Choosing the right lens for street photography can mean the difference between capturing a stellar shot or ending up with just a mediocre one.
With a tradition dating back decades, street photography has never lost its lustre and remains hugely popular today among both professional and hobbyist shooters alike. The past couple of years might have presented fewer opportunities out on the street when most of us were huddling indoors, but that’s about to change for the better as life returns to something approaching normal in the coming months.
Having the right equipment is key to capturing candid moments on a bustling city street, and that usually means an inconspicuous lens with a focal length in the range of 35mm to 50mm attached to a relatively compact camera. The tried-and-true lenses listed below are some of the most perennially popular choices, and for good reason. They all share a set of traits that make them especially suited to street photography, along with some unique features that sets each of them apart.
Sony SEL FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA Sonnar T* E-Mount Lens
Street photographers love this medium wide-angle prime not only for its versatile focal length and generous 63-degree field of view, but also for the lightweight 120g design. Launched in the same year as the original Alpha 7 and 7R cameras, this was one of the first lenses designed for Sony’s full-frame E-mount system. The dust- and moisture-resistant barrel houses seven elements, including three double-sided aspherical elements based on Zeiss’s esteemed Sonnar optical design, all further enhanced with the Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating to reduce flare and ghosting.
- Sony E mount
- Full-frame format
- f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range
- 7 elements in 5 groups
- Linear autofocus motor
- 49mm filter diameter
Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR Lens
This APS-C format wide-angle lens boasts some of the same street-worthy attributes as the abovementioned Sony – lightweight, compact and the perfect focal length for many – but with an extra measure of dust and weather protection (including eight seals on the barrel) giving it an edge for outdoor use in rainy and splashy conditions. For those stepping out onto the streets during our unpredictable Canadian winters, it can also perform in temperatures as low as minus 10 C. The unobtrusive size of this lens – even with the included hood attached – makes it a boon to street photographers, along with its fast, near-silent autofocus.
- Fujifilm X mount
- APS-C format
- f/2 to f/16 aperture range
- 9 elements in 6 groups
- STM stepping motor
- Dust and water resistant
- 43mm filter diameter
Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM Lens
When Canon launched its R series of full-frame mirrorless cameras and compatible RF lenses in 2018, the RF mount’s 54mm inner diameter and shortened 20mm flange distance drew attention for their combined ability to render superb corner-to-corner image quality when paired with such a large sensor. As one of the first models out of the gate, the RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro is no exception. That bright maximum aperture makes it useful in some of the most challenging lighting conditions, and the 1:2 maximum magnification ratio lends itself not just to small close-up subjects but more broadly to street photography too. Built-in optical image stabilization can help minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to five stops, a huge benefit when shooting in low-light conditions or handheld or both.
- Canon RF mount
- Full-frame format
- f/1.8 to f/22 aperture range
- 11 elements in 9 groups
- STM stepper motor
- 52mm front diameter
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens
Around the same time, Nikon announced the launch of its full-frame mirrorless Z series cameras and Z-mount lenses, with a slightly larger inner diameter and shorter flange distance than Canon’s RF mount. Nikon’s third Z-mount lens, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S, appeared in 2020. Outwardly, it boasts a straightforward minimalist design that’s easy to use – and ideal for street photography. On the inside, it packs one of the most complex lens designs Nikon has ever devised for glass of this type, delivering unbeatable optical performance to boot. The lens barrel is fully sealed to protect it against dust and water, and the front element also uses a fluorine coating to repel dust and water, as well as prevent smudges.
- Nikon Z mount
- Full-frame format
- f/1.8 to f/16 aperture range
- 12 elements in 9 groups
- Near silent stepping motor
- 62mm front diameter
Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Lens
This lens stands out for several reasons, not the least of which is the Leica name itself and the legendary status of the Summicron-M lineup. With a loyal fan base and near cult status, the 50mm f/2 is a classic manual-focus standard prime lens that has stood the test of time. Featuring a straightforward, uncomplicated design, this lens boasts a level of build quality and optical performance you’d expect from something engineered by Leica. Image quality is sharp, vibrant and full of unique character. It’s lightweight, unobtrusive and easy to handle. The price tag isn’t for everyone, but if it’s any consolation: this is one of the more affordable M-mount models, and Leica lenses typically retain their value over time better than most.
- Leica M mount
- Full-frame format
- f/2 to f/16 aperture range
- 6 elements in 4 groups
- 39mm filter diameter
