35mm lens vs 50mm lens for Street Photography: Which is the Best Choice?
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When it comes to street photography the debate always comes down to the choice between 35mm vs 50mm. The reason is both focal lengths capture something akin to what the human eye sees. The 35mm focal length gives a wider perspective of what you see as a person, and thus gives a creative take on how we see the world.
The 50mm is more faithful to what our eyes actually see and give a compressed view of a scene. If you’re interested in finding out what’s the best focal length for you be sure to continue reading.
35mm Lens for Street Photography
The 35mm lens is a popular choice because its wide-angle perspective allows you to capture multiple subjects and elements in your frame. This wider field of view gives your photos a sense of context and provides a more immersive experience for the viewer.
Advantages of the 35mm Lens
Another benefit of the 35mm lens is its suitability for zone focusing, which is commonly used in street photography. Zone focusing involves pre-focusing your lens to a certain distance and then capturing subjects within that range.
this was taken with an Olympus E-M5 35mm at f/8 zone focusing
With the wide-angle perspective of the 35mm lens, it becomes easier to estimate distances and adjust your focus. This technique allows for quicker and more spontaneous shooting, ensuring that you don’t miss those decisive moments on the street. If you have made up your mind or if you want to learn more about shooting with a 35mm camera, check out my guide.
50mm Lens for Street Photography
The 50mm lens is a good option for capturing compelling street photographs. Its slightly longer focal length allows you to focus on your main subject, capturing their expressions and details with precision. With a 50mm lens, you can create images with a more intimate perspective, isolating your subject and highlighting their personality.
The 50mm lens is particularly useful for shooting street portraits. Its ability to blur the background and create a shallow depth of field adds a pleasing bokeh effect, making your subject stand out.
This lens also provides a compressed perspective that adds a unique look and feel to your street photographs, emphasizing the details and textures of the scene. Be sure to read my concise guide on why a 50mm lens is your ultimate choice — don’t miss out, check it out now!
When to Use the 35mm Lens Versus the 50mm Lens
If you want to freeze action in a crowded street, the 35mm lens is the ideal focal length because it offers a wider depth of field.
This feature is beneficial for those who aim to capture those quick, split-second moments that occur on the street. Using a 35mm lens for street photography has almost become a sport, as it challenges photographers to quickly capture fleeting scenes.
Also, you’re more likely to get the shot with a 35mm lens when zone-focusing, even if you’re slightly off. In contrast, zone focusing with a 50mm lens is not really viable.
The 50mm lens might be the better choice. Its slightly longer focal length allows you to focus on your main subject and capture their expressions and details with fewer distracting elements in the frame.
The 50mm lens is also great for street portraits, as it can isolate the subject and highlight their personality. It provides a compressed perspective that adds a unique look and feel to your street photographs.
If you prefer to stand back and allow life to unfold without feeling intrusive, or if you don’t want to get too close, this lens is the ideal choice.
Recommended 35mm Lenses for Street Photography
Choosing the right lens is crucial for capturing stunning street photography. There are several top choices that can enhance your street photography experience.
Explore our definitive guide for the best affordable cameras tailored for street photography and elevate your craft without stretching your budget.
For Sony Users
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM
You can shoot with rapid autofocus, which helps in capturing those split-second street scenes. The larger aperture allows for a shallower depth of field, making it easier to achieve sharpness and focus throughout.
The combination of speed and optical precision makes it ideal for capturing moments in street photography, where timing and composition are important.
The Sony’s lightweight design won’t hinder you from capturing the decisive moment. You can confidently use this lens and quickly adjust the aperture with the conveniently small ring as well.
Sony 35mm f1.8
The Sony 35mm f1.8 is a compact and lightweight lens that is quite affordable. The colors it captures are vibrant and true to life, ensuring your images stand out. The aperture is super fast, and the shallow depth of field is great for when you want to get really close to your subject.
Its weather-sealed construction provides peace of mind. This lens is small, lightweight, and quick to focus—key qualities to look for in a prime lens. It has it all, at an affordable price.
Sony 55mm f1.8
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The Sony 55mm f1.8 lens is perfect for taking photos on the street. It’s light and not too big, so it’s easy to carry around all day. With its wide f1.8 opening, you can snap sharp pictures quickly, even when there isn’t much light.
This makes it great for catching all the fast-moving action in the city. The lens also helps to make whatever you’re taking a photo of stand out from the background. It’s a great tool for photographers who like to explore and capture life as it happens, and it won’t make your camera feel heavy.
For Fujifilm Users
Fuji X100V
The Fujifilm X100V, although it is a camera, comes with a fixed 35mm lens, so you won’t have to worry about choosing other lenses.
The compact size and lightweight feel make it seem as though you are shooting with a toy camera because of its simple controls. It’s ideal if you want something to carry around daily without the concern of switching lenses.
Fujifilm XF35mmF2 R WR
The Fujifilm XF35mmF2 R WR is a small, easy-to-carry lens that takes really clear pictures. Even though it’s light and compact, it’s tough enough to handle bad weather.
You can take it anywhere, and it won’t weigh you down. When you take a photo, it focuses quickly and quietly, so you won’t miss any special moments. Plus, it’s not too expensive, which makes it a great choice for anyone who wants to take great photos without carrying around a lot of heavy gear.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens is an affordable 35mm lens that produces amazing photos. With its wide maximum aperture, this lens is great in low-light conditions, allowing you to capture sharp, detailed images even in challenging lighting situations. The Autofocus is also fast and reliable enough to capture those special moments.
Canon 40mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
If you’re looking for a compact and lightweight lens for your Canon camera, the Canon 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens is a fantastic option. Its small size makes it inconspicuous, perfect for street photography where blending in is key.
Despite its compact design, this lens delivers excellent image quality and is capable of capturing sharp and vibrant photos.
Leica 35mm f/2
For Leica users, the Leica 35mm f/2 and Zeiss 35mm f/2 lenses are highly recommended for street photography. These lenses offer excellent build quality and optics, ensuring that you can capture stunning images with superb sharpness and clarity.
The Leica 35mm f/2 lens is known for its beautiful rendering and bokeh, while the Zeiss 35mm f/2 lens delivers exceptional image quality and contrast.
Nikon 24mm f/2.8D
If you’re using a crop sensor Nikon camera, the Nikon 24mm f/2.8D lens is a great choice for street photography. With its wider focal length, it allows you to capture a broader perspective, making it ideal for capturing street scenes and environmental portraits.
This lens offers excellent image quality and is well-suited for those who prefer a wider focal length for their street photography.
FAQ
Why is the 35mm lens popular for street photography?
The 35mm lens offers a wider field of view, has a wider depth of field for sharper images, and is well-suited for capturing fast-paced street scenes.
What makes the 50mm lens a popular choice for street photography?
The 50mm lens allows for a slightly longer focal length, which is great for focusing on subjects and capturing their expressions. It also provides a compressed perspective for a different look and feel in street photographs.
Are there differences in image quality and distortion between 35mm and 50mm lenses?
50mm lenses tend to have less distortion and offer straighter lines in architectural or urban landscape-style street photography. 35mm lenses provide a wider perspective for a more immersive feel in street photographs.
What are some recommended 35mm lenses for street photography?
The Sony 35mm f/1.8, Fujifilm XF35mm F2 R WR, and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art
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