"If they don't look pleased that you've taken a shot, you just keep holding the camera up! You just pretend you're taking a picture of something behind them." You've changed my life.
Another version is to pretend you’re using a video camera. Keep the shutter finger in the same position and pan the camera to one side while at the same time looking through the viewfinder and totally ignoring the complainant.
Kit zooms are a good way of working out which focal length you use most. Force yourself to leave it on 28, 35 and 50mm or equivalents for a week each, and see which is the least frustrating. Then buy an equivalent prime, or just keep the zoom if you're not fussed about bokeh-pokey or size.
I did this at one point, incredible advice for someone exploring the gateway drug that is primes. Ditto comment for how important of a learning tool this is.
I agree! This 4th time I’m come across this video and now I’m just going to subscribe. But I thought the same about his voice the first few times also.
It's funny that when I come back to a video 4 years later, I have a different perspective. When it comes to street photography, what lens, camera, or ISO you have means absolutely nothing. What should be taught is what to look for. Some of the best street photography you see today can't be defined by the gear used, because it doesn't matter. Capture a scene or story, something that won't likely be caught again and you've succeeded, pure and simple.
The fact that Kai cited well known photographers that used each focal length bears that out. They are all proper, depending on the style. Which one gives the kind of images you want?
Since I bought a 28 mm I've come to realise that it's the most versatile prime lens of all. You can capture arcitecture as well as great landscape scenes or night shots. I leave it on the camera all the time. The only draw back really is portrait.
P-O Andersson yes. 35 is easier to shoot with and more natural, but really the 28 is more versatile if you don’t mind getting close sometimes. If you are also shooting cityscapes, landscape, low light, general travel more so than up close portraits it is the one to get. I use an 18 mm f2 on Fuji x e2
The 28 is exceptional for dramatic and intimate portraits if you can get a little closer to the subject and have an immersive background. The drama it creates is unmatched. Everything wider is unacceptably distorted for faces.
I love the 35mm lens but I find myself needing/wanting a wider frame like the 28mm a lot of times at my weddings. I only care about the 50mm when shooting portraits and editorials..
I think that's because of the myth that a 50 is like human vision when it's not. Each eye might be like a 50 but our vision is two lenses and two sensors put together which a camera isn't. To mimic human vision, you'd need more like a 35. (Not sure of the exact maths)
I discovered an 85mm is my preferred street lens. I'm into details (so tight is ok), and I like enough of a distance from people that they don't feel uncomfortable (and I'm not in the way of what they may be doing). I thought I was an odd one, but it turns out there are others that shoot street with an 85 as well.
Indeed. I also love the 85. The better subject focus, the perspective is just perfect and looks sooo good, and you can bokeh really well. It's unique but looks a lot better most of the time I think and was pretty common to use longer lenses around this focal length for cinematography as well so you can get very artistic with an 85 :3
Just spent one and a half month traveling in Korea and Vietnam, had an APS-C camera with 17-70 2.8, 56 1.4, and 30 1.4. Most shots were with the 56 1.4, so somewhat 85 FF equivalent.
The most difficult part about choosing a focal length is that I'm still on a crop-sensor right now.. so my 50mm feels like an 85, and the 35mm is more like a 55. I think that's part of the reason why 35mm is a popular length; because it's the 50mm for crop bodies
I just unscruibed from the channel because I thought all these years it was his channel. And I only watched the reviews he made. So I'm happy hes getting a ton of subscribers I see him hitting a million in a few months.
ALIENSHADZ 13 In asia people have to worry about more important shit other than a random stranger with a camera. Ive never been confronted for taking a photo in asia before
Can't get enough! Carried a camera in Vietnam (Nikons) served apprenticeship with a master photog, been shooting since early 60's----still learn from Kai's knowledge and style of humor!!!
I think a lot of people love the 35mm focal length because it looks great on a cropped censor - which is what most people use. 50mm on a cropped censor is a little too tight for street photography I think.
Idk, I found the 50 in an APSC to be comfortable for street photography and even portraits, granted I like candid pictures and not just of people walking around, were I in a tight street however, i'd definitely be needing a 35, or even better, a fast wide to short tele (17-50 2.8).
I also like the 50mm on apsc (Nikon) for portraits. But when i got the 85mm it is way better for portraits. But for street i also use my 35mm. For macro 40mm . I love using primes.
Guess that’s why the old compact 35mm film cameras worked as they sat within that magic range of close/medium distance. It’s more fun moving around to get street images though...you’re in the midst of it. Locations and cultures like this help as they are always interesting (and often quite bizarre). 👍🏼
yow. kai ? please do continue on making photography videos. you are the one who i look up to when it comes to taking photos. i started watching videos of you when you're still on DRTV but since you left , DRTV seems to be falling apart, and im so so happy that you"re back again. it took me a while to find you but still im here. Best contents when photography tips/whatever you do man for me. Keepitupman
i cant take pictures actually cause i have a shitty camera on my phone and i have to use my friends phone, but as soon as i got a new phone, ill send one or two photos ive taken anf ask for your comment. Yudaman
I'm no photographer and no physicist, I'm a medical student who's into photography. I never got the whole notion of 50 mm being the "human eye" equivalent. I've used 50 mm lenses quite a bit, and to me, personally, it never felt like they reflect how I, as a person, see and perceive the world. 50 mm feels way too zoomed in. 35 mm feels much closer to how the world looks to me.
I partially agree to your statement, but I think the working distance & the background blur is probably more similar to 50 mm equivalent than that to 35 mm. Btw another medico interested in photography here!
I noticed this also. However if you look through the viewfinder at a subject with a 50mm and then remove the camera from your eye and then look at that same subject the appearance will be the same. That to me is why they say it's the equivalent to the human eye. This doesn't mean our perspective around us is the same as viewing through a 50mm lens. If that makes any sense. Our perspective is a lot wider. More along the lines of 28mm-35mm imo, when it comes to capturing what you see with photography.
When you leave both eyes open and look through the viewfinder, the images from your roght and left eye dont conflict as everything is just as big in the 50mm eyes view as it is in the lensless eyes view
I'm a cheapo who can't afford red rings or the letter "A" (Sigma Art) on my lenses, so I have been using the 24mm f2.8 pancake lens with my crop-sensored 70D. Converts to about 38mm. Serving me well so far! The 40mm pancake should be quite good also, albeit a little tight. helps that they are very small and light, too, though lenses of that focal range can get very heavy, bulky and expensive very quickly, like the red-ringed or Art monsters previously mentioned.
I just got the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 and it's an absolute dream for crop sensor photographers like myself. It gives you 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm all in one lens with the same image quality of a prime. When I was taking photos for an alumni association's night outing at a zoo I tested the lens and it passed with flying colors!
in reality though its giving you 28mm to 56mm when you take the crop factor into account. its the reason i like to take my 24mm pancake lens out when i do street photography coz its near 40mm rather my 50mm as its 80mm. too close sometimes, deending on what i want to achieve.
If it was 100k 50 minutes ago!!! That is amazing! 135k now :D Big ups Kai! I got a great feeling that will get much better than DRTV! It looks like you didn't have that much freedom there, and being free is key :)
I think the 28 lens got a bit misrepresented - they spoke of the lenses as if 50 is standard, then 35 is a wider 50 and 28 is a wider 35. True in a way, but you reach a point with the 28 and 24 where you can really incorporate architecture and geometry in your compositions.
im really happy to see you doing this vids again out on the street. props to your new page!!!! 50mm and 28mm are my go to focal lengths for everything!
WHATEVER lens the shooter is comfortable with is the best street lens for him/her. Tried a X100S (35mm lens) but wanted a little more reach. Then tried the 28mm lens converter which was too wide for me. But the 50mm lens converter (my first camera, like most, was an Olympus with 50mm f1.8) seemed comfortable for me. Now I am shooting a X-Pro2 w/35mm f2 which gives me a weather resistant package with all the capabilities that I want. Now I just shoot and keep trying.
I've had lots of clients buying a lens for their APSs because "50/35/28mm is the best" and then getting a nasty surprise when the AOV is not at all what they were expecting. You guys should really emphasize that you're talking about 50/35/28mm *equivalent*. That's obviously 50/35/28mm on a full frame, but around 32/23/18mm on an APS.
They beat this horse so much in the DR videos I would not blame Kai if he ever explains it again. I would agree it is important information. Maybe if he had a standard "FAQ" video to point people to each time instead of wasting 5 minutes on each video (only a waste in how repetitive it would be, I am all for learning here) so the experienced are not bothered with repeat stuff and the new guys are not completly lost.
Kreston lee This is not DRTV, it's a new channel, so a nice opportunity to clarify the issue was lost here (a relevant topic, as you can see by the amount of comments that are raising the question of AOV). Also, it takes about 5 seconds to say something like "50mm equivalent (50 on a full frame, 32 on an APS)". Amateurs that don't understand it can always search the amazing internet in search of answers - but at least they've been warned that 50mm is not always 50mm.
For canon, I would certainly go with the 40mm f2.8 pancake lens, which has my favorite focal length, blending perfectly the subject separation of the 50mm and the width of the 35. Not to mention the Canon 40mm F2.8 is the sharpest inexpensive canon lens available!
I'm sure this comment will be lost in the sea of words below, but whatever. Videos like this are the only reason I ever paid any attention to DigitalRev, and will hopefully be the reason I continue to follow you here (read: I hope to see more like this for years to come).
I'm a wildlife photographer, but every now and again I'll take my camera out with with me around town. My go to street lens is the Tamron 45mm f/1.8 VC. It's a bit bigger than than some would want for street photography I'd assume, but that added VC is wonderful after the sun sets.
The 18-35 1.8 A is a great peace of glass, for both landscapes and close up bokeh monstering, but a prime might be better on the streets. In the end, I guess it's all to personal choice and liking...
I agree with others statements that they should make sure people understand they're shooting full frame. Most people that I know shooting street stuff are NOT using full frame. I'm guessing crop sensor is the number choice, which is what I was using until I got my Panasonic G9, micro four thirds setup. My favorite street lens for that is a 17mm 1.4, which is equivalent to a 34mm on FF
With high resolution sensors (anything 20MP or more) the 35 is best because you can crop it easily to get the same look as the 50mm without too much loss of resolution. My favorite 2 lenses for photographing people are the 35mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.2. These 2 lenses on separate full frame bodies can give me almost any look I need with people in situations where I can move my feet.
You should have thought of that first: 50mm * 1.6 (canon) = 80mm (good for portraits, too tight for street photography) 35mm * 1.6 (canon) = 56mm (close enough)
You're right, for a hundred bucks you have a nice portrait lens. You might look into the EF 20mm/2.8. It will give a 32mm field of view on a Canon APS-C, and you'll have a nice ultra-wide prime if you eventually go full frame.
I don't know what it is, but Kai is just the best at presenting and doesn't make me feel like I'm watching an advert. Good on you for leaving D Rev! This channel is perfect.
Man, I've discovered DRTV a few years ago when I finally bought my first DSLR, and I've been following your funny reviews ever since, which not only made me discover the wonderful world of focal lengths, lenses, bokeh, well... photography, but also while doing so, made it actually fun (which made the knowledge burn even deeper) ! Seeing you again shooting in the streets of HK is making me feel nostalgic, yet fresh vibes with the different people around, and a different music (which sounds awesome, btw) than the same Django tune that looped all over your DRTV reviews for years. BTW, I've got the feeling your street photography skills have improved greatly in this vid. Maybe the fact that you've been away for a long time, and rediscovering the place with fresher eyes ? Keep up the good work, Kai !
This is the Kind of Videos that i have missed so much on DRTV for a long Time. Since a while DRTV is keep going making Drone and Phonecamera Review's rather than Camera Reviews. DSLR/Streetshooting is the Stuff that i first saw on DRTV Years ago with you, Lok and Alamby, and it was fucking Awesome. I am so happy to see you and Lok back on the Path of Street Photography with real Cheeki Breeki DSLR's .
Right now the only Photog-Video duo that I think is worth watching is CSTV out of Canada. The energy and attitude, counter to my kind Canadian neighbors, Kai and Lok would have without the "bloody producers" would be awesome.
I shoot with a EOS 600D/Rebel T3i. It's actually going to be converted for astrophotography that includes a custom Peltier cooling system. While I pump myself up to rip it apart and remove the IR filter from the sensor, I'm having a lot of fun with it. I have a EF-S 24mm f2.8 STM pancake, a EF 50mm f1.8 STM and a classic EF 135mm f2.8 Soft Focus. I bought the 135mm back in 1987 when it was first released. I was then using an EOS 650 body and later the EOS 620. Thirty three years on and the lens is still working perfectly. That how good Canon lens are. All of these lenses are fantastic. I think prime lenses are the dog's bollocks! I'm having so much fun with these primes, I'm thinking about buying an second hand, low shutter count EOS 650D/Rebel T5i body to replace the 600D. I'll probably also buy the EF-S 35mm f2.8 IS STM Macro lens. I don't need all the bells and whistles in later model bodies, just the Magic Lantern hack 😀.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal style and preference. If you're a windows user, and have been shooting with a zoom lens up till now, put all of your best photos in a single folder. Then, group them by 35mm Focal Length (there are probably programs that you can buy that will also do this). The focal length with the most photos is your best bet. Now, some manufacturer's cameras will only record the actual focal length (Canon), so you may have to do some equivalence calculations (there are tools for that).
My street prime lenses are a 50mm and 28mm. They work well as a combo. Sometimes I'm in tight spaces like old alleys and the 28mm is better, but if I have room to breath then I prefer the 50mm for sure.
honestly the kit lenses, like the 28-135mm or the 18-135 are great starter lenses, they are not technically amzing, but the focal ranges and zoom ability is versatile for the price point... beginners need to be able to see wide vs zoom to help them understand they're options and what it all looks like, they can play around, instead of being stuck and frustrated because they cant zoom in or get wide enough. most beginners will not have a full frame dslr, prolly a rebel with a crop sensor, so they need to go wider than 50mm, for years my 28-135mm wasnt wide enough, so I bought a 10-20mm sigma that solved a lot of limited situations for me.
Great video with a bit of full circle - The new Independent Kai shooting street photography in Hong Kong. Very cool of you to have Theo and Jon along, I'm sure they were stoked! :)
Sensor size makes a big difference - on an APS-C sized sensor, a 35mm lens equals a 50mm field of view. Make sure you know your sensor size. When Kai says "50" it might equate to "35" on your camera.
18mm on APS-C = 28mm (equivalent) lens. So, if you have an APS-C DSLR, with an 18-55mm kit lens, lock your zoom lens @ 18mm and now you have a 28mm (equivalent) f/3.5 prime lens, kinda LOL.
(Reminizcent) INCORRECT !!!! All DSLR lenses are full frame in their millimeter description. A 35mm lens on an APC will see the equivalent of 50mm. This is equivalent to what 50mm would look like full frame. There is NOT a separate numeric description for APS-C.
Kai, enjoyed you on DR but even more so as an independent. Rooting for you and Lok in your new endeavors! Really liked the 3 lens comparison in today's video.
I have the Canon nifty fifty, and I love the speed and optic quality. That said, I often find it too tight for street - so much that it spends more time in the kit bag than on the camera. Would love to try 35mm or 28mm. Great vid and shots here. Thanks Kai and Co.!
Kai, I remember seeing your first video with DRTV so many years ago. I had been watching them before you began, and I was an instant fan when you started. I've really enjoyed experiencing the evolution of your photography and style, and I look forward to this next chapter of your career. Best of luck with all you do, and I'll always be tuning in to see whats next! -Calvin
Soooo it's now 2022 and I've only been into Photography for 3 years and only have a 200d crop sensor camera, i have the 18-55mm and 55-250mm kit lenses and for my milky way images a Tokina 14-20mm but have been looking at getting a 50mm for night street photography because the 18-55mm just isn't fast enough at f/4 - 5.6. A 50mm pushes me out to 80mm and a 35mm to 56mm so which do you recommend, I'm now thinking i should go for a 35mm 🤔
35mm resonates with me (and presumably those of the same age) because it was THE focal length on fixed-lens point-and-shoot compact film cameras from my youth. It’s just what you had, whatever brand you bought.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
"If they don't look pleased that you've taken a shot, you just keep holding the camera up! You just pretend you're taking a picture of something behind them."
You've changed my life.
If they don't look pleased that's their problem.
Another version is to pretend you’re using a video camera. Keep the shutter finger in the same position and pan the camera to one side while at the same time looking through the viewfinder and totally ignoring the complainant.
Kit zooms are a good way of working out which focal length you use most. Force yourself to leave it on 28, 35 and 50mm or equivalents for a week each, and see which is the least frustrating. Then buy an equivalent prime, or just keep the zoom if you're not fussed about bokeh-pokey or size.
Borderlands great advice!
Good advice here
this is why i picked the 50....best advice
Thats some really sound advice!
I did this at one point, incredible advice for someone exploring the gateway drug that is primes. Ditto comment for how important of a learning tool this is.
"The 28 is like the 35 but a bit wider." Well said.
Kai, you should be a voice actor. Because your voice and your accent is amazing XD
Free Hong Kong
I agree! This 4th time I’m come across this video and now I’m just going to subscribe. But I thought the same about his voice the first few times also.
He should voice for a turtle.
That's just called being from the UK
agreeeeeeeeeeed
It's funny that when I come back to a video 4 years later, I have a different perspective. When it comes to street photography, what lens, camera, or ISO you have means absolutely nothing. What should be taught is what to look for. Some of the best street photography you see today can't be defined by the gear used, because it doesn't matter. Capture a scene or story, something that won't likely be caught again and you've succeeded, pure and simple.
The fact that Kai cited well known photographers that used each focal length bears that out. They are all proper, depending on the style. Which one gives the kind of images you want?
i migrated here from digitalrev
Me too, love the music, cinematography style, and being in Hong Kong so much more. All he needs is a wireless Lav mic and it's perfect.
It's new, right?
Me too, Kai is the only one who can reviewed like this :D
immigrated. migrated implies that you intend to go back
love the casey neistat feel with kai's videos.
Since I bought a 28 mm I've come to realise that it's the most versatile prime lens of all. You can capture arcitecture as well as great landscape scenes or night shots. I leave it on the camera all the time. The only draw back really is portrait.
P-O Andersson yes. 35 is easier to shoot with and more natural, but really the 28 is more versatile if you don’t mind getting close sometimes. If you are also shooting cityscapes, landscape, low light, general travel more so than up close portraits it is the one to get. I use an 18 mm f2 on Fuji x e2
The 28 is exceptional for dramatic and intimate portraits if you can get a little closer to the subject and have an immersive background. The drama it creates is unmatched. Everything wider is unacceptably distorted for faces.
I like the vlog style review. The new adventure is great so far
50mm all the way
I was going to comment the same thing
I love the 35mm lens but I find myself needing/wanting a wider frame like the 28mm a lot of times at my weddings. I only care about the 50mm when shooting portraits and editorials..
@BDPhotog67 comment is spot on )
I think that's because of the myth that a 50 is like human vision when it's not. Each eye might be like a 50 but our vision is two lenses and two sensors put together which a camera isn't. To mimic human vision, you'd need more like a 35. (Not sure of the exact maths)
same, I find 28 makes emotional face more dramatic 😂😂
If 50mm was good enough for Cartier Bresson, it's good enough for all of us.
@@jpm74 - Except, we are not all like him. Just as using the same brushes and canvas as Picasso wouldn't make us paint like him.
I discovered an 85mm is my preferred street lens. I'm into details (so tight is ok), and I like enough of a distance from people that they don't feel uncomfortable (and I'm not in the way of what they may be doing). I thought I was an odd one, but it turns out there are others that shoot street with an 85 as well.
Indeed. I also love the 85. The better subject focus, the perspective is just perfect and looks sooo good, and you can bokeh really well. It's unique but looks a lot better most of the time I think and was pretty common to use longer lenses around this focal length for cinematography as well so you can get very artistic with an 85 :3
Just spent one and a half month traveling in Korea and Vietnam, had an APS-C camera with 17-70 2.8, 56 1.4, and 30 1.4. Most shots were with the 56 1.4, so somewhat 85 FF equivalent.
The most difficult part about choosing a focal length is that I'm still on a crop-sensor right now.. so my 50mm feels like an 85, and the 35mm is more like a 55. I think that's part of the reason why 35mm is a popular length; because it's the 50mm for crop bodies
Go for 24mm. Its 35mm equivalent to full frame.
is it me or Kay got a bit more serious about making the videos now that's on his own
I think so too. A lot less penis jokes.
I miss exactly these. :-)
he cant afford to break his cameras anymore LOL
Jeremy Galloway WICH IS GOOD
he still can afford nice watches :-) 116600 for the win :-)
God I love that this is a channel with just Kai, its all the best bits of DigitalRev.
YourFix that's so true!
I just unscruibed from the channel because I thought all these years it was his channel. And I only watched the reviews he made. So I'm happy hes getting a ton of subscribers I see him hitting a million in a few months.
i admire your bravery to just snap anyone.
ALIENSHADZ 13 In asia people have to worry about more important shit other than a random stranger with a camera. Ive never been confronted for taking a photo in asia before
this does not work at all in sweden haha
"Bravery"... - Well, I guess it's 2017... Standards have lowered...
in the our country, the camera will be stolen. lol
Anything goes on china brotha
Can't get enough! Carried a camera in Vietnam (Nikons) served apprenticeship with a master photog, been shooting since early 60's----still learn from Kai's knowledge and style of humor!!!
Could be the best like/dislike ratio I've ever seen. Kai is just that awesome
OnePlus?!
you haven't seen h3h3 videos obvs
I think a lot of people love the 35mm focal length because it looks great on a cropped censor - which is what most people use. 50mm on a cropped censor is a little too tight for street photography I think.
Old Cameras
Idk, I found the 50 in an APSC to be comfortable for street photography and even portraits, granted I like candid pictures and not just of people walking around, were I in a tight street however, i'd definitely be needing a 35, or even better, a fast wide to short tele (17-50 2.8).
I also like the 50mm on apsc (Nikon) for portraits. But when i got the 85mm it is way better for portraits. But for street i also use my 35mm. For macro 40mm . I love using primes.
Think about the EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM. It works out to a 40mm equivalent and its really reasonable like the 50mm f/1.8.
probably, lens selection becomes harder on crop sensors because you have to factor in the crop, my 700D has 1.61 crop and 50mm become about 81mm
Guess that’s why the old compact 35mm film cameras worked as they sat within that magic range of close/medium distance. It’s more fun moving around to get street images though...you’re in the midst of it. Locations and cultures like this help as they are always interesting (and often quite bizarre). 👍🏼
yow. kai ? please do continue on making photography videos. you are the one who i look up to when it comes to taking photos. i started watching videos of you when you're still on DRTV but since you left , DRTV seems to be falling apart, and im so so happy that you"re back again. it took me a while to find you but still im here. Best contents when photography tips/whatever you do man for me. Keepitupman
i cant take pictures actually cause i have a shitty camera on my phone and i have to use my friends phone, but as soon as i got a new phone, ill send one or two photos ive taken anf ask for your comment. Yudaman
I'm no photographer and no physicist, I'm a medical student who's into photography. I never got the whole notion of 50 mm being the "human eye" equivalent. I've used 50 mm lenses quite a bit, and to me, personally, it never felt like they reflect how I, as a person, see and perceive the world. 50 mm feels way too zoomed in. 35 mm feels much closer to how the world looks to me.
Most filmmakers would agree. 35mm is used largely in films as it is supposed to be the human eye equivalent (generally), not 50mm.
I partially agree to your statement, but I think the working distance & the background blur is probably more similar to 50 mm equivalent than that to 35 mm.
Btw another medico interested in photography here!
I noticed this also. However if you look through the viewfinder at a subject with a 50mm and then remove the camera from your eye and then look at that same subject the appearance will be the same. That to me is why they say it's the equivalent to the human eye. This doesn't mean our perspective around us is the same as viewing through a 50mm lens. If that makes any sense. Our perspective is a lot wider. More along the lines of 28mm-35mm imo, when it comes to capturing what you see with photography.
43,3 mm… ~40 mm
When you leave both eyes open and look through the viewfinder, the images from your roght and left eye dont conflict as everything is just as big in the 50mm eyes view as it is in the lensless eyes view
Yeah man ... on a roll! Keep looking forward, you'll be back on top soon. And for me, 50mm all the way.
chris
Chris Winter Hey Chris this is Connor, your biggest fan!!
Hey Chris, thx for giving Kai the thumbs up on his new adventures. I am sure he appreciates the support of someone like you !
er, I think you'll find I am his biggest fan actually :)
But what about crop sensors cameras, which lense could be better and/or mose usefull for this kind of photos?
I'm a cheapo who can't afford red rings or the letter "A" (Sigma Art) on my lenses, so I have been using the 24mm f2.8 pancake lens with my crop-sensored 70D. Converts to about 38mm. Serving me well so far! The 40mm pancake should be quite good also, albeit a little tight. helps that they are very small and light, too, though lenses of that focal range can get very heavy, bulky and expensive very quickly, like the red-ringed or Art monsters previously mentioned.
Kaiman responding to comments is great. The personal touch means a lot
"Sometimes we like it tight, but sometimes we like it a bit wide."
- Male Photographers
I just got the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 and it's an absolute dream for crop sensor photographers like myself. It gives you 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm all in one lens with the same image quality of a prime.
When I was taking photos for an alumni association's night outing at a zoo I tested the lens and it passed with flying colors!
in reality though its giving you 28mm to 56mm when you take the crop factor into account. its the reason i like to take my 24mm pancake lens out when i do street photography coz its near 40mm rather my 50mm as its 80mm. too close sometimes, deending on what i want to achieve.
or just get them all! i have the old 35mm f2, 28mm 1.8 usm and both 50mm 1.4 usm and 1.8. all have unique uses for me and i enjoy all focal lengths
100k!!!! very good bro you will soon reach 1mill
Haha...thanks! One step at a time.
Kaiman Wong omg you replied can you please make Lightroom tutorials
Kae Puo Christmas*
If it was 100k 50 minutes ago!!! That is amazing! 135k now :D
Big ups Kai! I got a great feeling that will get much better than DRTV! It looks like you didn't have that much freedom there, and being free is key :)
i love my fuji 35 (50 equiv)
glad to see you out in the streets again!
I think the 28 lens got a bit misrepresented - they spoke of the lenses as if 50 is standard, then 35 is a wider 50 and 28 is a wider 35. True in a way, but you reach a point with the 28 and 24 where you can really incorporate architecture and geometry in your compositions.
Looking good! Best guy to watch about cameras.
Bee Zheng Xian w
Wwpww
W
im really happy to see you doing this vids again out on the street. props to your new page!!!! 50mm and 28mm are my go to focal lengths for everything!
WHATEVER lens the shooter is comfortable with is the best street lens for him/her. Tried a X100S (35mm lens) but wanted a little more reach. Then tried the 28mm lens converter which was too wide for me. But the 50mm lens converter (my first camera, like most, was an Olympus with 50mm f1.8) seemed comfortable for me. Now I am shooting a X-Pro2 w/35mm f2 which gives me a weather resistant package with all the capabilities that I want. Now I just shoot and keep trying.
"But I'm not in the business of making people look good!" 😄😄😄
I've had lots of clients buying a lens for their APSs because "50/35/28mm is the best" and then getting a nasty surprise when the AOV is not at all what they were expecting. You guys should really emphasize that you're talking about 50/35/28mm *equivalent*. That's obviously 50/35/28mm on a full frame, but around 32/23/18mm on an APS.
They beat this horse so much in the DR videos I would not blame Kai if he ever explains it again. I would agree it is important information. Maybe if he had a standard "FAQ" video to point people to each time instead of wasting 5 minutes on each video (only a waste in how repetitive it would be, I am all for learning here) so the experienced are not bothered with repeat stuff and the new guys are not completly lost.
Kreston lee This is not DRTV, it's a new channel, so a nice opportunity to clarify the issue was lost here (a relevant topic, as you can see by the amount of comments that are raising the question of AOV). Also, it takes about 5 seconds to say something like "50mm equivalent (50 on a full frame, 32 on an APS)". Amateurs that don't understand it can always search the amazing internet in search of answers - but at least they've been warned that 50mm is not always 50mm.
They shouldn't have been scrubs then.
+João Soares i think you know what crop is.. so whats your problem?
Torsten Böttger Have you read my comment?
For canon, I would certainly go with the 40mm f2.8 pancake lens, which has my favorite focal length, blending perfectly the subject separation of the 50mm and the width of the 35. Not to mention the Canon 40mm F2.8 is the sharpest inexpensive canon lens available!
I'm sure this comment will be lost in the sea of words below, but whatever. Videos like this are the only reason I ever paid any attention to DigitalRev, and will hopefully be the reason I continue to follow you here (read: I hope to see more like this for years to come).
I'm a wildlife photographer, but every now and again I'll take my camera out with with me around town. My go to street lens is the Tamron 45mm f/1.8 VC. It's a bit bigger than than some would want for street photography I'd assume, but that added VC is wonderful after the sun sets.
So I'd guess I should start on a 35mm when shooting with an APSC?
KirbyGoezPink you'll get a roughly equivalent fov to 50mm on full frame with a 35 on crop sensor.
i got 50 on apsc, useless on tight streets
Thanks guys.
Not sure if I should go with a Sigma 18-35 f1.8 + maybe a Sony 55-210
or the Sony 18-105 f4.0 + some prime lenses
The 18-35 1.8 A is a great peace of glass, for both landscapes and close up bokeh monstering, but a prime might be better on the streets. In the end, I guess it's all to personal choice and liking...
If you are on Canon get 24 + 50 stm and you will be fine for a long time and have a lot of money left for chicks..
Good to see you "back in the biz". Kai!
Yay, Kai goes Grand Tour! And in this case, the second episode is actually good! :-D
1:34 "Ooo beast of a lens" is total Alan Partridge! Back of the net!!
I agree with others statements that they should make sure people understand they're shooting full frame. Most people that I know shooting street stuff are NOT using full frame. I'm guessing crop sensor is the number choice, which is what I was using until I got my Panasonic G9, micro four thirds setup. My favorite street lens for that is a 17mm 1.4, which is equivalent to a 34mm on FF
Dude, good on you for helping those two fellas out! Good begets good.
Now that Lok is also gone from DRTV, you should get him on your team
Who said so?
he made a video about it
Or at least get married.
Also get Alamby!!!!
Lok + Alamby so much better than those fucking posers Theo and Noobface.
digitalrev refugees are welcome here.
😂
Abraham Lincoln approved by Lincoln
XenatR speak for yourself.
Lol
Glad it is back in Hong Kong though. I hate the UK so much. So stale boring and ugly.
I've got the lumix fz72 bridge camera and it has a 20mm built in BUT it also has 60x optical zoom so I can certainly closer if I want
i love 35mm more... because I like a little bit if background visible to show the surrounding or story
you quality is much better now that you're on your own also you just seem more happy and fun
Nothing like Hong Kong for street photography. Love Hong Kong. Third time I have watched this very good educational video.
2068 likes, 1 dislike.
Channel is of to a good start, i love it!
With high resolution sensors (anything 20MP or more) the 35 is best because you can crop it easily to get the same look as the 50mm without too much loss of resolution. My favorite 2 lenses for photographing people are the 35mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.2. These 2 lenses on separate full frame bodies can give me almost any look I need with people in situations where I can move my feet.
Well that was actually better than a DRTV video. Less time stuffing around and more time providing informative content. Nice work Kai keep it up.
I bought a 50 but my camera is an apsc and it's way too tight
probably gonna get a 35
You should have thought of that first:
50mm * 1.6 (canon) = 80mm (good for portraits, too tight for street photography)
35mm * 1.6 (canon) = 56mm (close enough)
Jaime Almeida exactly
At least if I ever start to make portraits I have this one, it wasn't even that much, $100 is not a big investment
On canon the 24 prime is pretty nice as well. It's a really great wide walkaround
You're right, for a hundred bucks you have a nice portrait lens. You might look into the EF 20mm/2.8. It will give a 32mm field of view on a Canon APS-C, and you'll have a nice ultra-wide prime if you eventually go full frame.
get the 24 STM
The music is good, too. Matches to your videos. I am so glad, you go on.
Greetings from Germany.
Is the 50mm on the crop factor body APS-C ? so it is like a 75mm full frame equivalent right..great video..thanks
I don't know what it is, but Kai is just the best at presenting and doesn't make me feel like I'm watching an advert. Good on you for leaving D Rev! This channel is perfect.
Man, I've discovered DRTV a few years ago when I finally bought my first DSLR, and I've been following your funny reviews ever since, which not only made me discover the wonderful world of focal lengths, lenses, bokeh, well... photography, but also while doing so, made it actually fun (which made the knowledge burn even deeper) !
Seeing you again shooting in the streets of HK is making me feel nostalgic, yet fresh vibes with the different people around, and a different music (which sounds awesome, btw) than the same Django tune that looped all over your DRTV reviews for years.
BTW, I've got the feeling your street photography skills have improved greatly in this vid. Maybe the fact that you've been away for a long time, and rediscovering the place with fresher eyes ?
Keep up the good work, Kai !
5:26 that dude in a Canon jacket 😂
'just pretend you taking a picture of something behind them" ingenious that was great. : )
I learned a lot. You're authoritative and humorous. No wonder your numbers are popping.
Authoritative? How so
Hi , I'm from UK . I have the Nikon D7200 and use my trusty 35mm 1.8G lens. takes great shots every time
This is the Kind of Videos that i have missed so much on DRTV for a long Time.
Since a while DRTV is keep going making Drone and Phonecamera Review's rather than Camera Reviews.
DSLR/Streetshooting is the Stuff that i first saw on DRTV Years ago with you, Lok and Alamby, and it was fucking Awesome.
I am so happy to see you and Lok back on the Path of Street Photography with real Cheeki Breeki DSLR's .
start a patron start a go fund me and get Lok and start your own show
Hate to be the first one. But I did it....
Game Lift How much does he need to buy Lok?
i dont think he needs to buy lok i want him to start his own show with lok.
Right now the only Photog-Video duo that I think is worth watching is CSTV out of Canada. The energy and attitude, counter to my kind Canadian neighbors, Kai and Lok would have without the "bloody producers" would be awesome.
I love the feel of this video. It feels like the old DRTV videos, but even more relaxed and fun. Keep them up Kai!
Love the review style. Thumbs up! Btw good music choice for this video.
I shoot with a EOS 600D/Rebel T3i. It's actually going to be converted for astrophotography that includes a custom Peltier cooling system. While I pump myself up to rip it apart and remove the IR filter from the sensor, I'm having a lot of fun with it. I have a EF-S 24mm f2.8 STM pancake, a EF 50mm f1.8 STM and a classic EF 135mm f2.8 Soft Focus. I bought the 135mm back in 1987 when it was first released. I was then using an EOS 650 body and later the EOS 620. Thirty three years on and the lens is still working perfectly. That how good Canon lens are. All of these lenses are fantastic. I think prime lenses are the dog's bollocks!
I'm having so much fun with these primes, I'm thinking about buying an second hand, low shutter count EOS 650D/Rebel T5i body to replace the 600D. I'll probably also buy the EF-S 35mm f2.8 IS STM Macro lens. I don't need all the bells and whistles in later model bodies, just the Magic Lantern hack 😀.
You sound like a total nerd. I'd love to have a coffee with you. ;)
I am glad you are still on youtube. Love a 50.
Get the 18-35 f1.8 for crop and you've got them all
in the streeets, i prefer pictures with "context", so i prefer 28 or 35 on a full frame instead of a longer focal length...
(or 20mm 1,7 for mft)
just get sigma 18-35 1,8. problem solved (for crops like me)
Too big for street in my opinion.
Weighs an absolute ton
I dont mean weight wise...
I'm using a Sigma 17-50 2.8 all the time for street, nightclubs, and even landscape.
gigantic, spotty foccussing beast....but it's sharp
Ultimately, it comes down to personal style and preference. If you're a windows user, and have been shooting with a zoom lens up till now, put all of your best photos in a single folder. Then, group them by 35mm Focal Length (there are probably programs that you can buy that will also do this). The focal length with the most photos is your best bet. Now, some manufacturer's cameras will only record the actual focal length (Canon), so you may have to do some equivalence calculations (there are tools for that).
My street prime lenses are a 50mm and 28mm. They work well as a combo. Sometimes I'm in tight spaces like old alleys and the 28mm is better, but if I have room to breath then I prefer the 50mm for sure.
Kai & Lok are like Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond of Photography... Just one thing were missing Lok!.
honestly the kit lenses, like the 28-135mm or the 18-135 are great starter lenses, they are not technically amzing, but the focal ranges and zoom ability is versatile for the price point... beginners need to be able to see wide vs zoom to help them understand they're options and what it all looks like, they can play around, instead of being stuck and frustrated because they cant zoom in or get wide enough. most beginners will not have a full frame dslr, prolly a rebel with a crop sensor, so they need to go wider than 50mm, for years my 28-135mm wasnt wide enough, so I bought a 10-20mm sigma that solved a lot of limited situations for me.
Kai, Hong-Kong, some camera & lenses... this felt good :D
How is it possible that after years of doing this photography thing you haven't taken a good photograph?
How?
It's like a natural talent of yours.
Great video with a bit of full circle - The new Independent Kai shooting street photography in Hong Kong. Very cool of you to have Theo and Jon along, I'm sure they were stoked! :)
It's like digitalrev is uploading on a different channel.
Sensor size makes a big difference - on an APS-C sized sensor, a 35mm lens equals a 50mm field of view. Make sure you know your sensor size. When Kai says "50" it might equate to "35" on your camera.
a "50" on an APS-C sized sensor is like an "85" portrait lens.
18mm on APS-C = 28mm (equivalent) lens. So, if you have an APS-C DSLR, with an 18-55mm kit lens, lock your zoom lens @ 18mm and now you have a 28mm (equivalent) f/3.5 prime lens, kinda LOL.
I hope you enjoy your visit to my channel youtube - Videos Street Photography Moroccan ,Much love ! ♥
(Reminizcent) INCORRECT !!!! All DSLR lenses are full frame in their millimeter description. A 35mm lens on an APC will see the equivalent of 50mm. This is equivalent to what 50mm would look like full frame. There is NOT a separate numeric description for APS-C.
Which might have something to do with the fact that a 50mm lens is actually really a 50mm lens..
Honestly this is better quality than DRTV.
So glad you're still filming your original content
Kai, enjoyed you on DR but even more so as an independent. Rooting for you and Lok in your new endeavors! Really liked the 3 lens comparison in today's video.
Kai! Are you and Lok going to work together now that he quit as well, have you two been talking?
We do talk to each other :)
Hi Kai!
Hi Lok, long time no speak!
name the new show "THE GRAND TO..." I mean" THE GRAND EXPOSURE"
LMAO at both of you. FANTASTIC to have you both still online and hopefully producing stuff.
If the 50mm is to narrow and the 35 is too wide, there is always the amazing 40mm 2.8 pancake!
Ricardo Villagran Vicent Voigtlander 40 f2
CRAIGS LIST Yeah, but after I got the 35LIIƒ1.4, my last Voigtlander (the 40) is going on eBay tomorrow.
35mm f/1.4 on Full Frame is the best compromise.
I have the Canon nifty fifty, and I love the speed and optic quality. That said, I often find it too tight for street - so much that it spends more time in the kit bag than on the camera. Would love to try 35mm or 28mm. Great vid and shots here. Thanks Kai and Co.!
No doubt Kai is the best photo guy on the tube. Way to go my man.
28mm sems good but im living in Minster in Germany, of you get to close there the people get angy.
take a few karate class, you will be ok
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 True Love 💘
so what...
I will miss this lens a lot when I'll be switching my 700D for an A7III
That is an APS-C lens my friend
24-70 f2.8 then?
Would you please share how you edit your pictures, they look fantastic, thanks!
Kai, I remember seeing your first video with DRTV so many years ago. I had been watching them before you began, and I was an instant fan when you started. I've really enjoyed experiencing the evolution of your photography and style, and I look forward to this next chapter of your career. Best of luck with all you do, and I'll always be tuning in to see whats next! -Calvin
1 dislike....Bloody ex producer.
lok
Yo
Lok Cheung ey
Looking forward to your first wideo!
Brilliant! This feels like old school DRTV. Keep it up and you'll always have me as an audience.
Haha Lok you´re the boss
At 5:26 that guy is also a canon lover
Soooo it's now 2022 and I've only been into Photography for 3 years and only have a 200d crop sensor camera, i have the 18-55mm and 55-250mm kit lenses and for my milky way images a Tokina 14-20mm but have been looking at getting a 50mm for night street photography because the 18-55mm just isn't fast enough at f/4 - 5.6. A 50mm pushes me out to 80mm and a 35mm to 56mm so which do you recommend, I'm now thinking i should go for a 35mm 🤔
24mm 2.8
i was in Hong kong few days back.. i just stuck with the 24-70vr nikon .. worked a treat
4:15 Love that shot.
It feels like I'm watching digitalrev now lol
hello kai I am making original music, if you need any metal/rock sound for your videos I can help you :)
Wow I didnt know you are into photography man cool :d
Cool, yeah, that would be great!
Powerless Monk dude help me with my short movies ..
35mm resonates with me (and presumably those of the same age) because it was THE focal length on fixed-lens point-and-shoot compact film cameras from my youth. It’s just what you had, whatever brand you bought.
Good ol Kai back at it again. Definitely subscribed