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I think this is a wonderfully debatable topic. Something I've come across during my shootings is that although no matter how much I find primes more superior, I think zooms are invaluable.

The next big step for me for gear upgrades is probably an investment in more lenses. And I have a plenty of options to pick from. This varies from UWA variants from Sigma or Tokina or sweet telephoto primes of 85mm. But the thought of losing candid shots from switching lenses has put me off on a prime. This includes the switching of the lens for the appropriate scene or when you simply can not move any further or backwards. If you work on tripods, you know.

So I've returned to my beloved CL forums for your opinions. Should someone invest their money on wonderful primes that might bog down a travelling street/candid/portrait photographer, or something like the one time 24-70mm that'll fill in any photographer's wet dream.

Cheers

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Simply shoot.

Nikon D90 | Nikon FE | 50mm 1.8G | 18-105mm | SB-600 | Manfrotto 190XDB

Next stop: Carl Zeiss 35mm

For everyday use I enjoy my zoom lenses in order to have the focal length I need and not "one focal length" - but for special things like macro and portraits I use primes.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

I'm in love with my 30mm f1.4 lens and its almost permanently attached to the camera.

No zoom will ever have a 1.4 look

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Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

Well believe me if you strap on a 24-70mm there will be not be any hint of candid in your photographs. It's a great lens, great as a travel walkabout (for me, but it may be a little heavy), sharp as a tack and ideal for environmental portraits. As long as you're happy with f2.8, it'll match up and beat many of the prime lenses in the range it covers. However subtle it ain't!

However for portraits it may not be quite long enough or have enough subject isolation for you. For added pop you can't help but love an f1.4 lens. Get used to a good prime, and you'll be zooming with your feet before you've even lifted the camera to your eye. It won't be a hindrance at all.

I use my 85/1.4 as a walkaround lens, can get some great candids with it, plus its not as intimidating as a 24-70 or 70-200.

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» Nikon D90 | Nikon D7000 + MB-D11 | Nikon 18-55mm VR | Nikon 17-55 f2.8 | Nikon 80-200 f2.8D | Nikon 35mm f1.8 | Nikon 50mm F1.4 | Sigma 85mm f1.4 | Nikon SB-600 | Think Tank UD-60

for a "travelling street/candid/portrait photographer"? Well, I run around in Venice mostly with the 24-70/2.8 on my D300 (see report here) and found it very usefull. But you have to remember the crop factor, so to reproduce the same on a FX-body I'd need a 35-105/2.8 lens - and a tack sharp one at that. But unfortunately such a lens does not exist (would be nice to have it stabilized too). The nearest thing is the Nikon AF-S 24-120/4.0 VR, but that is optically not up there with the 24-70/2.8.
So as Dubaiphil has pointed out: on an FX-body you need something longer and a 85mm large aperture prime (like the new 85/1.8G) would be a nice choice.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Well if you're enjoying your street photography, nothing helps take the eye away from distracting background clutter like a 50 or 85 f1.4 at 1.4

Apart from a 105 or 135DC. But then on a crop sensor you're moving away from candid and moving more towards stalking!