Street Lenses

ratsock · 19th June 2012, 4:12 PM

Hey guys,

I've just upgraded to a 5d mkII since my old camera body was getting pretty beat up (big price difference till to mkIII).

Wondering what your recommendations are for a good lens to pop on and walk about the streets? Im thinking a good, fast prime in the 24-50mm range? Problem is the bank is a little broken after getting the body so need to wait a bit to get something really nice and just need something to tide me over, or something less expensive thats worth keeping.

I quite like the 35mm f/1.4L but the physical size of the L lenses aren't appealing for carrying around on the street, too conspicuous and heavy. I haven't held it personally yet but it seems like its rather physically large.

What do you think?

bueller · 19th June 2012, 4:19 PM

35mm would definitely be my go-to for street stuff, the 35mm f2 is a decent lens for the price and is very small and lightweight.

If you're not worried about AF I would also recommend the Voigtlander 40mm Ultron, damn fine lens.

Deftone2k · 19th June 2012, 4:21 PM

So no money but wanting the 35L?

I say get the 35L

If you dont have much coin, just grab a Nifty 50 and use it till you got cash

adz · 19th June 2012, 4:23 PM

You say the bank is broken and yet you start talking about the 35mm f/1.4L? If the bank is really broken then try having a look at something like the 50mm f/1.8 II, the 50mm f/1.4 or the 35mm f/2. All small form factor and all cheap.

ratsock · 19th June 2012, 4:27 PM

Lol, i should clarify. I *cannn* put together the cash for a 35L, but would prefer a cheaper option in the short term (going on holiday to Greece and India too

). Do you guys think its worth just splurging on it now, or are there other cheaper alternatives that will get the job done. I'm just looking for something for street photos which dont generally need to be that amazing IQ, what im mostly wondering about is the bulkiness and size of the 35L, especially if I'm thinking of taking it to India to shoot in busy, dusty streets.

Tinian · 19th June 2012, 4:30 PM

Nifty fifty. At f/1.8 pricing they're practically replaceable items.

Modafroman · 19th June 2012, 4:41 PM

As others have said, nifty fifty, Sigma 50mm 1.4, or if you can deal with manual focus, maybe the Samyang 35mm 1.4?

bueller · 19th June 2012, 4:42 PM

The 5DMKII is already heavy enough, I'd definitely steer clear of the 35L especially if you're going to be spending long days walking around on holidays.

zach · 19th June 2012, 4:42 PM

Buy right, buy once. If you don't get the 35L now you will always be wanting one.

ratsock · 19th June 2012, 4:45 PM

Ok, so I guess my main options are the nifty fifty or canon 35mm f/2.
I quite like the 35mm range. Probably more useful for street shots. But am reading mixed reports about the quality of the lens?

Dropbear · 19th June 2012, 4:52 PM

The 50mm FL on a 5D is a match made in heaven

bueller · 19th June 2012, 5:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratsock

I quite like the 35mm range. Probably more useful for street shots. But am reading mixed reports about the quality of the lens?

I've heard some people complain about the build quality of it but I had no problems when I borrowed one off a friend, for the price I think the build is fine. Wide open it was decent and from 2.8 onwards it was fantastic optically.

meeetch · 19th June 2012, 5:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laidlow

35mm would definitely be my go-to for street stuff, the 35mm f2 is a decent lens for the price and is very small and lightweight.

If you're not worried about AF I would also recommend the Voigtlander 40mm Ultron, damn fine lens.

Currently waiting for the newer model to come to to buy one. Was supposed to be available already

Only difference is they changed the focus ring to metal from rubber

crispy12 · 19th June 2012, 5:44 PM

Lol I find this amusing, what's a street lens? The typical street photography shot usually has large depth of field anyway to get the entire frame and composition in focus (hard enough on FF).

35/1.4 purely for street would be wasted most of the time unless you're shooting at night. Esp since money is an issue. I think you just have GAS - nothing wrong with that :P buy once, buy right unless you think you can sell it easily.

ncsa · 19th June 2012, 6:02 PM

You haven't mentioned but are you taking only one lens?

The 35L is on my list of next buys - however, for those locations you may find having something wider will help - consider the 17-40 while not fast nor a prime is worthy of keeping and fits inside your budget of $125 - $1400, its weather sealed too - with a filter on the front.

Comparison with 35L

If you wish to try it out PM me as we seem to be in the same relative location.

19th June 2012, 4:12 PM	#1
ratsock Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, South Yarra Posts: 1,204	Street Lenses Hey guys, I've just upgraded to a 5d mkII since my old camera body was getting pretty beat up (big price difference till to mkIII). Wondering what your recommendations are for a good lens to pop on and walk about the streets? Im thinking a good, fast prime in the 24-50mm range? Problem is the bank is a little broken after getting the body so need to wait a bit to get something really nice and just need something to tide me over, or something less expensive thats worth keeping. I quite like the 35mm f/1.4L but the physical size of the L lenses aren't appealing for carrying around on the street, too conspicuous and heavy. I haven't held it personally yet but it seems like its rather physically large. What do you think?

19th June 2012, 4:19 PM	#2
bueller Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth Posts: 2,008	35mm would definitely be my go-to for street stuff, the 35mm f2 is a decent lens for the price and is very small and lightweight. If you're not worried about AF I would also recommend the Voigtlander 40mm Ultron, damn fine lens. __________________ PERTH: Chasing old AT and PS/2 keyboards for parts, let me know what you've got!

19th June 2012, 4:21 PM	#3
Deftone2k Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Strathfield, NSW Posts: 12,695	So no money but wanting the 35L? I say get the 35L If you dont have much coin, just grab a Nifty 50 and use it till you got cash __________________ Jack Chauvel Photography Guide to B&W Film Development \| Flickr \| Facebook \| Twitter \| My Travels in Photos 186* Successful Trades

19th June 2012, 4:30 PM	#6
Tinian Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: localhost Posts: 8,584	Nifty fifty. At f/1.8 pricing they're practically replaceable items. __________________ Intel Core i7 3930K \| ASUS P9X79 Pro Motherboard \| G.Skill Ripjaws 64GB \| EVGA GeForce GTX 680 Classified 4GB x2

19th June 2012, 4:41 PM	#7
Modafroman Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,110	As others have said, nifty fifty, Sigma 50mm 1.4, or if you can deal with manual focus, maybe the Samyang 35mm 1.4? __________________ Audio: Westone 3 \| Hifiman HE-400 \| Matrix M-Stage Amp \| AT AD700 \| Photo: 5D Mk3 \| X100S \| 17-40mm/24-105mm/70-200mm f4L \| Σ 50mm f1.4 \| \o/CHAIR RAVER \o/ PC: i7 920@3.85Ghz \| Asus P6T-D \| 12GB Gskill \| Asus GTX680 DC2 \| Corsair H70+2xGTs \| OCZ Vertex 3 120GB \| 8TB HDDs \| Creative X-Fi Ti HD \| Fractal Design Define XL \| Corsair HX1000 \| Dell U2711+U2311 \|

19th June 2012, 4:23 PM	#4
adz Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 355	You say the bank is broken and yet you start talking about the 35mm f/1.4L? If the bank is really broken then try having a look at something like the 50mm f/1.8 II, the 50mm f/1.4 or the 35mm f/2. All small form factor and all cheap.

19th June 2012, 4:27 PM	#5
ratsock Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, South Yarra Posts: 1,204	Lol, i should clarify. I cannn put together the cash for a 35L, but would prefer a cheaper option in the short term (going on holiday to Greece and India too ). Do you guys think its worth just splurging on it now, or are there other cheaper alternatives that will get the job done. I'm just looking for something for street photos which dont generally need to be that amazing IQ, what im mostly wondering about is the bulkiness and size of the 35L, especially if I'm thinking of taking it to India to shoot in busy, dusty streets.

19th June 2012, 4:42 PM	#8
bueller Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth Posts: 2,008	The 5DMKII is already heavy enough, I'd definitely steer clear of the 35L especially if you're going to be spending long days walking around on holidays. __________________ PERTH: Chasing old AT and PS/2 keyboards for parts, let me know what you've got!

19th June 2012, 4:42 PM	#9
zach Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: chermside.bris.qld.au:80 Posts: 2,601	Buy right, buy once. If you don't get the 35L now you will always be wanting one.

19th June 2012, 4:45 PM	#10
ratsock Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, South Yarra Posts: 1,204	Ok, so I guess my main options are the nifty fifty or canon 35mm f/2. I quite like the 35mm range. Probably more useful for street shots. But am reading mixed reports about the quality of the lens?

19th June 2012, 4:52 PM	#11
Dropbear Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 8,965	The 50mm FL on a 5D is a match made in heaven __________________ 500Px \| Model Mayhem \| Flickr \| DeviantArt

19th June 2012, 5:44 PM	#14
crispy12 Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Brisbane Posts: 633	Lol I find this amusing, what's a street lens? The typical street photography shot usually has large depth of field anyway to get the entire frame and composition in focus (hard enough on FF). 35/1.4 purely for street would be wasted most of the time unless you're shooting at night. Esp since money is an issue. I think you just have GAS - nothing wrong with that :P buy once, buy right unless you think you can sell it easily.

19th June 2012, 6:02 PM	#15
ncsa Iron Photographer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sth Melbourne Posts: 450	You haven't mentioned but are you taking only one lens? The 35L is on my list of next buys - however, for those locations you may find having something wider will help - consider the 17-40 while not fast nor a prime is worthy of keeping and fits inside your budget of $125 - $1400, its weather sealed too - with a filter on the front. Comparison with 35L If you wish to try it out PM me as we seem to be in the same relative location. __________________ OS X: Mac Mini 10.8 16GB \| Storage: LaCie 2big 6TB Thunderbolt drive \| Display: Dell U3011 Manfrotto 055 405 468 EOS 700D \| 18-135 IS STM \| MP-E 65mm 2.8