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23 or 56 mm prime for fast street shots...?

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23.

I recently spent a week in Yangon (Rangoon) with the X-E2/18-55mm, before I got my 23mm, and did a huge amount of street photography. Nearly every shot was at or near 18mm and I constantly found myself wanting more wide, and never more telephoto than 55.

BTW, Yangon is a really great place for street photography but may not be in the future since the whole city is either under or about to become under reconstruction, replacing old colonial buildings with offices, hotels, condos, shopping centers, etc...
 
The 27mm :-)
 
Another vote on 23. The 56 will be extremely long for general purpose. I spent a few months using only my 50 on my 5D (equivalent to the 35) and there were quite a few shots that were hard to get, missed even, because of the narrow field of view.
 
+1 for 27mm!
 
56 is a portrait lens. 23 is a standard street shooting / walkaround lens. So for your stated use, 23.
 
Go for the flexi 23. The 56 portrait lens will make you wish you had more foot space to back into.
 
RVO said:
Just bought the X-T1, question for fast snapshots, streetphotography, which prime would you

choose? 23 or 56?
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It would be the 23 for me because I prefer shooting closer rather than farther away. A 56 would be like using a telephoto quite a distance away

For me, good street photography is about capturing the rhythm, energy and dynamics of the street. That's tough to do shooting from across the street or down the block.

The 23 (35mm FF equiv) is also great for street portraiture. Awhile back I blogged about why a 35mm (FF equiv) lens is ideal for both candid street shooting and street portraiture. Here's a link ...

....

Brad
Urban photoblog: http://www.citysnaps.net
.
 
The obvious choice for classic street photography is the 23mm. But what do you mean by fast? Fast shutter speed or fast aperture? Fast apertures and classic street photography are at odds with each other. Doesn't mean you can't do it, especially if you like the result you get with a fast aperture.

But generally for street photography you want around a 35mm equivalent with a lot of depth of field so you can candidly capture your subject in their natural state. Seeing everything in focus adds context. Adds to the story. Otherwise, in many cases, they're just people shots with a lot of bokeh. IMO.
 
"Classic, a la Garry Winogrand" street photography is usually shot with somewhat wide angle lenses to normal lenses often 28, 35 and 50 on full frame. Given that the 18, 23 27 and 35 on the Fuji fit's in that arena. But the 56 is great for street portraits which is another branch of street photography.

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Last edited:
23mm or 35mm f1.4's
 
Irjx said:
The obvious choice for classic street photography is the 23mm. But what do you mean by fast? Fast shutter speed or fast aperture? Fast apertures and classic street photography are at odds with each other. Doesn't mean you can't do it, especially if you like the result you get with a fast aperture.

But generally for street photography you want around a 35mm equivalent with a lot of depth of field so you can candidly capture your subject in their natural state. Seeing everything in focus adds context. Adds to the story. Otherwise, in many cases, they're just people shots with a lot of bokeh. IMO.
Click to expand...
 
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