Are Rangefinders Still the Best Tool for Steet Photography? - The Nikon D5000

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Why do you think the GF-1 is better than the D5000? Is it just the ergonomics? The GF-1 certainly is smaller. But no viewfinder.

Most importantly to me is the camera's capability of capturing the full range of light that I come across in street photography. According to the dxomark data, the GF-1 is much less capable of capturing highlights and shadows at the same time. By their measure, the D5000 sensor can capture a dynamic range of 12.5, the GF-1 DR is 10.3. If I remember correctly, typical color film's dynamic range is something like 13.
 
I would say "street photography" has more than one meaning,,,

It includes shooting with no hurry sometimes, what a pleasure! But some other times you got no time at all, not even 3 seconds, and you miss shots unless you have autoexposure AND autofocus to help you get moving people where you want them inside your vision or composition... I have through the years learned that size really matters a lot, so a pro DSLR is a bad option... Another matter is image quality and precise focusing: street photography is a bit permissive with both... Small film compacts are a great option in my opinion too, but I tend to go out with a mechanical RF with a normal wide, and an AF SLR (with a fast 85) in my bag for street shooting, both inside the bag, not visible, and an XA in my pocket or in my hand... This is the camera that I've found perfect for street: you can't change lens, so you really go inside, and it's invisible and makes no sound... You don't care for exposure or focus, and no one takes you seriously with such a "bad plastic minuscule toy camera"... And you get... film! But I think I'm with Nick... Small digital cameras by 2010 can be a great option from every point of view. Maybe if I had a very important job to do in street shooting, and I was allowed to pick just one camera, I would pick a small AF digital, even though I prefer the look of film.

Cheers,

Juan
 
Nick,
Thanks for the analysis. I'm in, soon as I sell off some of the film gear. I was thinking of going with the D300, due to its ability to meter with the older manual Nikkors. But I think the flip-down screen is by far a more useful tool for me... the shy street photographer.
Jamie
 
1) Helios VF
2) Zone V or expose for the highlights (same problem as slide film.)

Did you ever hear the story: Do not shoot slide film at noon in Beirut ...


Jamie Pillers said:
Why do you think the GF-1 is better than the D5000? Is it just the ergonomics? The GF-1 certainly is smaller. But no viewfinder.

Most importantly to me is the camera's capability of capturing the full range of light that I come across in street photography. According to the dxomark data, the GF-1 is much less capable of capturing highlights and shadows at the same time. By their measure, the D5000 sensor can capture a dynamic range of 12.5, the GF-1 DR is 10.3. If I remember correctly, typical color film's dynamic range is something like 13.
Click to expand...
 
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Jamie Pillers said:
Nick,
Thanks for the analysis. I'm in, soon as I sell off some of the film gear. I was thinking of going with the D300, due to its ability to meter with the older manual Nikkors. But I think the flip-down screen is by far a more useful tool for me... the shy street photographer.
Jamie
Click to expand...

Bingo! Somebody gets it! Not trying to sell "D5000s" but I honestly am finding this a fine tool for RF-style photography. Check it out in the camera store, of course. Swivel is great, contrast AF slow (but being intellectually honest, no slower that manual focus) plus just set it to a smaller ap - F5.6, F8... etc. variable ISO is the key here. And, as you stated, the dynamic range on this camera is quite good.

It passed "the kid" test better than any camera I've used, using the swivel screen. Ergo, it's "unobtrusiveness". Also, it opens up hitherto unopened compositional doors (if you will...)

The size is no big deal (see section on "Camera Sizes"). It's a "small". The quibbling over a millimeter here or there or a few ounces is silly. It's not "pocketable" it is "wriststrap-able" - ergo "small". If interested, save a few bucks and get a Nikon refurbed one. Got mine for $470 at B&H. Early production runs had a recall that were fixed by Nikon. I'm fine with that if it saves me a couple Benjamens. Do, of course, get the 35mm f1.8 prime over the kit zoom if you do.

And don't sell all your film cameras! I intend to use mine regularly! Especially my Fujica Compact Deluxe. Still love film/film cameras/ rangefinders... But I do question if it's not 90% an emotional appeal at this point.
 
Any camera works as a street camera. Even an 8x10 view camera. Atget is still considered one of the great street photographers and he even used glass plates.
 
Well, if you're familiar w/ your gear and a capable photographer, any camera will do. I use folders and TLR's on the street all the time. The folders may or may not have rangefinders on them. It really doesn't matter. As long as you meter before hand and have your exposure setting set, the camera open and the lens set to either infinity or wherever you think it needs to be, you can get the shots. If you have a folder w/ a coupled rangefinder and an automatic film advance, vs a red window, you'd be surprised how fast it can be to use it. And a TLR can bang out the shots.

DSLR, SLR, rangefinder, folder, it don't matter at all.
 
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i used to be an ardent viewfinder guy. gotta have one, gotta have one.

through a series of circumstances to boring to relay i was forced to use a small digital with a swivel for a short stretch and it was actually quite useable. both the screen for composing and the screen swiveled. i found that the style of shooting that followed added a certain "feel" of motion and fluidity that added to the work versus the rigid, composed approach.

just another "observation".
 
Gordon Coale said:
Any camera works as a street camera. Even an 8x10 view camera. Atget is still considered one of the great street photographers and he even used glass plates.
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Gordon is the one that get's it! but I understand you starting a thread wishing to justify the D5000 as a good street camera. To me street photography & B&W go hand n hand & as far as comparing B&W images from a digital camera I seriously doubt the D5000 can even or top the RD-1.
 
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