Best Lens for Street on a 5D, zoom or prime ?

[breogan_gomez]

"... of the f/2.8 enough for you. "

 

Sorry, that would read: "... or if the f/2.8 is enough for you. "

[nrb]

Viuvitar 19-35 3.5-4.5 could do the trick, it's light and small, and quality is fair enough according to photodo. And you keep the 24-70 for other jobs.

[vivek iyer]

<b>Best Lens for Street on a 5D, zoom or prime ?</b>

<p>

Whatever you have on that cam *if* you can take pictures.

<p>

Everything other than what you have on your cam *if* nothing pans out to your satisfaction.

[nickmeertens]

Another vote for the 35 F2. According to the metadata I use it 89% of the time on my 5D. Excellent little lens although I hope Canon will upgrade it one of these days with better damped manual focus, USM and more aperture blades... Canon? Are you listening?

[rekfotos]

Gilden is a hoot!

 

I met him at the Magnum Photos workshop this past May here in Toronto. My perspective changed completely after

meeting these guys, watching them work.

 

I was mostly impressed with the new associates working towards being members: Alessandra

Sanquinetti/Chrisopher Anderson. Larry Towell blew me away even though he is a long time member. Really smart

guy, artistic, creative. I could go on and on....maybe a Magnum Forum is in order. Anyway..

 

Every chance I get I read up on these guys, see their exhibits, find out where been and where they are going.

 

As for a street lens 35mm f2 is my preference and I end up firing the camera in odd angles, held down at my waist or

hanging from the end of my arm to try and get Guilden's style (though not looking through the viewfinder, more like

aiming the lens). I don't have the nerve to walk in front of someone like he does. Then again, he is in New York

where is seems that type of thing is more possible.

 

Also, being that he has a Lieca. I'll bet the farm that he has the rangefinder distance set at maybe 5 ft and has to

physically get in that space to take a sharp shot.

 

He told me he shoots for the gallery with the intention of it going to print. (like everyone else, right?)<div></div>

[rekfotos]

another<div></div>

[michael_oxford]

Probably best bet with a 5d for street would be the 35mm 1.4L. It is a SHARP lens. 24mm 1.4 is excellent, and i'd have it

with me as a backup probably- just a little wide in a situation like that for my tastes.

[ray .]

Bruce Gilden worship alert.

[ferensen]

I use the Canon 24mm f/2.8, light weight, sharp, and cheap.

[lovcom_photo]

Henri Cartier-Bresson seemed to have good results with a 50mm prime....

[russ_butner___portland__or]

Tamron SP 24-135.

 

Russ<div></div>

[john_wolf2]

Jon, If you're really set on emulating Bruce Gilden and his close, one-handed style, the choice is obvious: wide and light weight.

 

But I'm really curious what appeals to you about his style? Seems like such an unpleasant way to spend the day.

[bill_dewberry]

I used to use a contax 167 with a small 85 2.8 zeiss lens- worked great for me- go figure.

[mubeen_mughal]

<p>I used mostly an EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L, albeit on A Rebel XT (I'd have used a 5D if I had one then) In Toronto China Town (and little of the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5), samples here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19725722@N06/sets/72157605127224669/<br>

If you can swing 2 bodies then consider the 24-70 or 105 along with the EF-S 10-22 or 17-40 or 16-35. Zoom lenses do have their advantages, and their optical quality is very good nowadays. One of my favourite lenses is the 10-22 because it's so good optically, is very compact, and has a phenomenal wide-coverage.<br>

There is no best lens, it depends on you style. I sometimes like to zoom in to isolate, and sometimes zoom out to cover a lot of ground. Cartier-Bresson used a 50mm because he probably didnm't have many alternatives then, and probably didn't want to change lenses. If he were shooting now, he'd probably be using the 24-70 or 24-105 (I'd say).</p>