Quick point I forgot to mention. All focal lengths in this video are in full frame terms. That way you can work out for yourself depending on your system.
I was about to tell you this! Great video Roman. Thanks to your videos I've happily changed from a Canon EOS R (with heavy and expensive zooms) to a Fuji XE4 first, now just bought an XT4 which will be paired with my 18-55 + 35, all barely over 1kg and amazing quality.
As you have said on more than one occasion, "not everyone is comfortable with up close and personal lenses", but the 23mm f2 Fuji was my first and only current prime. I love it and on the street xt3 with 23mm and very minimal kit gives the impression of a tourist and people pay very minimal attention to what I'm doing. It does really help subconsciously to bolster my confidence. Great video again Roman, keeping it real, thanks mate.
Im definitely a 85mm guy! Here in athens the streets have way to much "noise" and the 85mm helps me to compose only what is necessary. And i love to pair that prime with a 17-50 lens. Loved the video
I visited Athens on my honeymoon this May! It was absolutely stunning. Of course we mainly saw Athens tourist areas but we really enjoyed the energy of the city. We actually visited the week before the elections so there were all kinds of demonstrations and parades, it was incredible. One thing we both noticed is that the mopeds/motorcycles will squeeze into absolutely anywhere where there is space for them to go. It's totally different to the U.K. attitude and actually quite refreshing. There's a lot of trust involved and noone argued or shouted. I didn't think of using a short telephoto, in fact I purchased the 16mm f/2.8 (24mm equiv.) in order to ensure I could fit everything in if my X100V wasn't wide enough. Such a short and simple comment has inspired me to think longer in focal range, thank you!
I’ve seen more than one of these “which primes should you choose” videos. This one is easily the best. Paired with your excellent images, it was a joy to watch.
Thanks Roman, another great video. For years I was a 28, 35, and 50mm guy. Perfect. But, carrying three lenses was getting a bit much (plus another issue which I will cover below). I found a great solution. I now carry two Voigtländer lenses. 21mm and the 28mm (stick with me, it will make sense soon). The 21mm = 31.5mm FF equivalent. This now covers the original 28 and 35mm with literally half a step either forwards or backwards when composing. The 28mm = 42mm FF equivalent which again, with a step forward or back when composing, now covers me for the 35mm and 50mm. See, whilst carrying three lenses was annoying, it wasn’t my main issue. My issue was feeling like I always wanted to swap out lenses when I came across a scene (too tight or too wide). However, in both of these instances, I now feel like I am right in between and can make the images work more often without feeling like swapping out lenses. Even swapping between these two lenses is rare because most often, a location will generally be fairly spread out so I reach for the 28mm, or they might be super tight compact streets and I reach for the 21mm. Then, they generally stay on the body for the entire walk/shoot! I know this isn’t for everyone, but it has changed my world for the better. Thanks again for your inspiration Roman. ✌️
@@prithvim7The video was about primes, and my reply was some real world experience to add to the discussion. But all good bro. Keep zooming with your 15-50 👍
@@danfarmer_photo lmao I have never seen someone being this butt hurt over a lense suggestion, Tip 1:be respectful first to get respect from others. That said I'm done here
For me the 75mm (50mm cropped) is so far my fave. Being a slight introvert who does not enjoy invading peoples spaces it's the perfect focal length. Not too far and not too close. Since the Fuji one is a bit on the expensive side, I got myself a cheap little TTArtisan F1.2 for 120 Euros and it's now my new favorite. It's fully manual and boy is it FUN!!! It reinvigorated my passion for photography.
I too purchased the TTartisan 50 f1.2 to replace my Fuji 50 f2. For the price, it’s an unbelievably good lens with a great focus ring for easy manual focusing.
Moving from the kit zoom lens that came with my X-T3 into prime lenses was a significant turning point in my appreciation of photography. Initially started with a 35mm, but ultimately fell in love with a 50mm that I use for street photography. Thanks Roman for helping guide me towards this setup.
For street photography I just put on my Tamron 28-200mm which covers all the focal lengths mentioned in this video and beyond. And it’s very good optically as well.
Well I used 35 , 50 , 85 , and more but recently I bought a 25 mm 7Artisans for my Fuji and I am using it so much it’s very nice and good to use on the Streets It’s very important for any Street Photographer to use multiple prime lenses because each one will improve his skills specially when it comes to find a good composition Thank You for the video man keep shooting and keep sharing It’s always good checking out your videos Thank You again …
This is the best description I've seen about the look and feel of the photos you end up making with a given prime lens, rather than any technical aspect. I found it really helpful.
Thanks for this review. It's a constant battle over which lenses to pack with you and which to leave behind. I've found that you simply have to be prepared to miss a few shots, no matter what when you are shooting primes. Instead, focus on the pics you can get with the kit you have with you. On the other hand, that's why zooms were invented.
Thanks for the video. Over the decades, I have used the following focal length prime lenses as my one-lens solution on full-frame cameras for shooting street, photojournalism, vacation, and travel: 21mm 24mm 28mm 35mm 40mm 45mm 50mm 55mm For my subject matter and my shooting style, the 35mm is my personal favorite. For a three-lens combo, I usually flank my 35mm with a 24mm or a 21mm on the wide side and an 85mm or 90mm on the telephoto side.
Great to meet you today, Roman. Really nice to chat and it’s ironic that this video covered much of what we spoke about. Hope I didn’t stop you getting any shots today lol. Really enjoyed seeing how you and Mark work, especially with different styles. All the best. Tony
I've just swapped my 56mm f1.2 for the 50mm f2 as I wasn't really using the 56mm. Wow what a fantastic lens the 50mm is. I'm blown away by the sharpness even wide open and it's a lot faster at focusing compared to the 56mm. Obviously it also has the weather sealing. I haven't had chance to use it for Street yet but it'll be a fantastic addition to my kit alongside the 35mm f2
Great video. My thoughts are almost exactly inline with yours. I’ve been shooting street since around 2014 and have tried all four primes that you mentioned at one time or another. My go to is a 23/24 on crop sensor and 35 on full frame. I feel this gives me the look and feel that I set out to achieve. Although not ideal, most people have a kit lens. I usually suggest that they go out and shoot with it for a couple weeks to a month. Review your photos and see what photo lengths you tend to migrate to naturally. Then get a prime close to what you shoot the most.
Thank you Roman for this clear and useful video. I shoot street and have all the focal lengths you mentions and some more... Personally I especially love the dynamic feel of the 28mm that makes the spectator feel inside the scene. But I also adore Alex Webb with his 35mm and Bresson with his 50mm. There's room for all.
Canon 10-18 adapted lens to a XT3 is a great choice, gives you about 16 to 28 focal length with Fotodiox adapter......for the wide world. Small, lightweight setup. Use Canon 50mm 1.8 STM to get the 75 mm focal length, again with the adapter. Very light. What do you think?
85mm F1.4 was my first prime lens. being the "disconnected" lens it makes a lot of sense why it ended up being my favorite with how I see/feel myself among people.
@@snapsbyfox btw - do you use polarizing filters? should I get one for the 23mil? I'm using it on other lenses like the 16-80 wich I also take with me on holidays, but I've never used one in the 23...
How I picked the best lenses for my street photography on my first try as a total beginner, follow this guide carefully: I bought a lens I was advised blindly, not even knowing what focal length is when I asked a beginner friend what to buy for photography, and I bought another one but bought the wrong one. Too broke to even send back I did with what I had, and I've never felt the desire to change ever since. Those are a 17mm and a 45mm for mFT (both f1.8). It works specifically because I didnt have a choice, and dealt two complementing lenses that don't tread over each other. One lens for a specific shot and not the other depending on what u want to achieve. Even now that I'm moving to APS-C, I'm scouring the web to find the most similar lenses in every aspects because I dun need anything else and they have become core to my photographer's eye. It's been 4 years now. I might add a longer focal length to enable that adds smth significant to my photography that my 45 can't achieve rn. But that's all. Might not even use it that much
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments Roman.... Although I am only a hobbyist I have the 35 & 50mm & yes they are great to use.. I also have & use a 12-24mm Tokina lens which can be useful in tight areas such as narrow lanes... recently I was shooting graffiti in a very narrow lane & the 12-24mm was perfect.... cheers from Australia 😀
I have been using a Nikon D7200 for landscape for a few years now (and love it!), and picked up an XT3 two years ago as a lockdown treat (thanks season ticket refund!), purely to use for street (I’m adamant it won’t replace my D7200!). To help restrict me with it I decided only to use primes with it. First lens I went for was the 23mm (APS-C obvs), which I really liked but found sometimes I wanted something a little narrower. So I added a 35mm to my kit and well, I’ve not looked back. I absolutely love it and found it perfect for detail shots and for a bit of context (as you say, needing to step back a bit at times). Lately I’ve been mulling the longer 50mm, but for now I’m finding the 23mm and 35mm absolutely perfect for my needs.
I’ve been using the 85mm and 50mm range for about 2 years now. Just recently have I started to use the 35mm range and it’s quite a pleasing perspective in my opinion
I have a Sigma 28-70mm 2.8. Its a fantastic range lens and takes crisp shots, but My Sigma 85mm 1.4 just came today, so excited to use it this weekend.
Excellent video, I have recently got my first prime lens, NIKKOR 35mm 1.8G, love it to bits, totally agree with you reasoning. Keep going my friend, love your work..
Thanks. I’m relatively new to photography but have always been the one to find beauty when walking around town and/ or hiking through nature. I’ve decided to treat myself to the X-T5 and can firmly say that you’ve helped me dial in a decision on my first primes. I’m going with the 23 and 35 mm f2 lenses (35/ 50 equiv). I was torn between the 16-55 zoom and getting a few primes, but I really like the idea of having a smaller form factor because I travel so much. I also like the WR that the F2 lens provides and don’t feel like I’d get much use out of the extra stop of the f1.4 lenses.
I really love the 28-35 range and appreciate the 50mil. When I bought my xpro3 I bought the 23 to have that 35mm eq that I like. I also bought a Mitakon 35mm to have a 50mm eq. But lately, thanks to you and Eren and after hesitating for more than a year I acquired the xt4 and I really, really been enjoying having the 35mm eq and the 75mm eq by adapting my Pentax 50mm 1.7. It's really fun to have 2 cameras with the almost extreme opposite focal lengths. The 75 eq is pushing me to see, or rather pay more attention to things I would usually ignore with a 28-35 eq because of the "maah, too far, can't reach" effect. That let me think of the "perfect trio", Fuji x100v, xpro3 with a 75mm eq and xt4 with a stabilized 16-50 for video. I have to go, I need to write a letter to Santa Claus.
Thanks Roman. Nice concise and thoughtful analysis. As an interesting option is the Tamron 20-40 mm 2.8, for if you switch it to APS-c mode, you can get up to 60 mm.
I mostly use my 85 mm and I got a 35 mm. I mostly shoot street, but also sometimes landscape. But 85 mm is my go to for street photos, I can get some nice details without being in the scene feeling anxious about my present with a camera on top of ppl.
i feel the 35mm(ff) 23mm (apsc) is the best (not perfect) focal for street. i enjoy shooting 23mm on my fuji. its pretty versatile for wide shots and close up shots. i have many great shots and i think most street shooters should definitely start with this focal length.
hey, landscape photographer here, and there is a similar kind of discussion to have about what focal length you'd use compared to street. By going with your standards : 28mm for wide shots, 35mm for general purpose, 50mm for detail shots : For landscapes, the scales are not the same, you need to capture elements that are much bigger and much further away. I'm doing landscapes on hikes mostly, and there I have my two "modes". I'm either going to take a picture of something far away, like a full landscape, mountain, what ever, or I'm going to take the picture of something I'm coming by when I'm walking. For the latter, well it isn't much different than street : my general purpose lens is a 35 (23f2 on my Fuji) and a 50 (35f2). I sometimes happen to get out my 85mm if I want to get a detail a bit further away, but that kind of lens is not as important I think (at least I clearly don't use it as much). If you want to photograph something big and far away, then you'll need two types of lenses that are extremes to what we've been using before. Sure, your 35 and 50 equiv can still work to an extent, but you're not going to get images nearly as striking to the viewer. My first lens is an ultra wide angle, generally 18 or 20mm to be sure to get all the scenes. I'm generally carrying around a 12-24 zoom, but since it's quite big and bulky I sometimes take panos that I then stitch together with my 35 equiv. For details shots though, the 50, even sometimes the 85 aren't enough in my experience. Here, I get out the 135mm equiv (either a 90mm f2 on a Fuji, or a VIltrox 85 f1.8), this kind of lens will get you very striking images about specific details in the landscape. Sure, you could take a 70-200 with you, but I would not recommend it on a hike as the lighter you go the better you are and the 70mm end of the lens is not very useful while the 200mm is sometimes too zoomed in for my taste.
@Shawn McCrimmon I would definetly advise you to look at a 85/90mm lens. The Viltrox one is a very good value. I'd also recommend you try out some things like 85mm equiv like 56/55mm lenses (if you have a zoom lens, try it) to see if that's the compression you're going for. For me it wasn't enough and the 200mm equiv was too zoomed in, I found the 135 equiv to be kind of a sweet spot
Hi Roman. Your video on choosing a prime focal length was a great one for me. I have a Fuji XT30 with the XF 16 mm F2.8 and XF35 mm F2 primes, also the 18-55 mm zoom lens. I have been thinking of buying a used XF 23 mm lens, but wondered if it would be overkill with those lenses. I wasn't sure too, if the XF 27 mm would be better for than the XF 23mm and I Iike the idea of that lens being so tiny. I'll probably still get the 23 mm, but wondered what you may think about the 27 mm instead. Thanks for your thoughts and of course your videos and they are always very informative for us.
One advantage the wider lenses have is that you can zone focus them more easily so you can react quickly if you need to. I mostly use a 50 though, just like the look.
Great video! Well organized, well presented, lots of information and examples. You gave very human aspects to a very technical topic, both from the photographer’s and viewer’s perspectives. Your photos were really good and I could clearly see your talking points illustrated in them.
Thanks for this detailed insight into the different types of prime lenses. I have been looking at the 35mm and your video has just confirmed it. Cheers.
I rarely do street photography, but I do enjoy your work and videos. With that being said the zooms todays are very close to the optics in the primes covered by the zooms. I would be interested in knowing why you prefer primes over the zooms, say 24-70 f2.8 or 24-105 f4?
Good evening Roman. I'm interested in many things, mainly watersports, but since one year more or less photography as well. How ever, you're the only one I'm following. I think you are doing really great and you're a good guy. I would like to ask you something: Last year I bought a Fuji X-T5 in black/silver bicolor in a 16-80 Kit. Now I would like to buy my first prime. I'm swinging between the Fuji XF 23mm f/2 R WR and the XF 35mm f/2 R WR both in silver. Which one would you recommend to me for street photography? I want to own only one tele and one prime. So if you're talking about the 50mm, I should buy the XF 35mm f/2 R WR fur my X-T5, right? Kind regards Giulio
I quite like using both 24 and 35mm full frame or full frame equivalent field of view. 85mm for portraits, close or mid distance. 35mm is my most used prime lens. Least used is 50mm.
To be clear, are you talking about these focal lengths on a cropped of full frame sensor? A 28mm on my Z6 would turn into a 42 on your Fuji. So to get the same effect as you I would use a 35 or 40.
I sold all my f2 primes... honestly part of me regrets it due to how compact they were and I miss that. However the new f1.4 lenses specifically the 33 and 18 are just so much nicer with regards to video AF as well as low light capability. Also they are sharper so my 18 can be cropped to 23 and 33 to 50... so to me they are worth it although I really miss the small form factor
@@snapsbyfox Thanks for the info. I would like to have the 33 and 18 as well, but as an amateur they are just not affordable at this point. Maybe it's time to look for things around the house to sell!! :-) Have a great day.
Great, great thought about considerations and priorities! I agree on the wide angle when doing street photography. People don't seem to know they are in frame. Often times I do aim at something not wanted, maybe up high in a building (not taking a picture). Take a fake look at the LCD screen, and then pop it up and get the people in the frame. By that time I think people think they are not the subject, and if paying attention they think I don't know what I'm doing. Well that part could be true ;)
My camera is Sony A7R4, I have these lens: FE 20/1.8 G, FE 35/1.4 GM, FE 85/1.4 GM and other lens. If I take street shot, I’ll carry two prime lens, such as 35mm & 85 mm, or 20 mm & 85 mm.
Great breakdown of focal lengths and why. Always good to to hear other’s opinions and reevaluate how we are shooting. Bye the way, what brand is the sling bag you had in the video? Stay well.
I am in Bursa at the moment and had only the X-T3 and XF 16-55mm with me. Amazing camera and lens, amazing for everything except street photography. I did buy the X100V at the Fuji Shop, 600 euro price difference in Europe. It’s the most beautiful and amazing travel camera I used so far. I did some street photography at the bazaar and the 35mm is perfect. I also made some great portraits, documentary, architecture, landscape and night photography pictures.
I started out with a 50mm, but soon realized that I wanted something a bit wider. I settled with a 35mm, and I am very happy with it and take it more out than my zoom lens.
I love going ultrawide and fast, like 20mm equivalent wide, to get that shallow depth of field and very wide angle or a 50-85 to pick out those details. However since the sigma 18-50 released my bag is down to the viltrox 13 1.4, the og 35 1.4 (mainly for low light/indoor or when I want to go film recipe and bake in some additional character) and the sigma 18-50. Allows me to travel very light, handle all lighting conditions, go weather sealed if I need it and reach basically every focal length I want for day to day landscape/travel/street.
I shoot an EOS M quite a bit and like the 22mm (35mm equivalent) I also shoot the MJU II quite a bit which is also a 35mm. I do like to shoot a 28mm on an X700 for wide street shooting.
As someone who has the 23mm (35mm) as my first prime, I agree with your point that this is a good starter lens if you're not sure what you like to shoot yet. Now I'm using the 56mm (85mm) and I think i'm in the category who enjoys this focal length. I love the compression it gives and I notice myself being more creative with my shots because I have to work with a pretty tight field of view. But I'm sure if i hadn't come from a wider lens I woudn't have this mindset.
I had to sell my Fuji kit and only keep a Ricoh GR3. I wasn’t a fan of 28mm because I’m sort of introverted and feel quite intimidated by walking close to people. But after shooting exclusively with this focal length for about half a year I became a fan of it, if you get the composition right you can get some really interesting shots. Still saving up to buy another Fuji kit with the 3 new primes. But I totally agree that each focal length has its own use case and I really had a lot of fun shooting at different focal lengths, but I guess I need to find a balance between enjoying taking photos and gear acquisition syndrome.
When I’m in a city where theres not much going on, an 85 or 50mm really does the job focusing on nice details and creating creative images. I do feel like the wider (35mm) does give a more standard look which often leads (my opinion) to more boring/standard photos unless the composition is really good.
Here here! Damn pervert with your 85mm long lens sticking out! Put that beast away, have some decency and use a 28. Grab some nice normal iPhone looking shots 😂
on second thought that is a really nice tip. I find that I focus on the scene when I use 35mm and on the colors and shapes when using the 50. I also really liked yanking my kit zoom to 75mm, now that I think about it ...
Very well done video making good use of photos to illustrate your points. The Fuji 23f2 (35mm equivalent) has been my go to lens for street photography for almost 2 years. I had decided to get the 50f2, but your video has got me thinking about the 35f2 or the new 33f1.4.
I’ve had the same dilemma some time a go. And now I have a 23 mm f2 and a 35 mm f2. I love that combination, Here’s why… ruclips.net/video/ImFXpyAA1b8/видео.html
X100V is 23mm, 35mm equivalent I know, but its not 35 its 23. As far as 50s go, if you ever dig in to adapted lenses, its about 90% 50-58mm lenses. The 85 is pretty well known as a portrait lens. It works great on head and shoulder shots. Some of the 85mm (and 56mm equivalents) are just the best glass I've used.
Hi Roman. I've got a bit of a dilemma... My current line-up is: Sony G 20mm, Zeiss 55, Viltrox 85 f/1.8 (which I actually use for street) and the new 70-200 f/4. I'm wondering whether I should add a 35mm prime (the GM from Sony is such a sweet lens) or... a zoom from Tamron (28-75 g2, which is great, too) Any thoughts? I shoot mainly landscapes, street, and candid portraits.
Thank you for this informative video. I was thinking about getting a prime lease or two for my street photography. And your description of each lens has convinced me to not buy any prime lenses at this time. I would never carry two cameras and dislike changing lenses. I would have to change them too often to get the variety of shots which I take. After viewing your videos I think I would find being stuck with one lens at a time in the camera too be too restrictive. Like being boxed in. I guess I am too use to zoom lenses. Currently using a Nikon P950, which allows me to take photos of people from two city blocks away. Not to mention shots of animals, birds without scarring them away. I tend to shoot what see, both distant and close up. Again, thanks for the video.
Roman, great video as always. I've noticed that you also visited Japan often. I am heading to Tokyo end of March. As a photo enthusiast, I will be bringing my XF16-80. However, being that its widest aperture is at F4.0, I am thinking of bring one additional prime lens for lower light/night photography I have the XF23mm F2.0 (just like the one you used in this video), the 30mm F2.8 macro, and also the 56mm F1.2. What would be your recommendation? Would the long focal length of 56mm be too limiting? Any recommendation will be highly appreciated. Thanks.
Great video. For me, if I’m only carrying one prime, it’s gonna be the 40mm equiv pancake. I’ll toss the camera in my jacket or a tote bag and I’m good to go. If I’m bringing an extra prime, I’ll pack the 28 and 50 equiv combo and pack in my super compact HEX Ranger Mini, which is perfect for just the camera and an extra prime. To keep decisions simple, If I’m with friends/family or in narrow streets, the 28 will be the one mounted on my body. If I’m doing street photography alone, I know I don’t like to get as close to people, then the 50 is the one to start with. The x100v is calling though, wondering if I’d swap the 40mm for it.
Great points instead of pixels! You said a lot positives about 28, eg nothing coming close to that when it comes to involving the viewer to the scene etc. Any particular reason why you'd think 24 wouldn't do this even stronger?
I've got the Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 for multipurpose (28-85 approx) + 35mm (50mm equivalent) F1.4 for specific circumstances. I surely could have an additional 16 or 55 with wider aperture, but sincerely this cover all my needs.
Excellent video, very well presented. Just been advised as I type this that my new Fuji 23 f1.4 Lm WR has just been shipped Express Post. I also have the 35 mm f2, but bought it used when I first got into Fiji equipment. F1.4 would have been nice, but budget was lacking back then.Now if i could sell my 35 f2...........
I like the 50mm equivalent for the most natural compression look of the photo. But I also like the wider 35mm equivalent. I am waiting for fuji to make a good 40-42mm equivalent f2 lens to the same quality as the 50ish equivalent (35 f2)
Hi mate, I love your videos but I do believe you need the 23 mm 35 mm equivalent. It's just classic and it works and if you want to improve your photography you do need that lens because it gives you a focal length that makes you work for the shot. It's not perfect. You have to move back and forwards, low high, but it gives you that classic look that will improve your photography. He's just my opinion and I'm a professional photographer in Australia but I just don't have a fancy RUclips channel
Really good video. Very good commentary on the perspectives of the various focal lengths. I totally agree with your assessment of the 35mm. It is all I use at the moment. I can usually get everything I want quite easily.
Good overview. I buy an 85mm for every system I get into, and they always collect dust on my shelf. I just can’t get my head around it. And I’m not at all opposed to telephoto street photography, recently been playing with a 120mm equivalent. For those interested in 85mm, check out the 1970s work of Frank Horvat in the book “Side Walk”.
If conditions permit you can pano/stitch with the 50 and crop into that for a wider look 👍 So many carry foto-phones these days. I'd 1st chose a 50mm on a camera and also take the cellfone. Using both I'd get to see my preference in the EXIF data afterwards. Not sure why but I see the world at 50mm; that's when the connections start.
I would agree that a 35mm prime is probably the most useful for most people. If you wish you had a wider lens, try a 24mm. If you wish you had a longer lens, try a 50mm. Anything wider than a 24mm and you are specifically looking for that wide angle point of view. Anything longer than a 50mm and I would probably go for a 70-200mm zoom.
Great advice. Been an amateur who has had some stuff published and helped out at weddings etc. Have personally found (coming from the film era) that using two cameras (Fuji XPRO 3's) with a 16mm and a 50mm on the other seems to be my best. Coming from an era where variable ISO wasn't an option have found the old system re quick choice works as the Fuji' s are so light even being an oldie at 74.
I have an X-T1, and some Artisan prime and a Nikkor zoom from my Nikon analogue SLR, so I use an adapter for it. I find myself using the zoom more. More versatile. I like zoomed in for some cases, but some times, wider is better for something different. For street ph, you never know what you'll come across
Since I have ditched my old Nikon FM2s, in favor of a Nikon Z50, I decided to split the difference between a 35mm and a 50mm by using Nikon's Z 28mm f/2.8 lens, which becomes a 42mm f/2.8 on my camera, despite having other primes and a couple of zooms. I, also, carry Sony RX100 Mark V (24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 variable Leitz lens) point and shoot, for quick B&Ws.
At the moment, the 40mm focal length is very trendy... You can find 40mm lenses or equivalent in apsc or m4/3 in camera manufacturers like Nikon, OM System, Panasonic, Ricoh, etc.
Yup - I’m 30mm 50mm and 85mm prime lenses in full frame terms. I think that’s pretty much perfect for street photography. Much prefer these small lenses to zooms. I zoom with my feet during street work. If I need to change. I can do so quickly….these are small, light, lenses.
Excellent suggestions! I currently use the 16mm and the 27mm on Fuji. I find the 16 is great when you're in areas where backing up is not an option but you still want to capture most of the scene. Sometimes the 27mm is a little to tight for the shot that I want to get. I also have the 40 and 50mm on my Nikon system, but I find that they're very difficult to work with for anything street since they're basically portrait lenses on APS-C, but occasionally I do take them for a spin.
Great video, Roman! I consider myself a shy photographer and I prefer to keep a certain distance from my subjects. But I live in Porto, where the historical city center is covered with very narrow streets. You've been here, you know it haha. I shoot with Fuji, so a 50mm (75mm equivalent) makes it almost impossible to capture a full scene, more often than not. I found the 35mm (50mm equivalent) to have the best balance for me. Good enough to keep a certain distance or even capture some details, but still wide enough to capture more context if needed. I do intend to buy a XF 23mm F2 in the near future though.
Great video Roman, what's your view on the Fuji 27mm pancake lens, I have it in my collection and enjoy using it. I have both the 23 and 35 in F2, great lenses.
I would really really love to see 18mm f2 WR! Does anyone think that maybe we will see it in future? I would love to have 18mm f1.4 and 33mm f1.4, but 18mm f2 WR and 35mm f2 WR for traveling would be best for me
I grew up in the film era and traveled the world during my college days with my Nikon Photomic FTn with 3 primes: the 24 f 2.8, 50 f 1.4 and 105 f 2.5 and a few dozen rolls of Kodachrome 64 and Tri-X Pan. Back then, the rule was that for maximum versatility with fixed focal length lenses, in ascending order of focal length, each one should be about double the focal length of the nearest wider one. This kit was perfect for me, although I wished I had a 300 or 400mm tele also. I also owned the 35mm f 1.4, which was one of Nikon's sharpest lenses. Didn't care for it and hardly ever used it. I don't like the 35mm focal length. If I wanted wide angle, the 24 is much more dynamic and immersive. If I wanted to focus on people, the slightly wide angle of the 35 produced unwanted perspective exaggeration. It never gave me images worth printing. What I learned in all those years is that I see in certain focal lengths and not others. The 24 was pure magic to me. Had it on my camera almost 50% of the time and most of my best images were taken with that. The 50 and 105 split the balance. In my opinion, if you have a 28, the 35 is too close to it to make a meaningful difference to justify carrying both. If you have a 50, an 85 is too close. On the other hand, if you like the 35, then an 85 would make an almost ideal combo. Now I have a Fuji XT-3. I have the 16 f 1.4 (of course), the 35 f 2, 33 f 1.4 and a couple of zooms: the 16-80 and 55-200 (soon to be replaced with the 70-300). The 16-80 is a really nice zoom, eminently versatile. But I simply can't unsee the images produced by the 16 and 33, especially great for low light. So I'm teetering on leaving the 16-80 home and stuffing the 16, the 33 and the 70-300 in my Billingham bag when I go with the family to Greece and Africa this summer. Finally, I could never understand why Fuji made a 50 for crop sensor. Many rave about them, but for me, there is no point to a 75-ish mm lens. Again, too close to a normal 50 but not tele enough for flattering head and shoulder portraits of adult faces, or wide enough for general shooting. It is neither here nor there. My advice is to pick focal length that capture scenes the way your mind's eye see them.
I have the 40mm pancake lens. You could see it as a halfway compromise between a 35mm and a 50mm, but to me it stands on its own as an excellent focal length, and is exactly what I like. Plus it's super lightweight. Definitely my favourite lens!
I'd love a good quality 40, but for my canon FF it's too close to my 16-35 and 50 prime to justify and my compact run around micro four thirds, the option for 40mil is excellent for sharpness but the reviews on the AF were so bad I decided not to risk it especially for street/photojournalism style shooting. I agree though that 40 seems like a really good focal length that compromises a natural field of view with a natural rendering of proportions.
Yes, there are too few 40mm full frame equivalent lenses out there. But those that have them swear by them. I have a Kamlan 28mm f1.4 ( = 42mm full frame) and its great.
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Quick point I forgot to mention. All focal lengths in this video are in full frame terms. That way you can work out for yourself depending on your system.
so, talking in Fuji's APSC size, your suggestions are 18, 23 and 35 mm right?
@@OverPaul Yep, that's right.
I was about to tell you this! Great video Roman. Thanks to your videos I've happily changed from a Canon EOS R (with heavy and expensive zooms) to a Fuji XE4 first, now just bought an XT4 which will be paired with my 18-55 + 35, all barely over 1kg and amazing quality.
I was about to ask that! Thanks for the clarification!
@@JoseAntonioRomeroH did you get the f2 or f1.4?
As you have said on more than one occasion, "not everyone is comfortable with up close and personal lenses", but the 23mm f2 Fuji was my first and only current prime. I love it and on the street xt3 with 23mm and very minimal kit gives the impression of a tourist and people pay very minimal attention to what I'm doing. It does really help subconsciously to bolster my confidence. Great video again Roman, keeping it real, thanks mate.
For me 35mm works better. Best all rounder
Im definitely a 85mm guy! Here in athens the streets have way to much "noise" and the 85mm helps me to compose only what is necessary. And i love to pair that prime with a 17-50 lens. Loved the video
Too many people avoid the longer focal lengths. Longer lengths bring everything to you.
I visited Athens on my honeymoon this May! It was absolutely stunning. Of course we mainly saw Athens tourist areas but we really enjoyed the energy of the city. We actually visited the week before the elections so there were all kinds of demonstrations and parades, it was incredible.
One thing we both noticed is that the mopeds/motorcycles will squeeze into absolutely anywhere where there is space for them to go. It's totally different to the U.K. attitude and actually quite refreshing. There's a lot of trust involved and noone argued or shouted.
I didn't think of using a short telephoto, in fact I purchased the 16mm f/2.8 (24mm equiv.) in order to ensure I could fit everything in if my X100V wasn't wide enough.
Such a short and simple comment has inspired me to think longer in focal range, thank you!
I’ve seen more than one of these “which primes should you choose” videos. This one is easily the best. Paired with your excellent images, it was a joy to watch.
Thanks Roman, another great video.
For years I was a 28, 35, and 50mm guy. Perfect. But, carrying three lenses was getting a bit much (plus another issue which I will cover below).
I found a great solution. I now carry two Voigtländer lenses. 21mm and the 28mm (stick with me, it will make sense soon). The 21mm = 31.5mm FF equivalent. This now covers the original 28 and 35mm with literally half a step either forwards or backwards when composing. The 28mm = 42mm FF equivalent which again, with a step forward or back when composing, now covers me for the 35mm and 50mm. See, whilst carrying three lenses was annoying, it wasn’t my main issue. My issue was feeling like I always wanted to swap out lenses when I came across a scene (too tight or too wide). However, in both of these instances, I now feel like I am right in between and can make the images work more often without feeling like swapping out lenses. Even swapping between these two lenses is rare because most often, a location will generally be fairly spread out so I reach for the 28mm, or they might be super tight compact streets and I reach for the 21mm. Then, they generally stay on the body for the entire walk/shoot! I know this isn’t for everyone, but it has changed my world for the better.
Thanks again for your inspiration Roman. ✌️
Lmao just buy a Sigma 15-50 or 18-50 with F2.8 fixed
@@prithvim7The video was about primes, and my reply was some real world experience to add to the discussion. But all good bro. Keep zooming with your 15-50 👍
@@danfarmer_photo is it? Good.
Keep swapping meanwhile 😁
@@prithvim7Keep trolling.
@@danfarmer_photo lmao I have never seen someone being this butt hurt over a lense suggestion,
Tip 1:be respectful first to get respect from others.
That said I'm done here
Good discussion. I like the 35 + 85 couple. The 35 has always been my favorite.
For me the 75mm (50mm cropped) is so far my fave. Being a slight introvert who does not enjoy invading peoples spaces it's the perfect focal length. Not too far and not too close. Since the Fuji one is a bit on the expensive side, I got myself a cheap little TTArtisan F1.2 for 120 Euros and it's now my new favorite. It's fully manual and boy is it FUN!!! It reinvigorated my passion for photography.
I too purchased the TTartisan 50 f1.2 to replace my Fuji 50 f2. For the price, it’s an unbelievably good lens with a great focus ring for easy manual focusing.
Moving from the kit zoom lens that came with my X-T3 into prime lenses was a significant turning point in my appreciation of photography. Initially started with a 35mm, but ultimately fell in love with a 50mm that I use for street photography. Thanks Roman for helping guide me towards this setup.
For street photography I just put on my Tamron 28-200mm which covers all the focal lengths mentioned in this video and beyond. And it’s very good optically as well.
All focal lengths, but no fun
Well I used 35 , 50 , 85 , and more but recently I bought a 25 mm 7Artisans for my Fuji and I am using it so much it’s very nice and good to use on the Streets
It’s very important for any Street Photographer to use multiple prime lenses because each one will improve his skills specially when it comes to find a good composition
Thank You for the video man keep shooting and keep sharing
It’s always good checking out your videos
Thank You again …
This is the best description I've seen about the look and feel of the photos you end up making with a given prime lens, rather than any technical aspect. I found it really helpful.
Thanks for this review. It's a constant battle over which lenses to pack with you and which to leave behind. I've found that you simply have to be prepared to miss a few shots, no matter what when you are shooting primes. Instead, focus on the pics you can get with the kit you have with you. On the other hand, that's why zooms were invented.
Just started street photography and really appreciate your expertise including the comments listed below. So grateful👍
Thanks for the video.
Over the decades, I have used the following focal length prime lenses as my one-lens solution on full-frame cameras for shooting street, photojournalism, vacation, and travel:
21mm
24mm
28mm
35mm
40mm
45mm
50mm
55mm
For my subject matter and my shooting style, the 35mm is my personal favorite.
For a three-lens combo, I usually flank my 35mm with a 24mm or a 21mm on the wide side and an 85mm or 90mm on the telephoto side.
Great to meet you today, Roman. Really nice to chat and it’s ironic that this video covered much of what we spoke about. Hope I didn’t stop you getting any shots today lol. Really enjoyed seeing how you and Mark work, especially with different styles. All the best. Tony
likewise mate thanks for saying hello
I've just swapped my 56mm f1.2 for the 50mm f2 as I wasn't really using the 56mm. Wow what a fantastic lens the 50mm is. I'm blown away by the sharpness even wide open and it's a lot faster at focusing compared to the 56mm. Obviously it also has the weather sealing. I haven't had chance to use it for Street yet but it'll be a fantastic addition to my kit alongside the 35mm f2
Did the same thing and no regrets. The 50 f2 works great for street, too. Nice compression and you don’t have to stick your lens up people’s noses😀
Great video. My thoughts are almost exactly inline with yours. I’ve been shooting street since around 2014 and have tried all four primes that you mentioned at one time or another. My go to is a 23/24 on crop sensor and 35 on full frame. I feel this gives me the look and feel that I set out to achieve.
Although not ideal, most people have a kit lens. I usually suggest that they go out and shoot with it for a couple weeks to a month. Review your photos and see what photo lengths you tend to migrate to naturally. Then get a prime close to what you shoot the most.
Now I understand why I so love my Fuji XF 18-55mm f/2,8-4 R LM OIS, and use it only on 18 or 55 🤣.
Thank you very much Roman 🤗👏👍
Thank you Roman for this clear and useful video.
I shoot street and have all the focal lengths you mentions and some more...
Personally I especially love the dynamic feel of the 28mm that makes the spectator feel inside the scene. But I also adore Alex Webb with his 35mm and Bresson with his 50mm.
There's room for all.
I have watched many videos on this topic and this has be the most clear, to the point, and well explained of them all.
Thanks for this video. My Kit-lens makes now so much more sense and your explanation makes it so mich easier to choose now the right focal length.
A lot of your photos in this video are absolutely amazing!
Canon 10-18 adapted lens to a XT3 is a great choice, gives you about 16 to 28 focal length with Fotodiox adapter......for the wide world. Small, lightweight setup. Use Canon 50mm 1.8 STM to get the 75 mm focal length, again with the adapter. Very light. What do you think?
85mm F1.4 was my first prime lens. being the "disconnected" lens it makes a lot of sense why it ended up being my favorite with how I see/feel myself among people.
I would most always choose my X-E4 with the 23/2.0 - well done, Roman. I admire your photos.
Cheers! Oh yeah that’s a solid set up
@@snapsbyfox btw - do you use polarizing filters? should I get one for the 23mil? I'm using it on other lenses like the 16-80 wich I also take with me on holidays, but I've never used one in the 23...
How I picked the best lenses for my street photography on my first try as a total beginner, follow this guide carefully: I bought a lens I was advised blindly, not even knowing what focal length is when I asked a beginner friend what to buy for photography, and I bought another one but bought the wrong one. Too broke to even send back I did with what I had, and I've never felt the desire to change ever since. Those are a 17mm and a 45mm for mFT (both f1.8). It works specifically because I didnt have a choice, and dealt two complementing lenses that don't tread over each other. One lens for a specific shot and not the other depending on what u want to achieve.
Even now that I'm moving to APS-C, I'm scouring the web to find the most similar lenses in every aspects because I dun need anything else and they have become core to my photographer's eye. It's been 4 years now. I might add a longer focal length to enable that adds smth significant to my photography that my 45 can't achieve rn. But that's all. Might not even use it that much
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments Roman.... Although I am only a hobbyist I have the 35 & 50mm & yes they are great to use..
I also have & use a 12-24mm Tokina lens which can be useful in tight areas such as narrow lanes... recently I was shooting graffiti in a very narrow lane & the 12-24mm was perfect.... cheers from Australia 😀
I have been using a Nikon D7200 for landscape for a few years now (and love it!), and picked up an XT3 two years ago as a lockdown treat (thanks season ticket refund!), purely to use for street (I’m adamant it won’t replace my D7200!).
To help restrict me with it I decided only to use primes with it. First lens I went for was the 23mm (APS-C obvs), which I really liked but found sometimes I wanted something a little narrower. So I added a 35mm to my kit and well, I’ve not looked back. I absolutely love it and found it perfect for detail shots and for a bit of context (as you say, needing to step back a bit at times). Lately I’ve been mulling the longer 50mm, but for now I’m finding the 23mm and 35mm absolutely perfect for my needs.
I’ve been using the 85mm and 50mm range for about 2 years now. Just recently have I started to use the 35mm range and it’s quite a pleasing perspective in my opinion
I have a Sigma 28-70mm 2.8. Its a fantastic range lens and takes crisp shots, but My Sigma 85mm 1.4 just came today, so excited to use it this weekend.
Excellent video, I have recently got my first prime lens, NIKKOR 35mm 1.8G, love it to bits, totally agree with you reasoning. Keep going my friend, love your work..
Thanks. I’m relatively new to photography but have always been the one to find beauty when walking around town and/ or hiking through nature. I’ve decided to treat myself to the X-T5 and can firmly say that you’ve helped me dial in a decision on my first primes.
I’m going with the 23 and 35 mm f2 lenses (35/ 50 equiv). I was torn between the 16-55 zoom and getting a few primes, but I really like the idea of having a smaller form factor because I travel so much. I also like the WR that the F2 lens provides and don’t feel like I’d get much use out of the extra stop of the f1.4 lenses.
I really love the 28-35 range and appreciate the 50mil.
When I bought my xpro3 I bought the 23 to have that 35mm eq that I like. I also bought a Mitakon 35mm to have a 50mm eq.
But lately, thanks to you and Eren and after hesitating for more than a year I acquired the xt4 and I really, really been enjoying having the 35mm eq and the 75mm eq by adapting my Pentax 50mm 1.7.
It's really fun to have 2 cameras with the almost extreme opposite focal lengths.
The 75 eq is pushing me to see, or rather pay more attention to things I would usually ignore with a 28-35 eq because of the "maah, too far, can't reach" effect.
That let me think of the "perfect trio", Fuji x100v, xpro3 with a 75mm eq and xt4 with a stabilized 16-50 for video.
I have to go, I need to write a letter to Santa Claus.
Thanks Roman. Nice concise and thoughtful analysis. As an interesting option is the Tamron 20-40 mm 2.8, for if you switch it to APS-c mode, you can get up to 60 mm.
The Tamron SP 20-40 is a fantastic lens.
I mostly use my 85 mm and I got a 35 mm. I mostly shoot street, but also sometimes landscape. But 85 mm is my go to for street photos, I can get some nice details without being in the scene feeling anxious about my present with a camera on top of ppl.
That's a good point of having a 35mm lens in your bag. That makes my decision of going for x100v much more easier ☺️☺️. Great video 👍
i feel the 35mm(ff) 23mm (apsc) is the best (not perfect) focal for street. i enjoy shooting 23mm on my fuji. its pretty versatile for wide shots and close up shots. i have many great shots and i think most street shooters should definitely start with this focal length.
Roman asking the RIGHT questions 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
hey, landscape photographer here, and there is a similar kind of discussion to have about what focal length you'd use compared to street.
By going with your standards : 28mm for wide shots, 35mm for general purpose, 50mm for detail shots :
For landscapes, the scales are not the same, you need to capture elements that are much bigger and much further away. I'm doing landscapes on hikes mostly, and there I have my two "modes". I'm either going to take a picture of something far away, like a full landscape, mountain, what ever, or I'm going to take the picture of something I'm coming by when I'm walking. For the latter, well it isn't much different than street : my general purpose lens is a 35 (23f2 on my Fuji) and a 50 (35f2). I sometimes happen to get out my 85mm if I want to get a detail a bit further away, but that kind of lens is not as important I think (at least I clearly don't use it as much).
If you want to photograph something big and far away, then you'll need two types of lenses that are extremes to what we've been using before. Sure, your 35 and 50 equiv can still work to an extent, but you're not going to get images nearly as striking to the viewer. My first lens is an ultra wide angle, generally 18 or 20mm to be sure to get all the scenes. I'm generally carrying around a 12-24 zoom, but since it's quite big and bulky I sometimes take panos that I then stitch together with my 35 equiv. For details shots though, the 50, even sometimes the 85 aren't enough in my experience. Here, I get out the 135mm equiv (either a 90mm f2 on a Fuji, or a VIltrox 85 f1.8), this kind of lens will get you very striking images about specific details in the landscape. Sure, you could take a 70-200 with you, but I would not recommend it on a hike as the lighter you go the better you are and the 70mm end of the lens is not very useful while the 200mm is sometimes too zoomed in for my taste.
@Shawn McCrimmon I would definetly advise you to look at a 85/90mm lens. The Viltrox one is a very good value. I'd also recommend you try out some things like 85mm equiv like 56/55mm lenses (if you have a zoom lens, try it) to see if that's the compression you're going for. For me it wasn't enough and the 200mm equiv was too zoomed in, I found the 135 equiv to be kind of a sweet spot
Hi Roman. Your video on choosing a prime focal length was a great one for me. I have a Fuji XT30 with the XF 16 mm F2.8 and XF35 mm F2 primes, also the 18-55 mm zoom lens.
I have been thinking of buying a used XF 23 mm lens, but wondered if it would be overkill with those lenses.
I wasn't sure too, if the XF 27 mm would be better for than the XF 23mm and I Iike the idea of that lens being so tiny. I'll probably still get the 23 mm, but wondered what you may think about the 27 mm instead. Thanks for your thoughts and of course your videos and they are always very informative for us.
One advantage the wider lenses have is that you can zone focus them more easily so you can react quickly if you need to. I mostly use a 50 though, just like the look.
Great video! Well organized, well presented, lots of information and examples. You gave very human aspects to a very technical topic, both from the photographer’s and viewer’s perspectives. Your photos were really good and I could clearly see your talking points illustrated in them.
Thanks for this detailed insight into the different types of prime lenses. I have been looking at the 35mm and your video has just confirmed it. Cheers.
I rarely do street photography, but I do enjoy your work and videos. With that being said the zooms todays are very close to the optics in the primes covered by the zooms. I would be interested in knowing why you prefer primes over the zooms, say 24-70 f2.8 or 24-105 f4?
Be the only time I want to see someone's holiday snaps. 👌 .
Lovely shots.
Good evening Roman. I'm interested in many things, mainly watersports, but since one year more or less photography as well. How ever, you're the only one I'm following. I think you are doing really great and you're a good guy. I would like to ask you something: Last year I bought a Fuji X-T5 in black/silver bicolor in a 16-80 Kit. Now I would like to buy my first prime. I'm swinging between the Fuji XF 23mm f/2 R WR and the XF 35mm f/2 R WR both in silver. Which one would you recommend to me for street photography? I want to own only one tele and one prime. So if you're talking about the 50mm, I should buy the XF 35mm f/2 R WR fur my X-T5, right? Kind regards Giulio
I quite like using both 24 and 35mm full frame or full frame equivalent field of view. 85mm for portraits, close or mid distance. 35mm is my most used prime lens. Least used is 50mm.
To be clear, are you talking about these focal lengths on a cropped of full frame sensor? A 28mm on my Z6 would turn into a 42 on your Fuji. So to get the same effect as you I would use a 35 or 40.
Hey Roman, nicely done. Question: Do you still shoot mostly with your f2 primes or have you been very much smitten with the 33mm f1.4?
I sold all my f2 primes... honestly part of me regrets it due to how compact they were and I miss that. However the new f1.4 lenses specifically the 33 and 18 are just so much nicer with regards to video AF as well as low light capability. Also they are sharper so my 18 can be cropped to 23 and 33 to 50... so to me they are worth it although I really miss the small form factor
@@snapsbyfox Thanks for the info. I would like to have the 33 and 18 as well, but as an amateur they are just not affordable at this point. Maybe it's time to look for things around the house to sell!! :-) Have a great day.
@@snapsbyfox I think the 18/33 combo and the x100v is the perfect kit, specially if Fuji releases a higher megapixel camera soon.
Great, great thought about considerations and priorities! I agree on the wide angle when doing street photography. People don't seem to know they are in frame. Often times I do aim at something not wanted, maybe up high in a building (not taking a picture). Take a fake look at the LCD screen, and then pop it up and get the people in the frame. By that time I think people think they are not the subject, and if paying attention they think I don't know what I'm doing. Well that part could be true ;)
My camera is Sony A7R4, I have these lens: FE 20/1.8 G, FE 35/1.4 GM, FE 85/1.4 GM and other lens. If I take street shot, I’ll carry two prime lens, such as 35mm & 85 mm, or 20 mm & 85 mm.
Great breakdown of focal lengths and why. Always good to to hear other’s opinions and reevaluate how we are shooting. Bye the way, what brand is the sling bag you had in the video? Stay well.
bellroy sling mini but I just ordered a bigger one so I can bring an extra prime
Great video! These are the 4 lenses I have owned and used for years. Don‘t need more. Stay well!
I am in Bursa at the moment and had only the X-T3 and XF 16-55mm with me. Amazing camera and lens, amazing for everything except street photography. I did buy the X100V at the Fuji Shop, 600 euro price difference in Europe. It’s the most beautiful and amazing travel camera I used so far. I did some street photography at the bazaar and the 35mm is perfect. I also made some great portraits, documentary, architecture, landscape and night photography pictures.
I started out with a 50mm, but soon realized that I wanted something a bit wider. I settled with a 35mm, and I am very happy with it and take it more out than my zoom lens.
Really enjoy and appreciate your reviews. Answers all my questions thoroughly and your photography is incredible - very inspiring.
I love going ultrawide and fast, like 20mm equivalent wide, to get that shallow depth of field and very wide angle or a 50-85 to pick out those details. However since the sigma 18-50 released my bag is down to the viltrox 13 1.4, the og 35 1.4 (mainly for low light/indoor or when I want to go film recipe and bake in some additional character) and the sigma 18-50. Allows me to travel very light, handle all lighting conditions, go weather sealed if I need it and reach basically every focal length I want for day to day landscape/travel/street.
Excellent video thx 🙏😎 as beginner great to hear how photographers actually use/think about each focal length
I shoot an EOS M quite a bit and like the 22mm (35mm equivalent) I also shoot the MJU II quite a bit which is also a 35mm. I do like to shoot a 28mm on an X700 for wide street shooting.
As someone who has the 23mm (35mm) as my first prime, I agree with your point that this is a good starter lens if you're not sure what you like to shoot yet. Now I'm using the 56mm (85mm) and I think i'm in the category who enjoys this focal length. I love the compression it gives and I notice myself being more creative with my shots because I have to work with a pretty tight field of view. But I'm sure if i hadn't come from a wider lens I woudn't have this mindset.
I had to sell my Fuji kit and only keep a Ricoh GR3. I wasn’t a fan of 28mm because I’m sort of introverted and feel quite intimidated by walking close to people. But after shooting exclusively with this focal length for about half a year I became a fan of it, if you get the composition right you can get some really interesting shots.
Still saving up to buy another Fuji kit with the 3 new primes. But I totally agree that each focal length has its own use case and I really had a lot of fun shooting at different focal lengths, but I guess I need to find a balance between enjoying taking photos and gear acquisition syndrome.
Great overview with reasons why these lenses should be considered for one's kit.
When I’m in a city where theres not much going on, an 85 or 50mm really does the job focusing on nice details and creating creative images. I do feel like the wider (35mm) does give a more standard look which often leads (my opinion) to more boring/standard photos unless the composition is really good.
How dare you insult the 35mm it is beyond repraoch :D
Here here! Damn pervert with your 85mm long lens sticking out! Put that beast away, have some decency and use a 28. Grab some nice normal iPhone looking shots 😂
@@JHurrenPhotography 😂😂😂
on second thought that is a really nice tip. I find that I focus on the scene when I use 35mm and on the colors and shapes when using the 50. I also really liked yanking my kit zoom to 75mm, now that I think about it ...
Very well done video making good use of photos to illustrate your points. The Fuji 23f2 (35mm equivalent) has been my go to lens for street photography for almost 2 years. I had decided to get the 50f2, but your video has got me thinking about the 35f2 or the new 33f1.4.
I’ve had the same dilemma some time a go. And now I have a 23 mm f2 and a 35 mm f2. I love that combination, Here’s why… ruclips.net/video/ImFXpyAA1b8/видео.html
X100V is 23mm, 35mm equivalent I know, but its not 35 its 23.
As far as 50s go, if you ever dig in to adapted lenses, its about 90% 50-58mm lenses.
The 85 is pretty well known as a portrait lens.
It works great on head and shoulder shots.
Some of the 85mm (and 56mm equivalents) are just the best glass I've used.
Hi Roman. I've got a bit of a dilemma... My current line-up is: Sony G 20mm, Zeiss 55, Viltrox 85 f/1.8 (which I actually use for street) and the new 70-200 f/4. I'm wondering whether I should add a 35mm prime (the GM from Sony is such a sweet lens) or... a zoom from Tamron (28-75 g2, which is great, too) Any thoughts? I shoot mainly landscapes, street, and candid portraits.
Really great perspective on different focal lengths. I really enjoyed this video.
Thank you for this informative video. I was thinking about getting a prime lease or two for my street photography. And your description of each lens has convinced me to not buy any prime lenses at this time. I would never carry two cameras and dislike changing lenses. I would have to change them too often to get the variety of shots which I take. After viewing your videos I think I would find being stuck with one lens at a time in the camera too be too restrictive. Like being boxed in. I guess I am too use to zoom lenses. Currently using a Nikon P950, which allows me to take photos of people from two city blocks away. Not to mention shots of animals, birds without scarring them away. I tend to shoot what see, both distant and close up. Again, thanks for the video.
Roman, great video as always. I've noticed that you also visited Japan often. I am heading to Tokyo end of March. As a photo enthusiast, I will be bringing my XF16-80. However, being that its widest aperture is at F4.0, I am thinking of bring one additional prime lens for lower light/night photography I have the XF23mm F2.0 (just like the one you used in this video), the 30mm F2.8 macro, and also the 56mm F1.2. What would be your recommendation? Would the long focal length of 56mm be too limiting? Any recommendation will be highly appreciated. Thanks.
Fabulous photos. Thanks for sharing. I do need to get braver at going out with just a 35Mm.
Great video. For me, if I’m only carrying one prime, it’s gonna be the 40mm equiv pancake. I’ll toss the camera in my jacket or a tote bag and I’m good to go. If I’m bringing an extra prime, I’ll pack the 28 and 50 equiv combo and pack in my super compact HEX Ranger Mini, which is perfect for just the camera and an extra prime.
To keep decisions simple, If I’m with friends/family or in narrow streets, the 28 will be the one mounted on my body. If I’m doing street photography alone, I know I don’t like to get as close to people, then the 50 is the one to start with.
The x100v is calling though, wondering if I’d swap the 40mm for it.
Great points instead of pixels! You said a lot positives about 28, eg nothing coming close to that when it comes to involving the viewer to the scene etc. Any particular reason why you'd think 24 wouldn't do this even stronger?
I've got the Fuji XF 18-55mm f2.8-4 for multipurpose (28-85 approx) + 35mm (50mm equivalent) F1.4 for specific circumstances. I surely could have an additional 16 or 55 with wider aperture, but sincerely this cover all my needs.
40mm 1.8 superglued to weather seal and welded to camera works well too, or so I've heard.
Excellent video, very well presented. Just been advised as I type this that my new Fuji 23 f1.4 Lm WR has just been shipped Express Post. I also have the 35 mm f2, but bought it used when I first got into Fiji equipment. F1.4 would have been nice, but budget was lacking back then.Now if i could sell my 35 f2...........
I like the 50mm equivalent for the most natural compression look of the photo. But I also like the wider 35mm equivalent. I am waiting for fuji to make a good 40-42mm equivalent f2 lens to the same quality as the 50ish equivalent (35 f2)
Hi mate, I love your videos but I do believe you need the 23 mm 35 mm equivalent. It's just classic and it works and if you want to improve your photography you do need that lens because it gives you a focal length that makes you work for the shot. It's not perfect. You have to move back and forwards, low high, but it gives you that classic look that will improve your photography. He's just my opinion and I'm a professional photographer in Australia but I just don't have a fancy RUclips channel
Really good video. Very good commentary on the perspectives of the various focal lengths. I totally agree with your assessment of the 35mm. It is all I use at the moment. I can usually get everything I want quite easily.
I still shoot on my digital with my kit lens which goes from 18 to 45 and love to shoot with the 45mm.
Good overview. I buy an 85mm for every system I get into, and they always collect dust on my shelf. I just can’t get my head around it. And I’m not at all opposed to telephoto street photography, recently been playing with a 120mm equivalent.
For those interested in 85mm, check out the 1970s work of Frank Horvat in the book “Side Walk”.
If conditions permit you can pano/stitch with the 50 and crop into that for a wider look 👍 So many carry foto-phones these days. I'd 1st chose a 50mm on a camera and also take the cellfone. Using both I'd get to see my preference in the EXIF data afterwards. Not sure why but I see the world at 50mm; that's when the connections start.
I would agree that a 35mm prime is probably the most useful for most people. If you wish you had a wider lens, try a 24mm. If you wish you had a longer lens, try a 50mm. Anything wider than a 24mm and you are specifically looking for that wide angle point of view. Anything longer than a 50mm and I would probably go for a 70-200mm zoom.
85mm for street photos in London was a revelation. Also good if you’re feeling a little shy at the start of a photo walk
Been loving your clips mate, thoughts on the 27mm, I like for street on the xt4 makes for a compact setup, and sits between the 35-50
Great advice. Been an amateur who has had some stuff published and helped out at weddings etc. Have personally found (coming from the film era) that using two cameras (Fuji XPRO 3's) with a 16mm and a 50mm on the other seems to be my best. Coming from an era where variable ISO wasn't an option have found the old system re quick choice works as the Fuji' s are so light even being an oldie at 74.
As always, another great video. Maybe the next time you are visiting NY or NJ, you can have a Meet-up. I'm sure you'll get a good turn out.
I have an X-T1, and some Artisan prime and a Nikkor zoom from my Nikon analogue SLR, so I use an adapter for it. I find myself using the zoom more. More versatile. I like zoomed in for some cases, but some times, wider is better for something different. For street ph, you never know what you'll come across
Since I have ditched my old Nikon FM2s, in favor of a Nikon Z50, I decided to split the difference between a 35mm and a 50mm by using Nikon's Z 28mm f/2.8 lens, which becomes a 42mm f/2.8 on my camera, despite having other primes and a couple of zooms. I, also, carry Sony RX100 Mark V (24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 variable Leitz lens) point and shoot, for quick B&Ws.
Great content Roman, and your 85mm pictures are top nothc. Keep it up mate ;)
At the moment, the 40mm focal length is very trendy... You can find 40mm lenses or equivalent in apsc or m4/3 in camera manufacturers like Nikon, OM System, Panasonic, Ricoh, etc.
Yup - I’m 30mm 50mm and 85mm prime lenses in full frame terms. I think that’s pretty much perfect for street photography. Much prefer these small lenses to zooms. I zoom with my feet during street work. If I need to change. I can do so quickly….these are small, light, lenses.
When you say, 35 mm, is it in full frame or Fuji’s APSC? For a 35mm, do I have to look at the 23mm f2?
Sorry, I did not see your clarification.
Excellent suggestions! I currently use the 16mm and the 27mm on Fuji. I find the 16 is great when you're in areas where backing up is not an option but you still want to capture most of the scene. Sometimes the 27mm is a little to tight for the shot that I want to get. I also have the 40 and 50mm on my Nikon system, but I find that they're very difficult to work with for anything street since they're basically portrait lenses on APS-C, but occasionally I do take them for a spin.
Great video, Roman! I consider myself a shy photographer and I prefer to keep a certain distance from my subjects. But I live in Porto, where the historical city center is covered with very narrow streets. You've been here, you know it haha.
I shoot with Fuji, so a 50mm (75mm equivalent) makes it almost impossible to capture a full scene, more often than not. I found the 35mm (50mm equivalent) to have the best balance for me. Good enough to keep a certain distance or even capture some details, but still wide enough to capture more context if needed.
I do intend to buy a XF 23mm F2 in the near future though.
Thanks. Don’t forget you can always rent a lens before buying to see if you like it or not.
Great video Roman, what's your view on the Fuji 27mm pancake lens, I have it in my collection and enjoy using it. I have both the 23 and 35 in F2, great lenses.
I would really really love to see 18mm f2 WR!
Does anyone think that maybe we will see it in future?
I would love to have 18mm f1.4 and 33mm f1.4, but 18mm f2 WR and 35mm f2 WR for traveling would be best for me
I grew up in the film era and traveled the world during my college days with my Nikon Photomic FTn with 3 primes: the 24 f 2.8, 50 f 1.4 and 105 f 2.5 and a few dozen rolls of Kodachrome 64 and Tri-X Pan. Back then, the rule was that for maximum versatility with fixed focal length lenses, in ascending order of focal length, each one should be about double the focal length of the nearest wider one. This kit was perfect for me, although I wished I had a 300 or 400mm tele also. I also owned the 35mm f 1.4, which was one of Nikon's sharpest lenses. Didn't care for it and hardly ever used it. I don't like the 35mm focal length. If I wanted wide angle, the 24 is much more dynamic and immersive. If I wanted to focus on people, the slightly wide angle of the 35 produced unwanted perspective exaggeration. It never gave me images worth printing. What I learned in all those years is that I see in certain focal lengths and not others. The 24 was pure magic to me. Had it on my camera almost 50% of the time and most of my best images were taken with that. The 50 and 105 split the balance. In my opinion, if you have a 28, the 35 is too close to it to make a meaningful difference to justify carrying both. If you have a 50, an 85 is too close. On the other hand, if you like the 35, then an 85 would make an almost ideal combo. Now I have a Fuji XT-3. I have the 16 f 1.4 (of course), the 35 f 2, 33 f 1.4 and a couple of zooms: the 16-80 and 55-200 (soon to be replaced with the 70-300). The 16-80 is a really nice zoom, eminently versatile. But I simply can't unsee the images produced by the 16 and 33, especially great for low light. So I'm teetering on leaving the 16-80 home and stuffing the 16, the 33 and the 70-300 in my Billingham bag when I go with the family to Greece and Africa this summer. Finally, I could never understand why Fuji made a 50 for crop sensor. Many rave about them, but for me, there is no point to a 75-ish mm lens. Again, too close to a normal 50 but not tele enough for flattering head and shoulder portraits of adult faces, or wide enough for general shooting. It is neither here nor there. My advice is to pick focal length that capture scenes the way your mind's eye see them.
The 105mm f/2.5 was the “Afghan Girl” lens. I own a mint copy, it’s one of my treasures.
I have the 40mm pancake lens. You could see it as a halfway compromise between a 35mm and a 50mm, but to me it stands on its own as an excellent focal length, and is exactly what I like. Plus it's super lightweight. Definitely my favourite lens!
I'd love a good quality 40, but for my canon FF it's too close to my 16-35 and 50 prime to justify and my compact run around micro four thirds, the option for 40mil is excellent for sharpness but the reviews on the AF were so bad I decided not to risk it especially for street/photojournalism style shooting. I agree though that 40 seems like a really good focal length that compromises a natural field of view with a natural rendering of proportions.
Yes, there are too few 40mm full frame equivalent lenses out there. But those that have them swear by them. I have a Kamlan 28mm f1.4 ( = 42mm full frame) and its great.
Me too but 20mm 1.7 on micro four thirds Lumix gx7
I have the 40mm sigma for sony A7c Absolutely love it
I found the 35mm lens has made me a step back and think more in my photography