Zoom Lenses For Street Use

[The Vulcan]

Just wandering around (bored again) and snapping away.

When I processed these images I started to question why we bother with top of the range all singing and all dancing zooms.

As can be seen from the full frame this was a snap shot taken from waist level which is a technique I favour to keep the scene "natural"

The final crop is sharp enough I think to pose the question - In this digital age do we really need zooms? Had I fitted a zoom, I doubt I would have got this shot or indeed attempted it.

(p.s. what I like about the shot is the complete lack of inter-activity between the "players" )

What's your view on street photography and zooms v primes?

Canon 5D - 20 YEAR OLD 24MM BASIC LENS - ISO 200 - 1/125th @ F5.6 - pre-set manual focus range

[hughden]

Of course the full-frame 5D means you can crop a lot and still get a clean image, like your example. I like to get candids by shooting from a distance with a 300mm; and also to keep dry on days like today!

[Tywais]

I guess I would like to have a short zoom, such as 24-70 or 24-105mm to allow more flexibility for the wider shots and the occasional portrait that may present itself. A fixed lens seems too limiting unless you have specific plans in advance.

[astral]

I tend to agree with Hughden.

Keep your distance with a long lens.

If people become aware that you are taking photos they can become self-conscious

and spoil the moment.

I know Vulcan achieves the same by shooting from the waist, but with cropping he looses

the ability later to make a decent enlargement.

[phuketrichard]

I always carry a zoom on my camera 18-70

it covers all the range i need

I always carry two cameras and some of the best shots i have gotten are when i give one body with a long zoom to some girls and then back off and shoot witht eh other one