Do you use filters for street shooting?

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photophorous

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Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself and get your opinion on using filters for street shooting.

I'm new to RFs, but I've been using SLRs for almost 10 years. I got a Canonet about 9 months ago, and I realized I love looking through the RF viewfinder, so I just upgraded to a Bessa R2A and a couple of V/C lenses. I haven't even finished my first roll with it, but I can tell we're going to get along very well. :D

I'm just curious about the filters. When I shoot B&W film, I often use a yellow filter, but not always. Red can give some neat effects for certain types of shooting, but not street shooting...for me anyway. Anyone else use any filters on the street?

Paul
 
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Yes. For B&W--sometimes green, sometimes orange-depends if the sky is in a significant portion of the film. Yellow has negliable effect (to me)-If you do use filters on the rf, be careful if you switch to color film. I've shot whole rolls of reala with an orange or green filter on the lens. I rarely use filters with color film.
 
Paul I'm a filter freak so I have UV filters for all my lenses. I will occasionally use a yellow filter on an older lens for contrast (not necessary with modern lenses). If you have modern CV lenses then they are likely to be contrasty and you may not need yellow for example. Red can be fun though, especially with a deep saturated blue sky... :)
 
I am thinking of picking up a filter myself for everyday purposes. When I am out and about I just find that I usually end up with no detail in the sky. I was thinking of either a Yellow or Orange heliopan filter. I haven't decided yet which one. I don't want the completely fake looking Red effect, just a darker sky with some detail in clouds.
 
I use a dark orange filter quite often when shooting in strong sunlight, and not just when there's a lot of sky in the shot.

Ian
 
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depending on the light, I'll sometimes add a yellow or red filter for contrast.

Or if I still have highspeed film in the camera, an ND filter to bring shutter times and apertures back down to something more reasonable.

But 75% of the time, no filter. Just a hood.
 
I never use color filters. But on some (expensive) lenses I use a UV, and when I want slower shutter speeds in bright light, I sometimes use a ND filter.
 
Thanks for all the comments.

Seems like only a few people use filters for street shooting, except to protect the lens. I used a yellow filter with my Canonet and I liked the extra bit of contrast it added, but I'm not sure I'll need it with the V/C lenses. I'll find out tomorrow when I develop the first roll from my Bessa. I can't wait!
 
I've been thinking about this myself lately. On my Rollei TLR I almost use the K2 medium yellow all the time. Great for skies and skin tones. So I thought, why not on my Leica with the summicron 50/2 collapsible? Improved contrast, and you get the added benefit of knocking the speed down a stop on those really bright summer days. I think that one would work great for street work on an RF. You'll have to get used to being aware that it's on there. Good luck and post some results!
 
I almost always use a deep yellow (#15) for street shooting. Unless I'm indoors, need the speed, etc.

Russ
 
RdEoSg said:
I am thinking of picking up a filter myself for everyday purposes. When I am out and about I just find that I usually end up with no detail in the sky. I was thinking of either a Yellow or Orange heliopan filter. I haven't decided yet which one. I don't want the completely fake looking Red effect, just a darker sky with some detail in clouds.
Click to expand...

Go with the "deep" yellow. Less light loss than Orange, not fake looking, etc.

Russ
 
I always have a dark yellow B+W filter on my 50mm Summicron unless the light is very low, partly to protect the lens and partly because I like more contrast in my shots.

I tend to use a yellow filter on my Rollei as well (-1 filter factor).
 
let me know if you can see any difference with and without the yellow filter...i always have a yellow filter on my RF for street shooting: for lens protection so i don't have to keep taking cap on-off (have left it on for one occasion using my first RF. nice roll of black..no white or images for that matter) and to enhance contrast. however, i've never taken any BW pictures without yellow filter apart from old 120 folders which i have no filters for. their tones tend to be muted which is great for certain shots.
I've also recently started using blue filter for portraits. excellent effect especially if your subjects are pale.
 
I'll cast a vote for a green filter. I don't shoot much on streets. We don't have so many streets in New Mexico. But a green filter is as useful as a yellow one (K2) in darkening the sky, and it livens up foliage and makes skin tones look great. I usually have a green or a yellow filter on for b&w.
 
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