Wow I'm renting this lens today to use on my A7IV to make a video here in Korea. This video recommendation was the perfect timing. I loved watching you walk around taking pictures of smiling happy faces. Everyone seems so pleased to take a picture! Unfortunately most people in Korea seriously don't like having their pictures taken 😂
I just got this Sony and 40mm and it's a beast of a lens for a street photography. It's remarkably sharp wide open. Autofocus is fast. Size and weight make it a joy to use.
With my A7CR and Sony 50mm f/2.5 it's a 75mm with APS-C mode (26 MPix). Making it a 150mm with Clear Image Zoom (2.0X)!!! Sorry for my english writting!
I’m a novice in photograpy. I love it that you put the info about the aperture, shutter speed and ISO with every photo! I have the 24mm 2.8 G (on an a7cr) and I am thinking about buying this 40mm 2.5 G.
@@mattisulanto I agree with Mark. I watched the video and then realized it's a perfect educational resource to show my younger cousin who is learning about photography. He found the photo info very useful, and frankly so did I even though I've been into photography for about a decade now. Very helpful details.
I'm watching this a year later. When you said you were in KL, I thought, "Oh hey! That's where Robin Wong hangs out." How fun! Like watching a superhero team up.
One of the most helpful videos on street photography I've seen. Thanks for sharing your insight and great photos. Great to see Robin Wong, too-- he is another very helpful photographer.
I use the Voigtlaender 40 mm f/2 on Nikon full frame quite a lot, and infact I like the combo so much, I got a 2nd copy of the lens as well ! Great focal length.
I bought the EF 40mm F2.8 on impulse a few weeks back. It was no more than a few cups of Starbucks coffee. This on the old 6D makes for a really nice walkabout combination. Larger than the GX-85 and 20mm f1.7 Panasonic I usually carry, but the images are different - as you say, from the shallower DoF. I like it.
Fantastic short film thanks for sharing with us. The 40mm is my favorite street photography lens. My Zeiss Batis 40mm is such an amazing lens. It’s ability to have semi marco capabilities makes it such a diverse tool.
Thank you for the video. I really like 40mm but I do shoot at 35mm and 50mm as well. It’s hard to find 40mm that is a little faster to be able to use after sundown. I have the 40/2.5 G but prefer my Zeiss Batis 40/2.0 CF and like that it’s only 361 grams. I know I can get 35 and 50 at f/2, f/1.8, and I can tolerate the at f/1.4 some times. Take care.
I just got it,...of course f2 on the same size would have been a perfect ....Perfecto!, but it is what it is. I'm very impress with the lens, I did own voigtlander 40 mm 1.4 and 1.2, used with techart on my sony, I was not expecting this lens to surprise me, but it did. It has a pop, dimensionality etc. I may sell one of my voigt to put the money on some other lens. For me is a keeper.
@@mattisulanto Yeah looks like, and it's rear to see such people these days who do not bother about 'individual privacy' and all that...😄they are just simple people who trust others 👍🏻
The nice thing about the A7iv specifically is how good it is in low light. I used to shoot Olympus professionally, and even with the 1.2 primes on that system....man, past ISO 800 I was grabbing my flash for wedding work. With the A7iv, I can comfortably shoot at ISO 6400. Which means I could get by with smaller lenses. Because while Olympus cameras are small, it all depends on the context and the type of work that you do. Flagship Olympus body + 1.2 lens + flash is considerably heavier than A7iv + 2.5 or 2.8 lens or even some 1.8 lenses. I've taken the 40mm G lens to weddings and it's perfect for a whole lot of things :)
Great video Matti, really wish I could be there in KL instead of being in the rain, snow and cold here in Canada….I was a little unsure of 40mm lenses until I acquired the Lumix GX7 with 20mm lens combo back in 2013. Took some time to understand the narrower than 35 and yet wider than 50 focal length…time flies and now it is my favourite for street and general shooting. Yes, it certainly does missed qualities from he 35 and 50 but the 40 is indeed just about right for me. Continue to have a great time while in Malaysia!
When I watch other photographer's videos I sometimes feel they ignored a great photo moment. However, in reality the situation might not have looked that good or that was not what the photographer was looking for. But, you are right in the video the orange car looks like an obvious subject.
5:58 I used to care about maintaining a low ISO a lot, but after years of shooting with my a7iii I've concluded the same as you. It doesn't matter. Low SS has ruined far more of my photos than high ISO. You've gotta find that balance and get the shot.
Nice photos. This lens seems to have an old-school vintage rendition, especially the out of focus region but sharp. I use a Zeiss 35mm f2.8 with my Sony A7C. Perfect compact walk-around kit!
Hey Matti, nice video. Would you recommend some guides about how to take people's portraits in the streets? I don't mean "stealth". I am a manual lens user, so "stealth" does not work for me that much, and at high F numbers it's still: cheating. I would especially appreciate mentioning various reception of such a behavior in various countries.
What a nice photo walk: it seems that Robin isn’t the only really friendly person in Kuala Lumpur! I agree with you: 40 mm would be close to idea. 35 mm is just a little too wide and has more distortion, while 50 mm is too tight.
Hi Mr. Matti this is very nice photo street lens. 40mm should be in medium wide and nice for limited area. Today 14 January 2023 we have photoshoot at Botanical Garden and together with my friend for testing his Sony A7RV.
i've heard tons of reviews about the 40mm being sharper than the 50mm brother of the line up. and, the images you provided proves that it is really a beautiful lens. if i get the opportunity, i will purchase this lens. thanks for sharing!
Nice photos and very interesting to see how you choose to crop/present the scene. I am a big fan of 45mm like the lens in Yashica GSN analog camera and Sigma 30mm on aps-c.
I thought it was a bit amusing that the background at 1:22 would have been a really nice shot, especially with the bird flying across the space in-between the buildings with the skyscraper lined up in the middle :D
Matti, I enjoyed your photo walk and am envious of your time in KL! I was there in the early 90's but just for a few days on business (also enjoyed a few trips to Finland during the same period). Sure would be nice to escape the gloom and cold of Michigan this time of year. I wondered when you were editing the video whether you noticed a photograph behind you between 1 min 6 secs and approx 1 min 18 sec? There was a skyscraper perfectly framed by the apartment buildings on either side of the lane you were walking. Not only perfectly framed by the leading lines of the apartment buildings but also great for showing the juxtaposition between old and new, as well as low-end and high-end! Enjoy the rest of your stay in KL. Best regards.
Thanks. I shot that skyscraper (Merdeka 118, the second tallest building on earth) pretty much how you describe, but did not include the photo in the video😀
I usually prefer slightly wide for street walk about...28mm to 40mm is all good...i have never been a 50mm FOV kinda guy... The new RF 28/2.8 pancake on a Canon eosR rocks... but for cheap thrills....A Sigma DN 30/2.8 ART lens modified for Full frame on an original Sony A7s (with APSC turned off) works as well... Cheers from Bangkok! Note: I love the Canon pancake 40/2.8 STM as well.
would you go for a 35mm or 40mm for a one lens setup for landscape, streets and hikes? I looking at the ttartisan 27mm f2.8 and samyang 24mm f2.8 on a Sony A6000. Considering these two due to budget and size as its nice and compact
A general lens question Matti. If budget was a huge restraint and only one lens was available for my Lumix G, would you recommend a Prime 25/f1.7 or a small zoom 14-45/3.7-5.4. Mostly for street work and up close objects. I almost always shoot B&W✌️🇦🇺
Thanks. I hope you are enjoying the lens. I don't have any secrets for my colors. In this video I explain my basic RAW processing that I use for most of my photos: ruclips.net/video/sHNerbFtzk0/видео.html
Thank you for this video. I have the same lens with a Sony a7r iii. And taking photos in the streets of Paris with it several times created some great images. There were several occasions where I found myself inside in lowlight, and it is not the right lens for inside photo. But in the street: I love it!
@@kingronald1 Thanks. I have used this lens in the middle of the night without any problems for street action, but I guess we all have different expectations and needs😀
Thanks. I'd love to try the S5II, but I don't know how to get one. My thoughts would probably be the same as in all those other numerous reviews out there😀
@@mattisulanto also can focus very close and It can be adapted to all my cameras. It even has continuous AF in the Sony A7 IV using the 7Artisans adapter 👌
It looks like you're having a great time walking around KL; I am envious. On this video and previous ones I have noticed your interesting leather palm grip set you use but I have not seen it in any of your gear listings. What is that grip/lanyard?
Thanks Matti! It’s always a joy to see your pictures and learn something. 40mm is unknown to me, but I did use focal lengths around that with my zoom. I noticed that most of the images were shut at f2.5. I would have used about f5.6 mostly on my 35mm, to hopefully get more even quality. And a more forgiving focus accuracy. What makes you choose f2.5?
HCB more than got by with a 50mm most of the time and Garry Winogrand usually shot a 28mm (both of them on Leica rangefinders which of course predate AF), but who knows what shots they missed due to those self-imposed limitations (of course, zooms weren't as good then as they are now). When I'm in an urban setting (not that often), I'm more interested in architecture and other non-human subjects, so for me one prime just doesn't work. I usually go for the Lecia 8-18 on my G9 (which of course yields a 16-36mm EFL). I have no problem producing beautiful, large prints at any ISO (although I rarely need more then 6400, DxO and Topaz make anything possible). If I really want to be discreet, the GX85 with the 12-32 pancake zoom works very well, as 24-64mm is more than sufficient for most urban use. One can make any "mid-range" (24-120?) FL work to a point in a variety of situations, but why limit yourself to one? There have been many cases where I've gotten street shots from a discrete distance that wouldn't have happened if I'd taken the time to get in position with a shorter lens (I usually carry up to 800mm--the beauty of MFT) or if the subjects were aware of my presence. It changes everything when you go from candid to posed (many of HCB's iconic shots were candid). I know there are places where you need permission to photograph someone, but there's no reasonable expectation of privacy in any public setting. That said, I sometimes feel uncomfortable "invading someone's space," which is one reason people are rarely the primary subjects in my shots. Obviously, others feel differently.
Alternative to this is the Samyang 45mm 1.8 which is faster and a tiny bit tighter. I am a fan of Pentax 43mm 1.9 limited which is also a fast pancake with great rendering.
@@mattisulanto yep! That's even lovelier to use. I am really liking the 40mm lately. I have the ef 40mm stm on my Canon 5d, 43mm limited on my K1, 20mm 1.7 on my G3, and Samyang 45mm on my A7S.
Interesting video about 40 mm which I have not yet used. Wonder how it performs in the night market of the city? I usually carry a 28 mm for my city walk because I want to cover certain architectural sights as well as people.
Ever since I purchased a used Contax G1 with the 45mm f2 lens I have been in love with 45mm. So after saving for a time I purchased a Sigma 30mm f1.4 for my Fujifilm X series cameras (2.) I haven't been disappointed. Unless I have a good reason to not using it it stays on my X-E4 full time. PS: The X-E4 has become my primary camera with the X-Pro2 dropping down to backup.
Sometime you can flip your screen horizontal and use the A7 same as old rolleiflex, a lower point of shoot, if you have touch screen so beter. the visor must be set out of use.
I bought the similar combo about a month ago, 40 mil with a7c, I am still trying this new FL. I like to use wide angle lenses like Ricoh GR iii and its 28mm during the days and 56mm with Fuji X-T3 at night. Getting close to people during the day and keep my distance at night. So far, with Sony 40mm, it is kind of awkward! I'll give it untill July, if the awkwardness doesn't go away I'll go for 24 or 85mm!🍻
35 n 40 is it have much diffrent n wideness? i always shoot fish photo in a boat. u know how limited space in a boat. i dont like 20 coz its too wide changing it for either 35 or 40
i think i'm sold on this lens. have a 24mm and 85mm and took the 24 out for a walk in my neighborhood in berlin, was not all that pleased with the results. only when i found a cool bright colored scooter to get close to, was i able to manage anything rewarding. the 85 sounds like it could get some interesting, personal shots, but i live in berlin. sadly there's no way i can walk around like you are and shoot friendly people. the laws are too strict here. anyway was on the fence between 40 and 50mm, but this video helped me choose! thanks!
Thanks for watching. In Malaysia, or in other countries in this part of the world too, people are very photo friendly. I know how it is in many European countries. If you get the lens, please let me know how it works for you.
Lovely camera and lens, but and overkill for street photography. I tried a similar FF Sony set-up for that purpose but found it heavy and conspicuous. The Sony 1inch featherweight cameras - ZV-1 or rx100 VII (I used them both) - offer similar autofocus performance in good light, and the image quality is excellent. If one wants more focal lens flexibility a small M43 camera with tiny primes is an excellent option (my preferred one). Of course, moving subjects in low light are more challenging if you can't use a flash, which is the only time when I grab a FF. But of course, in many street situation a flagship smartphone is king
@@mattisulanto Of course. A 500g camera/lens combo is the most I am prepared to lug for street photography, walking around for hours is hard enough at my age :) !
Weight is the reason why I still use my NEX-6 plus a Samyang prime from time to time. The 35mm f2.8 focusses quite fast, and the IQ isn't bad on the 16mp sensor. It's still a great travel camera with the old 18-55 and 55-210 kit zooms.
Hey Matti, i really like your edits on the raw sony files. Do you use any specific tools or presets? They look so clean and soft but beautiful contrast and skin tones.
Hi Matti! You mentioned that you have a GR3x and this is the same focal length. How would you justify carrying this A74+40/2.5G combo vs GR3x on a long distance trip?
There is no sensible reason to take both😀 If I was only traveling, shooting for myself and had no RUclips channel, I'd only take the GR3x and the GR3. However, I need the Sony for video anyway and the 40mm is so tiny addition and easy to carry.
@@mattisulanto I am about to go to a overseas trip that I have to be very carefull about what gear to take. I have the liberty to take my GR3&GR3x combo as the minimalistic gear set, but I am concerned if I should take a FF Sony set with a couple of primes. I plan shooting general holiday shots (mostly landscapes, city scapes, street, people, architecture - a bit like you walking around and observing folks) so I should be able to cover that with my GR3 set, but I am not 100% sure.
@@zollieuncle9647 My opinion is that you should only take the GRs. You'll be fine with them and it's so nice not have too much gear. Last year I went to Lisbon with only my two GRs and I was so happy. Here is one video from that trip: ruclips.net/video/ELYOgnrF7po/видео.html
Why indeed not? Well, the Sigma weights 1270g vs the Sony 173g. For casual street shooting the Sigma simply is too much, even though it's optically really good. That's, of course, my opinion and I'm sure many are more than happy to take the Sigma for a street outing.
Thank you for all your info and travel photo shoot. Interestingly we were staying temporary upstairs next door to the mechanical spare parts shop, in Pudu,KL. My partner’s gold necklace was pulled from her neck by a motorcyclist dashed out into us from that corner coffee shop in broad daylight. Caught by surprised and defenceless with our hands full of shoppings. And he stopped and waved with his loot in a fist, -stupid foreigners. That street is during the day when people and things can be easily seen but, rather than at night it is a seedy red light district area. As little did we know we were staying at a den with brothels. I braved up getting into a cab one night and made some distant shots of locally known “China dolls” sitting on stools outside the large Karaoke Bar opposite us. KL’s night photography of under The Twin Towers with rain is an image from ‘Blade Runner’. Also I am haunted with my shocked photo shots of cows’ heads which were displayed at the front of butcher shop in Pudu Market, one of the oldest wet market in KL.When I was putting my Pudu trip photos into video and I delected them photos. Please be safe with your cameras, cheers.
@@bamsemh1 First, there are 28 days next month and whether your bday is the first or the last day makes a difference😀Second, when I'm here in KL I refer my apartment as my home. Finland is my home country, of course and I did not move to Malaysia permanently. However, I won't be here in KL in February and I won't be in Finland in February.
@@mattisulanto Of course you do. 🤣 Question. For product photography would you suggest the Sony a7c or the Panasonic G9 or go with Panasonic S5 or S5ii? Or doesn't really matter which one....any one of them? Thx.
@@PLANETWATERMELON It depends on what kind of product photography and what would be the intended end use for the photos. But, you can shoot products with all those cameras.
@@mattisulanto Stuff that's near you seems larger because its near you, not because it is. The wider the lens, the more likely you are to have stuff nearer you. Additional to that, essentially, you are photographing the inside of a ball. And then you press that curved surface onto a flat surface. Our eyes are accustomed to that perspective and to accommodating the curved surface, but when you see the consequent image, it looks weird until you understand what you are looking at. If you stand beside a railway line or straight rood and take enough images with any lens, and then stitch it together, it will look rally weird. You are compressing 180 degrees of curved surface into about 40 degrees, and then flattening it. You can straighten it in photoshop, and somehow it might look better, but the result is not what I see if I observe the scene thoughtfully.
@@oneeyedphotographer If I want that wide angle distortion, like a huge nose in a portrait, I can't do that with a telephoto lens, if I want the full face in the photo. So to me it looks like I still need different (focal length) lenses and the choice of lens makes a big difference.
@@mattisulanto You cant' get that huge selfie nose if you can't get close enough, or easily if your angle of view is too narrow. You could get that look on a larger subject, a car, a railway engine. But it's not distortion caused by the lens. It's photographer distortion. Years ago, I did it at a café using an E-N5 and my coffee cup.
@@oneeyedphotographer I need a wide angle for a wide angle look, so in that sense it's very much lens related. I can't make a wide angle photo on a telephoto. No need for you to reply, because I have a feeling this is not going anywhere😀 Unless you can show me how I can make a wide angle look on a telephoto in one shot, single frame.
Hmmm how to set a minimum shutter speed when shooting in aperture mode? That shouldn’t be possible should it. Won that just lead to wrongly exposed photos, since the camera only can control iso, since you both control aperture and shutter speed to a certain degree
Wow I'm renting this lens today to use on my A7IV to make a video here in Korea. This video recommendation was the perfect timing. I loved watching you walk around taking pictures of smiling happy faces. Everyone seems so pleased to take a picture! Unfortunately most people in Korea seriously don't like having their pictures taken 😂
Thanks. In most parts of the world people don't really like to be photographed.
That shutter sound is so therapeutic😊
I really enjoyed listening to the man explaining his view on the difference between 40mm and 35+50mm. Helpful info.
Thanks!
my favorite lens is the 40mm Canon EF STM pancake ...... I love it !!!!
What a blast having Robin Wong drop by!
I am also using the Sony 40/2.5G for Streets, mainly with the A7C, rearly a small combo.
Thanks. Sure, with the A7C you'll a really compact setup.
I just got this Sony and 40mm and it's a beast of a lens for a street photography. It's remarkably sharp wide open. Autofocus is fast. Size and weight make it a joy to use.
Thanks for sharing. The whole G series is equally nice, the 24mm, the 40mm and the 50mm. Perfect for travel and street.
40mm is great. I got it to use with my A7cr but it is even better on my A7R5. And remember with Clear Zoom you can crop in 1.5 xs making it a 60mm.
With my A7CR and Sony 50mm f/2.5 it's a 75mm with APS-C mode (26 MPix). Making it a 150mm with Clear Image Zoom (2.0X)!!! Sorry for my english writting!
Beautiful Malaysia, nice and friendly people... greetings from Croatia.
Thank you.
I bought the 24 and 50mm. Paired with my a6700. Love the image quality.
Thanks for sharing. They work really well also on APS-C and I have used them a lot on my a6700 as well😀
I’m a novice in photograpy. I love it that you put the info about the aperture, shutter speed and ISO with every photo! I have the 24mm 2.8 G (on an a7cr) and I am thinking about buying this 40mm 2.5 G.
Glad it was helpful!
@@mattisulanto I agree with Mark. I watched the video and then realized it's a perfect educational resource to show my younger cousin who is learning about photography. He found the photo info very useful, and frankly so did I even though I've been into photography for about a decade now. Very helpful details.
40 is perfect for me. Wide enough for groups and one step closer and good for portraits.
Thanks.
I'm watching this a year later. When you said you were in KL, I thought, "Oh hey! That's where Robin Wong hangs out." How fun! Like watching a superhero team up.
Thanks. Yeah, I sometimes spend time in KL and meetup with friends like Robin.
@@mattisulanto so fun when RUclips sends me your old videos to catch up on.
One of the most helpful videos on street photography I've seen. Thanks for sharing your insight and great photos. Great to see Robin Wong, too-- he is another very helpful photographer.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks.
I use the Voigtlaender 40 mm f/2 on Nikon full frame quite a lot, and infact I like the combo so much, I got a 2nd copy of the lens as well ! Great focal length.
Thanks for sharing! Your setup sounds really nice as well.
I bought the EF 40mm F2.8 on impulse a few weeks back. It was no more than a few cups of Starbucks coffee. This on the old 6D makes for a really nice walkabout combination. Larger than the GX-85 and 20mm f1.7 Panasonic I usually carry, but the images are different - as you say, from the shallower DoF. I like it.
Thanks. Exactly, there is something in that FF look. Can't deny that😀
I was trying to keep only one camera, but after watching this video I want to keep my GR and A7iii. great portraits!
Thanks. I makes sense to have both a GR and a FF Sony😀
Fantastic short film thanks for sharing with us. The 40mm is my favorite street photography lens. My Zeiss Batis 40mm is such an amazing lens. It’s ability to have semi marco capabilities makes it such a diverse tool.
Thanks for sharing! That Batis has to be amazing😀
Thank you for the video. I really like 40mm but I do shoot at 35mm and 50mm as well. It’s hard to find 40mm that is a little faster to be able to use after sundown. I have the 40/2.5 G but prefer my Zeiss Batis 40/2.0 CF and like that it’s only 361 grams. I know I can get 35 and 50 at f/2, f/1.8, and I can tolerate the at f/1.4 some times. Take care.
Excellent video. Absolutely enjoyed the 40mm lens
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just got it,...of course f2 on the same size would have been a perfect ....Perfecto!, but it is what it is. I'm very impress with the lens, I did own voigtlander 40 mm 1.4 and 1.2, used with techart on my sony, I was not expecting this lens to surprise me, but it did. It has a pop, dimensionality etc. I may sell one of my voigt to put the money on some other lens. For me is a keeper.
Thanks! Happy to hear you like the 40mm, it's a nice lens.
Fantastic video 👌🏻👌🏻 Loved the people around. All were so kind and friendly ❤
Thanks. Over there people are very photo friendly.
@@mattisulanto Yeah looks like, and it's rear to see such people these days who do not bother about 'individual privacy' and all that...😄they are just simple people who trust others 👍🏻
The nice thing about the A7iv specifically is how good it is in low light.
I used to shoot Olympus professionally, and even with the 1.2 primes on that system....man, past ISO 800 I was grabbing my flash for wedding work.
With the A7iv, I can comfortably shoot at ISO 6400. Which means I could get by with smaller lenses.
Because while Olympus cameras are small, it all depends on the context and the type of work that you do.
Flagship Olympus body + 1.2 lens + flash is considerably heavier than A7iv + 2.5 or 2.8 lens or even some 1.8 lenses.
I've taken the 40mm G lens to weddings and it's perfect for a whole lot of things :)
Thanks so much for sharing. If you really need to go to extremes you can always mount an F1.2 on the Sony and shoot into the darkness😀
Great video Matti, really wish I could be there in KL instead of being in the rain, snow and cold here in Canada….I was a little unsure of 40mm lenses until I acquired the Lumix GX7 with 20mm lens combo back in 2013. Took some time to understand the narrower than 35 and yet wider than 50 focal length…time flies and now it is my favourite for street and general shooting. Yes, it certainly does missed qualities from he 35 and 50 but the 40 is indeed just about right for me. Continue to have a great time while in Malaysia!
Thank you. The Lumix 20mm is really nice and I have it too back in Finland.
That 40mm is my favourite as well. It reminds me Lumix 20f1.7 and Fujinon XF 27f2.8.
Thanks.
6:36 I cant believe you walked away from the orange car scene! Cheers!
When I watch other photographer's videos I sometimes feel they ignored a great photo moment. However, in reality the situation might not have looked that good or that was not what the photographer was looking for. But, you are right in the video the orange car looks like an obvious subject.
@@mattisulanto we’re all different and that’s what makes us beautiful Matt. Cheers from Detroit!
hello,40mm is amazing,i have tamron20-40F2.8,and i always use the 40mm to shot.how about you think 58mm,i same like 58mm and 40mm.
5:58 I used to care about maintaining a low ISO a lot, but after years of shooting with my a7iii I've concluded the same as you. It doesn't matter. Low SS has ruined far more of my photos than high ISO. You've gotta find that balance and get the shot.
Thanks for sharing. Too low a shutter speed can indeed ruin your photos more likely than a high ISO value.
Nice photos. This lens seems to have an old-school vintage rendition, especially the out of focus region but sharp. I use a Zeiss 35mm f2.8 with my Sony A7C. Perfect compact walk-around kit!
Thanks. Your combo is super nice too.
Hey Matti, nice video. Would you recommend some guides about how to take people's portraits in the streets? I don't mean "stealth". I am a manual lens user, so "stealth" does not work for me that much, and at high F numbers it's still: cheating. I would especially appreciate mentioning various reception of such a behavior in various countries.
Maybe I'll make a video about that in the future.
What a nice photo walk: it seems that Robin isn’t the only really friendly person in Kuala Lumpur! I agree with you: 40 mm would be close to idea. 35 mm is just a little too wide and has more distortion, while 50 mm is too tight.
Thanks. It's incredibly easy to photograph people over here. The same would not be possible in most Western cities.
Speaking on M4T lenses, that shoud bé 20mm one?? Thanks you ;)
Hi Mr. Matti this is very nice photo street lens. 40mm should be in medium wide and nice for limited area. Today 14 January 2023 we have photoshoot at Botanical Garden and together with my friend for testing his Sony A7RV.
Thanks. Enjoy your shoot today. I'd love to join in and check out the A7RV, but I have already other engagement for today.
i've heard tons of reviews about the 40mm being sharper than the 50mm brother of the line up. and, the images you provided proves that it is really a beautiful lens. if i get the opportunity, i will purchase this lens. thanks for sharing!
I own the 50mm also and I can't say that there is any difference in sharpness, both are very sharp. Pick the focal length you like.
Nice photos and very interesting to see how you choose to crop/present the scene. I am a big fan of 45mm like the lens in Yashica GSN analog camera and Sigma 30mm on aps-c.
Thanks for watching.
I'm saving the last 5 mins of this for later. Thanks for this, really enjoyed seeing how you frame up and interact with the subject..
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
I thought it was a bit amusing that the background at 1:22 would have been a really nice shot, especially with the bird flying across the space in-between the buildings with the skyscraper lined up in the middle :D
I have that shot, but it did not make to the video😀
Another fun video! Nice work and great pics!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.
I think that lens and camera are a great combo. Reminds me of my brother's 6d together with a canon 40mm pancake lens.
Thanks. The Canon combo is awesome, no doubt.
The 40 mm would work well on the SonyA7C II for a discreet setup. I’m considering the combo. I might sell the AIV for the lighter A7CII.
That would be a really nice and compact combo.
Matti, I enjoyed your photo walk and am envious of your time in KL! I was there in the early 90's but just for a few days on business (also enjoyed a few trips to Finland during the same period). Sure would be nice to escape the gloom and cold of Michigan this time of year. I wondered when you were editing the video whether you noticed a photograph behind you between 1 min 6 secs and approx 1 min 18 sec? There was a skyscraper perfectly framed by the apartment buildings on either side of the lane you were walking. Not only perfectly framed by the leading lines of the apartment buildings but also great for showing the juxtaposition between old and new, as well as low-end and high-end! Enjoy the rest of your stay in KL. Best regards.
Thanks. I shot that skyscraper (Merdeka 118, the second tallest building on earth) pretty much how you describe, but did not include the photo in the video😀
I usually prefer slightly wide for street walk about...28mm to 40mm is all good...i have never been a 50mm FOV kinda guy... The new RF 28/2.8 pancake on a Canon eosR rocks...
but for cheap thrills....A Sigma DN 30/2.8 ART lens modified for Full frame on an original Sony A7s (with APSC turned off) works as well... Cheers from Bangkok!
Note: I love the Canon pancake 40/2.8 STM as well.
Thanks for sharing!
would you go for a 35mm or 40mm for a one lens setup for landscape, streets and hikes? I looking at the ttartisan 27mm f2.8 and samyang 24mm f2.8 on a Sony A6000. Considering these two due to budget and size as its nice and compact
In this case I'd probably take the Samyang because is also works on FF.
I would've prefered f2.0 and I don't like the look of the lens hood, but beside that it's a very interesting lens.
Thank you for visiting Malaysia. Hope your stay was enjoyable. Lovely video 👍
Thank you! I'm still in Malaysia😀
A good match for the A7C!
It is!
A general lens question Matti. If budget was a huge restraint and only one lens was available for my Lumix G, would you recommend a Prime 25/f1.7 or a small zoom 14-45/3.7-5.4. Mostly for street work and up close objects. I almost always shoot B&W✌️🇦🇺
I would take a prime lens, but there are other opinions too.
Loved the video and it convinced me to get the lens. Would love to know how you achieve such rich color rendering?
Thanks. I hope you are enjoying the lens. I don't have any secrets for my colors. In this video I explain my basic RAW processing that I use for most of my photos: ruclips.net/video/sHNerbFtzk0/видео.html
@@mattisulanto big thank you. I have liked and subscribed!
Thank you for this video. I have the same lens with a Sony a7r iii. And taking photos in the streets of Paris with it several times created some great images. There were several occasions where I found myself inside in lowlight, and it is not the right lens for inside photo. But in the street: I love it!
@@kingronald1 Thanks. I have used this lens in the middle of the night without any problems for street action, but I guess we all have different expectations and needs😀
Good video and seem like a lot of fun. I’m wondering what your thoughts will be on the LUMIX S5II.
Thanks. I'd love to try the S5II, but I don't know how to get one. My thoughts would probably be the same as in all those other numerous reviews out there😀
I still use the Canon EF 40mm f2.8. I love that lens!
Thanks. That's incredibly tiny and sharp.
@@mattisulanto also can focus very close and It can be adapted
to all my cameras. It even has continuous AF in the Sony A7 IV using the 7Artisans adapter 👌
It looks like you're having a great time walking around KL; I am envious. On this video and previous ones I have noticed your interesting leather palm grip set you use but I have not seen it in any of your gear listings. What is that grip/lanyard?
Thanks. That's a wrist strap that my daughter made many years ago.
@@mattisulanto That is extremely cool. Congrats to you both.
Thanks Matti! It’s always a joy to see your pictures and learn something. 40mm is unknown to me, but I did use focal lengths around that with my zoom. I noticed that most of the images were shut at f2.5. I would have used about f5.6 mostly on my 35mm, to hopefully get more even quality. And a more forgiving focus accuracy. What makes you choose f2.5?
Thanks. With F2.5 I wanted some background separation for the portraits.
HCB more than got by with a 50mm most of the time and Garry Winogrand usually shot a 28mm (both of them on Leica rangefinders which of course predate AF), but who knows what shots they missed due to those self-imposed limitations (of course, zooms weren't as good then as they are now). When I'm in an urban setting (not that often), I'm more interested in architecture and other non-human subjects, so for me one prime just doesn't work. I usually go for the Lecia 8-18 on my G9 (which of course yields a 16-36mm EFL). I have no problem producing beautiful, large prints at any ISO (although I rarely need more then 6400, DxO and Topaz make anything possible). If I really want to be discreet, the GX85 with the 12-32 pancake zoom works very well, as 24-64mm is more than sufficient for most urban use. One can make any "mid-range" (24-120?) FL work to a point in a variety of situations, but why limit yourself to one? There have been many cases where I've gotten street shots from a discrete distance that wouldn't have happened if I'd taken the time to get in position with a shorter lens (I usually carry up to 800mm--the beauty of MFT) or if the subjects were aware of my presence. It changes everything when you go from candid to posed (many of HCB's iconic shots were candid). I know there are places where you need permission to photograph someone, but there's no reasonable expectation of privacy in any public setting. That said, I sometimes feel uncomfortable "invading someone's space," which is one reason people are rarely the primary subjects in my shots. Obviously, others feel differently.
Thanks for sharing your extensive comment.
Alternative to this is the Samyang 45mm 1.8 which is faster and a tiny bit tighter. I am a fan of Pentax 43mm 1.9 limited which is also a fast pancake with great rendering.
There are some alternatives indeed, also the Sigma 45mm F2.8.
@@mattisulanto yep! That's even lovelier to use. I am really liking the 40mm lately. I have the ef 40mm stm on my Canon 5d, 43mm limited on my K1, 20mm 1.7 on my G3, and Samyang 45mm on my A7S.
Interesting video about 40 mm which I have not yet used. Wonder how it performs in the night market of the city? I usually carry a 28 mm for my city walk because I want to cover certain architectural sights as well as people.
Thanks. I guess a 40mm performs as well the photographer in any situation.
Ever since I purchased a used Contax G1 with the 45mm f2 lens I have been in love with 45mm. So after saving for a time I purchased a Sigma 30mm f1.4 for my Fujifilm X series cameras (2.)
I haven't been disappointed. Unless I have a good reason to not using it it stays on my X-E4 full time.
PS: The X-E4 has become my primary camera with the X-Pro2 dropping down to backup.
Thanks. The X-E4 is a super nice camera.
Sometime you can flip your screen horizontal and use the A7 same as old rolleiflex, a lower point of shoot, if you have touch screen so beter. the visor must be set out of use.
Sure you can do that. Not quite the same as a TLR, but close😀
I bought the similar combo about a month ago, 40 mil with a7c, I am still trying this new FL. I like to use wide angle lenses like Ricoh GR iii and its 28mm during the days and 56mm with Fuji X-T3 at night. Getting close to people during the day and keep my distance at night. So far, with Sony 40mm, it is kind of awkward! I'll give it untill July, if the awkwardness doesn't go away I'll go for 24 or 85mm!🍻
Thanks. Sometimes it takes a while to get used to a lens or a camera, but sometimes it never works out.
35 n 40 is it have much diffrent n wideness? i always shoot fish photo in a boat. u know how limited space in a boat. i dont like 20 coz its too wide changing it for either 35 or 40
Lets DOOO THIS!
i think i'm sold on this lens. have a 24mm and 85mm and took the 24 out for a walk in my neighborhood in berlin, was not all that pleased with the results. only when i found a cool bright colored scooter to get close to, was i able to manage anything rewarding. the 85 sounds like it could get some interesting, personal shots, but i live in berlin. sadly there's no way i can walk around like you are and shoot friendly people. the laws are too strict here. anyway was on the fence between 40 and 50mm, but this video helped me choose! thanks!
Thanks for watching. In Malaysia, or in other countries in this part of the world too, people are very photo friendly. I know how it is in many European countries. If you get the lens, please let me know how it works for you.
Lovely camera and lens, but and overkill for street photography. I tried a similar FF Sony set-up for that purpose but found it heavy and conspicuous. The Sony 1inch featherweight cameras - ZV-1 or rx100 VII (I used them both) - offer similar autofocus performance in good light, and the image quality is excellent. If one wants more focal lens flexibility a small M43 camera with tiny primes is an excellent option (my preferred one). Of course, moving subjects in low light are more challenging if you can't use a flash, which is the only time when I grab a FF. But of course, in many street situation a flagship smartphone is king
Thanks for sharing your opinion. We all have our preferences and what works for me may not work for you😀
@@mattisulanto Of course. A 500g camera/lens combo is the most I am prepared to lug for street photography, walking around for hours is hard enough at my age :) !
Weight is the reason why I still use my NEX-6 plus a Samyang prime from time to time. The 35mm f2.8 focusses quite fast, and the IQ isn't bad on the 16mp sensor.
It's still a great travel camera with the old 18-55 and 55-210 kit zooms.
Hey Matti, i really like your edits on the raw sony files. Do you use any specific tools or presets? They look so clean and soft but beautiful contrast and skin tones.
Thanks. I do only very basic editing in Lightroom. Here is a video: ruclips.net/video/sHNerbFtzk0/видео.html
Hi Matti! You mentioned that you have a GR3x and this is the same focal length. How would you justify carrying this A74+40/2.5G combo vs GR3x on a long distance trip?
There is no sensible reason to take both😀 If I was only traveling, shooting for myself and had no RUclips channel, I'd only take the GR3x and the GR3. However, I need the Sony for video anyway and the 40mm is so tiny addition and easy to carry.
@@mattisulanto I am about to go to a overseas trip that I have to be very carefull about what gear to take. I have the liberty to take my GR3&GR3x combo as the minimalistic gear set, but I am concerned if I should take a FF Sony set with a couple of primes. I plan shooting general holiday shots (mostly landscapes, city scapes, street, people, architecture - a bit like you walking around and observing folks) so I should be able to cover that with my GR3 set, but I am not 100% sure.
@@zollieuncle9647 My opinion is that you should only take the GRs. You'll be fine with them and it's so nice not have too much gear. Last year I went to Lisbon with only my two GRs and I was so happy. Here is one video from that trip: ruclips.net/video/ELYOgnrF7po/видео.html
People are open to photos there a little more than I have experienced in the US. I thought I heard robin when that guy was smoking lol
People are very open to photos over here. You can also see Robin in the video😀
Great Video
Glad you enjoyed it!
what metering setting do you use?
I had to double check and it seems I'm using multi metering mode.
Welcome to Malaysia
May you talk a little bit more about your experience for a fotowalk comparing the ricoh and the sony?
Thanks. I talked about it, but maybe I'll talk more in the future.
Food at Cai Ji restaurant is good in case you didn’t manage to try it out
Thanks for the tip. However, their menu is not really to my taste😀 I prefer Chun Kei Tai Bu noodles if I'm in Pudu.
@@mattisulanto haha yes that’s also one of the best food around 😋
Welcome to Malaysia 😄
Thank you!
Why not the Sigma Art 40mm 1.4 ?
Why indeed not? Well, the Sigma weights 1270g vs the Sony 173g. For casual street shooting the Sigma simply is too much, even though it's optically really good. That's, of course, my opinion and I'm sure many are more than happy to take the Sigma for a street outing.
@@mattisulanto weight ist a problem. On a long walk more. I thought tha the choice of a more variable bokeh would be nice.
@@mredben Unfortunately you have to make compromises😀
@@mattisulanto is there a rule of a perfect lens 20, 24, 28, 30, 32, 34, 35, 40mm to get best result in street photography?
@@mredben I'm not aware of any such rules. Use whatever works for you.
Thank you for all your info and travel photo shoot. Interestingly we were staying temporary upstairs next door to the mechanical spare parts shop, in Pudu,KL. My partner’s gold necklace was pulled from her neck by a motorcyclist dashed out into us from that corner coffee shop in broad daylight. Caught by surprised and defenceless with our hands full of shoppings. And he stopped and waved with his loot in a fist, -stupid foreigners. That street is during the day when people and things can be easily seen but, rather than at night it is a seedy red light district area. As little did we know we were staying at a den with brothels. I braved up getting into a cab one night and made some distant shots of locally known “China dolls” sitting on stools outside the large Karaoke Bar opposite us.
KL’s night photography of under The Twin Towers with rain is an image from ‘Blade Runner’. Also I am haunted with my shocked photo shots of cows’ heads which were displayed at the front of butcher shop in Pudu Market, one of the oldest wet market in KL.When I was putting my Pudu trip photos into video and I delected them photos.
Please be safe with your cameras, cheers.
Thanks for sharing your not so pleasant experience.
6:45 how do you set it so that the shutter speed never goes below X?
There is a menu item called ISO AUTO Min. SS. Please refer to the camera user manual.
@@mattisulanto ah thanks, I wasn’t even aware of it
smoke a little bit hahah 🙃
1:15 Umm... Every fiber of my being wanted him to turn around and take a photo.
this guy is cool
Will you be home for my birthday next month? 😊
I'm sorry, but I don't know when your birthday is and whose home you are referring to.
@@mattisulanto aren't you from Finland? 🤔 Home 😉 and I said next month 😉 or did you move to Malaysia? 🤔
Miss seeing your and Peter's walks 😊
@@bamsemh1 First, there are 28 days next month and whether your bday is the first or the last day makes a difference😀Second, when I'm here in KL I refer my apartment as my home. Finland is my home country, of course and I did not move to Malaysia permanently. However, I won't be here in KL in February and I won't be in Finland in February.
5:58 .... i thought it'd be a sht photo but whoa
I guess that's a compliment, thanks😀
I have the 24mm 2.8 G.................go wide or go home! Hahaha!!!
I have that lens too😀
@@mattisulanto Of course you do. 🤣 Question. For product photography would you suggest the Sony a7c or the Panasonic G9 or go with Panasonic S5 or S5ii? Or doesn't really matter which one....any one of them? Thx.
@@PLANETWATERMELON It depends on what kind of product photography and what would be the intended end use for the photos. But, you can shoot products with all those cameras.
8:14 That distortion is everything to do with camera placement and nothing to do with the lens.
What exactly do you mean?
@@mattisulanto Stuff that's near you seems larger because its near you, not because it is. The wider the lens, the more likely you are to have stuff nearer you.
Additional to that, essentially, you are photographing the inside of a ball. And then you press that curved surface onto a flat surface. Our eyes are accustomed to that perspective and to accommodating the curved surface, but when you see the consequent image, it looks weird until you understand what you are looking at.
If you stand beside a railway line or straight rood and take enough images with any lens, and then stitch it together, it will look rally weird. You are compressing 180 degrees of curved surface into about 40 degrees, and then flattening it.
You can straighten it in photoshop, and somehow it might look better, but the result is not what I see if I observe the scene thoughtfully.
@@oneeyedphotographer If I want that wide angle distortion, like a huge nose in a portrait, I can't do that with a telephoto lens, if I want the full face in the photo. So to me it looks like I still need different (focal length) lenses and the choice of lens makes a big difference.
@@mattisulanto You cant' get that huge selfie nose if you can't get close enough, or easily if your angle of view is too narrow.
You could get that look on a larger subject, a car, a railway engine. But it's not distortion caused by the lens. It's photographer distortion. Years ago, I did it at a café using an E-N5 and my coffee cup.
@@oneeyedphotographer I need a wide angle for a wide angle look, so in that sense it's very much lens related. I can't make a wide angle photo on a telephoto. No need for you to reply, because I have a feeling this is not going anywhere😀 Unless you can show me how I can make a wide angle look on a telephoto in one shot, single frame.
Bye bye MFT !
Hmmm how to set a minimum shutter speed when shooting in aperture mode? That shouldn’t be possible should it. Won that just lead to wrongly exposed photos, since the camera only can control iso, since you both control aperture and shutter speed to a certain degree
If you own a camera, please try it and see what happens. Set the max ISO to 6400 or 12800.
@@mattisulanto i can set minimum/max iso. But found out my sony a7ii dont have the feature with the shutterspeed. Hmmm maybe time to buy a a7iii? 😉
Some older cameras may not have the min shutter for auto ISO. It's a fairly common feature though.