what is your favorite focal length for street photography?

[centurion_sg]

I am surprise that when selecting favorite focal length for street photography, no one here cross the 50mm mark. :think:

Hmm, shouldn't be surprising given that we are mostly influenced by what has been defined as classic street photography by the pioneers like HCB and others in that lineage. Infact, since this is a compact/RF cam forum already presupposes that most folks here favor the kinds of pictures that are more candid and thus need a sufficiently wide view.

 

[OpenLens]

Hmm, shouldn't be surprising given that we are mostly influenced by what has been defined as classic street photography by the pioneers like HCB and others in that lineage. Infact, since this is a compact/RF cam forum already presupposes that most folks here favor the kinds of pictures that are more candid and thus need a sufficiently wide view.

Didn't HCB use 50?

 

[centurion_sg]

Didn't HCB use 50?

Yes, you're right. I got it mixed up.

 

[schon]

Thanks. Don't really have a gallery. These photos were taken in Tokyo. In Japan, one can take any photos using any cameras and it will look nice. Not sure whether it's the light or the people. That place is just plain nice.

The 40mm/f1.4 S.C is a wonderful lens. At f1.4 & ISO400, great for taking street at night. Some of the pictures taken with this lens can be found here: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=270452

But do be careful... I was taking a cute girl on the train and ended up being reprimanded by her and in the end, had to give up the roll of negatives... even though I told her she was pretty and beautiful... ;p

hi chiif, thanks for the link with more photos. i think i know what you mean by it just being plain nice.

you should've just told her you have "deleted" the photo you took of her. :bsmilie: sorry for the ot...

 

[jdredd]

timely question. going on a trip to istanbul next month.. i have the 50mm 1.5 thinking of getting either the 35mm or 28mm.

thing is, my RF only has 35mm framelines. decisions decisions.

 

[gohaj]

timely question. going on a trip to istanbul next month.. i have the 50mm 1.5 thinking of getting either the 35mm or 28mm.

thing is, my RF only has 35mm framelines. decisions decisions.

u need a wide angle for travel trip!

 

[sf_kang]

When using Rangefinder, what is your favorite focal length for street photography?

21mm on my M8.
Good depth of field.
Can get in close; really capture the action.
Good perspective too.
Really enjoy this lens; easy to shoot.
Rgds/Fred

 

[clubgrit]

Interesting ...

If I am going to focus pinpoint on a subject, I prefer 90mm and 50mm.

If I am going to use hyperfocal or zone focusing, 35mm is my favorite, then 50mm.




.

 

[clubgrit]

Yes, from articles about him, and Capa (I never met them anyway ). "It forces one to think more about perspective, composition, and arrangement", not just take the widest picture. It's tougher, but it is what they preferred. HCB apparently also used wide-angle, but occasionally for landscapes, which I don't think he is famous for.

For Capa, it meant he had to be very close during his war coverage, like in his famous picture "Death Of A Soldier". Modern war photographers would probably use much longer lenses these days.

Gary Winogrand used 28mm and zone focusing, from an article I read, and didn't develop his negatives for a year !. Maybe the "aging" adds to his magic ?:bsmilie:

At any rate, YMMV, whatever one is more comfortable with ...

Didn't HCB use 50?