Candid street prime

hobodan

hobodan

Messages
577
Name
Dan
Edit My Images
No
hi, im hoping you folks can enlighten me :)

i have the Nikon D7000, Im looking to purchase either the 50mm 1.4g or the 85mm 1.8g lens primarily for Candid street type of stuffy. I'm hoping to be able to get some nice background separation and smooth background blur, i'm just not 100% sure which lens would be best for this (considering the different focal lengths and apertures), both lenses get great reviews (especially the 85mm) and despite trying my 16-85mm at 50mm & 85mm i'm still undecided on which focal length would best suit this, although i am slightly swaying towards the 85mm just to be a little more 'candid'.

Thanks in advance
 
The 85 would most likely be a bit long on the D7000 so I'd personally go for the 50mm which is the equivalent of 75mm on your camera anyway. In regards to which 50, go for the 1.8G instead as its sharper throughout the frame than the more expensive 1.4G (upto around F4!) plus has an aspherical element, which the 1.4G lacks.
 
It depends how far away you're going to be and how you want to compose and frame the shot.

You have a zoom that goes to 50 and 85mm? If so setting it at those focal lengths should solve the problem for you :D Maybe you just need more time to shoot at each length to make your mind up?
 
Last edited:
I think 85 is too long and it shows in the shots as they lose the close and part of the action feeling.
I used a 50 for a few months and was happy enough with it and only when going to a 23 did I realise it was far more suited, allowing me to get everything when I need to with a last resort of a bit of cropping when I am simply too far away.
 
I have both of these lenses albeit on full frame and can confirm they're both really nice. If you just want background separation, the 85 is the way to go without a doubt but I echo the sentiment that it may be a bit long on a crop. Maybe a bit of a one trick pony so you might find the 50mm or even a 35mm more useful overall.
 
I went out with my 85 the other day for street stuff, and I didn't come back with much. I prefer the wider end. 35mm suits me well.


Only you can choose which your prefer, keep trying both focal lengths on the other lens and then decide.
 
I also have the Fuji x100 which is a 23mm for the closer stuff - it really is only candid shots I want the lens for, I know it's question without a definitive answer as everyone has different preferences. I'd like to be a little inconspicuous & not in people's faces and have the ability to separate the background nicely!

It's a tough one :D
 
Well, you could visit a certain auction site and pick up a couple of manual lenses for a good price... add an adapter and you could probably have both focal lengths for very little money.

OK they'd be manual lenses but spending time with them could help you deceide and then you could sell the manual lenses on and probably lose not a lot of money, and buy the AF lens you prefer :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top