I believe the best lens for street photography is a 28mm lens. Why? Let me share my thoughts:
Ultimate versatility
![Pick](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/eric-kim-photography-mexico-city-2020-picks-final-00023-scaled.jpg?resize=2560%2C1707&ssl=1)
28mm is the ultimate versatile lens. Not too wide, not too close. I’ve shot a lot with 35mm (not always wide enough) and 24/21mm (often too wide). 28mm is the golden median, which tends more toward the wide angle (which is good for dynamism in street photography).
The fun challenge of making a street photography from a far distance with a 28mm lens
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/C56CDB07-E813-4386-9023-842AA229989A.gif?resize=480%2C320&ssl=1)
A fun challenge for myself — shooting from a distance with a 28mm and still trying to make a “viable” photo:
Shooting vertical
28mm shooting vertical is dynamic and fun. This photo from Cuba:
Abstracted with different colors, to emphasize the arabesque shape:
GIF:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1E8926E8-A31F-48EB-8C69-9915DC98AE3D.gif?resize=320%2C480&ssl=1)
Making of in iPad and Procreate:
28mm options
RICOH GR III with integrated 28mm lens
This seems the best combination for street photography.
It is wide enough?
28mm is wide enough. I very rarely find any situations in street photography in which 28mm wasn’t enough for the streets:
I like this composition — extreme left composition:
See the subject — he’s 25% of the frame:
The division:
Divided:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BDAA0955-99D9-49EF-9B41-B4F1F1802074.jpeg?resize=1280%2C853&ssl=1)
More personal analyses:
Animated GIF:
![](https://i0.wp.com/erickimphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/7BBD6A25-E700-4243-BF45-D6236D0196C7.gif?resize=480%2C320&ssl=1)
Keep it simple
One camera, one lens. Ideal is just a RICOH GR III.
If you got another camera, just get a prime 28mm lens and call it a day and shoot!
ERIC