With so many lens options on the market, choosing the right one can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
One of the biggest debates in the street photography community is whether to shoot with a 35mm or a 50mm lens. Opinions on this topic are strong, which makes finding clear answers challenging.
In this article, we break down the technical differences, advantages, and drawbacks of both lenses to help you decide which one suits your street photography style best.
What is the Best Lens for Street Photography?
Street photography is all about capturing candid moments in public spaces — the beauty of everyday life and ordinary people in spontaneous situations.
When it comes to lenses, different types bring different strengths to the genre:
Fisheye Lens (6mm–16mm): With an extremely wide field of view, fisheye lenses are perfect for experimental and creative street shots.
Wide-Angle Lens (14mm–35mm): Great for photographing in tight alleys, crowded spaces, or from elevated perspectives like rooftops.
Macro Lens (28mm–200mm): Designed for close-up work, these lenses let you highlight tiny street details, such as signs, textures, or patterns often overlooked.
Standard Lens (45mm–60mm): With minimal distortion, this versatile lens suits a wide range of street photography needs and is often considered one of the most reliable choices.
Telephoto Lens (85mm–400mm): Typically not essential for street photography, as they work better for distant subjects rather than everyday street scenes.
All lenses fall into two categories: zoom lenses (with variable focal lengths) and prime lenses (with fixed focal lengths). In this article, we’ll focus on comparing two of the most popular prime lenses for street photography: the 35mm and the 50mm.
Generally, the consensus is that the 35mm is a versatile all-rounder, while the 50mm excels at close-ups and portraits. The 50mm often comes with a wider maximum aperture, while the 35mm usually offers a smaller minimum aperture. Since aperture has a big impact on your photos, understanding these differences is crucial.
Keep reading as we break down the finer details of the 35mm vs 50mm debate in street photography.
35mm vs 50mm: Which Lens is Right For You?
Much like the ongoing debate between Canon and Nikon lenses, the 35mm vs 50mm lens discussion remains a hot topic in the photography world.
Both sides have strong arguments, and what feels like the perfect lens for one photographer might be completely unsuitable for another.
So, the real question is: which one is right for you?
Using a 35mm Lens for Street Photography
The 35mm lens is a staple in every street photographer’s kit. Lightweight and portable, this prime lens is known for producing high-quality images thanks to its wide aperture, shallow depth of field, and ability to work well with faster shutter speeds.
Shooting with a 35mm lens encourages you to move closer to your subject, creating more immersive and authentic compositions. It’s also an excellent way to build confidence while honing your street photography skills.
Now, let’s break down the key functions and benefits of using a 35mm lens.
- Versatility – The 35mm lens is one of the most adaptable choices a photographer can own. It works beautifully across a wide range of situations, from capturing expansive scenes with background details to framing more intimate shots like portraits. With a field of view of about 54.4 degrees, it strikes a perfect balance between wide and tight compositions.
- Portability – Thanks to its smaller size, the 35mm lens is incredibly easy to carry around. Its compact build makes it a favorite for travel photography, street shooting, and even guerrilla-style filmmaking, where mobility and quick shots are essential.
- Low-Light Performance – One of the biggest strengths of a 35mm lens is its wide aperture. In low-light conditions, this allows more light to hit the sensor, giving you sharper, brighter results without needing heavy gear. For street photographers, this makes dusk, nighttime, or winter shooting much more rewarding — especially when the city comes alive after dark.
Using a 50mm Lens for Street Photography
The key to street photography is blending into the background so you can capture life’s candid moments without drawing attention. That’s why many photographers turn to the 50mm lens — often nicknamed the “nifty fifty” in the photography community.
With its natural perspective, a 50mm lens keeps the focus squarely on people, allowing backgrounds to complement rather than dominate the scene.
Let’s dive deeper into the features and benefits that make the 50mm lens a favorite for street photography.
Subject Isolation – Streets are filled with movement — from pedestrians and cars to tourists and animals. While wide-angle lenses capture the entire scene, they make it harder to single out one subject. The 50mm lens, with its narrower field of view (around 39.6 degrees), naturally places the subject at the center of the frame, helping it stand out amidst the hustle and bustle.
You could achieve a similar effect with a wider lens by moving closer, but that often risks intruding on someone’s personal space. With a 50mm lens, you can maintain a comfortable distance while still isolating your subject beautifully.
Depth of Field Control – Though all lenses allow you to adjust depth of field, the 50mm makes it easier to achieve. Many 50mm lenses feature wide apertures, such as f/1.8 or f/1.4, which let you capture sharp subjects with creamy background blur. This subtle distinction often elevates a photo from good to outstanding.
Natural Perspective – The 50mm lens closely mirrors how the human eye perceives focus. While it doesn’t cover the entire field of view of our vision, it aligns well with the eye’s primary focal plane. Essentially, what you see sharply when focusing is very similar to what a 50mm lens captures.
This makes the 50mm lens ideal for framing images just as you envisioned them, without needing to constantly move closer or farther from your subject.
35mm lens vs 50mm lens – Comparison Chart
| Trait | 35mm lens | 50mm lens |
| Versatility & Adaptability | Incredibly versatile but does require movement for close-ups | Perfect for close-ups but does require movement for wider shots |
| Portability | Lightweight and portable | Light, but not lighter than 35mm |
| Low-Light Usability | Excellent in low light | Good in low light, but might not fare well in very dark situations |
| Depth of Field | Shallow depth of field usable in most applications | Very shallow depth of field, usable especially for portraits |
35mm or 50mm lens – Which one is right for you?
Choosing between a 35mm and a 50mm lens comes down to several factors, each with its own benefits. As we’ve explored, both lenses offer unique advantages that make them valuable tools for street photography.
The 35mm lens is a favorite among professionals thanks to its compact size, portability, and versatility on long shoots or travels. Its wider field of view makes it less obtrusive, allowing you to capture candid street moments without drawing attention.
The 50mm lens, on the other hand, excels at subject isolation and portraits. Its natural perspective and close focusing abilities make it ideal if your work leans more toward people-focused photography — though its size and field of view may feel less flexible on the move.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your style and subject matter. If you prefer dynamic street scenes and spontaneity, the 35mm is a reliable all-rounder. If portraits or tighter compositions are your priority, the 50mm may suit you better.
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference — the best lens is the one that aligns with your vision as a photographer.
Recommended 35mm and 50mm Lenses for Street Photography
When choosing a lens, factors like focal length, aperture (f-stop), low-light performance, sharpness, bokeh, and price all play an important role. But with so many options across different brands, making the right choice can feel overwhelming. To simplify the process, we’ve highlighted two standout options in the 35mm and 50mm categories.
1. AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 G
The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is a lightweight, compact prime lens designed for versatility and everyday use. With its fast f/1.8 maximum aperture, Silent Wave Motor (AF-S) for quick autofocus, and precise edge-to-edge clarity, this lens delivers consistently sharp images from the center all the way to the corners.
If you’re after sharp resolution and creamy bokeh in a portable package, this lens won’t disappoint. Its 35mm focal length provides a classic wide-angle perspective that’s perfect for street photography, landscapes, portraits, and snapshots. The close focusing distance of just 0.298m (11.7″) also makes it a great choice for flowers, details, and other close-up subjects.
This lens is simple to use, lightweight (just 200 g), and compatible with 52mm filters. Hobbyists and professionals alike enjoy its wide-open depth of field for environmental portraits, as well as its strong low-light performance without relying on flash.
Pros
- Affordable price (around $180)
- Excellent low-light capability
- Ultra-lightweight (200 g)
- Narrow aperture (f/22) for sharper shots
- Suitable for all skill levels
Cons
- Not the strongest choice for portraits
- Minor barrel distortion in some images
Overall, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G offers outstanding value. With its eco-friendly design, superb sharpness, natural color reproduction, and travel-friendly build, it delivers far more than you’d expect at this price point.
2. AF-S NIKKOR 50mm F1.4G
The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G is designed to deliver exceptional color accuracy, sharp details, and beautifully smooth background blur. Its wide f/1.4 maximum aperture, combined with Nikon’s rounded 9-blade diaphragm, makes it ideal for producing rich color, soft tones, and creamy bokeh — perfect for portraits, landscapes, and general photography.
Compatible with FX-format cameras, 35mm film bodies, and DX-format cameras, this lens offers versatility across different Nikon systems. Thanks to its AF-S motor, it works seamlessly with Nikon DSLRs equipped with an integral AF motor (including models such as the D4, D3X, and D700).
Pros
- Excellent for portraits with smooth bokeh
- Relatively lightweight (280 g)
- Wide maximum aperture (f/1.4) for low-light shooting
- Good minimum focusing distance (1.5 ft) — shoot without disturbing subjects
- Fast and responsive autofocus
Cons
- Higher price point (around $380)
- Wide-open shots at f/1.4 can lack sharpness in the focus zone
If you’re after a lens with a classic field of view, rich image quality, and professional-grade background separation, the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G is an excellent choice. For those seeking a more budget-friendly alternative, the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G also provides a versatile 50mm perspective, fast autofocus, and a wide aperture — making it a strong contender for everyday street and portrait photography.
Final Verdict
Finally, this wraps up the debate on 35mm vs 50mm in street photography! Each lens has its own distinct strengths and weaknesses, so these two are best thought of as complementary for different genres in street photography.
If small size is a priority, go with the 35mm. For the ability to capture stunning portraits, consider the 50mm.
Whatever you decide, you can’t go wrong choosing either one of these lenses for your street photography kit!