Solid straightforward advice. I shot with one 50mm macro prime for a decade when I stated with Nikon in 1971. I now shoot with a Fuji X-S10, a camera with a lot of professional capabilities. I am not a Professional. But I current own the XF23 mm f2. I have over 2000 image# and understand the camera very well. BUT I am traveling back to Europe again and now a zoom makes sense… more flexibility. Between visiting the Villages, Cities, mountain landscapes, train excursions the zoom in my opinion let’s me concentrate on relaxing with the confidence I have a lens that can adapt to my surroundings. I do not want to be bothered with changing lenses in an unknown encounter while traveling. While I have my 4 presets ready the zoom lens will only keep me loving photography on vacation. This summer I will shoot 1000+ clicks with the Zoom before heading out to London, Switzerland and France. Roman really appreciate your personal observations to photography. You do not preach but share some expectations from personal experiences. Especially true with primes and zoom lenses.
I often recommend people start with the 18-55 kit lens rather than spending on an X100. It's a solid lens and I will still hike/travel with it if I'm not exclusively shooting street. Great stuff Roman!
the X100v as a starter camera is a sure-fire way to put 99% of people off. It's hard to create that 'pro' look I.e. bokeh and compression and the camera will feel like an expensive point and shoot
Yeah, very true. I bought the X100T instead of a prime to also have a second body. I basically cannot hand it to "noobs", because they feel intimidated and always look for the zoom. :-D My zoom kit, however, is something where you can really go full auto and just hand it to anyone and also just focus solely on the actual photography and not what settings to use.
Completely agree- experienced photographers often ‘see’ in the focal length they are most used to shooting, where as if you are starting out you have no idea. It’s a similar argument to the shooting manual / automatic when starting, always choose the option that gives you the most flexibility to learn
@@michaels5166 Hey Michael- I completely disagree. There is a huge difference between the work a newbie produces (who doesn't know the rules) and someone who knows the rules and chooses to ignore them. Advice from stuff like YT videos gives you the capacity to learn what the actual rules are and where. I highly doubt that many people stumble on a Golden Ratio type composition and can just tell you what it is. So the advice is needed to give the understanding and framework to evaluate your own work against. and guide
@@JamesParsons1 Then YOU need to learn the difference between FACTS and advice,becausetbey are not one in the same.You can get FACTS from a person,video,or book,and then you can get outside,practice,and master things,yet advice is not facts,it's a personal OPINION,workflow.That advice can be tainted with total trash,or mixed in with some combination of accurate info,mixed in with nonsense.For example,there's a YT guy,who called himself 'reviewing; and giving advice about the Sony A1.He had NOT learned any mastery of the camera,and then went on a rant about the so called Sony menu issue,calling the camera stupid.I was like no,the camera aint stupid,you might be,because it doesnt take a damn scientist to figure out and customise a damn camera,Then he said it was overheating,yet no one else using it could confirm that.Then in another video,he said a Canon camera which is NOT out,was going to 'destroy' the Sony A1.This same dude had a so called 'debate' with another YTer,about JPEG vs RAW,as if we really had to choose,and also over the years,along with some other idiots,that DSLRs were 'dead',for like 10 years.So No,I want facts,to learn the accurate rules and science,and THEN,as I go along,and my skills get better,i break those rules and become a versatile shooter.So yeah,i say f-k advice,give me some real knowledge,even tips,based on FACTS...
Also if you're experienced and you know the focal lengths you most often use actually having a zoom might be more appropriate. I don't want to carry around a bag of 5 primes (and have to change between them) when I can get the same form one lens. I started off with only using primes and learning what I like, but been able to massively reduce my kit and take more photos as I don't need to change lenses or have multiple bodies between shots. Although I am a fan of the 200mm F/2 prime, but you can't get that in a zoom.
I've never personally seen things in any one focal length when using a set of primes. My eyes naturally take in the whole scene, and its details simultaneously. I would rather get the shot I want than to be left with nothing because zooming with my feet would mean running into traffic or something. The scene with the old man looking at the ship was a prime (no pun intended) example. Three different compositions I would see immediately that I can get without stepping in and out of pedestrian traffic, or looking obviously "out of place" as someone fidgeting around as much. It's all personal preference at the end of the day, but artists often get into this pocket of still saying there is a specific way of doing the same thing when most average viewers of your work aren't thinking about the body and lense used to produce it. It only matters to this degree to other photographers. Do good comedians write jokes for their 3 comedian friends in the back, or do they write them for the entire room, ya know?
Thanks for this advice. I found out that I like shooting with my 16-80mm for my street photography than my 33mm f1.4 which I bought specifically for street photography because I believed the hype about "35mm is the lens for street photography". I wish I had seen this video earlier, I would have bought the 18mm instead of the 33mm as I love more objects and information in my street photography.
I generally use primes for street photography. The zooms are fine during the daylight. But at night for street photography I’m absolutely using a fast prime. So it depends on the situation. I can use a 35mm on full frame and be fine for most or all street photography situations. And a 50mm would be my 2nd option.
Can’t agree more! My friend started with a 50mm prime, but after giving him my zoom for a bit, he sold his 50 and got an 85. Just start with a zoom and then get a good prime!
I completely agree. Bought the XF 35mm f2 lens (works great) but I've been using my 18-55 recently since I ignored it completely. Fuji zoom lenses are amazing! Don't sleep on them
Nice video Roman. I get the point your making re finding the focal length for you thru using a zoom. I agree with this for general photography. But for street I would argue that jumping straight in with either 35 or 28 will fast track your learning more than a zoom will. Thru constraints creativity can blossom. The focal length constraint starts to train your eye to that framing and makes you think and consciously move in or out to get the shot. It connects the all the limbs with the mind that a zoom may generally not unlock. Secondly is Zone focusing, which a prime is geared for. Training in zone / manual focusing with that one fixed lens from an early stage will help so much in the long term to very quickly get those decisive moments and again connect another part of your mind and body into the creative process.
I can not handle a zoom lens for to long; to heavy. I have several small, light primes and I just take another one for a while from time to time. I like that because it keeps me inspired . It's a challenge for me to get a good picture with just that one focal lenght I have with me on my camera. It's just fun!
Great video. I’m a zoom person mostly. Another issue that primes hold one back is the so called ‘Zoom with feet’. While technically incorrect term, this consumes more time and I have missed some of what I thought would be great shots because of this. By the time I set my composition, the subject is always gone.
Great advice. Part of why I got the XF50 f/2 was because after I had spent some time with the 18-55, I put the focal lengths I had been shooting in a spreadsheet and realized that ~50% of the shots I liked where at the high end of the zoom range. I still pop on the zoom or my XF23 f/2 (which was the first lens I purchased on recommendation from a friend) on occasion, but I'd never have realized how much I'd like the 50mm if not for the zoom.
I regularly shoot street and travel shots with a zoom and sometimes, I go out with my X100F and shoot with a prime all day. The constant put downs for zooms by photographers is bizarre, a lens is a tool not a life partner, use the one that makes you happy and does the job. Nice video btw.
Please keep your opinion to yourself and font generalise it to everybody. I work as a photographer coordinator in large music festivals around Europe and have worked with more than 500 photographers. Though it is true that the majority of them used zooms, many others were only using prime lenses. So stop stating that every single pro photographer is using zooms exclusively, this is utter BS.
@@DavidChurcheese then we also gotta stop the generalization that only amateurs or lazy people use zooms. Like the OC said, it's just a tool at the end of the day. Just get the job done that you were intending on.
For a while, I was completely against zoom lenses. Although I’m not a still photographer, I’m a filmmaker, just the thought of a zoom lens was not even a remote possibility for me, as my kit is filled with vintage lenses. But once I put a Sigma 28-70 on my camera, it was just so convenient. And I could pretty much get everything that I wanted all the time. Generally, I know what I want before I look at my camera. My camera is just a tool to reproduce what my head has decided I want to create. I still use my vintage lenses, but I have no problem at all using a zoom lens and it doesn’t alter the way I shoot at all. Sometimes it allows me to make these final adjustments that would be absolutely impossible with a prime lens. Sometimes the circumstance is so limiting that a zoom lens is the only answer. Sometimes. :-) Great video, thanks for sharing.
My reason to use a zoom had much more to do with my head than my photos. I found and, sometimes, still find it hard emotionally to get up close to strangers and get in their face to take a picture. A zoom allows me to be farther away on the start of the day and then get closer as my confidence increases
I'm a 50+ year photographer with some mobility issues which at times makes using a prime less appealing. I use a micro 4/3rds system with primes and zooms ranging from 7.5mm to 300mm but typically only carry 1 body and 1 lens. By far my most used lens is a 14-150mm (28-300 in 35mm terms). It's not top quality, but it's good enough for my needs.
I've traveled pretty extensively with an X100(s). As wonderful of a camera as it is, I found it very limiting. Personally, my two-lens kit is 35mm (crop) and something very wide. I found the 23mm exactly the wrong spot (for me). If I had to limit myself to one body and one lens I would definitely go with a zoom. It just covers so many more situations. Of course, if you are looking for a consistent, specific look, a prime is the way to go. Sometimes you can't "Zoom with your feet". As you mentioned, it changes the composition, not always for the better.
I totally agree. I think anyone’s preference boils down to: what photography style you like and how comfortable are you with being close/far from people. Going straight for a prime without knowing this will be a hit or miss. For me, for instance. I know that I feel comfortable using a 35mm equivalent with family and friends and in narrow spaces, but for everything else or shooting strangers in the street, I’d rather go 35 or 50.
Totally agree. A zoom o kit lens it´s perfect for street photography. I used to take street with 28mm. But I like experiment from time to time. I take my kit lens and choose a diferente focal lenth. 35mm, 40mm, 50mm even 85mm, and make photos every day with the same focal to explore a see the new results. That´s the way I saw that I prefer 28mm. Maybe in the future I can change my mind and find another favorite focal length, who knows. The advantages for me of a prime are the weight and the image quality over a zoom, but zooms work perfectly too.. The brightness of the lens is indifferent to me, I usually work between f5.6 and f1 for better focus. Exceptionally I have reached f2 with very low light, but I could live without it. It's the beauty of photography. Being able to experiment and discover what works best for you and what you like. For street i like 28mm and 85 mm over other focals. Another good exercise that I do sometimes is to photograph the same subject with all the focal points to compare the results. Regards
I recently switched systems from FX Nikon to Fujifilm. No regrets for street work. I got the 16-80 F4 lens and have thus far been very happy with performance - even when pressed into night service - the extra stops of OIS in the lens in tandem with the XT 4 IBIS work very well and make it on par with a non stabilised f2 (6 stops? - not so sure in real world but true if you can use a wall and strap type physical stabilisation as well - very clean, sharp images). For night work, for now, I will use this zoom lens when wet or my Nikon Primes attached to a cheap but apparently well made Urth adapter collar in drier conditions. The colour rendition and character of my old 50mm f1.4 and 35mm f2 have been a pleasant surprise and I really don't miss auto focus when I am taking my time and concentrating on the right location and shot at night. I am usually in the right zone when the choice subject appears and just tweak the focus ring whilst burst shooting. Good focus pulling technique from pro - DV cam work back in the nineties makes manual focus second nature - it's a skill worth pursuing and can be very efficient. Thanks for your great videos - the street scene is alive and well and your observation about the huge travel industry and it's appetite for fresh images is something to think about. Your best work is excellent and I enjoy scouting the videos for the shots that really tell a story.
Totally agree. Just to add something, “zooming with ones feet” on a prime doesn’t really makes sense to me ‘cause walking closer with a 24mm (for example) won’t give you an equivalent look of a 50mm, it just looks like a 24mm shot closer. Nor if you walk back on a 50mm does it give you 24mm equivalent. There are certain looks to different focal lengths.
I actually ended up selling my 35 after buying the 16-80, but man do I regret selling that lens. I mostly sold it because I was living abroad at the time and just wanted to soften the financial blow of the 16-80, and also reduce my overall amount of lenses. But after shooting with the 16-80, I found that ~35 range is where I usually end up taking a lot of my photos with the zoom. Which makes sense because I picked up that 35 while I was still quite new to photography, and I used that lens so damn much to learn on. I guess it's partially an emotional attachment to it as well! I took a lot of shots on that lens. When I see the metadata that says "Focal Length: 35mm" on a really nice (or even terrible) photo, it pulls my heartstrings a bit. And yes, that 16-80 is quite a heavy piece, but the versatility is just so damn nice.
Completely agree with starting out with a zoom lens. One can experiment so much with it and find out what your favourite focal length is before buying a prime in that. Also, I sometimes like shooting in focal lengths where no primes exists, for example something as specific as 43mm. I used to keep my zoom lens on exactly 50mm and shoot a day with that without zooming away from 50mm and document my findings, then set it to 35mm and do the same and quickly found that 50mm is much better for me than 35.
I lean towards zooms more for my out and about/fun photography. Agree with all you've said, what I love most about the zoom is it can sometimes allow for two completely different shots of the same scene. One maybe wider that involves more negative space/shows a subject in their environment, the other end gives you a more detailed/compressed shot. Both can still be great shots but completely different. A prime lens can't do that and by the time you've switched lens the opportunity is likely gone. For me, the only times I'd prefer primes is if I'm indoor or want to specifically get a set of photos at one focal length.
This video came at the right moment. Been trying out street photography with a Fuji 35mm f1.4, but I found myself somewhat handicapped by its lack of flexibility. I might just pick up a zoom lens again.
I can see both sides of this argument, however getting a fast enough zoom is too expensive for me though, my world changed getting my first 1.8 prime. An alternative that you didn't mention is having one good 35mm/50mm prime on your main camera, and then just have like an RX100 mark I (got mine used for about $150) in your left pocket for any emergency 28-100mm scenes that you just can't work at 35mm/50mm (of course image quality won't be up to standard but it's better than not getting the shot at all, and the whole camera fits in your pocket lighter than a second lens, plus it's handy when your main camera runs out of battery).
For street photography, my best go to camera is my Olympus TG4. Most unobstrusive. Nobody will notice or be bothered with you shooting them. Waterproof, dust proof, freeze proof and drop proof. Punches above its weight.
Agreed!… I've been shooting a 18-55 zoom since the beginning of this year, instead of my 22mm prime. It took me a while to remember that it is a zoom, and I actually missed shots I could have got if I had remembered. LOOOL 😆
Good video Roman. Thats why I sold my other lenses (23 & 35f2, 55-200) and kept underrated 18-55 zoom small awesome for pics and video + 35 1.4 for night, more fun and creative shoots. Easy to carry those 2 lenses and both are handy. Considering 56 1.2 for streets nights etc but maybe one day.
Love me some a solid zooms, but also love me a light kit. So I usually find the lightweight primes I like the images coming from. This does remind me I need to replace my Contax 35-70 soon, miss the days when mine was fully functional.
Great points on using zooms, especially the reminder that photographers can still move around with a zoom to look for interesting angles. I also tend to use zooms when I quickly want to to zoom wide for establishing shot, and then get the tighter shots I want.
I started with 18-55 kit and just got me a 35mm 1.4 (50equiv) because that was my favorite for my street photos. Makes sense to start with options until we know what we want
Perfectly timed advice. Planning to travel in a few weeks and I was debating what glass to take. My Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 on my Sony APS-C camera is what I’ll be taking
For years I only had primes. I appricated their size, maximum apertures and the focal length constraint. But after getting the 50-140 for event work I started to appreciate the usefulness of a zoom. It took me a while to get over my prime purist mentality, but the 16-55 and the 10-24 are now my default kit for 95% of what I shoot. Still keeping some of my F2 primes for the occasions where I might want an ultralight setup, but the rest of my primes were used to invest in the two zooms.
Brilliant vid Roman. As someone returning to photography after many years, it's just the kind of genuinely useful advice I needed. Zero hype, just good info. I can now spend my wages a bit more wisely. Thanks.
great Roman, couldn't agree more, starting with a zomm lens is a valid and valuable point to consider despite all the other factors specially for beginners to experience and discover more which is the logical way to learn in my opinion. thanks a lot for this video.
Something another photographer I follow says is that it is the constraints that we impose upon ourselves that inspire creativity. If you go prime you just have different constraints that you do with a zoom. Both are valid. Choose one and go out. Next time take the other. Learn what you like. When people ask you if they should buy a prime for street photography I would tell them to take out a zoom a bunch of times and see what focal lengths they tend to use. Then next time try going out with the zoom but set a focal length and don't allow yourself to change it.... maybe do that for the common street photography focal lengths 50, 35, then 28.... how much did each of those focal lengths affect you? If you get to the end of that exercise you should know if you need to buy a prime. Most people want to try street photography rather than actually do it. Go out and treat everything as a learning experience.
Constraints are good in moderation. When I'm shooting in places I'm familiar with and can visit anytime, primes are the way to go because they help me see the usual scenes in different new ways. But if location is unfamiliar, time is limited and you cannot come back easily, that is already three constraints you have to deal with and it might not be wise to add even more constraints on top of in the form of limited focal length options.
I'm the typical beginner - I have the entry level Nikon & started with the 18-55 kit lens & later bought a 70-300 to get better wildlife shots. I've seen many videos saying I must have a prime & on Saturday I got myself a 1.8 50mm & really enjoyed using it. I've had great fun experimenting with the other two lenses & I'll still take them out with me as they absolutely have a use. Street photography is something that I've really taken a fancy to recently & that's probably where I'll focus my attention in future, so I'll certainly be getting a lot of use out of the 50mm but I'll definitely hang on to my zooms.
Thank you for making this video, Roman. I'm going to New York and was thinking about which lenses to take. I will definitely be taking my 18-135mm Kit lens with me for all the reasons you mention in the video. Really good solid advice that makes so much sense.
Excellent video, I always appreciate your outstanding outlook rather than the run of the mill youtubers who are armchair photographers and always trying to mislead viewers hoping to click on their affiliate links. Your opinions are frank, honest and un-assuming. However, I am too set in my ways (59 years old) to change my perspective. My standard zooms are gathering dust while I am happy with my 20 and 50 mm whenever I am shooting outdoors.
Last time I used a zoom lens for street photography was probably 2016. I think primes really improved my photography both because of their better image quality and wider apertures but also because they helped me learn certain focal lengths. With zoom lenses many times you don't think about the focal length. You just keep changing between different focal lengths without thinking of their properties. Having said that after years of shooting exclusively with primes I am thinking of getting a zoom lens. But now I know exactly the reason why. I appreciate the topic of discussion you opened. Nice to see another of your videos.
I was very similar, last time I used a zoom was from an old canon kit when I was a teen. When I got my first Fuji I only had a 23mm F/1.4 prime, which I learned a lot from and loved it. Over the years I added a few more primes to my kit, but then it got to a point where I could see the photos I wanted to take in my mind and that's when changing between primes became a chore (especially outside in busy places). I finally reduced my daily kit down to an 16-55 and a 10-24 and I have never been so happy with my photography. Sure it's different for everyone. I still love certain primes for certain applications (say the 200mm F/2), but now I only have two lenses in a small camera bag instead of a case of primes.
Excellent video, Roman. Great advice for newbies. I always recommend people start with the basic 18-55 kit lens and learn what street photography is all about. Experiment with focal lengths and composition without the hassle of having to change lenses. If the weather is perfectly good and bright then the minimum aperture issue is not going to be a concern. Mostly primes only come into their own on night shoots and for more artistic elements such as bokeh etc. Another reason I always recommend starting with a zoom is it can be very daunting at first and many feel nervous of pointing a camera at someone. A zoom allows you to keep your distance and build up confidence while remaining relatively hidden. There is a lot of snobbery in photography. The battle of zooms vs primes is unfortunately one of the worst.
I use the Sony FE 50mm F1.8, Sony FE 85mm F1.8 or The Sony FE 24-105mm F4 .. Depending on the subject or How far it is.. And When I get a bit bored of the shots I use the Sony 16-35
This is wonderful advice. Especially the part about taking a shit load of photos and seeing where your photos end up. O bought a 35 f2 because "it's the best" come to find out I shoot everything at 23.
Excellent point, well made. Fixed focal lenght offers more sharpness and typically they are more light sensitive. But you'll just miss so many opportunities and also, the different focal lengths in a zoom brings that extra bit of variety to your portfolio. Good vid, thnx!
It’s interesting to think about... if your body of work is all about being in close with your subjects with a 35mm, are you really missing “opportunities” by not having a 24-85mm zoom? I would argue no. This of course only applies to photographers trying to put together a book or photo story.
@@joeltunnah Hi Joel, indeed yes, you maybe right. Quite by accident I have been shooting primes this weekend and I was suprised at how well this went. I use a zoom in order to keep up with quickly moving subjects: my kids. Also, some shots just look better with a bit more compression. I don't want every shot wide or even tele for that matter. I today probably ended up taking very different types of compositions than I would have with a zoom lens but several images turned out great. On average I had about the same percentage of keepers.
So true. I love my XH1 with my 18-55 as well as my X100T. Both are good for what they are. If I just go to a friend's house, I will always bring the X100T and have something capable. If I go on a hike or sth like that, so will bring the zoom for exactly the reasons you mentioned. However, I do feel like the more "artsy" photos happen with my X100T (23mm fixed, for those who don't know) and it is just more "fun".
Nice vid, and good advice. I shoot zooms when possible and primes when needed. With zoom lenses, you can act quicker and miss less shots in changing scenes. Just hate that tired catch phrase about “zooming with your feet”. There are lots of situations where that is just not possible, because of physical barriers or time constraints. My go-to lenses are the 10-24 f/4.0 and the 16-55 f/2.8. I switch to primes a) in low light situations b) for shallow DOF (typically portraits), or c) if I want to shoot inconspicuously and need a small lens. Current primes are the 23mm f/1.4 and the 50mm f/2.0. I plan to add the 18mm f/2.0. Then I’m good. For now😃.
Thanks for the informative advice. In fact, after much thought and research, I just picked up the 16-55mm Fuji zoom as my only lens as I do landscape, street, and an occasional portrait photography, and this is convenient, and no missed shots or dirty sensor for having to change lenses, especially in harsher environments. May eventually pick up a lighter f1.8 or f2 35mm equivalent prime for a lighter setup when going on long excursions in nature.
I'm going with a full-frame setup, so I think I'll have to stick with primes to enjoy photography. I'm coming from M43, where everything is light and compact, so lugging around a camera that's over a KG would get old real fast for me.
I went the same route with a full frame DSLR. For that reason I carry primes mostly. Because I literally carry this thing everywhere, it’s a hobby. My zooms, even the fastest primes, get real big real fast. But the smaller primes are really worth it. I only shoot with the light available around me so the fast primes on full frame works.
The Nikon z has an awesome kit zoom lens that is small, light and optically awesome. I actually returned a prime lens I bought after I realized it wasn't much better than the kit
I barely use 50 outside :D. Matter of fact, I don't. I don't see how a prime lens can help me outside, I always need to be versatile and get close to the subject fast. My favourite zoom lens is the Tamron 16-300, with amazing zoom and wide-angle in one lens
Great video as always Roman. I particularly like your caveat about zooms making you lazy. I started my photography mainly with primes and after 4 years I've now started using a zoom and I use it like a prime. I know what focal lengths I'm naturally drawn to and move my feet to have the field of view of my chosen focal length. Whilst I definitely agree about beginners starting with zooms to find what focal lengths they like, there's definitely something to be said about starting with primes (if you can afford it) to not get into lazy habits! Thanks for the great content!
How weird! Got the shot at 6:26 last night walking along the Thames with couple sitting there and now watching it on your video. Keep up the great inspirational videos Roman
I agree, plus I would give another tip. If you already have an upper-mid range or high-end phone with three usable lenses (ultrawide, wide, tele), start to shoot with them and see which one(s) you like the most. I already knew (or at least suspected) based on how I shot with my Galaxy S10 that my first non-kit lens for my Sony A7 II will be an ultrawide zoom - that's why I bought the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art lens almost a year ago. Recently I replaced my kit lens (Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6) with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art lens, however I made a mistake and I ordered the value champ Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 zoom lens with it to get a slight discount for both and I came to a conclusion that I hate to shoot with such a long focal length (at least here in London), so after a month it is basically sitting in its box.
Great video! I actually use 2 cameras , and I look like a wedding street photographer 😅 I usually use the 18mm on my x100v in addition to a 35mm on my xt30, or I use the standard 23mm on x100v and 55mm on xt3, depending on the situation. I also have the 16mm 1.4 in case I need a wide in low light conditions, I can use the 50mm crop mod on my x100v...I find it quite convenient and it gives me all latitude I need for every genre of photography I practice...however I'm thinking about getting the kit zoom lens for maximum compactness sometimes, with only one body. I've heard that gustavo Minas is still usually using it
Kit lens, try not to drop it below 23, that way your lens will be seeing what your eyes see unless your dad was a rabbit. So 23 to 35 should be sound. Up to 55 to save you crossing the road and getting run over. Keep them coming Roman.
Have the 18-55 on my XPRO1 and the 16-50 on my T1 and definitely prefer to primes as a lot of occasions I'm shooting across a busy street and don't fancy being anyone's flatmate if you get my drift 🤔😂. Always been happy enough with the SOOC JPEGS..... if it ain't broke don't try and fix it etc 👌🙏
Always enjoy the videos I find them very informative. I was thinking the same thing about zoom lenses. I have the 16 to 80 mm lens from Fuji Lens and I find it is very good all around lens to learn from.
With the Nespresso, I am often spoilt by choice and can't decide which colours I prefer. Same with my Fuji prime lens so to avoid that, I carry my XT4 with the 16-80 f4 (my copy is plenty sharp) and the 35 f1.4 for the best of both worlds.
I like this video as I find your points are helpful in helping many beginner photographers to get the right lens that fits the job. I have been using zoom lenses since the film days in 1970s for street and photo-journalism. I have no prime lenses in my dslr gears. Zoom lenses are essential tools for me in fast pace events, in tight crowded spaces and also in situations where you never know what would happen next. Image quality of zoom lenses are not as good as prime lenses but for me, capturing the precious moments are far more important than image quality. As long as I can differentiate the pandas from polar bears or camels from horses based on the photos put before me, then the zoom lenses get the job done.
I like use ZOOM's just because there could be bunch of situations You just can not ZOOM " with feet"... Water barriers like channels or rivers, pictures up to rooftops, closed areas, pictures from high spots.... there are plenty of cases, when you can make photo only from that particular point, or not make picture at all. Of course, with primes You can make better composition in postproduction.... but still - I like to use zooms for pure street photography.
Look for a used copy. People seem to love it and run them into the ground, or they never touch it and sell it. I got an essentially brand new, didn't even have dust on it, let alone any wear. Paid like 700 I think. Still in in box and everything.
Huh, that was exactly the way I decided to go when I switched to the Fuji system. I bought xt4 + 16-55/f2.8 and started to experiment with various focal lengthes. Unfortunately when I calculated the stats they were evenly distributed between 16mm, 23mm 35mm and 50mm... 16-55/f2.8 is too hefty to be fun, so I'll be switching to primes anyway, but it's extremely hard to decide the order and f1.4 vs f2 lol. Anyway, great video and wise advice!
I always decide in terms of look. So if I am shooting wider I prefer using my 28 or 50 prime on full frame. But if I am shooting above 70-80mm I prefer using my 70-200 because there is not so much difference in terms of look compared to a prime. And also in terms of zooming by food it’s another thing with tele lenses
As always precious . Thank you again . I bought a Ricoh gr because all say it s fantastical for street photography but I love still my 35 mm on my xt3. More than this 28 mm ..I still use my 16-80 mm because of the weaver seal the f stop of stabilization even it s not as beautiful as on my 35mm f2 it’s more than acceptable. The Ricoh is just a candid tool with no anti aliasing but not as much competent for nice photgraphy
I bought my first DSLR in 2019, in my country mirrorless were only brought "as an special order" and it ment you had to pay 40% more... no way. Then I bought a 18-135 zoom (nano usm) at the end of 2019 because I needed more reach and practicality. And because i didn´t know if i could buy another lens anytime in the future (economy again!) Then I got a bargain with a 55-250 stm that I could not reject (hello moonshots!) For my 50th birthday I bought myself a Sigma 30 F1.4 ART, (I wanted a Canon 35IS but it was waaaay out of reach here). So now I tend to use the prime mostly for low light at home and when i want a crazy thin depht of field. Sometimes I think i will ditch the 18-135, but just then I find a situation in which i need it.
At last - objective advices - Thank you. And actually a good reason to start out with a kit zoom - interesting Idea - that thought has.not been addrressed before I think. Good work and good thinking.
Great video man! When I was starting out with my kit lens and looking at upgrading to a 50mm prime I tried a few shoots with my kit lens at 50mm and just never touching the zoom. Helped me to see what that was like and if I’d actually get shots I liked!
i definitely missed a lot of amazing shots on my last trip because i didnt have time to swap out primes. i really would have been better off buying a zoom and i do regret it a little bit because now the ultrawide prime i bought is worth half what i paid for it , but live and learn i guess.
Very good advice as always Roman, I mainly go out with the X-T4 and the 16-80 (and realized that I shoot 90% at 35mm), but if I’m very familiar with the area i'm going to I will use the XF23 and XF35 (both f/2’s). Stay safe.
@roman - love your “no bullshit” approach to providing advice on learning street photography. Have learned a lot and been inspired by your videos. Keep up the great work. Oh, and start a Patreon.
It is good to listen to your advice, I've been thinking about what prime to get first but now I will do some needed exercise with my kit lens in other to choose, thank you so much mate.
Very helpful video. I really like watching you talking about photography. Thanks. As you said, I have tried zoom lens for about two years and finally, I picked 35mm f2 as my favorite prime lens.
I prefer wider lenses, but since March 2020 there just aren’t enough close up situations on the street, and people get uncomfortable if I move in. So I’ve been using a 50mm exclusively. I look longingly at my 24 and 28 on the shelf 😢.
Hi Roman, hope you don’t mind me reaching out? I did the NC500 last Sept, at the time I watched your video & loved it, now I’m looking at getting the XT4 & you pop up again, I travel a lot in my Camper Van & as you can imagine space is a premium, could you or one of your subscribers recommend just one all round lens that would do for most situations. Keep up the good work. Mike
a funny realization was a quote I heard asking "how many famous old photographer use the 50mm" --- well how many other famous photographer use the 35, 28, and literally any other lens??? Feels like a repeated quote that makes no sense haha. great conversation topic.
Good point that you, as a beginner, should not always imitate the professionals.I once read a beginners book about bridge. About redoubling they said "experts can give good advice on this but in a beginners book only one advice is needed: don't!"
It’s ok to imitate professionals as long as you understand what they’re trying to achieve, and under what working conditions. It’s rare that a hobbyist is under the same constraints.
Interesting subject. I've only been shooting street photography for 18 months or so and given the restrictions of 2020 it's really only a few months. I chose a zoom so I could (1) get comfortable with shooting strangers from afar and (2) track where I tend to shoot My thoughts were if there is a pattern of focal length that most of my images on the zoom are taken, then I may consider getting a prime at that length....Prime for all the reasons you mentioned. Thanks as always for an interesting subject. (EDIT) OH commented before the end of the video...I see you recommend exactly what I am doing.
Solid straightforward advice. I shot with one 50mm macro prime for a decade when I stated with Nikon in 1971. I now shoot with a Fuji X-S10, a camera with a lot of professional capabilities. I am not a Professional. But I current own the XF23 mm f2. I have over 2000 image# and understand the camera very well. BUT I am traveling back to Europe again and now a zoom makes sense… more flexibility. Between visiting the Villages, Cities, mountain landscapes, train excursions the zoom in my opinion let’s me concentrate on relaxing with the confidence I have a lens that can adapt to my surroundings. I do not want to be bothered with changing lenses in an unknown encounter while traveling. While I have my 4 presets ready the zoom lens will only keep me loving photography on vacation. This summer I will shoot 1000+ clicks with the Zoom before heading out to London, Switzerland and France. Roman really appreciate your personal observations to photography. You do not preach but share some expectations from personal experiences. Especially true with primes and zoom lenses.
I often recommend people start with the 18-55 kit lens rather than spending on an X100. It's a solid lens and I will still hike/travel with it if I'm not exclusively shooting street. Great stuff Roman!
the X100v as a starter camera is a sure-fire way to put 99% of people off. It's hard to create that 'pro' look I.e. bokeh and compression and the camera will feel like an expensive point and shoot
Yeah, very true. I bought the X100T instead of a prime to also have a second body. I basically cannot hand it to "noobs", because they feel intimidated and always look for the zoom. :-D
My zoom kit, however, is something where you can really go full auto and just hand it to anyone and also just focus solely on the actual photography and not what settings to use.
Completely agree- experienced photographers often ‘see’ in the focal length they are most used to shooting, where as if you are starting out you have no idea. It’s a similar argument to the shooting manual / automatic when starting, always choose the option that gives you the most flexibility to learn
i dont feel advice has a place for that reason,,let people learn the rules and then break them
@@michaels5166 Hey Michael- I completely disagree. There is a huge difference between the work a newbie produces (who doesn't know the rules) and someone who knows the rules and chooses to ignore them. Advice from stuff like YT videos gives you the capacity to learn what the actual rules are and where. I highly doubt that many people stumble on a Golden Ratio type composition and can just tell you what it is. So the advice is needed to give the understanding and framework to evaluate your own work against. and guide
@@JamesParsons1 Then YOU need to learn the difference between FACTS and advice,becausetbey are not one in the same.You can get FACTS from a person,video,or book,and then you can get outside,practice,and master things,yet advice is not facts,it's a personal OPINION,workflow.That advice can be tainted with total trash,or mixed in with some combination of accurate info,mixed in with nonsense.For example,there's a YT guy,who called himself 'reviewing; and giving advice about the Sony A1.He had NOT learned any mastery of the camera,and then went on a rant about the so called Sony menu issue,calling the camera stupid.I was like no,the camera aint stupid,you might be,because it doesnt take a damn scientist to figure out and customise a damn camera,Then he said it was overheating,yet no one else using it could confirm that.Then in another video,he said a Canon camera which is NOT out,was going to 'destroy' the Sony A1.This same dude had a so called 'debate' with another YTer,about JPEG vs RAW,as if we really had to choose,and also over the years,along with some other idiots,that DSLRs were 'dead',for like 10 years.So No,I want facts,to learn the accurate rules and science,and THEN,as I go along,and my skills get better,i break those rules and become a versatile shooter.So yeah,i say f-k advice,give me some real knowledge,even tips,based on FACTS...
Also if you're experienced and you know the focal lengths you most often use actually having a zoom might be more appropriate. I don't want to carry around a bag of 5 primes (and have to change between them) when I can get the same form one lens. I started off with only using primes and learning what I like, but been able to massively reduce my kit and take more photos as I don't need to change lenses or have multiple bodies between shots. Although I am a fan of the 200mm F/2 prime, but you can't get that in a zoom.
I've never personally seen things in any one focal length when using a set of primes. My eyes naturally take in the whole scene, and its details simultaneously. I would rather get the shot I want than to be left with nothing because zooming with my feet would mean running into traffic or something. The scene with the old man looking at the ship was a prime (no pun intended) example. Three different compositions I would see immediately that I can get without stepping in and out of pedestrian traffic, or looking obviously "out of place" as someone fidgeting around as much.
It's all personal preference at the end of the day, but artists often get into this pocket of still saying there is a specific way of doing the same thing when most average viewers of your work aren't thinking about the body and lense used to produce it. It only matters to this degree to other photographers. Do good comedians write jokes for their 3 comedian friends in the back, or do they write them for the entire room, ya know?
Thanks for this advice. I found out that I like shooting with my 16-80mm for my street photography than my 33mm f1.4 which I bought specifically for street photography because I believed the hype about "35mm is the lens for street photography". I wish I had seen this video earlier, I would have bought the 18mm instead of the 33mm as I love more objects and information in my street photography.
I generally use primes for street photography. The zooms are fine during the daylight. But at night for street photography I’m absolutely using a fast prime. So it depends on the situation. I can use a 35mm on full frame and be fine for most or all street photography situations. And a 50mm would be my 2nd option.
Can’t agree more! My friend started with a 50mm prime, but after giving him my zoom for a bit, he sold his 50 and got an 85. Just start with a zoom and then get a good prime!
I completely agree. Bought the XF 35mm f2 lens (works great) but I've been using my 18-55 recently since I ignored it completely. Fuji zoom lenses are amazing! Don't sleep on them
Nice video Roman. I get the point your making re finding the focal length for you thru using a zoom. I agree with this for general photography. But for street I would argue that jumping straight in with either 35 or 28 will fast track your learning more than a zoom will. Thru constraints creativity can blossom. The focal length constraint starts to train your eye to that framing and makes you think and consciously move in or out to get the shot. It connects the all the limbs with the mind that a zoom may generally not unlock. Secondly is Zone focusing, which a prime is geared for. Training in zone / manual focusing with that one fixed lens from an early stage will help so much in the long term to very quickly get those decisive moments and again connect another part of your mind and body into the creative process.
Your channel is the most practical I've ever cam across.. Thank you for creating content like this, people need to hear this..
I can not handle a zoom lens for to long; to heavy. I have several small, light primes and I just take another one for a while from time to time. I like that because it keeps me inspired . It's a challenge for me to get a good picture with just that one focal lenght I have with me on my camera. It's just fun!
I use mostly primes but sometimes I take my Fuji 18-55 and love it.
Great video. I’m a zoom person mostly. Another issue that primes hold one back is the so called ‘Zoom with feet’. While technically incorrect term, this consumes more time and I have missed some of what I thought would be great shots because of this. By the time I set my composition, the subject is always gone.
didn't know which prime lens to buy and after the video now looking at my photos I finally decided to choose 35 f/2. thanks a lot!
Great advice. Part of why I got the XF50 f/2 was because after I had spent some time with the 18-55, I put the focal lengths I had been shooting in a spreadsheet and realized that ~50% of the shots I liked where at the high end of the zoom range. I still pop on the zoom or my XF23 f/2 (which was the first lens I purchased on recommendation from a friend) on occasion, but I'd never have realized how much I'd like the 50mm if not for the zoom.
I regularly shoot street and travel shots with a zoom and sometimes, I go out with my X100F and shoot with a prime all day. The constant put downs for zooms by photographers is bizarre, a lens is a tool not a life partner, use the one that makes you happy and does the job. Nice video btw.
It’s really only amateurs poo-pooing zooms. Professional journalists, sports, travel, event and wedding photographers all use zooms exclusively.
Please keep your opinion to yourself and font generalise it to everybody. I work as a photographer coordinator in large music festivals around Europe and have worked with more than 500 photographers. Though it is true that the majority of them used zooms, many others were only using prime lenses. So stop stating that every single pro photographer is using zooms exclusively, this is utter BS.
@DavidChurcheese When I shot professionally, I used a zoom. Just saying.
@@DavidChurcheese then we also gotta stop the generalization that only amateurs or lazy people use zooms. Like the OC said, it's just a tool at the end of the day. Just get the job done that you were intending on.
@@chesslover8829 Many others don't. And the result is well worth it.
For a while, I was completely against zoom lenses. Although I’m not a still photographer, I’m a filmmaker, just the thought of a zoom lens was not even a remote possibility for me, as my kit is filled with vintage lenses. But once I put a Sigma 28-70 on my camera, it was just so convenient. And I could pretty much get everything that I wanted all the time. Generally, I know what I want before I look at my camera. My camera is just a tool to reproduce what my head has decided I want to create. I still use my vintage lenses, but I have no problem at all using a zoom lens and it doesn’t alter the way I shoot at all. Sometimes it allows me to make these final adjustments that would be absolutely impossible with a prime lens. Sometimes the circumstance is so limiting that a zoom lens is the only answer. Sometimes. :-) Great video, thanks for sharing.
My reason to use a zoom had much more to do with my head than my photos. I found and, sometimes, still find it hard emotionally to get up close to strangers and get in their face to take a picture. A zoom allows me to be farther away on the start of the day and then get closer as my confidence increases
I'm a 50+ year photographer with some mobility issues which at times makes using a prime less appealing. I use a micro 4/3rds system with primes and zooms ranging from 7.5mm to 300mm but typically only carry 1 body and 1 lens. By far my most used lens is a 14-150mm (28-300 in 35mm terms). It's not top quality, but it's good enough for my needs.
I reall love to Use my 50mm Fuji F2 prime but still getting the 10-24mm f/4 more on the Camera for the Streets!
I've traveled pretty extensively with an X100(s). As wonderful of a camera as it is, I found it very limiting. Personally, my two-lens kit is 35mm (crop) and something very wide. I found the 23mm exactly the wrong spot (for me). If I had to limit myself to one body and one lens I would definitely go with a zoom. It just covers so many more situations. Of course, if you are looking for a consistent, specific look, a prime is the way to go.
Sometimes you can't "Zoom with your feet". As you mentioned, it changes the composition, not always for the better.
I totally agree.
I think anyone’s preference boils down to: what photography style you like and how comfortable are you with being close/far from people. Going straight for a prime without knowing this will be a hit or miss.
For me, for instance. I know that I feel comfortable using a 35mm equivalent with family and friends and in narrow spaces, but for everything else or shooting strangers in the street, I’d rather go 35 or 50.
Totally agree. A zoom o kit lens it´s perfect for street photography. I used to take street with 28mm. But I like experiment from time to time. I take my kit lens and choose a diferente focal lenth. 35mm, 40mm, 50mm even 85mm, and make photos every day with the same focal to explore a see the new results. That´s the way I saw that I prefer 28mm. Maybe in the future I can change my mind and find another favorite focal length, who knows.
The advantages for me of a prime are the weight and the image quality over a zoom, but zooms work perfectly too.. The brightness of the lens is indifferent to me, I usually work between f5.6 and f1 for better focus. Exceptionally I have reached f2 with very low light, but I could live without it.
It's the beauty of photography. Being able to experiment and discover what works best for you and what you like. For street i like 28mm and 85 mm over other focals.
Another good exercise that I do sometimes is to photograph the same subject with all the focal points to compare the results.
Regards
I recently switched systems from FX Nikon to Fujifilm. No regrets for street work. I got the 16-80 F4 lens and have thus far been very happy with performance - even when pressed into night service - the extra stops of OIS in the lens in tandem with the XT 4 IBIS work very well and make it on par with a non stabilised f2 (6 stops? - not so sure in real world but true if you can use a wall and strap type physical stabilisation as well - very clean, sharp images). For night work, for now, I will use this zoom lens when wet or my Nikon Primes attached to a cheap but apparently well made Urth adapter collar in drier conditions. The colour rendition and character of my old 50mm f1.4 and 35mm f2 have been a pleasant surprise and I really don't miss auto focus when I am taking my time and concentrating on the right location and shot at night. I am usually in the right zone when the choice subject appears and just tweak the focus ring whilst burst shooting. Good focus pulling technique from pro - DV cam work back in the nineties makes manual focus second nature - it's a skill worth pursuing and can be very efficient. Thanks for your great videos - the street scene is alive and well and your observation about the huge travel industry and it's appetite for fresh images is something to think about. Your best work is excellent and I enjoy scouting the videos for the shots that really tell a story.
Totally agree. Just to add something, “zooming with ones feet” on a prime doesn’t really makes sense to me ‘cause walking closer with a 24mm (for example) won’t give you an equivalent look of a 50mm, it just looks like a 24mm shot closer. Nor if you walk back on a 50mm does it give you 24mm equivalent. There are certain looks to different focal lengths.
This channel is so underrated... Cant thank you enough for sharing your knowledge and tips and tricks all those years man... Respect!
😂I can’t remember how many times I reached for my 35 f2 over the 16-80 f4 just because it is so much lighter.
I actually ended up selling my 35 after buying the 16-80, but man do I regret selling that lens. I mostly sold it because I was living abroad at the time and just wanted to soften the financial blow of the 16-80, and also reduce my overall amount of lenses. But after shooting with the 16-80, I found that ~35 range is where I usually end up taking a lot of my photos with the zoom. Which makes sense because I picked up that 35 while I was still quite new to photography, and I used that lens so damn much to learn on. I guess it's partially an emotional attachment to it as well! I took a lot of shots on that lens. When I see the metadata that says "Focal Length: 35mm" on a really nice (or even terrible) photo, it pulls my heartstrings a bit.
And yes, that 16-80 is quite a heavy piece, but the versatility is just so damn nice.
Completely agree with starting out with a zoom lens. One can experiment so much with it and find out what your favourite focal length is before buying a prime in that. Also, I sometimes like shooting in focal lengths where no primes exists, for example something as specific as 43mm. I used to keep my zoom lens on exactly 50mm and shoot a day with that without zooming away from 50mm and document my findings, then set it to 35mm and do the same and quickly found that 50mm is much better for me than 35.
I lean towards zooms more for my out and about/fun photography. Agree with all you've said, what I love most about the zoom is it can sometimes allow for two completely different shots of the same scene. One maybe wider that involves more negative space/shows a subject in their environment, the other end gives you a more detailed/compressed shot. Both can still be great shots but completely different. A prime lens can't do that and by the time you've switched lens the opportunity is likely gone. For me, the only times I'd prefer primes is if I'm indoor or want to specifically get a set of photos at one focal length.
This video came at the right moment. Been trying out street photography with a Fuji 35mm f1.4, but I found myself somewhat handicapped by its lack of flexibility. I might just pick up a zoom lens again.
I can see both sides of this argument, however getting a fast enough zoom is too expensive for me though, my world changed getting my first 1.8 prime. An alternative that you didn't mention is having one good 35mm/50mm prime on your main camera, and then just have like an RX100 mark I (got mine used for about $150) in your left pocket for any emergency 28-100mm scenes that you just can't work at 35mm/50mm (of course image quality won't be up to standard but it's better than not getting the shot at all, and the whole camera fits in your pocket lighter than a second lens, plus it's handy when your main camera runs out of battery).
For street photography, my best go to camera is my Olympus TG4. Most unobstrusive. Nobody will notice or be bothered with you shooting them. Waterproof, dust proof, freeze proof and drop proof. Punches above its weight.
Agreed!… I've been shooting a 18-55 zoom since the beginning of this year, instead of my 22mm prime. It took me a while to remember that it is a zoom, and I actually missed shots I could have got if I had remembered. LOOOL 😆
haha dont have the same issue with 16-55.... you deffo know when it’s fitted
Good video Roman. Thats why I sold my other lenses (23 & 35f2, 55-200) and kept underrated 18-55 zoom small awesome for pics and video + 35 1.4 for night, more fun and creative shoots. Easy to carry those 2 lenses and both are handy. Considering 56 1.2 for streets nights etc but maybe one day.
Love me some a solid zooms, but also love me a light kit. So I usually find the lightweight primes I like the images coming from. This does remind me I need to replace my Contax 35-70 soon, miss the days when mine was fully functional.
Great points on using zooms, especially the reminder that photographers can still move around with a zoom to look for interesting angles. I also tend to use zooms when I quickly want to to zoom wide for establishing shot, and then get the tighter shots I want.
I started with 18-55 kit and just got me a 35mm 1.4 (50equiv) because that was my favorite for my street photos. Makes sense to start with options until we know what we want
I've just ordered Tamron 18-400 for my Crop Canon which is equivalent of 28-640mm, so I don't miss a single shot )))
Perfectly timed advice. Planning to travel in a few weeks and I was debating what glass to take. My Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 on my Sony APS-C camera is what I’ll be taking
For years I only had primes. I appricated their size, maximum apertures and the focal length constraint. But after getting the 50-140 for event work I started to appreciate the usefulness of a zoom. It took me a while to get over my prime purist mentality, but the 16-55 and the 10-24 are now my default kit for 95% of what I shoot. Still keeping some of my F2 primes for the occasions where I might want an ultralight setup, but the rest of my primes were used to invest in the two zooms.
Brilliant vid Roman. As someone returning to photography after many years, it's just the kind of genuinely useful advice I needed. Zero hype, just good info. I can now spend my wages a bit more wisely. Thanks.
great Roman, couldn't agree more, starting with a zomm lens is a valid and valuable point to consider despite all the other factors specially for beginners to experience and discover more which is the logical way to learn in my opinion. thanks a lot for this video.
Something another photographer I follow says is that it is the constraints that we impose upon ourselves that inspire creativity. If you go prime you just have different constraints that you do with a zoom. Both are valid. Choose one and go out. Next time take the other. Learn what you like. When people ask you if they should buy a prime for street photography I would tell them to take out a zoom a bunch of times and see what focal lengths they tend to use. Then next time try going out with the zoom but set a focal length and don't allow yourself to change it.... maybe do that for the common street photography focal lengths 50, 35, then 28.... how much did each of those focal lengths affect you? If you get to the end of that exercise you should know if you need to buy a prime. Most people want to try street photography rather than actually do it. Go out and treat everything as a learning experience.
Constraints are good in moderation. When I'm shooting in places I'm familiar with and can visit anytime, primes are the way to go because they help me see the usual scenes in different new ways. But if location is unfamiliar, time is limited and you cannot come back easily, that is already three constraints you have to deal with and it might not be wise to add even more constraints on top of in the form of limited focal length options.
I'm the typical beginner - I have the entry level Nikon & started with the 18-55 kit lens & later bought a 70-300 to get better wildlife shots. I've seen many videos saying I must have a prime & on Saturday I got myself a 1.8 50mm & really enjoyed using it. I've had great fun experimenting with the other two lenses & I'll still take them out with me as they absolutely have a use. Street photography is something that I've really taken a fancy to recently & that's probably where I'll focus my attention in future, so I'll certainly be getting a lot of use out of the 50mm but I'll definitely hang on to my zooms.
16-55 lens is the do it all lens!!
Great advice! Just bought a X-T4 kit with the 16-80 f/4, here I go finding my favourite focal length 🏃
All lenses are great, depends on what you want…for example I would choose a 35mm prime over the Fuji 70-300 for street photography
Thank you for making this video, Roman. I'm going to New York and was thinking about which lenses to take. I will definitely be taking my 18-135mm Kit lens with me for all the reasons you mention in the video.
Really good solid advice that makes so much sense.
I am a zoom lens user. It works much better when I am doing urban and street photography.
Excellent video, I always appreciate your outstanding outlook rather than the run of the mill youtubers who are armchair photographers and always trying to mislead viewers hoping to click on their affiliate links. Your opinions are frank, honest and un-assuming. However, I am too set in my ways (59 years old) to change my perspective. My standard zooms are gathering dust while I am happy with my 20 and 50 mm whenever I am shooting outdoors.
Last time I used a zoom lens for street photography was probably 2016. I think primes really improved my photography both because of their better image quality and wider apertures but also because they helped me learn certain focal lengths. With zoom lenses many times you don't think about the focal length. You just keep changing between different focal lengths without thinking of their properties. Having said that after years of shooting exclusively with primes I am thinking of getting a zoom lens. But now I know exactly the reason why. I appreciate the topic of discussion you opened. Nice to see another of your videos.
I was very similar, last time I used a zoom was from an old canon kit when I was a teen. When I got my first Fuji I only had a 23mm F/1.4 prime, which I learned a lot from and loved it. Over the years I added a few more primes to my kit, but then it got to a point where I could see the photos I wanted to take in my mind and that's when changing between primes became a chore (especially outside in busy places). I finally reduced my daily kit down to an 16-55 and a 10-24 and I have never been so happy with my photography. Sure it's different for everyone. I still love certain primes for certain applications (say the 200mm F/2), but now I only have two lenses in a small camera bag instead of a case of primes.
Excellent video, Roman. Great advice for newbies. I always recommend people start with the basic 18-55 kit lens and learn what street photography is all about. Experiment with focal lengths and composition without the hassle of having to change lenses. If the weather is perfectly good and bright then the minimum aperture issue is not going to be a concern. Mostly primes only come into their own on night shoots and for more artistic elements such as bokeh etc. Another reason I always recommend starting with a zoom is it can be very daunting at first and many feel nervous of pointing a camera at someone. A zoom allows you to keep your distance and build up confidence while remaining relatively hidden. There is a lot of snobbery in photography. The battle of zooms vs primes is unfortunately one of the worst.
I use the Sony FE 50mm F1.8, Sony FE 85mm F1.8 or The Sony FE 24-105mm F4 .. Depending on the subject or How far it is.. And When I get a bit bored of the shots I use the Sony 16-35
This is wonderful advice. Especially the part about taking a shit load of photos and seeing where your photos end up. O bought a 35 f2 because "it's the best" come to find out I shoot everything at 23.
Excellent point, well made. Fixed focal lenght offers more sharpness and typically they are more light sensitive. But you'll just miss so many opportunities and also, the different focal lengths in a zoom brings that extra bit of variety to your portfolio. Good vid, thnx!
It’s interesting to think about... if your body of work is all about being in close with your subjects with a 35mm, are you really missing “opportunities” by not having a 24-85mm zoom? I would argue no.
This of course only applies to photographers trying to put together a book or photo story.
@@joeltunnah Hi Joel, indeed yes, you maybe right. Quite by accident I have been shooting primes this weekend and I was suprised at how well this went. I use a zoom in order to keep up with quickly moving subjects: my kids. Also, some shots just look better with a bit more compression. I don't want every shot wide or even tele for that matter. I today probably ended up taking very different types of compositions than I would have with a zoom lens but several images turned out great. On average I had about the same percentage of keepers.
So true. I love my XH1 with my 18-55 as well as my X100T. Both are good for what they are. If I just go to a friend's house, I will always bring the X100T and have something capable. If I go on a hike or sth like that, so will bring the zoom for exactly the reasons you mentioned. However, I do feel like the more "artsy" photos happen with my X100T (23mm fixed, for those who don't know) and it is just more "fun".
Nice vid, and good advice. I shoot zooms when possible and primes when needed. With zoom lenses, you can act quicker and miss less shots in changing scenes. Just hate that tired catch phrase about “zooming with your feet”. There are lots of situations where that is just not possible, because of physical barriers or time constraints. My go-to lenses are the 10-24 f/4.0 and the 16-55 f/2.8. I switch to primes a) in low light situations b) for shallow DOF (typically portraits), or c) if I want to shoot inconspicuously and need a small lens. Current primes are the 23mm f/1.4 and the 50mm f/2.0. I plan to add the 18mm f/2.0. Then I’m good. For now😃.
Thanks for the informative advice. In fact, after much thought and research, I just picked up the 16-55mm Fuji zoom as my only lens as I do landscape, street, and an occasional portrait photography, and this is convenient, and no missed shots or dirty sensor for having to change lenses, especially in harsher environments. May eventually pick up a lighter f1.8 or f2 35mm equivalent prime for a lighter setup when going on long excursions in nature.
I'm going with a full-frame setup, so I think I'll have to stick with primes to enjoy photography. I'm coming from M43, where everything is light and compact, so lugging around a camera that's over a KG would get old real fast for me.
I went the same route with a full frame DSLR. For that reason I carry primes mostly. Because I literally carry this thing everywhere, it’s a hobby. My zooms, even the fastest primes, get real big real fast. But the smaller primes are really worth it. I only shoot with the light available around me so the fast primes on full frame works.
The Nikon z has an awesome kit zoom lens that is small, light and optically awesome. I actually returned a prime lens I bought after I realized it wasn't much better than the kit
Completely spot on. I am using both.
I barely use 50 outside :D. Matter of fact, I don't. I don't see how a prime lens can help me outside, I always need to be versatile and get close to the subject fast.
My favourite zoom lens is the Tamron 16-300, with amazing zoom and wide-angle in one lens
Great video as always Roman. I particularly like your caveat about zooms making you lazy. I started my photography mainly with primes and after 4 years I've now started using a zoom and I use it like a prime. I know what focal lengths I'm naturally drawn to and move my feet to have the field of view of my chosen focal length. Whilst I definitely agree about beginners starting with zooms to find what focal lengths they like, there's definitely something to be said about starting with primes (if you can afford it) to not get into lazy habits! Thanks for the great content!
LOL. As a coffee snob, I appreciate the nescafe warning.
How weird! Got the shot at 6:26 last night walking along the Thames with couple sitting there and now watching it on your video. Keep up the great inspirational videos Roman
Cheers!
Excellent analysis and valuable advice.
I agree, plus I would give another tip. If you already have an upper-mid range or high-end phone with three usable lenses (ultrawide, wide, tele), start to shoot with them and see which one(s) you like the most. I already knew (or at least suspected) based on how I shot with my Galaxy S10 that my first non-kit lens for my Sony A7 II will be an ultrawide zoom - that's why I bought the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art lens almost a year ago. Recently I replaced my kit lens (Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6) with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art lens, however I made a mistake and I ordered the value champ Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 zoom lens with it to get a slight discount for both and I came to a conclusion that I hate to shoot with such a long focal length (at least here in London), so after a month it is basically sitting in its box.
Good point!
sage advice!
I started off with a 50mm prime and loved it
yeah 50mm is a staple
Great video! I actually use 2 cameras , and I look like a wedding street photographer 😅 I usually use the 18mm on my x100v in addition to a 35mm on my xt30, or I use the standard 23mm on x100v and 55mm on xt3, depending on the situation. I also have the 16mm 1.4 in case I need a wide in low light conditions, I can use the 50mm crop mod on my x100v...I find it quite convenient and it gives me all latitude I need for every genre of photography I practice...however I'm thinking about getting the kit zoom lens for maximum compactness sometimes, with only one body. I've heard that gustavo Minas is still usually using it
Kit lens, try not to drop it below 23, that way your lens will be seeing what your eyes see unless your dad was a rabbit. So 23 to 35 should be sound. Up to 55 to save you crossing the road and getting run over. Keep them coming Roman.
Have the 18-55 on my XPRO1 and the 16-50 on my T1 and definitely prefer to primes as a lot of occasions I'm shooting across a busy street and don't fancy being anyone's flatmate if you get my drift 🤔😂. Always been happy enough with the SOOC JPEGS..... if it ain't broke don't try and fix it etc 👌🙏
Always enjoy the videos I find them very informative. I was thinking the same thing about zoom lenses. I have the 16 to 80 mm lens from Fuji Lens and I find it is very good all around lens to learn from.
Ah so much wisdom.. thank you for sharing your knowledge..
With the Nespresso, I am often spoilt by choice and can't decide which colours I prefer. Same with my Fuji prime lens so to avoid that, I carry my XT4 with the 16-80 f4 (my copy is plenty sharp) and the 35 f1.4 for the best of both worlds.
solid set up there
I like this video as I find your points are helpful in helping many beginner photographers to get the right lens that fits the job. I have been using zoom lenses since the film days in 1970s for street and photo-journalism. I have no prime lenses in my dslr gears. Zoom lenses are essential tools for me in fast pace events, in tight crowded spaces and also in situations where you never know what would happen next. Image quality of zoom lenses are not as good as prime lenses but for me, capturing the precious moments are far more important than image quality. As long as I can differentiate the pandas from polar bears or camels from horses based on the photos put before me, then the zoom lenses get the job done.
I like use ZOOM's just because there could be bunch of situations You just can not ZOOM " with feet"... Water barriers like channels or rivers, pictures up to rooftops, closed areas, pictures from high spots.... there are plenty of cases, when you can make photo only from that particular point, or not make picture at all. Of course, with primes You can make better composition in postproduction.... but still - I like to use zooms for pure street photography.
so mad I didn't buy the 16-55 when it was 899 over the holidays.
Look for a used copy. People seem to love it and run them into the ground, or they never touch it and sell it. I got an essentially brand new, didn't even have dust on it, let alone any wear. Paid like 700 I think. Still in in box and everything.
Just got one for 500 lightly used, they're out there!
Huh, that was exactly the way I decided to go when I switched to the Fuji system. I bought xt4 + 16-55/f2.8 and started to experiment with various focal lengthes. Unfortunately when I calculated the stats they were evenly distributed between 16mm, 23mm 35mm and 50mm... 16-55/f2.8 is too hefty to be fun, so I'll be switching to primes anyway, but it's extremely hard to decide the order and f1.4 vs f2 lol.
Anyway, great video and wise advice!
buy the 18/1.4 and the 35/2 at first, imo.
Your photographs are beautiful mate.
I always decide in terms of look. So if I am shooting wider I prefer using my 28 or 50 prime on full frame. But if I am shooting above 70-80mm I prefer using my 70-200 because there is not so much difference in terms of look compared to a prime. And also in terms of zooming by food it’s another thing with tele lenses
As always precious . Thank you again . I bought a Ricoh gr because all say it s fantastical for street photography but I love still my 35 mm on my xt3. More than this 28 mm ..I still use my 16-80 mm because of the weaver seal the f stop of stabilization even it s not as beautiful as on my 35mm f2 it’s more than acceptable. The Ricoh is just a candid tool with no anti aliasing but not as much competent for nice photgraphy
Love the hair! Great analysis! You are always on point!
I bought my first DSLR in 2019, in my country mirrorless were only brought "as an special order" and it ment you had to pay 40% more... no way.
Then I bought a 18-135 zoom (nano usm) at the end of 2019 because I needed more reach and practicality. And because i didn´t know if i could buy another lens anytime in the future (economy again!)
Then I got a bargain with a 55-250 stm that I could not reject (hello moonshots!)
For my 50th birthday I bought myself a Sigma 30 F1.4 ART, (I wanted a Canon 35IS but it was waaaay out of reach here). So now I tend to use the prime mostly for low light at home and when i want a crazy thin depht of field.
Sometimes I think i will ditch the 18-135, but just then I find a situation in which i need it.
Bang on mate, I’m still on a zoom working out where I’m at in the range, great advice 👌🏻
At last - objective advices - Thank you. And actually a good reason to start out with a kit zoom - interesting Idea - that thought has.not been addrressed before I think. Good work and good thinking.
Great video man! When I was starting out with my kit lens and looking at upgrading to a 50mm prime I tried a few shoots with my kit lens at 50mm and just never touching the zoom. Helped me to see what that was like and if I’d actually get shots I liked!
i definitely missed a lot of amazing shots on my last trip because i didnt have time to swap out primes. i really would have been better off buying a zoom and i do regret it a little bit because now the ultrawide prime i bought is worth half what i paid for it , but live and learn i guess.
Very good advice as always Roman, I mainly go out with the X-T4 and the 16-80 (and realized that I shoot 90% at 35mm), but if I’m very familiar with the area i'm going to I will use the XF23 and XF35 (both f/2’s). Stay safe.
@roman - love your “no bullshit” approach to providing advice on learning street photography. Have learned a lot and been inspired by your videos. Keep up the great work. Oh, and start a Patreon.
It is good to listen to your advice, I've been thinking about what prime to get first but now I will do some needed exercise with my kit lens in other to choose, thank you so much mate.
Very helpful video. I really like watching you talking about photography. Thanks. As you said, I have tried zoom lens for about two years and finally, I picked 35mm f2 as my favorite prime lens.
I prefer wider lenses, but since March 2020 there just aren’t enough close up situations on the street, and people get uncomfortable if I move in. So I’ve been using a 50mm exclusively. I look longingly at my 24 and 28 on the shelf 😢.
haha hopefully soon you can use them again
Hi Roman, hope you don’t mind me reaching out? I did the NC500 last Sept, at the time I watched your video & loved it, now I’m looking at getting the XT4 & you pop up again, I travel a lot in my Camper Van & as you can imagine space is a premium, could you or one of your subscribers recommend just one all round lens that would do for most situations. Keep up the good work. Mike
Fuji 16-80 f4 :)
@@snapsbyfox Thanks
Purple for mornings, eh? You absolute savage.
Question, I notice you don’t have a lens hood on your zoom??? (Btw I love your channel)
a funny realization was a quote I heard asking "how many famous old photographer use the 50mm" --- well how many other famous photographer use the 35, 28, and literally any other lens???
Feels like a repeated quote that makes no sense haha.
great conversation topic.
haha yeah i tend to roll my eyes when people say anything with the word “famous / old photographers”
Great video, clear explanation and great advice
I use my 100-400mm zoom, it's become my favorite
I think only advantages or were used to be for prime lens are size, weight and aperture, which are not big of deal for street photography.
Good point that you, as a beginner, should not always imitate the professionals.I once read a beginners book about bridge. About redoubling they said "experts can give good advice on this but in a beginners book only one advice is needed: don't!"
It’s ok to imitate professionals as long as you understand what they’re trying to achieve, and under what working conditions. It’s rare that a hobbyist is under the same constraints.
Interesting subject. I've only been shooting street photography for 18 months or so and given the restrictions of 2020 it's really only a few months. I chose a zoom so I could (1) get comfortable with shooting strangers from afar and (2) track where I tend to shoot My thoughts were if there is a pattern of focal length that most of my images on the zoom are taken, then I may consider getting a prime at that length....Prime for all the reasons you mentioned. Thanks as always for an interesting subject. (EDIT) OH commented before the end of the video...I see you recommend exactly what I am doing.
haha yeah it’s a good way of gauging what works for you. Cheers!