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Want to give your street photography a boost? Documentary photographer Darragh Mason Field explains the focal lengths he uses for his work and the way different lenses affect what you end up capturing.

Want the perfect street photography lens? Here are our recommendations

Street photographers should look out for lenses with wide maximum apertures (low f/numbers) as these will help you to isolate your subjects from their surroundings and facilitate shots in low light. Small and lightweight fixed-focal length lenses, such as the Nikon 50mm f1.8D options, are popular in street photography, although you may prefer a short zoom for flexibility. Short zooms, such as the Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S ED, are also great for architectural photography, although even - such as 10-20mm or 14-24mm lenses - are sometimes preferred.

Select your fit

Canon

Good

Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L III USM LensCanon EF 16-35mm f2.8L III USM Lens

Better

Canon TS-E 17mm f4L LensCanon TS-E 17mm f4L Lens

Best

Canon EF 11-24mm f4L USM LensCanon EF 11-24mm f4L USM Lens

Nikon

Good

Nikon 10-24mm f3.5-4.5 G AF-S DX LensNikon 10-24mm f3.5-4.5 G AF-S DX Lens

Better

Nikon 16-35mm f4 G AF-S ED VR LensNikon 16-35mm f4 G AF-S ED VR Lens

Best

Nikon 24mm f3.5D ED PC-E LensNikon 24mm f3.5D ED PC-E Lens

Sony A

Good

Sony E18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS LE LensSony E18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS LE Lens

Better

Sony 16-50mm F2.8 DT SSM LensSony 16-50mm F2.8 DT SSM Lens

Best

Sony 16mm f2.8 Fisheye LensSony 16mm f2.8 Fisheye Lens

Sony E

Good

Sony E20mm f2.8 Pancake LensSony E20mm f2.8 Pancake Lens

Better

Sony E10-18mm f4 OSS LensSony E10-18mm f4 OSS Lens

Best

Sony FE 16-35mm f4 ZA OSS Vario-Tessar T* LensSony FE 16-35mm f4 ZA OSS Vario-Tessar T* Lens

Fuji

Good

Fuji 18mm f2 R Fujinon Black LensFuji 18mm f2 R Fujinon Black Lens

Better

Fuji 23mm f1.4 XF R Fujinon LensFuji 23mm f1.4 XF R Fujinon Lens

Best

Fuji 10-24mm f4 R OIS XF Fujinon LensFuji 10-24mm f4 R OIS XF Fujinon Lens

Pentax

Good

Pentax 10-17mm f3.5-4.5 DA Fisheye LensPentax 10-17mm f3.5-4.5 DA Fisheye Lens

Better

Pentax 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 ED DC WR HD DA LensPentax 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 ED DC WR HD DA Lens

Best

Pentax 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA ED Limited DC WR Lens - BlackPentax 20-40mm f2.8-4 DA ED Limited DC WR Lens - Black

Olympus MFT

Good

Olympus 14-150mm f4-5.6 ED M.ZUIKO Digital II LensOlympus 14-150mm f4-5.6 ED M.ZUIKO Digital II Lens

Better

Olympus 12mm f2 M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED LensOlympus 12mm f2 M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED Lens

Best

Olympus 7-14mm f2.8 PRO M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED LensOlympus 7-14mm f2.8 PRO M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED Lens

Panasonic MFT

Good

Panasonic 15mm f1.7  Leica Summilux DG ASPH Micro Four Thirds Lens - BlackPanasonic 15mm f1.7 Leica Summilux DG ASPH Micro Four Thirds Lens - Black

Better

Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 II LUMIX G X Vario ASPH Power OIS LensPanasonic 12-35mm f2.8 II LUMIX G X Vario ASPH Power OIS Lens

Best

Panasonic 7-14mm f4 LUMIX G Vario Micro Four Thirds lensPanasonic 7-14mm f4 LUMIX G Vario Micro Four Thirds lens

Sigma

Good

Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM Lens - Canon FitSigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM Lens - Canon Fit

Better

Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM Lens - Canon FitSigma 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM Lens - Canon Fit

Best

Sigma 24-35mm f2 DG HSM Art Lens - CanonSigma 24-35mm f2 DG HSM Art Lens - Canon

Tamron

Good

Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di II VC Lens with Motor - Nikon FitTamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di II VC Lens with Motor - Nikon Fit

Better

Tamron 35mm f1.8 SP Di VC USD Lens - Nikon FitTamron 35mm f1.8 SP Di VC USD Lens - Nikon Fit

Best

Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 Di VC USD SP Lens - Nikon FitTamron 24-70mm f2.8 Di VC USD SP Lens - Nikon Fit