How to get the perfect lens for street photography

Like any photographic discipline, street photography requires very specific lens. If you are passionate about street photography and want to get the perfect gear, we’ll walk you through the qualities of each accessory that you need to consider when making your choice.

In the case of lenses, there is a clear debate among photographers: some prefer telephoto lenses, others wide angles, and still others standard fixed lenses. There is no perfect lens for street photography: it will be up to everyone to choose the one that suits them.

Telephoto lenses

They allow you to get close to people without actually having to do it. This is an advantage especially for those who are shy or for those who are not comfortable with a camera in front of a stranger. With a telephoto lens in your hands, you will be able to capture details and gestures in people, who may not even recognize your presence due to your distance.

Wide angles

The supporters of wide angles for street photography advocate the ability to capture the entire entourage in a single shot, capturing the street scene as a whole.

Standard lenses

A 35mm (for APS-C) or a 50mm (for Full Frame) is a lens that appeals to many street photographers. This is in part due to famous photographers who marked a before and after in urban photography such as Henry Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank. The debate is not only about the focal length, but also whether it is variable or fixed. We take you through the benefit of either case:

Fixed lenses

A lens with a fixed focal length, which does not vary, has two advantages. On the one hand, it forces you to move around, a recommendable exercise for all photographers to find the perfect frame. The results obtained are generally more interesting and suitable. On the other hand, a fixed lens allows you to achieve a beautiful aesthetic unity in a photo report, which then grants the same photographic distance on all the images.

Zoom lenses

A zoom lens is a versatile, comfortable and above all, reassuring option. If you want to have all subjects within reach, a lens with a large focal length range, such as a 16-300mm lens, will give you great control over the situation. You will be able to photograph both close objects as well as those far away, without having to move.

So which one to choose?

If you are a beginner, you can first choose a zoom lens that will help you dive into the world of photography in a more enjoyable way, especially in street photography.. Once initiated to this discipline, you will be able to take the plunge and dare to use a fixed lens. Check for more on dzofilm.com.

Then it’s up to you to see what focal length you want to work with. Have you always liked landscapes and wide shots? Do you want to encompass everything? If so, you can choose a wide angle. Conversely, if you prefer details and foregrounds, then you will need a telephoto lens. And if you don’t have a preference, don’t forget the standard lenses – they give you a natural view of the scene, very similar to what we see through our own eyes.