Hello,

Could you guys recommend me the lens that is best for so called street photography? If there is a single lens that can do most of the street photography in the first place, of course.

What I mostly want is to shoot people (close-ups - faces - included) and street life in general. Maybe some architecture as it is a part of a street life and adding to the atmosphere... blah blah blah. Hope you understand more or less what I need.

Simply put, shooting interesting scenes and people while roaming through the city if that makes sense, without needing to switch the lens in the process.

I'm using D90 at the moment, but expecting D700 in a month or two. I'd like to be able to use it on both cameras if that is possible. Or if not, a suggestion for each of those two cameras.

Budget is not an issue as long as I don't have to sell the boat to buy it - lol.

I'm having 18-105mm Kit lens and AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G at the moment.

Thanks.

Personally, I like my 24mm for shooting people in the streets. I really enjoy the FOV (on my little old D40 ) and focusing is pretty easy, since DOF is pretty big stopped down to f/8. Any help I can get to make the photo more quickly is a plus in my book because a good shot can be gone pretty fast.

My 24mm is of the f/2.8 AIS variety because my budget was (and still is) tight. There are a few different versions of the lens (f/2, AF, AIS) so its up to you to decide what features you want.

That being said, I also like the 35mm focal length on DX. Since you already have that one, why not try is out? You can decide then if you want something wider or longer from there.

Adam

I'm no pro but when I spent a week in Spain visiting a crazy fireworks festival (Las Fallas) and the one lens that was mounted on my camera all the time was my Tamron 17-50/2,8.
It's versatile enough for both portraits and some buildings so I would go for some normal zoom.
The 17-50/2,8 might not be the best alternative for you since you're getting a D700 but check out the Sigma 24-70/2,8 or Tamron 28-75/2,8 or if you have money to spend, a Nikon 24-70/2,8.

The 24-70 2.8 is great for that type of general shooting, provided you don't need to be indiscreet; but, a D700 isn't a discreet camera anyway.

Thank you all for replying.

I guess 24-70/2.8 it is.

And yes, being as discreet as possible is certainly my goal, since the mood of the scene changes the sec "they" see you with a camera aiming at them.

aroth87, I love my 35/1.8 but if I want to shoot someones face or any kind of close-up or a detail, I need to come too close to catch the expression on their faces and that is a problem more often than not.

A combination of my Kit lens zoom capabilities with the sharpness and bokeh of my 35/1.8 would be ideal I think - lol. Since I haven't tried anything besides these two lenses I have no idea what is out there.
I'll try to find some photos taken with the 24-70/2.8 and see if that's what I need, which I'm pretty sure it is.

Also, not sure if there is a big difference in quality between Sigma and Nikon when it comes to this lens?

Thank you all again.

My 17-55 2.8 works well. Combine it with the Tokina 50-135 and you're in business.

luminosity wrote:
My 17-55 2.8 works well. Combine it with the Tokina 50-135 and you're in business.

He's buying a D700 in a couple months. Probably not a good idea to invest DX glass.

Oops. My error. I looked at the existing glass and missed the D700 to come.

If you're on a budget, check out the new Sigma 24-70 HSM. Seems very well regarded by many.

luminosity wrote:
Oops. My error. I looked at the existing glass and missed the D700 to come.

If you're on a budget, check out the new Sigma 24-70 HSM. Seems very well regarded by many.

Check out http://www.popphoto.com/Reviews/Lenses/Sigma-24-70mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-HSM-AF-Lens-Test They really seem stoked about this lens. Supposed to be a huge imporvement over the older model.

Yes, runamuck. I was just reading that review and a few more about that Sigma lens and everyone are saying it's THE lens. Thank you.

My only concern would be the lack of VR feature in both, since I'm not using a tripod and all of my shots are hand-held. Does anyone know how big of a problem that truly is?

Thanks.

Not a big problem at all, at those focal lengths. The "textbook" recommendation is that VR becomes useful at 1/fl (1 divided by the focal length), but for good sharp shots I've seen many people choose to use 1/2xFL. In either case, at 50mm you're looking at camera shake becoming an issue somewhere around 1/50 to 1/60, and at slower shutter speeds than that, the real problem is not your camera motion but the subject's motion. So VR becomes moot, because it's the people who won't sit still.

Neither the Nikon 17-55 nor the 24-70, both top-of-the-line lenses, have VR. Nor, in my humble opinion, do they really need it (and they're heavy enough already!).

onearmivan wrote:...

I guess 24-70/2.8 it is.

And yes, being as discreet as possible is certainly my goal, since the mood of the scene changes the sec "they" see you with a camera aiming at them.
...


Discretion and the Nikon 24-70 is not what you get. It is a large lens, and with hood it is kinda' menacing

An FM3a with a pancake lens is discreet. A D700 with a 24-70 simply screams "I'm taking your picture, watch out!" Even a D70 or D80 with a pancake lens is far less obtrusive.

Mocca wrote:
Discretion and the Nikon 24-70 is not what you get. It is a large lens, and with hood it is kinda' menacing

Ain't that the truth! Many non-photogrphers think my 24-70 is a long telephoto when I have the hood attached. But you can't beat it for IQ. It is simply an amazing lens.

For a more discreet lens, try the 35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4 or 1.8, or the 85mm f/1.8 depending on the focal length you desire. Great glass for a reasonable price, and they are in a much smaller lenses than the 24-70. Typically that will be the case with the primes. You might even consider adding one or more of those to the 24-70, as they are relatively inexpensive.

David

I haven't done any street photography in several years. Back then I used a d70 and a couple of fast lenses, because I liked small, light kit. Usually I'd use the sigma 18-50 f/2.8 and the 85 f/1.8.

Today, I'd buy one of the small DX bodies and use the same lenses. I wouldn't use my d300 or d700 and pro glass for that purpose. That is just too large and heavy for me to enjoy, plus that isn't "discreet" kit.

I've seen pics with 24-70 and they are truly amazing. I'm definitely considering to buy that one next week.

And the idea of looking menacing... ahmm... might be nifty for a change - lol.

That lens and my 35/1.8 prime should be a decent combination for start I guess. 35 for D90 and 24-70 for D700 when it comes.

I'm getting only D700 body and it really seems that 24-70 would be an ideal all-around lens for it (unless there are other thoughts).

Thank you all.

onearmivan wrote:
I'm getting only D700 body and it really seems that 24-70 would be an ideal all-around lens for it (unless there are other thoughts).

IQ-wise, yes. But the size and weight can really be an issue. Especially for street photography, when you probably don't want to be seen and you'll carry the camera for a couple of hours.
I own the 24-70, but I seldom use it because of the above mentioned reasons. I prefer small and fast manual focus primes with the D700. I find the camera too large and heavy already with very small lenses, so the 24-70 is only used for "events" and such when I'm playing the dedicated photographer.

I'm not saying it's unwize to buy the 24-70, but I don't think it is well suited for the use you describe.

It depends on the kind of street photography you want to do. Some people believe in posed candids and other photography that allows people to see you. Not everyone is in favor of being unseen, at least by the subject.

all lenses will do depending on your style...

my favorite: the 18-200VR on DX ! I missed enough shots with a short zoom on the D3 that I learned that you need two bodies or a "swiss knife" lens, to take spontaneous pictures. Other than that the 24-70 is a good choice, often the right choice but not always !

Guy

As you guys can assume from my nickname I'm actually using mostly only my right arm/hand to operate a camera, so weight definitely plays a role in all of this, and a bigger one than with you guys.

But, on the other hand, size doesn't. Or should I say I don't mind the size and it's actually better/easier for me to reach and hold the bigger lens with my left forearm (since the hand is useless).

I love Nikon bodies - ergonomics and buttons are positioned naturally for the best/fastest performance (at least for me - I'm aware that most people don't have my problems, though - ).

When it comes to what type of street photography I'm interested in... I'm not a pro and doing this only for fun and it's what I enjoy to do. So, it's a bit of everything I guess - heh. If I see something interesting (a cat, a guy, eerie combination of light and architecture, some detail, kids, windows, people doing something... blah blah blah...) I try to catch it with my camera.

I'd like to be able to make a photo with that one lens cause changing lenses on the spot is not something I can do with only one arm/hand that I have, sadly. So I'm stuck with whatever is on the camera after I leave the house, simply put - lol.

Thank you all for the kind help.