Is this all you need for street photography? for me, the answer is yes
I don’t really need anything more for my street photography, I like to concentrate on the streets. I don’t need distractions, like what lens do I need for this scene or is it going to be ok for this street, etc, all I care about is making great photos. Finding the right focal length that you feel comfortable with isn’t easy and it can take years to find that fits your style and vision. When I first got started with street photography I would use only one focal length the 50mm, which most street photographers use, I found the 35mm focal length to be too wide for my photos. I like to be up close and personal with my work so that you can almost smell the streets.
Now, through 2017 I found myself using Fujifilm’s 56mm F1.2 and more than often I would shoot that lens wide open, the bokeh from this lens is so damn dreamy and cinematic I just found myself falling in love with it more and more. At the start of this year (2018) I was sent a X-Pro 2 with 23mm F2 from Fujifilm UK to try and use, now this was the second time that Fuji had sent me this camera and lens combo to try, however the first time I got it I just left the 23mm on side and went out with the 56mm. But, I’m always open to a new challenge and so this time I left the 23mm F2 lens on the camera and I went to London for 2 days (without the 56mm, that's right I left it at home) for some street photography. What happened next I wasn’t ready for, I fell in love with the look that the 23mm was giving me, so much so that I ended up buying one.
So what is the best focal length for street photography?
There's no easy or right answer here, for my colour photos no doubt my 56mm, but as much as I love the 56mm for colour work I would say the 23mm is my favourite lens to use on the streets when shooting in monochrome, however, if I was to ask my friend and fellow street photographer Spyros, he would have to say the 18mm, but then Christian Cross would say it’s better to go wide and use maybe a 35mm. Both I and Spyros shoot Fuji and the camera has an APS-C sensor which means the 56mm becomes an 82mm, 23mm becomes 35mm and the 18mm becomes 23mm (I’m sure I have that right lol ).
The 2 most used focal lengths for street shooting are 35mm and 50mm, both have advantages and disadvantages for street photography. I have used a wide-angle lens for street photography and I do end up with some good-looking photos, but I do mostly prefer something around the 75mm focal length.
My advice for anyone starting out in street photography or anyone that's struggling, switch to a prime lens like the 50mm and shoot with that for at least 6 months. I guarantee your photography will improve 100%, using one focal length makes you think more about the photo you're trying to make.
Having one lens will also help you to relax more, it also helps that you haven’t got lots of gear to carry.
All photos were taken with the Fujifilm 23mm F2 WR lens.
