I have 7 24mm lenses. Of course Like you, I use manual focus so it is easy...

For street, I prefer deep DOF. I am not a huge fan of shallow DOF though in some cases it does work to isolate the subject. That of course is just me. The nice thing about the DA21 which is my next used focal length, is that there is much more room for error as is with the Sigma 10-20..28mm works ok as well, but that is pretty much the limit for me.

Javier, now you are just teasing! I have just sold K24/2.8 because it was MF only. My main intent behind this lens was indoors when 31 is not wide enough. It turned out that I got many more keepers with 31 (even if I had to back a step or two) than trying to MF the 24. The focus throw just wasn't big enough, and I for one like shallow DOF... so the 24mm FA* makes sense to me... Now I just need to gather the funds

....

04-29-2010, 02:03 PM	#1
MSM Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 994	Street photography question I was reading an article on the online photographer, yesterday. It was a story of the celebration of the Passion in Spain. There were photos from Peter Turnley. I thought they were wonderful images. The Online Photographer: The Faces of Semana Santa, Seville, Spain I love the image with the young girl in white flanked by the men in black hoods and the image with the ladies with their lace head dresses. I really liked the images that involved close up portrait type photos yet still gave a sense of the surroundings. Obviously, the artistry is all with the photographer. But, it got me wondering what Pentax lens would allow me to obtain that perspective. I suspect a WA was used. Do you think this could be done with say 21 mm or would you need to go wider like the 15 mm?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Streets My take on street photography	aaronius	Post Your Photos!	35	04-17-2011 08:42 PM
Street photography?	PHOTOCOP	Photographic Technique	30	04-09-2010 04:44 AM
Street Photography	MightyMike	Post Your Photos!	12	04-28-2009 07:08 AM
Street Photography-Photographing the street photographer?	Reportage	Photographic Technique	10	03-23-2009 07:41 AM
So you like street photography?	Voe	Post Your Photos!	15	08-20-2008 03:03 PM

04-29-2010, 02:12 PM	#2
Cosmo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	28mm on full frame. For digital, kit lens at the wide end, or 21mm would do.

04-29-2010, 06:13 PM	#3
fractal Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,547	If you want the background OOF you'd want to use a fast WA & most importantly, get as close as you possibly can. I love to get close up portraits with a WA but, it is not easy due to how close you have to be. IMO, if you are willing to fork out the cash, the DA 21mm would probably be better than the kit lens as it's smaller & thus a little less intimidating.

04-29-2010, 06:32 PM	#4
MSM Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 994 Original Poster	Thanks, guys. I knew that it had to be a wide angle but just wasn't sure on how wide I had to go. Also, I was surprised that some of the photos he was able to limit the DOF given the use of a WA. I guess he must have been pretty close with a fairly wide aperture. I have a A 24 but have thought about getting the 21 or 15 mostly for the AF. I know that as you go a few mm wider the fov changes are more pronounced when dealing with the wide end.

04-30-2010, 02:11 AM - 1 Like	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Those shots were taken by Nikon D3 with 28mm lens. Mostly at f2.8 which would explain the dof... and there is your problem. To mimic that FOV/DOF you would need 18/2.0 lens. Unfortunately there isn't anythig remotely close... 21/3.2 would mimic ~31/4 and 15ltd would be closest to 20/5.6 on FF! Your artistry with playing with DOF will be much more limited there.... BR Peter

04-30-2010, 08:18 AM	#6
MSM Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 994 Original Poster	Thanks Peter. I knew that the answer was going to be expensive! Wow, and that doesn't even include the expense to Spain I guess it is FOV or DOF but not both. I think the 21 is calling me again. Help... I can't stop the ringing... Originally posted by axl Those shots were taken by Nikon D3 with 28mm lens. Mostly at f2.8 which would explain the dof... and there is your problem. To mimic that FOV/DOF you would need 18/2.0 lens. Unfortunately there isn't anythig remotely close... 21/3.2 would mimic ~31/4 and 15ltd would be closest to 20/5.6 on FF! Your artistry with playing with DOF will be much more limited there.... BR Peter

04-30-2010, 02:22 PM	#7
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by MSM Thanks Peter. I knew that the answer was going to be expensive! Wow, and that doesn't even include the expense to Spain I guess it is FOV or DOF but not both. I think the 21 is calling me again. Help... I can't stop the ringing... I know how do you feel! FA*24 has been calling my name for few months now... so far I'm strong... but there are few cracks appearing in my wall....

05-01-2010, 10:23 AM	#8
Igor123 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 183	I don't know much about the op's question, but if the solution is the focal length/aperture combo mentioned above, there is a sigma lens that is 20 mm f1.8.

05-01-2010, 08:35 PM	#9
MSM Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 994 Original Poster	I guess someone else had the same inquiring mind. Field notes and late night rambing: Peter Turnley's head, hands and feet

05-02-2010, 03:37 PM	#10
Cosmo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 488	^^^ I don't know why he's kicking up such a fuss over him using a wide lens, lots of journalists only use wide lenses.

05-02-2010, 07:20 PM	#11
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by axl Those shots were taken by Nikon D3 with 28mm lens. Mostly at f2.8 which would explain the dof... and there is your problem. To mimic that FOV/DOF you would need 18/2.0 lens. Unfortunately there isn't anythig remotely close... 21/3.2 would mimic ~31/4 and 15ltd would be closest to 20/5.6 on FF! Your artistry with playing with DOF will be much more limited there.... BR Peter I can understand the change in the equivalent angle of view but aperture?

05-03-2010, 01:43 AM	#12
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	I'd think that any FL would do for the FOV, depending on how close the subject distance is. A 15mm to 28mm would likely let the photographer get closer and reduce the chances of other ppl obstructing the subject. The shallower DOF, I'm not too sure, but shooting at f2.8 might be able to do it. I can't be too sure though as I often shoot at f4 to 5.6. Here are some shot using 24mm (f4-5.6 though)

05-03-2010, 11:04 AM	#13
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by axl I know how do you feel! FA24 has been calling my name for few months now... so far I'm strong... but there are few cracks appearing in my wall.... Yep, I held out for a long time, but broke down a few weeks ago and bought the FA24F/2.0. It is a really nice lens. 24mm is my most used focal length. I have 7 24mm lenses. Of course Like you, I use manual focus so it is easy... For street, I prefer deep DOF. I am not a huge fan of shallow DOF though in some cases it does work to isolate the subject. That of course is just me. The nice thing about the DA21 which is my next used focal length, is that there is much more room for error as is with the Sigma 10-20..28mm works ok as well, but that is pretty much the limit for me.

05-03-2010, 01:56 PM	#14
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by creampuff I can understand the change in the equivalent angle of view but aperture? Not the aperture as such but DOF provided by the FL/f stop combination. f2.8 lens on APSC will not yield the same DOF as the f2.8 on FF. Therefore to get the same image from APSC sensor as compared to FF you have to change both focal length (roughly 1.5x) and f stop (roughly 1 stop difference). For example shot taken on FF with 43ltd @f2 would require 28/1.4 lens to achieve the same framing/magnification/DOF from the same shooting position.. my 2p Originally posted by jgredline Yep, I held out for a long time, but broke down a few weeks ago and bought the FA24F/2.0. It is a really nice lens. 24mm is my most used focal length. I have 7 24mm lenses. Of course Like you, I use manual focus so it is easy... For street, I prefer deep DOF. I am not a huge fan of shallow DOF though in some cases it does work to isolate the subject. That of course is just me. The nice thing about the DA21 which is my next used focal length, is that there is much more room for error as is with the Sigma 10-20..28mm works ok as well, but that is pretty much the limit for me. Javier, now you are just teasing! I have just sold K24/2.8 because it was MF only. My main intent behind this lens was indoors when 31 is not wide enough. It turned out that I got many more keepers with 31 (even if I had to back a step or two) than trying to MF the 24. The focus throw just wasn't big enough, and I for one like shallow DOF... so the 24mm FA makes sense to me... Now I just need to gather the funds ....