lens for street-shooting

[caterham7]

hi all,

seek advice on a suitable lens to complement the 18-55mm kit lens on my K100D for street shooting...i.e. most likely low light and w/o flash.

thinking of the options below

1. 50-200mm pentax
2. 50mm pentax
3. prime lens in other focal lengths?

any suggestions on other focal lengths? don't think my budget can stretch to a Limited lens, but anyway, how expensive (and how much better) are these lens?

[Redsun]

how bout getting the DA 40mm for street shooting?
Nice looking lens
Last i heard was bout 475 from cp
But you should get an e-quote for the latest prices

[southernoise]

Best value for money is still the venerable FA50 1.4

[seafone]

Is 18-55mm your only lens? How do you define street shooting?

Are you trying to capture a person from across the street? If this is so, then you need a long telephoto to do the job. And if budget is an issue, it looks like 50-200mm allows you to zoom further to capture that.

If you are doing general street shooting, on capturing what you see up close during your walk about, then 50mm prime is good for low light street shooting...

These days, I have DA21 on my camera most of the time when I walk on the street. I prefer the small wide lens. And that is street shooting too.

Guess its your own personal style... and if you have not use a prime lens before, the FA50/1.4 is a good lens for you to start. And it helps you distinguish the real different between zoom and prime lenses image quality.

cheerss...

[berry]

Get the FA 35mm f/2.0 AL, this lens is sharp!

[istDeS]

If you are on budget and looking for lens ready available here. I would recommend the FA50mm f/1.4.

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by berry Get the FA 35mm f/2.0 AL, this lens is sharp!

That's a very good choice for street photography I'd like to suggest too.

Other good options:
FA31 - the best imo, but abit too expensive for most users
FA43 - small and sharp lens, very good for street photography
FA50 - fast and sharp lens, abit too long for street though.

Other good choices: Sigma 24/2.8, 28/1.8, 30/1.4, Pentax 24/2.8, 28/2.8 and etc. Of course if you are shy, a longer lens like FA135/2.8 is very good too.

Here are some of my street shootout:

Thief Market by FA43

People from Philippines by Sigma 17-70

Some street candid photos from Beijing by K135/2.5 and FA31

Some candid shots from recent trip to Taipei by DA16-45 and FA31

There is a similar discussion at DPR Pentax Forum recently:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=24328578

[billitone]

I think K100D + 43ltd would be good for street photo, kinda stealth mode on with these combinations.

Been thinking of dumping my K10D...and get K100D instead.

Anybody knows how is the shutter sound difference between the two, and how about the compatibility with new DA* lenses?

[alanswan]

Dunno about the shutter sound, but you need the K100D Super to utilise the SDM feature in DA* lens.

[berry]

For me; FA 31 Limited is way too xpensive.
How about waiting for the new DA*16-50/2.8 come soon, pain once only, buy the best and forget all the others.

[sbc]

I think he wants something small and light. DA*16-50 would be too big.

[caterham7]

thanx for all suggestions...think i'll start with a FA50 1.4 first...will send out e-quotes...

[alanswan]

Originally Posted by berry pain once only, buy the best and forget all the others.

We all love to believe in this...
But some how, never works for me...
Something better always appear down the line...

[SpendorK]

I prefer the wide angle lenses - 20mm or zoom 17mm-35mm(14mm or zoom 12mm-24mm in digital ) .

[creampuff]

Originally Posted by alanswan We all love to believe in this... But some how, never works for me... Something better always appear down the line...

LBA is a disease (aka retail therapy)!!! However overwhelming desire will eventually overcome the pain of LBA!!! Getting the DA*16-50 isn't going to automatically improve the quality of your life (or your pictures)...

Back to regular programming, street candids can take the form of up close and personal images where a wide angle is the preferred lens (like those rangefinder chaps) or somewhat discretely using a tele. Really depends on the approach and whether you're confident enough to chat up with people you don't know for a picture. I'd go the wideangle way.

[SpendorK]

For good old days, i always shoot with 21mm lens on Contax G2.

[night86mare]

How much is the 50mm/f1.4 new these days?
Missed the creampuff offer.

[tionghan]

Originally Posted by night86mare How much is the 50mm/f1.4 new these days? Missed the creampuff offer.

think ms is selling $340 the last time i asked about one month ago, but no stock ..
OP also selling ard 350 , they said got stock tho

[SpendorK]

New one is $320 - $360

[fengwei]

Originally Posted by SpendorK New one is $320 - $360

MS Color - 320 (that's where I got mine
OP - 360 (quoted last time I was there)