Street Photography with a 105mm Lens: Breaking All the Rules (and Loving It)
Is 105mm too long for street photography? I used to think so. But after taking my Nikon Zf and 105mm f1.4 lens to the streets of Tampa, I discovered that telephoto street photography offers unique advantages that traditional 35mm and 50mm lenses can't match. Here's everything I learned about using a 105mm lens for street photography.
The 105mm f1.4's compression effect isolates subjects beautifully in busy urban environments
If you've spent any time reading about street photography online, you've probably been told a thousand times that you need a 35mm or 50mm lens. Maybe a 28mm if you're feeling adventurous. The "experts" will tell you that anything longer is impractical, that you can't capture the decisive moment with a telephoto, that you'll be too far from your subject to get that authentic street vibe. Well… here I am doing the exact opposite with my Nikon Zf and 105mm f1.4 lens, and honestly, I'm having more fun than I've had with street photography in years.
How I Got Here (Or: My Descent Into Madness)
Let me back up a bit. I've been shooting street for a while now, mostly with the conventional focal lengths everyone recommends. My Leica glass, vintage manual focus lenses, the whole kit that's supposedly "right" for street work. And don't get me wrong, those setups work great. But lately I've been noticing something… I was shooting the same kinds of shots, standing at the same distances, looking for the same moments. It had become, should I say it… predictable.
Then I picked up the 105mm f1.4 for the Nikon Zf. I had initially bought it to photograph Sacred Harp singings only, but it is too nice to just leave it put away in the cabinet till just those events happen. This lens is an absolute monster in every sense of the word. It's heavy, it's expensive, and according to conventional wisdom, it has absolutely no business being on a camera for street photography. The focal length is "too long", the lens is "too conspicuous", and you'll "never be able to react fast enough." I heard all of these things in my head as I mounted it on the camera for the first time.
You know what happened? I completely ignored all that advice and took it out to Tampa anyway.
At f1.4, the 105mm creates layers of depth impossible with wider lenses
The Reality of 105mm Street Photography: Compression and Perspective
Here's the thing that nobody tells you about shooting street with a longer lens… it fundamentally changes how you see. With a 35mm or 50mm, you're looking at scenes, at environments, at people in context. With the 105mm, you're hunting for moments, for expressions, for layers of depth that compress into each other in ways that wider lenses simply can't achieve. Unlike traditional street photography lenses like 35mm or 50mm, the 105mm focal length has a very unique look to it.
Walking around Tampa (which if you haven't been here, has some fantastic street photography opportunities between Ybor City, downtown Tampa, and the waterfront (just to name the obvious), I found myself looking at the city completely differently. I wasn't trying to capture the whole scene anymore. I was looking for isolated moments… the way sunlight catches someone's face three blocks away(yeah this is an exaggeration, but you get the point haha), the compression of people at different distances along a sidewalk, the details that you'd never notice with a wider view.
Now, to be completely transparent about it, there are some real challenges here. The 105mm f1.4 is not a small lens. You're not being subtle when you raise this thing to your eye. I've sort of made peace with this though. Over the years I have come to realize that most people just don't care if you're taking photos in public spaces. The ones that do care will let you know and I just delete their image anyway as I don't want photos of someone who isn't happy with me taking their photo. Win-win in my book.
Nikon 105mm f1.4 Settings for Street Photography (Because We Can't Ignore It)
Let's talk about the practical stuff for a minute. At 105mm, your depth of field is razor thin, especially at f1.4. This means two things:
My street photography setup: Nikon Zf with Nikkor 105mm f1.4E ED
You need to be absolutely nailing your focus. With the Nikon Zf's excellent eye-detect AF, this is actually less of a problem than you'd think. The camera does most of the heavy lifting here.
The background separation is absolutely incredible. I mean, as Thomas Heaton would put it “Absolutely stunning”. You can shoot a photo of someone on a busy street and the background melts into this beautiful blur that makes your subject pop in ways that are impossible with wider apertures on shorter lenses.
For more information about the 105mm f1.4 F mount Nikkor lens, you can find it on the Nikon Official website here.
The compression effect at 105mm creates visual layers that draw the eye through the frame
The compression effect is the other huge technical advantage. When you're shooting down a street, people at different distances compress together in the frame, creating layers that add so much visual interest. It's like… have you ever noticed how in a good photo there's often this sense of depth, of things happening at multiple distances? The 105mm makes that almost automatic if you position yourself right.
Distance estimation becomes important though. At 105mm, you're often 20-30 feet or more from your subject. This actually works in your favor in some ways. People are less likely to notice you, and even if they do, you're far enough away that it doesn't feel as invasive. But you also need to be thinking about your working distance. I've learned to scan ahead as I walk, looking for potential shots that are developing 20-40 feet in front of me rather than right in my face. It also works really well for the wide city avenues you tend to find in major city downtown areas. You can shoot photos across the street and it looks good.
What I've Learned About Light
The f1.4 aperture is a godsend for street photography. Tampa's got some interesting lighting situations… bright sun one minute, then you duck under an awning or into a covered walkway and suddenly you're down 3 stops. With this lens wide open, I can keep shooting in conditions where my other lenses would be struggling.
Dark shade really is about 3 stops lower than direct sun, and I'm constantly making that mental calculation as I move through the city. The beauty of shooting with such a fast lens is that I can stay at f1.4 and just adjust my shutter speed for most situations. I've got my Zf set up with a couple of user profiles… one for bright sun at f5.6 or f8, and another for low light wide open. Takes literally two seconds to switch between them. If I particularly lazy, I will just throw the camera into Aperture Priority and let it set the shutter speed for me, with f1.4 and ISO 640 it will ALWAYS freeze the action whether in the shade or the sun…
This makes the Nikon 105mm f1.4 ideal for low-light street photography situations that would challenge slower lenses.
Why Telephoto Lenses Work for Street Photography
Look, I'm not saying everyone should go out and buy a 105mm f1.4 for street photography (though if you have one, you absolutely should try it). What I am saying is that sometimes the conventional wisdom in photography is… well, it's just conventional. It's not wrong, but it's also not the only way.
There's something liberating about shooting street with a lens that you're "not supposed to" use. It forces you to slow down, to really look at what you're doing, to be more intentional about your compositions. You can't just spray and pray at 105mm (well, you can but it probably isnt going to do you much good…haha). You have to wait for the moment, anticipate where your subject is going to be, think about your background and foreground elements a little and so fourth.
When researching the best focal length for street photography, you'll rarely see telephoto lenses recommended. But 105mm street photography offers a completely different perspective that can set your work apart.
In a weird way, it's brought me back to what I loved about manual focus vintage lenses. It's engaging. Every shot requires thought and intention. And honestly, that makes the keepers so much more satisfying when you nail one just to be honest about it.
The Setup
Since people always ask… here's what I'm working with:
Nikon Zf (which I absolutely love for this kind of work)
Nikon 105mm f1.4E ED
Usually shooting in aperture priority, Auto ISO (today all were at f1.4)
Focus mode: AF-C with eye detection
RAW + JPEG (though I rarely use the RAWs these days)
User profiles saved for different lighting conditions
The Zf is perfect for this because it's not overly large, has excellent AF, and the files are just gorgeous. The vintage-inspired controls mean I'm always aware of my settings without taking the camera from my eye.
See my complete photography gear setup here.
Frequently Asked Questions About 105mm Street Photography
Is 105mm too long for street photography?
No, 105mm is not too long for street photography. While unconventional compared to the traditional 35mm or 50mm focal lengths, the 105mm lens offers unique advantages that can actually improve your street photography. The longer focal length provides exceptional compression effects, beautiful subject isolation through shallow depth of field, and the ability to capture genuine candid moments from a comfortable distance without disturbing your subjects. I've found that shooting with the Nikon 105mm f1.4 in Tampa has completely changed how I see and compose street scenes.
What are the best camera settings for 105mm street photography?
For the Nikon 105mm f1.4 on my Nikon Zf, I typically use these settings:
Aperture: f1.4 for maximum bokeh and low-light performance (or f5.6-f8 in bright sun)
ISO: Auto ISO ranging from 640 to 6400
Shutter Speed: 1/250s minimum to freeze motion (Aperture Priority handles this)
Focus Mode: AF-C (continuous autofocus) with eye detection enabled
File Format: RAW + JPEG (though I mostly use the JPEGs)
The fast f1.4 aperture is crucial - it allows you to maintain fast shutter speeds even when you duck under awnings or into shaded areas where the light can drop by 3 stops.
Can you use a telephoto lens for street photography?
Absolutely! Telephoto lenses like the 105mm, 85mm, or even 135mm can be excellent choices for street photography. They offer a different creative approach compared to wide-angle lenses. With a telephoto lens, you can:
Compress perspective to create layered compositions
Isolate subjects with beautiful background blur
Shoot from 20-40 feet away, making candid photography easier
Capture details and expressions that wider lenses would miss
The key is understanding that telephoto street photography requires a different technique - you need to anticipate moments, work with compression effects, and be comfortable with your working distance.
What is the best lens for street photography?
There's no single "best" lens for street photography - it depends on your style and what excites you to shoot. Traditional wisdom says 35mm or 50mm, and those are fantastic choices. However, the Nikon 105mm f1.4E ED excels for street photography when you want:
Exceptional bokeh and subject isolation
The ability to shoot from a distance
Compressed perspective for unique compositions
Outstanding low-light performance (f1.4 aperture)
The best lens is the one that makes you want to go out and shoot. For me right now, that's the 105mm. It might not be forever, but it's teaching me to see the streets of Tampa in completely new ways.
How far should you stand from your subject with a 105mm lens?
With the 105mm lens, I typically position myself 20-40 feet from my subject for street photography. This distance works well because:
People are less likely to notice you or feel self-conscious
You have time to anticipate and compose as subjects approach
The compression effect at this distance creates beautiful layered compositions
It doesn't feel invasive, even in public spaces
Compare this to a 35mm lens where you might need to be 5-10 feet away. The 105mm gives you breathing room while still capturing intimate moments.
Does the Nikon 105mm f1.4 work well in low light for street photography?
Yes, the Nikon 105mm f1.4 is exceptional for low-light street photography. Tampa has very dynamic lighting - bright sun one moment, then you're under a covered walkway and the light drops 3 stops. The f1.4 aperture is a godsend in these situations. I can keep the lens wide open and simply adjust my shutter speed, or let Aperture Priority mode handle it. Even in challenging light, the combination of f1.4 and the Nikon Zf's excellent high-ISO performance means I can keep shooting without worrying about motion blur or underexposure.
Recommended Gear for 105mm Street Photography
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Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens
Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 II
Sandisk 128GB Extreme Pro memory cards
Final Thoughts
I went through this whole evolution as a photographer where I thought I needed to follow all the rules, use all the "right" gear for each type of photography, and do things the way everyone said they should be done. At some point I simply stopped buying into that and started shooting what felt right to me.
If there's one thing I've learned from all my years doing this, it's that the best camera is the one that makes you want to go out and shoot. The best lens is the one that helps you see things in new ways. And the best focal length for street photography? It's the one that excites you enough to actually do street photography. For more technical background on compression effects, Ken Rockwell has an excellent explanation here.
I will tell you what feels right to me right now, it's 105mm. It's probably not forever… I still love my 50mm and I'm definitely not getting rid of my wider lenses. But for this moment in my photographic journey, this "wrong" setup is teaching me to see the streets of Tampa in completely new ways.
Maybe that's worth breaking a few rules for.
Support this website by using these affiliate links to shop on Amazon:
Leica M11 Digital Rangefinder Camera
Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED Lens
Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 II
Sandisk 128GB Extreme Pro memory cards
Nikon 50mm f1.8 S Lens for Z mount
What unconventional gear choices have you made that actually worked out? I'd love to hear about them in the comments. And if you're in the Tampa area and want to grab a photo walk sometime (while I am in the area), hit me up. Just don't judge me for showing up with this giant telephoto lens. Haha.