Best lenses for street photography in 2022
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Loading... - Riley Allen
- 14 Apr 2022
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Picking what lens you will be mounting on your camera is one of the most important creative decisions you can make as a photographer. The focal length you choose will significantly affect how the images you are taking will look. We love a fast-aperture prime lens when it comes to street photography. These lenses typically have a more compact build than the kit zoom that might have come with your camera and have a larger aperture range for letting more light hit the sensor. Keep reading for some of our favorite prime lenses currently on the market for mirrorless cameras and DSLRs.
Keep in mind, this list is mostly for those getting started in street photography. If you’re looking to really find the cream of the crop, there’s a world of resources out there regarding classic Leica glass and other high-end optics that excel on the street. But, these lenses will give you a great starting point to build from as you figure out what your style and process look like.
Our picks for the best lenses for street photography in 20222:
- Best overall: Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN
- Best 35mm for canon mirrorless: Canon RF35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM Lens
- Best 35mm lens for Nikon mirrorless: NIKON NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S
- Most versatile: Tamron F1.8 VC 45mm USD Lens
- Best budget: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
- Best manual focus: Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2
Things to consider when looking for the best lenses for street photography
Prime lenses
Although you can certainly use a zoom lens for street photography, most well-known street photographers prefer to shoot with a prime lens when they are working. A prime lens has a fixed focal length and forces the photographer to “zoom with their feet.”
Prime lenses are the go-to because they typically have a more compact build than zoom lenses, and being discreet when shooting candids is important. Plus, it’s less weight to carry while walking around. They also tend to have a larger aperture range for letting more light hit the sensor, which is helpful when photographing in a city where shadows and low light conditions are likely to be frequent.
Focal length
Picking what camera lens you will be mounting on your camera is one of the most important creative decisions you can make as a photographer. The focal length you choose will significantly affect how the images you are taking will look. 35mm is the most popular focal length for street photographers, in part because it closely matches the field of view seen with the human eye. However, although 35mm might be the most widely used lens for street photography, it isn’t the only option. A 45mm lens or a 50mm are also excellent options for photographing in the streets, especially if you are the kind of photographer who might be interested in making impromptu portraits.
Ultimately choosing the best lenses for street photography has a lot to do with the camera body you are using and your personal aesthetic. We hope the lenses in this buying guide will help you narrow down the options, though.
Best Overall: Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN
Why It Made The Cut: Since it was first released, Sigma’s 35mm Art Lens has consistently been one of the sharpest lenses with beautiful bokeh. It’s available in a wide variety of mounts and has proven to be a bit of a cult favorite among photographers.
Key Features
- Aperture range: f/1.4-f/16
- Optical design: 15 elements in 11 groups
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
- Dimensions: 3 x 4.4 inches
Pros
- Produces beautiful distinct bokeh when shooting wide open
- Available in a variety of camera mounts
- Relatively light-weight with a low profile
Cons
- Not great for video
The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN is a bit of a modern classic among certain photographers. It’s extremely sharp and has an excellent build quality. Sigma designed this new version to work with L mount and Sony E mount mirrorless cameras and their shorter flange distances. When shot wide open at f/1.4, this lens produces a beautiful bokeh that makes it an excellent option for portraits and street photography.
An unlabeled switch on the lens barrel allows shooters to lock their aperture or swap into auto mode. The magnesium-alloy body of the lens has a durable and rugged feel—a perfect match for shooting in urban areas. It’s also weather-sealed, so if you end up stuck in a rainstorm while you are out shooting, you don’t have to fret about ruining your gear. All of these elements combine to make this our pick for the best overall lens for street photography.
Best 35mm lens for Canon mirrorless: Canon RF35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM Lens
Why It Made The Cut: This compact lens with fast autofocus has a built-in image stabilization system and a minimum focusing distance of 17cm.
Key Features
- Aperture range: f/1.8-f/22
- Optical design: 11 elements in 9 groups
- Weight: 10.76 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.93 x 2.47 inches
Pros
- Versatile lens
- Built-in image stabilization
- Extremely compact
Cons
- Noisy autofocus for video shooters
- No weather-sealing
The Canon RF35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM Lens was one of the first lenses introduced when Canon released its line of mirrorless cameras back in 2018 and remains one of our favorites for street photography. This 35mm lens doubles as a macro lens, making it a versatile choice for mirrorless Canon shooters. It’s also significantly more affordable than the other mirrorless Canon lenses. Its compact size makes it a great shooting companion on the streets, and it pairs nicely with the EOS R or the EOS RP. Unfortunately, it lacks weather sealing, so this one is best suited for street photography on sunny days. Read More...
