Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

58mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Picture of the Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens

$2,298

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Picture of the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM lens

$2,248

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

135mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

800mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

400mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

400mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica M

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

300mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Picture of the Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM lens

$1,598

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

75mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica M

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Picture of the Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens

$1,598

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Picture of the Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM lens

$1,748

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

20mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

135mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

20mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica M

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Picture of the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM lens

$1,448

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

105mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

90mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica M

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

105mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

23mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

  • Nikon Z

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

40mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica M

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

Picture of the Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN lens

$1,554

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

400mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

80mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sony A

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

600mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

500mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

15mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

300mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

90mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Picture of the Sony FE 20mm F1.8G lens

$1,048

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

20mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

200mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

400mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Macro

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

105mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Standard

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

33mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • Nikon Z

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

18mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

20mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

75mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

600mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

500mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sigma SA

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Canon EF-S

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

400mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

135mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

45mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sony A

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica M

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

200mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

300mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Picture of the Sony E 15mm F1.4 G lens

$948

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

15mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

75mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Sony A

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

33mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Picture of the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 lens

$848

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Macro

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

105mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

250mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

90mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

77mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

40mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

56mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Canon RF

  • Fujifilm X

  • Leica L

  • MFT

  • Nikon Z

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

25mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

20mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

65mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

45mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

45mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

500mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Picture of the Sony FE 28mm F2 lens

Sony FE 28mm F2

❤️8.0K

$498

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

800mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Macro

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

70mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon F

  • Canon EF

  • Sigma SA

  • Sony E

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

30mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Canon RF

  • Fujifilm X

  • Leica L

  • MFT

  • Nikon Z

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

65mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

23mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

43mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

133mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

90mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Picture of the Sony E 11mm F1.8 lens

$698

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

11mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

21mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

42mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Macro

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Macro

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

120mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

45mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

45mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

600mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

63mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

16mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

  • Canon EF-M

  • Canon RF

  • Fujifilm X

  • Leica L

  • MFT

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

55mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Nikon F

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

40mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

56mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

17mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Pentax K

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

500mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Picture of the Kamlan 55mm F1.2 lens

$528

Type

  • Standard

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

30mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Macro

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

24mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

33mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

135mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Nikon F

  • Pentax K

  • Sony A

  • Sony E

  • Canon EF-M

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Pancake

Focal Length

18mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

23mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

18mm

Lens Mount

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

23mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

  • Fujifilm X

  • Leica L

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Pentax K

Picture of the Irix 45mm F1.4 lens

Irix 45mm F1.4

❤️7.0K

$420

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

45mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Nikon F

  • Pentax K

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

25mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

23mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Pancake

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

40mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

600mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

45mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

20mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Nikon F

  • Pentax K

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Pancake

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Standard

  • Macro

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

38mm

Lens Mount

  • Hasselblad X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Pancake

Focal Length

90mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica M

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

85mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Sony E

Picture of the Kamlan 50mm F1.1 lens

$169

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

50mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

  • Pancake

Focal Length

27mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Macro

Focal Length

100mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Nikon F

  • Pentax K

  • Sony A

  • Sony E

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

17mm

Lens Mount

  • MFT

Type

  • Macro

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

30mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm G

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

14mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Canon RF

  • Nikon F

  • Nikon Z

  • Pentax K

  • Sony A

  • Sony E

  • MFT

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

400mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF

  • Canon EF-M

  • Sony E

  • Nikon F

  • MFT

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

600mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Pancake

Focal Length

26mm

Lens Mount

  • Nikon Z

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

21mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Sony E

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

26mm

Lens Mount

  • Leica L

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

800mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Pancake

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Picture of the Kamlan 28mm F1.4 lens

$135

Type

  • Wide-Angle

  • Standard

Focal Length

28mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon EF-M

  • Fujifilm X

  • MFT

  • Sony E

Type

  • Telephoto

Focal Length

1200mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Fisheye

Focal Length

3.9mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Type

  • Standard

Focal Length

35mm

Lens Mount

  • Fujifilm X

Type

  • Wide-Angle

Focal Length

7.8mm

Lens Mount

  • Canon RF

Best Prime Lenses for Photojournalism in 2025

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These are the best prime lenses for photojournalism when you want fast, reliable AF, compact builds that don’t scream “pro,” clean geometry that keeps scenes honest, and coatings that survive rain, strobes, and blue lights—whether you’re covering protests, spot news, courts, politics, sports sidelines, or quiet human moments—and here’s what to look for as you buy: prioritize speed and responsiveness (ƒ1.4–ƒ1.8 for people; ƒ2 for longer teles), rectilinear rendering with low wave/moustache distortion, strong wide-open contrast for dawn/dusk interiors, quiet linear/STM motors that lock in low contrast, weather sealing and robust hoods, minimal focus breathing if you film, and front threads (49–82mm) for a clear protector/VND; stabilization helps for handheld briefs, but you’ll often run people-safe shutters—pick IS/OSS on 35/85 if your body lacks IBIS. Full-frame prime heroes that cover the newsday: 24mm ƒ1.4 class (Sony FE 24/1.4 GM, Sigma 24/1.4 DG DN, Nikon Z 24/1.8 S, Canon RF 24/1.8 IS) for establishing context and cramped rooms; 28–35mm ƒ1.4–ƒ1.8 (Sony FE 35/1.4 GM or 35/1.8, Sigma 35/1.4 DN, Nikon Z 35/1.8 S, Canon RF 35/1.8 IS) as the storytelling workhorse; 50mm ƒ1.2–ƒ1.8 (Sony FE 50/1.4 or 1.2 GM, Sigma 50/1.4 DN, Nikon Z 50/1.8 S, Canon RF 50/1.2/1.8) for speeches and clean singles; 85mm ƒ1.4–ƒ2 (Sony FE 85/1.4 GM or 85/1.8, Sigma 85/1.4 DN, Nikon Z 85/1.8 S, Canon RF 85/2 IS) for portraits outside the scrum; 135mm ƒ1.8 (Sony FE 135/1.8 GM, Sigma 135/1.8 Art, Canon RF 135/1.8L IS) for compressed moments without crossing lines; dual-role macros like Sony FE 90/2.8 Macro OSS, Nikon Z MC 105/2.8 VR, and Canon RF 100/2.8L IS pull detail cutaways (evidence, hands, objects) without a zoom; character-light but reliable options like Zeiss 55/1.8 and Sigma 65/2 DG DN offer micro-contrast in small packages. APS-C standouts for lightweight bureaus and second bodies: Sigma 16/23/30/56mm ƒ1.4 DC DN trio (fast, sharp, discreet), Sony E 15/1.4 G and 35/1.8 OSS/50/1.8 OSS (stabilized classics), Fujifilm XF 23/1.4 LM WR, XF 33/1.4 LM WR, XF 56/1.2 WR (quiet linear AF, people-first rendering), and RF-S users can lean on RF 24/1.8 IS, RF 35/1.8 IS, RF 50/1.8, RF 85/2 IS for bright, stabilized kits. Micro Four Thirds picks that disappear on the street: OM SYSTEM 17/25/45mm ƒ1.2 Pro (rounded blades, sealed), Olympus 17/25/45mm ƒ1.8 (tiny value), Panasonic 20/1.7 (pancake stealth), and Panasonic Leica 25/1.4 / 42.5/1.2 Nocticron OIS (lux with stabilization). Practical buyer tips: build a two- or three-prime spine you trust—(24/1.4 + 50/1.4) or (35/1.4 + 85/1.8) covers most briefs—then add a 135 for reach; standardize front diameters for one clear protector and VND (skip CPLs—polarization can wreck screens and blotchy skies); chase lenses with robust nano coatings for head-on spotlights and rain; if you’re hybrid, verify breathing and AF transition smoothness (modern 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.4 behave well) and enable linear MF where supported; keep firmware current for AF and flicker fixes. Field technique that keeps frames truthful and sharp: work Manual or T/Av with Auto-ISO and a ceiling that matches your outlet’s noise tolerance, lock motion ~1/250–1/500s for crowds (1/1000s+ for surges), keep the camera roughly level to avoid unintentional keystone that dramatizes scale, place faces near the central third to protect proportions, and step back to ~35–50mm for natural lines; brace against posts, use elbows for stability, and fire short bursts to land a tack frame; in mixed/LED light, set a stable WB or use a gray card between scenes and enable anti-flicker; for portraits, lead with 85–135mm at ƒ2–ƒ2.8 for respectful distance and clean backgrounds; for video, lock a 180° shutter with ND, enable breathing compensation, set slow AF transitions, and balance compact primes on a gimbal or monopod; always respect subjects and scene integrity—prime perspectives should clarify, not distort, the story. Whether you’re filing from flood lines, courthouse steps, campaign buses, or late-night neighborhoods, the best prime lenses for photojournalism combine low distortion, fast, quiet AF, weather-tough builds, and flare-savvy optics—so your pictures stay honest, sharp, and immediate under pressure.

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