Buying advice

Street photography: light gear and fast focal lengths

Street photography thrives on light gear and fast lenses around 35 mm. Why 35 mm works and which bodies and lenses from the used market fit the bill.

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Street photography thrives on light gear and fast lenses around 35 mm. They're wide enough to capture the context of the street and tight enough for the details of people's expressions. That way you can be part of the scene without disrupting what's happening around you.

Why 35 mm?

It's the most versatile documentary focal length, and it forces you to get closer to your subject. It makes you work with space and composition, which is an advantage on the street. A fast aperture also handles the street at dusk, where streetlights and neon shop windows create dramatic contrasts.

What to look for on the used market

Right now I have several pieces in stock that work well for street:

Sony 35 mm f/1.4 GM – top-notch rendering, great autofocus and a bright aperture.
Canon EOS R6 – full frame with excellent low-light performance.
Sony A7 IV – a modern full-frame body with high resolution and fast autofocus.

As an alternative, consider the Nikon Z6 II (full frame) or the Canon EOS R7, a smaller, lighter APS-C body.

Common beginner mistakes

Many photographers think the more expensive the lens, the better the results. But it's more important to focus on the basics: light, composition and emotion. Those make a good photo even without perfect gear.

Tell me whether you care more about staying unnoticed or about maximum image quality – I'll point you in the right direction.