When you’re walking the streets with a camera, every choice matters. The lens you mount isn’t just a technical decision—it shapes how you see, how you move, and how you tell stories. Getting used to that lens and how it shows the world is important. That’s why I often speak about choosing one lens for all. If not for ever, at least for a period, so you get used to it.

The photos in this post are all done with the TTArtisan 40mm f/2, as a test shoot. Paired with the Sony A7rIV camera.

One of the most common questions I get is:
“Should I use a 35, 40mm or a 50mm lens for street photography?”

Let’s dive into the differences, and how each focal length influences your creative approach.

Choosing the 35mm Lens

While the 50mm Summilux gives me intimacy and depth, the 35mm focal length offers something else: context.

With a Leica 35mm lens, I can step back just enough to include the environment—the room, the lighting, the spatial relationship between people. It’s a lens that invites storytelling through composition. It’s less about isolation and more about connection.

The 35mm lets me capture the rhythm of the space. The flow of people in the street. The way someone leans in to read a label. The subtle choreography of movement and pause. It’s a lens that sees the scene, not just the subject.

I prefer my 50mm, but for some its another approach. Put simple; the 50mm is for emotion, and the 35mm is for narrative.

40mm – The Quiet Observer

The 40mm lens is often overlooked, sitting between the classic 35mm and 50mm. But it offers a unique balance:

• More context: Slightly wider than 50mm, it lets you include more of the environment without stepping back.
• Natural feel: It closely matches human vision, making your images feel immersive and honest.
• Discreet presence: Perfect for candid moments—less intrusive, especially in tighter spaces.

I’ve recently been using the TTArtisan 40mm f/2, for a test, coming up on the YouTube channel Saturday afternoon. This lens is compact, sharp, and has some character. More about that in the video.

50mm – The Classic Storyteller

The 50mm lens is iconic. It’s been the go-to for generations of photographers, and for good reason:

• Strong subject isolation: Ideal for portraits and emotional storytelling.
• Shallow depth of field: Especially at f/1.4 it creates beautiful background blur.
• Tighter framing: Encourages deliberate composition and focus on your subject.

When I want depth and intimacy, I reach for the Leica Summilux 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. It’s not just a lens—it’s a mood. My favourite lens and it seems like Leica build their M camera serie to the 50mm and the 35mm lenses.

In Berlin with the Leica M9, and 50mm Summilux f1.4 ASPH

Now, Which One Tells The Story Best?

It depends on your style:

• If you love capturing the rhythm of the street, the architecture, and the people in their environment, the 35 and 40mm gives you that extra space and spontaneity.
• If you’re drawn to individuals, gestures, and expressions, the 50mm offers intimacy and focus.

All are excellent tools. The choice isn’t just about focal length—it’s about how you see.

My Final Thoughts

I stick to a 50mm lens because it fits how I see things. If you find 35 or 40mm being better for you view, then stay true to it.
When I approach the streets, I sometimes feel for using a different focal length, and then I swap for another lens. I rarely go lower or higher than 35 to 50mm. That’s my working zone, so to speak.

What’s your favorite focal length for street photography?
Feel free to share your thoughts or tag me in your shots on Instagram—I’d love to see how you see the street.

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Morten Albek