90 - Portrait or Street Lens ?

[LocalHero1953]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Tony Ray Jones said much the same ("Get in closer") in a different context - he was definitely writing about street-type photography. All the injunctions (to himself) in the well-publicised page from his notebook make sense to me:

Don’t Take Boring Photos: 13 Tips for Street Photographers from Tony Ray-Jones — Eric Kim Street Photography

[keithlaban.co.uk]

I'm currently shooting a feral cat series using a 35mm. I'm not asking their permission but they often vote with their feet before I get anywhere near them.

 

I shall be adding a 75 or 90 in the not too distant future ;-)

[mirekti]

I own three Leica lenses, 35, 75 and 135. Mostly, I use a 35mm (60% of time) for a street shooting. In case I need a bit closer shot, I'd put 75mm (35% of time) which I consider very useful in the streets too. You don't need to come so close as with 50mm let alone 35mm. As I own 75mm I skipped 90mm, and in case of some dingy situation I put little Leica canon 135mm (5% of time), and shoot from a safe distance.

 

Everyone has it's own preferences, and basically it's you the one who should decide what suits you the best. Good luck.

[satijntje]

I was planning to go for a 75mm lens soon and to have this on my M240 as my prime lens, both for family pics ans street work.

Will make some trials with the cheap Summarit 2.5;)

 

John

[Skarpen]

Been there. I also find getting up close and "bathering" people intimidating.

 

Still, in my personal view, tele lenses is not cut out for street photography.

 

Go to Flickr and study street photos captured with a 90. Compare them with other focal lengths, like 35 and 50. Which look best? I find that the difference in field of view gives a clear difference in impact, look and feel of a picture.

 

To my personal taste, I find street photos with tele lenses less attractive. Those taken from a distance look distant. Closer is better. At least to me.

[juju01]

Been there. I also find getting up close and "bathering" people intimidating.

 

Still, in my personal view, tele lenses is not cut out for street photography.

 

Go to Flickr and study street photos captured with a 90. Compare them with other focal lengths, like 35 and 50. Which look best? I find that the difference in field of view gives a clear difference in impact, look and feel of a picture.

 

To my personal taste, I find street photos with tele lenses less attractive. Those taken from a distance look distant. Closer is better. At least to me.

 

I supposed the ability to photograph a stranger up close without their permission, even when they are aware, speaks to our own judgement of the civility of such a move. It is related to an assessment of the shoe being on the other foot. The fact that the photographer doesn't give a damn if he was on the receiving end does not negate how some people might feel about this "intrusion of personal space". I guess this sums up my dilemma about doing street photography but not being intrusive - somehow, it seems the two are not compatible. Maybe too, people don't really mind!

[Dougg]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Near or far, some people will perceive you a threat or an unwelcome intrusion. Near can be "in their space" and far can be "sneaky". I think it's worthwhile to develop a friendly, non-threatening, open, respectful approach. Not guaranteed to solve all problems, but goes toward making one more acceptable.

 

I recall seeing a website for a photographer who set up a 6x7 SLR with a 2000mm lens on a heavy tripod in the median strip of an arterial street. He then just scanned the scene with binoculars for something interesting, and turned his camera to catch it. He wanted to avoid any interaction or objection with subjects...

 

However you handle the issue, your results will depend on the methods.

[payasam]

90mm on a Leica is flexible. It can be used for head-only portraits and it has been used for landscape work. Its focussing may be a little slow for street photography. While it may not be discreet, strictly, there are advantages to having a greater working distance than a 50mm or wider lens.

[Berth]

My ultimate decision was between a 50mm and a 75mm (I have a 28). So it was ~2x vs. ~3x. I decided the 50 has many more applications for street photography.

[swamiji]

My primary combination is a 28/75. Great for travel and general use. Street, it depends on your style. How close do you want to get, how much foreground do you want to include.

[Millberg]

I have a 90mm APO Summicron and I have to say that it's an amazing lens. I mainly use it for portraits though. When shooting street I never go over 50mm. It feels more honest to be a part of the scene than observing it from a distance.