Street Photographers - Choose my birthday present

[spaz]

I've narrowed the selection down to 2:

Nikkor 35mm f/2D
or Nikkor 24mm f/2.8D

I currently have the 50mm f/1.4D but along with the 1.6x crop factor it's a bit too long. I definitely want a prime lens (personal preference) but can't go and field test either of these. I'm a little worried that the 24mm may be too wide or the 35mm too long.

I don't want the 20mm because it's just way too wide and Discount Digital Photographics doesn't stock the 28mm (I hadn't looked at it much anyway).

Any suggestions?

Here is an example of the type scenes I like.

[Glen]

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/35_2afd

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/nikon/24_28d


I have the 35mm and love it, don't have the 24 so can't compare. The above 2 links will give you hundreds with either lens.

[spaz]

Thanks Glen - what do you generally shoot with the 35mm?

[MCWB]

I don't have any input on those lenses, but if you're worried about the 24 being too short and the 35 being too long have you considered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 HSM? It's also 2 stops faster if you do low-light stuff.

[Yi-P]

I have the 35mm f/2, loving it alot.

Mostly do indoor events and group/full body portraits with it. Natural ~50mm equivalent view on a digital body, great all-round prime lens other than the 50/1.4

I will say the 35mm suits you better, as for the natural field of view from this lens. As you said, the 24 can be too wide when you just want to frame a street candid.


The Sigma 30/1.4 is only one stop faster than the f/2, but it is a digital only lens, its not an actual full frame lens unfortunately.

[Glen]

Spaz, I generally favour it for low light outdoor scenes, just about to go to Thailand this week so should put it to good use there

[spaz]

Thanks for all the quick replies everyone. Unfortunately now I'm just really confused because I was leaning toward the 24mm before

I definitely want a full frame lens so I can use it on a 35mm camera, I think the invention of digital only lenses was just a stupid way to get people to buy more gear.

[MCWB]

The Sigma 30/1.4 is only one stop faster than the f/2, but it is a digital only lens, its not an actual full frame lens unfortunately.

Ohh yeah, forgot the 35 is f/2, thanks for the correction!

[xorl]

The shots linked above are mostly normal or telephoto, that would indicate that you might prefer the 35/2 or 50/1.4. However, I find that street photography is usually more engaging when you get in closer with a wide angle lens. I'd consider the 20/2.8 which would effictively give you a 30mm FoV - but that's just my personal preference.

[spaz]

xorl almost all (I think except 1) was taken with the 50mm 1.4 which as you said is a little too long. I plan on using film as well, when I can get my own darkroom, so I think 20 would be way too wide.