sevres_babylone
Veteran
These days I mostly use 35mm and 50mm for street-shooting, but when I was shooting with my Olympus OM cameras, I used the 85mm a fair bit, and I also used to use a 50mm (75mm equivalent) on my Epson. As the examples in the thread show, you can do excellent streetwork in this range, though it will appear unique and different from traditional conceptions. As mentioned by others, Saul Leiter developed an unconventional style, and more recently Leo Rubinfien did a book on street photography using the 150mm lens in a Mamiya 7, which is pretty close to 75mm.
As for the CV 75mm lenses, I have both the 2.5 and the faster one, and would recommend the slower one. I find its handling better, and prefer its compactness.
Finally, I should say that I find using the 75mm framelines within the 50/75 framelines of the M9 a bit awkward to use. With the Epson, where I was using a 50mm lens with the 50mm for the same angle of view, I was able to frame and shoot quicker.
As for the CV 75mm lenses, I have both the 2.5 and the faster one, and would recommend the slower one. I find its handling better, and prefer its compactness.
Finally, I should say that I find using the 75mm framelines within the 50/75 framelines of the M9 a bit awkward to use. With the Epson, where I was using a 50mm lens with the 50mm for the same angle of view, I was able to frame and shoot quicker.
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RomanV
Member
Just my 2 cents 
It's not even 75 it's 85mm, Moscow street on a sunny day. I was testing my J9 and using only this lens for the whole session. Quite interesting expiriens. And yes, it's very difficult to shot fast changing subjects. During the focusing the boy just moved ahead...
And another one:
It's not even 75 it's 85mm, Moscow street on a sunny day. I was testing my J9 and using only this lens for the whole session. Quite interesting expiriens. And yes, it's very difficult to shot fast changing subjects. During the focusing the boy just moved ahead...
And another one:
DominikDUK
Well-known
Sorry for my mistake I used the wrong lens data.
The Summarit-M 75 f8 21,34m - inf. or 6m to nearly 13m.
except for very close objects < 2m you still get nearly one meter of DOF.
A 75mm is not an in your face lens, you have to have some distance from the subject.
Andreas Feininger preferred tele lenses for his LF work because he felt that they gave a more natural look.
Dominik
kxl
Social Documentary
I would only use a 75mm for street if I had a second body with a 35mm on it.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
There is wisdom in what you say. I often shoot a Wetzlar 0.72 M6 with either a 28 or 35 and a M6 HM 0.85 with either a 50 or 75. My lens pairs generally are 28 and 50, or 35 and 75.
With a future Monochrom delivery I think there is some great potential for the 75 to get used a lot more.
Cal
peterm1
Veteran
I agree. I simply do not like being in peoples' faces when I photograph them, partly becasue its rude and partly because it changes their behaviour. Longer lenses are harder and more technically challenging to master for this purpose but are worth it.
rbelyell
Well-known
imo, OP is looking for advice on the appropriateness of this FL as a tool for street photography. and again i must caution, this 'tool' is limited by the physics of DOF. if one wants to capture random individual expression as a 'street story', then yes, this is a difficult to master but appropriate tool. if one wants to strike out in an unusual 'artistic' way of telling a story, perhaps, given a great amount of talent, this may be an appropriate tool. if one wants to capture a scene as a 'street story' then a75mm lens is not an appropriate tool. in that circumstance it is like usung a philips head screw driver on a single slot screw. if one's intent is the 'normal' street work, and one is working with film, one will be incredibly frustrated and will spend a great deal of money to figure out this isnt a good tool. we are not doing the OP any service to tell him he can defy the laws of physics.
tony
tony
DXK
Newbie
But your pictures make me a bit uncomfortable, the way I'm looking at the subjects in them, the feeling that I'm peering down a long lens, through a glass, past shoulders at them, without their knowledge. They turn a pedestrian scene into a voyeuristic leer. Even with virtually invisible street photographs, where the viewer feels like a fly zizzing on the periphery of the subject's awareness, or even in in-your-face street shots in which the subject is caught unaware, there's just not that distant, voyeuristic feeling.
I think a 75 can work on the street but it works rarely and definitely doesn't often produce the kind of pictures I dig.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I do occasionally go out street shooting with longer lenses like the 75 and 90 mm, but the intent when I do that is for something a little different from the more typical street session. It's a different aesthetic—I'm usually looking for something which is more place oriented than people oriented.
For people work in context, I prefer a 35-50 mm lens. 21-28 is nice too, but generally distorts a little too much for me.
For people work in context, I prefer a 35-50 mm lens. 21-28 is nice too, but generally distorts a little too much for me.
Agreed! The 75 is a bit different for "street" and calls for fresh techniques, a change of pace. Must have time to focus...
I didn't have a camera with 75mm framelines until fairly recently, and I considered it "too long" for my M8 when that came along, but I had used a 75/2.5 Heliar some with a Bessa T. I also have the Pentax 77mm f/1.8 which has turned out a favorite for the interesting focal length (on film) and brilliant performance, but again longer than I like for walk-around on a 1.5x crop-sensor camera.
That f/2.5 Heliar sharpess was a bit disappointing on the M9, probably needs adjustment. When I tried the f/1.8 Heliar I was immediately impressed with its crispness and fine color rendition. Here are a couple "street-like" samples...
peterm1
Veteran
I understand its all a very personal choice but i actually like the sense of intimacy afforded by the use of this lens in these particular images. Apart from the reflections which tell the viwer that i was outside, it gives feeling of having been one of the people inside the room. Of course it does not have to be that way. A different composition and setting would give an entirely different result.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I wish I could post some shots taken with my 75 Lux from the Mermaid Parade.
There was a very pretty girl in a retro Navy costume that I shot wide open. She was aware I was shooting her, and it was as if I had a pro model and was a studio type situation as I photographed her putting on her make-up using the mirror on a Vespa. I was able to eventually move in very close and more or less was able to perform a series of street portraits that display both detailed sharpness, wonderful OOF because I was close focusing, and great bokeh. It really captured something very personal and intimate, but it was taken and performed on the street. BTW I shot about half a dozen shots to first establish a relationship before going for the tighter portrait. I shot about half a roll on her, and having a TA Rapidwinder was an asset.
Doesn't happen very often, very hard to do, but when it happens it really is magic.
Cal
There was a very pretty girl in a retro Navy costume that I shot wide open. She was aware I was shooting her, and it was as if I had a pro model and was a studio type situation as I photographed her putting on her make-up using the mirror on a Vespa. I was able to eventually move in very close and more or less was able to perform a series of street portraits that display both detailed sharpness, wonderful OOF because I was close focusing, and great bokeh. It really captured something very personal and intimate, but it was taken and performed on the street. BTW I shot about half a dozen shots to first establish a relationship before going for the tighter portrait. I shot about half a roll on her, and having a TA Rapidwinder was an asset.
Doesn't happen very often, very hard to do, but when it happens it really is magic.
Cal
Richard G
Veteran
Wonderful description Calzone: it's almost worth it that you can't post those pics.
fstops
-
75mm (or longer) does not work for street because its shots look like police surveillance photos...
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Richard,
Thanks. My girlfriend loves those shots. Kinda high fashion in a retro timeless kind of way. Also she pointed out that I captured something very private and intimate that normally women perform in private. The added reach of the 75 Lux really came in handy and added a tightness to the shots. I was able to make this girl feel comfortable, and because she was a total stranger it makes it a great series of street shots.
Anyway a rare opportunity. I don't dismiss the narrow DOF, nor the awkward handling and slow focus that is a great challenge.
Also know I had a second camera with me as not to be limited.
Cal
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
Certainly the 35 is great, but I've seen fantastic street work across the 21-50mm range. HC-B used a 50, mostly...
jparriott
Member
My best results come from a 35 on the streets. Or a 28. I find that the context from the subject's surroundings is what makes the photo, and gives structure to the frame. If I need to crop a little, I'll crop.
I will say, however, that I have the CV 75 2.5 and love it. Just an amazing lens. You've whet my appetite to give it a try on the street and see what I come up with.
I will say, however, that I have the CV 75 2.5 and love it. Just an amazing lens. You've whet my appetite to give it a try on the street and see what I come up with.