I just got this Nikon D3400 from my uncle and honestly I have no idea how to use it yet but I really want to take it with me to New York City next month for a trip. I really want to try taking those cool street photos of people walking around and the buildings but the lens that came with the camera is kind of bulky and it makes a loud zooming noise every time I try to focus it. Someone told me I should look into getting a prime lens because they are supposedly better for street photography but I dont even really know what that means exactly? I think it just means it doesnt zoom in or out which sounds kind of scary because what if I am too far away?? But everyone online says it makes you a better photographer because you have to move your feet.
Im actually really nervous about people staring at me if I have a giant camera setup so I want something really small and subtle that wont stand out too much. My budget is super tight though like maybe $200 at most because I already spent way too much on the hotel and everything for the trip. I saw some numbers like 35mm and 50mm when I was searching and I am just totally lost with all the technical talk. Is one of those easier for a beginner to use? I really dont want to buy the wrong thing and be stuck with it.
Which cheap Nikon prime lens should I get for my first time trying street photography... I really have no clue where to start.
> I saw some numbers like 35mm and 50mm when I was searching and I am just totally lost with all the technical talk. You definitely want to go with the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. I remember my first trip to Chicago with my D3200, which is basically the same camera you have. I brought a 50mm lens thinking it would be fine, but on that sensor, it felt like I was staring through a telescope. I couldn't capture the buildings or the vibe of the street without backing into traffic. Switched to the 35mm and it was a total game changer. Its tiny, weighs almost nothing, and you can find them used for like $130 or new for under $200. It stays quiet too, so people wont notice you as much. Since your camera doesnt have a focus motor in the body, the AF-S part of the name is super important so it actually autofocuses for you. It basically sees what your eyes see, so its way more natural for a beginner.
Hey there, jumping in because I totally get the anxiety of being the person with the big camera in public. It feels super awkward at first lol. One thing you really have to be careful about with that D3400 is that it doesnt have a focus motor built into the camera body itself. That sounds like tech-babble, but it basically means you have to make sure any lens you buy says AF-S or AF-P on it. If you accidentally buy an older AF-D lens because it looks cheap on eBay, you will be stuck focusing everything by hand, which is honestly a huge pain when youre trying to catch a quick moment on a busy street corner. The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is usually the best bet for beginners because it sees roughly what your eyes see. But since you mentioned being nervous about being too far away, I would suggest looking at the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G too. It lets you stand a bit further back from the action so you dont feel like youre shoving a camera in someones face. Just a warning tho, it feels much tighter, so you might struggle to get big buildings in the frame if the street is narrow. To stay under that $200 mark, definitely check out used gear sites like MPB or KEH instead of buying brand new. You can often snag a used 35mm for way less than your budget, which is great because NYC is expensive and you are gonna want that extra cash for bagels and subway rides. Just make sure the glass is clean and there is no fungus inside...
Building on the earlier suggestion, I am gonna go against the grain slightly because buying new gear right before a big trip can be pretty risky if you haven't practiced. Everyone loves those 35mm lenses, but they can be surprisingly restrictive for a beginner. NYC is crowded and those buildings are massive, so you might find yourself constantly backing up into traffic just to fit things in the frame.
- Street photography is way more about how you carry yourself than the size of the lens.
- If you are already nervous about people staring, a prime might actually make it worse since you have to stand much closer to your subjects to get a good shot. I have a couple clarifying questions before you spend your limited budget:
- When you have been playing with the camera at home, do you find yourself mostly using the wide end of your zoom or do you keep it zoomed all the way in?
- Are you more interested in the big architecture shots or are you really looking to do close-up portraits of strangers?
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