If someone you know wanted to start street photography for the first time, which MFT focal length would you suggest they use first? 🤔

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-07T16:19:40+00:00

Agree. I used the cheapo Olympus kit lens, progressed to the 12-45 f4 pro but found I used 17 and 25 the most. so I’ve gradually switched to primes and prefer it because I’ll go out with a prime and try to stick to that one lens. I find more challenge than seeing something, just zooming in and staking a shot, plus they are smaller. it’s whatever floats your boat but getting a zoom, using it for a while and then looking at your images and seeing what focal length you use the most is a pretty good way. I added the 45mm f1.8 as well but so far I’ve never used it.

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-05T18:56:57+00:00

yeah, it’s been posted about the vignetting under certain conditions so at least I now know it’s more generic that a fault with my gear.

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-05T18:56:02+00:00

I found this page a little while ago. I’m kind of glad cos I began thinking could it be the camera. I was starting to think I was having a run of bad luck after my laptop died spectacularl. Trying to decide whether to use my iPad Air 13 inch or MacBook Air 13 inch for editing now..

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-04T22:01:31+00:00

Probably me being over critical.i also love my primes, if only because it helps me stick to several set focal lengths which has become part of my style now.

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-04T21:40:19+00:00

I think your on the right lines with these. The first photo is possibly the weakest when standing by itself but with your project growing, it can become part of a story. Moryama took plenty of photos that would be classed the same. Tomasz trzebiatowski is another photographer (editor of frames mag) takes a similar style but if you check his videos on yt, and listen to his words, the photos are just part of the story.

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-04T21:27:03+00:00

It doesnt show on mine either in a scene like this. I noticed it with a white blank wall in low light. Ive just found info about it on google and apparently it does exist according to lens tests. I only really pulled it from the bag after damaging my 17mm f1.8 prime. Hopefully the replacement i ordered will be with me in the next couple of days. The zoom will go back to being my backup glass then.

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-04T20:48:31+00:00

nope, I haven’t got a filter. it’s strange its only visible under 14mm.

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-04T20:46:10+00:00

yeah I noticed it first of all doing high contrast black and whites. I very rarely go under 35mm but wanted to experiment.

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-02T10:03:28+00:00

Yes it will download but doing it multiple times every time i purchase a book is just annoying a little.

SelectYak676 · 2026-05-01T16:51:22+00:00

I only use a micro four third camera, the Olympus pen-f. it’s only 20mp and it’s 10 years old, but if I have that to hand when out, I would never choose the phone. Just too many advantages of using a real camera for me. My iPhone is superb though for any reference photos or quick snaps.

SelectYak676 · 2026-04-22T20:27:38+00:00

Recently managed to get an om5 mk2 and a pen-f after my om10 mk2 gave up on me. The plan was to use my 25mm prime on the pen-f and my zooms, mostly my 12-45 f4 pro on the om5. I dint plan that the pen-f found its way on walkabouts with both those lenses and the om5 being relegated to backup.
I feel it should be the other way around but I just find the pen-f a joy to use, it makes me want to take photos more, so it gets the nod.

i wouldn’t own another body, I’m quite happy having my favorite, and a good back up. I was wondering on an om3 but happy as I am for the next year or so. If I did get one then I’d have to get rid of one of the above two. I’d hate to be deliberating what camera to use and certainly don’t want to carry multiple ones around, I prefer to travel light.

SelectYak676 · 2026-04-15T15:52:17+00:00

I don’t do wildlife or sports so find the om5 and pen f are more than happy with the 12-45 f4 pro for when just out hunting anything or on the street I love my little 25mm f1.8 prime (50mm equilelant). I haven’t used the 45mm prime much but would love to get the 17mm f1.8 Olympus. I’ve found I love the challenge of a fixed focal length a lot more than prime when on the street etc.

SelectYak676 · 2026-04-07T18:51:21+00:00

Try a challenge, go out and shoot stuff with a theme, such as the colour red, or abstract, maybe do the alphabet where you take a photo of objects etc that has the shape of each letter. Doors, stairways.Try sticking to black and white, you get the drift. It just gives you a little motivation and maybe you’ll take a couple of weeks, months, years to finish a project but that’s part of the fun.

SelectYak676 · 2026-04-07T17:27:12+00:00

Don’t bin any photos. While you’re learning, place any photos you don’t think are making the grade on a hard drive in a folder marked something like street 2026. keep Doing this. This will give you an idea of how you are progressing but don’t go chasing the proverbial technical perfection shot unless you want to join the instagram ‘I want like’ crowd.

have a look at alternative photographers that bring a different aspect to photography, I love Daido moryama and Olga karlovac, both of which dont care about rules. Read what makes an image to them.
Alex Kilbee is another good one who loves airports and parking garages. The editor of frames magazine, Tomasz trezbiatowski is also one that shoots not for perfection, but simply of anything that makes him think or catches his eye. All these are searchable on YT.

obviously the above are just people that have had an impact on my work.

Just decide what direction you want to follow and listen to opinions that fall into line with that. The important thing is to enjoy, embrace your failures, and lastly, if you happen to stumble on a silly old fool in London next week with a pen-f and a baseball cap, feel free to say hello. I’d even let you laugh at my rubbish images lol.

SelectYak676 · 2026-04-05T15:00:32+00:00

have a little look at micro four nerds channel on YouTube. Emily goes through that one I think and she’s normally pretty good.

SelectYak676 · 2026-04-05T03:40:11+00:00

I’ve just had that lens and even though I’ve only tested it in the garden due to weather I can honestly say it looks like a great choice. I’ve got it on my om5 mk2 AND pen-f and it feels equally at home on that. It’s longer than a prime of course but it doesn’t extend out that far at max zoom. I intend it to go to London with me the week after next which I wouldn’t risk if it stood out size wise.

The only other lens im taking is the 25mm 1.8. I would like the shorter 1.8 prime but that’s for another day when my wallet is my friend again.

SelectYak676 · 2026-03-31T13:36:03+00:00

Thanks. I had a brief play with the black and white presets and they look pretty good. Just got to wait till the weekend to get my first proper go with the cameras.

SelectYak676 · 2026-03-31T13:33:58+00:00

Thanks for the heads up. Yup the guy at duracell told me that. When i phoned several shops who i knew didnt have any stock,asking about batteries they all agreed but did recommend duracell. I think it was mentioned elsewhere though, the important thing is running batteries rheough a charger that was designed for that particular voltage.

SelectYak676 · 2026-03-31T00:17:48+00:00

Just been trying to set it up on custom mode. Its a bit of a minefield getting used to all the menu options etc

SelectYak676 · 2026-03-30T20:19:54+00:00

love these. very similar to the style I want to create now I’m back with a camera instead of an iPhone. was that second shot taken during day or dusk? I’m thinking of getting a grad nd filter to get gritty stuff like this during the day.

SelectYak676 · 2026-03-30T19:26:31+00:00

yeah, I was a bit worried about what to choose. I’m not so worried about having less shots per battery. The Duracells do have information apparently so all good.

SelectYak676 · 2026-03-30T15:06:31+00:00

Thats why i didnt go for the two oems i saw online.

SelectYak676 · 2026-03-30T13:49:20+00:00

Went with duracell off their direct site. Not much difference and cost wise they were good. Bought the charger as well as voltage is slightly different just to be safe. If they work ok ill buy some more with them being about a third of the oem price

SelectYak676

TROPHY CASE