Best Street Photography Lens.

[simon_sutcliffe]

<p>I have recently acquired the Canon T1i And would like to start street photography and was wondering about which lens to get. I have the 50mm F1.8 and the kit lens and the 55-250mm lens and would like a Wide angle and a bit of zoom for a under 500< budget.</p>

[LenMarriott]

<p>Simon, Sounds like you are already adequately equipped . If you don't think so, then purchase the shortest lens which will allow you to get your shot while still maintaining enough distance between you and your subject so as to give you a running head start in case your subject objects & angrily comes after you. A pair of sneakers with good tread would be a desirable accessory. Best, LM.</p>

[richterjw]

<p>I got the Tokina AT-X 12-24 f/4 for my T2i for almost exactly $500. I really like it so far. It fit perfectly with my zoom, 24-85; but for you, there will be some overlap. dpreview did a very extensive <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tokina_12-24_4_n15/">review</a> of it. JR</p><div></div>

[Spearhead]

<p>That's an interesting street photograph. I guess some streets are very different.</p>

<p>I use the 17-40 for street photography quite a bit. You should be able to find it used in your budget. I also use the 24-70/2.8 but that's outside your budget.</p>

[wgpinc]

<p>There are three or four that I would recommend. The two Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 zooms (with VC and without). The Sigma 17-50mm 2.8 OS (Sigma also has an 18-50mm 2.8 that is not so highly regarded and a 17-70mm 2.8-4.0 lens that gets mixed reviews). Last but not least is the Canon 17-55mm 2.8 IS lens that is excellent but heavier and expensive. Of these lenses only the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 non-VC lens comes in under your budget. It is the lightest of the bunch and has excellent image quality. Read some of their reviews on DPReview and Photozone.de and try to get your hands on a few of them to see how they fit for your photography. Probably won't go too far wrong with any of them. Good luck! </p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Like Len, it sounds to me like you're set up fine.</p>

<p>The 50mm is a short telephoto on your camera body, and this is the "traditional" street and portrait focal length. The kit telephoto has only the drawback of slower apertures, but that's not a major handicap unless you want to shoot at night, in which case you use the 50mm prime or one of the two lenses recommended below.</p>

<p>Of course, Cartier Bresson (sort of the daddy of street photography) used a Leica with a 50mm lens. For the same effect on your camera something like a EF 28mm f/2.8 or a EF 35mm f/2 would be the APS-C equivalent. Both are fairly reasonably priced and there are even better lenses (more expensive anyway) in the same range of focal lengths.</p>

<p> </p>

[g dan mitchell]

<p>If I were you, I'd head out with that EFS 18-55 kit lens and start shooting. Based on that experience you may start to develop some ideas about whether or not you want to shoot street with primes or zooms (I do both), and what focal lengths you want if you do end up desiring primes.</p>

<p>On 35mm film SLRs the "traditional" focal lengths for street were commonly somewhere in the 35mm to 50mm focal length, though there are no rules about this. On your cropped sensor camera the focal length range providing similar fields of view would be about 22mm-31mm or so. Of course, you already have this range covered with your existing zoom.</p>

<p>Dan</p>

[starvy]

<p>Simon,<br>

Unless you have a thick skin I would recommend a very small body and lens setup.</p>

[Brad_]

For my crop body camera, I used a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 pretty much exclusively. For both street

photography and street portraits. <A href= "http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-17-50mm-Aspherical-Digital-

Cameras/dp/B000EXR0SI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294630931&sr=8-1">About $460</a>...<P>

 

BTW, a 50mm lens on a crop body

camera is 80mm. Way too much of a telephoto for good street photography where you want to be closer to subjects,

rather than further away.<P>

 

Jeff's choice up above is also good considering you might want to go full-frame someday.

[dan_south]

<blockquote>

<p>If I were you, I'd head out with that EFS 18-55 kit lens and start shooting.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I second this very good idea!</p>

[William Michael]

<blockquote>

<p>"Canon T1i and would like to start street photography would like a Wide angle and a bit of zoom for a under 500< budget."</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>+1 on either Tamron 17-50F/2.8 or EF 17 to 40F/4.<br>

Both have plusses and minuses - I would opt for the extra stop of speed, if pushed for a selection between the two.</p>

<p>WW</p>

 

[bueh]

<p>If you like primes, try the fast Sigma 30mm f/1.4 HSM normal lens and the Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM wide angle. For anything wider you do need a super-wide zoom.</p>

[luis_g]

<p>+3 on using your 18-55 kit lens first.</p>

[jim_j2]

<p>+4 on mastering your 18-55 kit lens first.<br>

Then, if you find you need something a little faster for under $500, the the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8.<br>

This has become my "carry around" lens on my small sensor body.</p>

[simon_sutcliffe]

<p>I took some photos a bit back <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57994640@N07/with/5339552122/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/57994640@N07/with/5339552122/</a> this is kind of my style check out first snow of 2011, those were taken with my 50mm but I would like a bit of zoom, I was considering saving up for the 17-40</p>

[bueh]

<blockquote>

<p>I was considering saving up for the 17-40</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Better go for the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 USM. Better in all regards.</p>

[JDMvW]

<blockquote>

<p>BTW, a 50mm lens on a crop body camera is 80mm. Way too much of a telephoto for good street photography where you want to be closer to subjects, rather than further away.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Actually, a 50mm on a "crop body" is <em>still</em> a 50mm. What changes is that it is a short telephoto. The above comment is hardly the only opinion about whether normal or even longer telephotos are "best" for "street photography". I myself prefer the somewhat greater isolation from getting my lights punched out by people who resent my sticking a camera up their nose (à la Ashton Kutcher). I love shooting with my 80mm f/2 Sonnar (née Jupiter) on my 35mm Contax (née Kiev).<br>

'Street photography' can be shot with any focal length you want, or can get away with.</p>

[simon_sutcliffe]

<p>Ok so I am considering a wide-angle(20mm-30mm)- slight telephoto(80mm) Because I would like to get a few of those wide angles and also more telephoto shots.</p>

[Brad_]

>>> Actually, a 50mm on a "crop body" is still a 50mm.<P>

 

JDM, I think everybody by now knows that. And that the equivalent focal length on a canon crop body referred to

a SLR or full-frame dSLR is 80mm.<P>

 

 

>>> The above comment is hardly the only opinion about whether normal or even longer telephotos are "best" for

"street photography". <P>

 

Was that presented as the only opinion? Or as mine, who happens to do SP all the time. And is probably shared by many many others who do SP

everyday. I rarely see good street photography taken from afar. That's sniping. I have seen a ton of good work,

and know a lot of people that shoot in the range of 20 to 50mm (referred to a full-frame cam).<P>

 

>>> I myself prefer the somewhat greater isolation from getting my lights punched out by people who resent my

sticking a camera up their nose (à la Ashton Kutcher).<P>

 

Well yeah, if you act like an ass, you'll be treated like one. Getting good images hardly requires a 10mm lens shoved in someone's face. Or

getting being beat up. It's about the attitude you project and how you treat people. I never have problems. Rather, I have made a lot of friends.<P>

 

Occasionally I see people out there with telephotos shooting down the block sneaking shots. THEY are the ones that have something to worry about. <P>

 

Snapped last Saturday, with a 35mm on a 5D2:<P>

 

<img src= "http://pages.sbcglobal.net/b-evans/Images53/EyeContact.jpg">

[MarieH]

<p>I agree with Dan but the 17-50 2.8 Tamron is an excellent buy and features 2.8 which will be handy if your in lower light. But any medium lens will do fine and good shoes as one other suggests lol.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Is 80mm or its equivalent really from "afar"?<br>

I have photographed people with a 500mm lens, but I still wouldn't call it sniping.</p>

<p>As the 35mm shot above shows, it's difficult to get that close without the people reacting to YOU. Of course, if that's what you call street photography, great. A simple mirror might work as well. ;)</p>

[Brad_]

>>> As the 35mm shot above shows, it's difficult to get that close without the people reacting to YOU.

<P>

 

Really, it isn't. In that particular case I was seeking eye contact. It just depends on whether you want to engage, or not.<P>

 

<img src= "http://pages.sbcglobal.net/b-evans/Images53/Guys4.jpg">

[JDMvW]

<p>You think the guy in the middle of this one is unaware of you? From the poses, and I mean exactly that, I wonder about the other two guys, for that matter.<br>

No matter, do whatever you like, but I'm not the one who discouraged the use of any focal length you want to use.<br>

I just said, as I still believe to be true, that many people prefer a short telephoto in this sort of shooting. Recently I've seen some very nice street <em>portraits</em> done with a ultrawide angle. Each to their own.</p>

[Brad_]

>>> You think the guy in the middle of this one is unaware of you? From the poses, and I mean exactly that, I wonder

about the other two guys, for that matter.<P>

 

That's amazing. You weren't there but can read all of that into my photo! I guess that's the power of released narrative...<P>

 

 

>>> Recently I've seen some very nice street portraits done with a ultrawide angle. <P>

 

Yes, me too. For a couple years I shot with a 20D and my only lens was a 10-22mm. The equivalent of 16-35, referred

to a FF.<P>

 

I can say that longer focal length SP rarely looks interesting. Not saying it doesn't happen - I've seen some. Just that

it's rare.<P>

 

Around Christmas I saw three guys in SF shooting with telephotos down the block. They came up to me to talk because

they were surprised I liked to get close. And in an apparent attempt to bond, they said, "We're street shooters like you!" After

watching them it was clear they were shooting candids of women, bending over, etc. Down the block. Creepy. And if

they were caught, they'd no doubt would get the snot beat out of them. That would also happen to them

going into some SF neighborhoods (or places in other cities) sneaking shots with a long lens even if they weren't shooting

women in that manner.<P>

 

In the end it's about what you want your SP to be about. Sniping, or being part of the energy and rhythm on the street. Which can still be candid or engaged. If

you're not part of the energy though, you're probably not getting much that's good.<P>

 

Aware and unaware:<P>

<img src= "http://pages.sbcglobal.net/b-evans/Images53/Mav.jpg">

[JDMvW]

<p>As I say, whatever pleases you. Implying that everyone who disagrees with your wide-angle approach is a sniper or dirty old person seems kind of strong though, don't you think?</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>rarely looks interesting</p>

</blockquote>

<p>And I guess if it doesn't interest <em>you</em>, that settles it, doesn't it?</p>

<p> </p>