jon_kobeck Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Well I just ordered a new Canon 5D and I am in need of what I like to call a walk around lense. I shoot most strret scenes in New York City. Before my last system got stolen I was using a 30D and my favorite walk around lense for everyday street photography was the EFS 17-55 F2.8 IS but now I am thinking would the EF 16-35 F2.8L be a better choice? The only drawback is that it does reach ut to 55mm. What do you guys think? I need to be at 2.8 for the low light shooting I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryantan Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 If you need 2.8, then the 24-70 is your only choice if you need some reach. The 16-35 covers an entirely different range on a full frame than did your 17-55. If you don't need 2.8, but want IS, then it's the 24-105. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdanmitchell Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 I kind of like my 17-40/5D combo for street photography in crowded places. If you like longer, you could look at the 24-105 - it covers a lot of focal length territory. But, then, I'm fine with f/4 and a higher ISO. At f/2.8 your options are pretty limited if you use zooms. The 24-70 should cover more or less an equivalent focal length range compared to your 17-55, but it is big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinsouthern Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 EF 24-70mm F2.8L USM is the perfect choice. The EF 16-35mm F2.8L II USM is waaay too short for a walk-about lens - even on a 1.6x crop-factor camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike dixon Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Most of my shooting is street/documentary with a 5D. I use a few primes: the 28/1.8 gets the most use, followed fairly closely by a 50/1.4, and a Sigma 20/1.8 handles the rest. If you like shooting more on the wide side, you might consider a 17-40/4L plus a fast 28 or 35 prime to cover low light situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanellopoulos Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 The best walk-around lens for the 5D is, in my opinion, the 24-70. The 24-105 is also an option, but there are vignetting issues and you lose one stop. I own the lens and I am impressed by its quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micheleberti Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 i'd suggest either the 35mm f/1.4 L or the 16/35mm f/2.8 mk II (or the 17-40 f4 if you can't afford the 16-35). The 24-70 is too heavy as a walk around lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asher Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 My vote is for the EF 20mm f2.8 on the 5D, but I just prefer primes - I get distracted by zoom lenses. I need ritalin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknowles Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 I use three lenses, 35mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4 and 85mm f1.8, and occasionally a 135mm f2. I never got used to zoom lenses and end up using them at common focal lenghts, but they are good lenses if you want it all in one or two lenses, as others have suggested. Low light with f2.8 lenses can be offset with the ISO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel_smith6 Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 300 2.8 an sit back more than you are used to. Compress the distance and pick out individuals in the crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdanmitchell Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Regarding "vignetting issues" on the 24-105: There can be some noticeable vignetting at 24mm and wide open on this lens. It is easily corrected in post-processing if necessary, though I often prefer to leave it for a variety of reasons. (For one, sometimes a bit of vignetting can create an image that "looks" more like the way we see - where we "see" objects in the center of our vision more than those at the edges.) One thing you are seeing in the responses to this thread is that many of us have very different ideas of the "best" way to shoot street. (shoot primes, shoot 24-105, shoot 24-70, use 300mm from a distance, go wide with 17-40 or 16-35.) We are probably all correct - and each lens choice could be "best" for our personal approaches. I love using the 17-40 because I like to work close to my subjects, often in confined spaces - but I can also imagine how one could get some very interesting stuff with the longer lenses. Take care, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wgpinc Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 The 24-105mm is the most versatile focal length with full frame IMNHO for average shooting that you will encounter on the street. I use mine with the 20D & 40D so I hardly ever see what some people are calling vignetting, which is actually light fall off that is likely exacerbated by underexposure. With good exposure, shooting to the right side of the histogram I suspect most of folks 'vignetting' would be a non issue. All my Leica wide angles have some light fall off. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_kobeck Posted December 17, 2007 Author Share Posted December 17, 2007 Now I am deressed. I ordered the 5 and printer and its in route, but had I bought the kit with the 24-105mm I would have saved $400.00 :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andre_stull Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 "The simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as the precise organization of forms which gives that event its proper expression... In photography, the smallest thing can be a great subject. The little detail can become a leitmotif." -Henri Cartier-Bresson The "Father of Street Photography" used a 50mm lens. So, the 50 1.4 seems like a great choice. If you need a zoom, use your feet like I do.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_Tardio Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 jon...when you receive your 5D & printer don't even open it. Return it for a refund. Then you can buy the 5D with the 24-105 & save your $400.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony_zipple Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 24-70 f/2.8 if you do not mind the weight and size. If you want to go lighter, a 35mm f/2 or the 50 f/1.4 are great choices. Personally, I like the wider 35mm better than the 50mm and the 24-70 best of all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peza Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 35/2.0 - very light, fast, not too wide. Accompanied with either 85/1.8 or 135/2.0. For 20mm recommendation - I would like someone posting at least 10 street shots of, say - a day walkaround, which are keepers. I can hardly imagine being successfull with that short lens, not having subject just quarter of the frame and rest being objects/subjects not belonging to the "story". I don't say it's impossible to do it with 20mm and that it can't be appealing - I say, it's not easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sknowles Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 <p>Interesting statement, "300 2.8 an sit back more than you are used to. Compress the distance and pick out individuals in the crowd.", as I've used a 300mm f2.8 with street photography besides the obvious events. It allows you to set up away from folks or where it's hard to get close, see <a href="http://www.wsrphoto.com/about.html">image</a>. The only downside is not to point it at people who are too close or may express their opinion of being photographed. It's too heavy to pack and run away fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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