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Which prime lens do you recommend for L-mount street photography?

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so I finally pulled the trigger and got a Lumix S5II because everyone kept saying it was great for hybrids, but now Im stuck with the kit lens and honestly, it feels way too huge for walking around the city. I live in downtown Chicago and have been trying to get into street photography on my weekends, but pulling out that giant zoom makes me feel like a total creep and I think people notice me immediately which kills the candid vibe I want. Im super new to this whole camera thing, like I honestly just learned what an f-stop does last week, so please dont yell at me if this is a really dumb question.

I started looking online and got totally overwhelmed by all the numbers. My logic was that a prime lens would be smaller and sharper, right? But then I see people talking about 35mm vs 50mm and I have no idea which one is actually better for someone like me who just wants to capture people walking by or cool building shots. I have about 500 bucks to spend, maybe a tiny bit more if its really worth it, and I really want to find something before my trip to New York in three weeks.

  • is 35mm wide enough for tight city sidewalks?
  • does the 50mm feel too zoomed in for everyday stuff?
  • are those tiny pancake lenses actually any good or just toys?

I really dont know if I should go for the Panasonic branded ones or if those Sigma lenses are better because they seem cheaper? I just want something small enough that I can stick the camera in my bag without it feeling like a brick. Im honestly kinda panicking because I want to get some good shots next month and I feel like if I dont figure out which lens to buy now I am just gonna end up taking blurry phone pictures again...


12

Congrats on the new camera! Honestly, skip the zoom and grab the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8. It is the perfect size for street work in Chicago. 35mm gives you enough room to capture buildings without feeling too cramped, and it stays super compact on the S5II. The Sigma alternatives are great, but the native Panasonic glass just feels right. You'll be really happy with the portability for your NY trip, for sure.


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Coming back to this, I remember my first trip to NYC with a massive lens and felt exactly like you do. It sticks out like a sore thumb. If you want something genuinely tiny, check out the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It is built like a tank but fits in a jacket pocket, which is a game changer for candid shots. Just be careful with the f/2.8 aperture in low light though, you might need to bump your ISO a bit. Honestly, I started with a 50mm and felt like I was always backing into traffic to get the shot. 35mm is definitely more forgiving for tight sidewalks. Don't stress too much about the tech specs before your trip. Just keep your shutter speed up so you dont get blur, and you'll be fine.


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Nice, didn't know that


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