First day on the Street with the 15mm F4.5

[jmarcus]

Would love some feedback, I won't be hurt if you think they are all crap. I like several of them, others I was on the fence.

http://www.frolickinglama.com/OnTheStreetwV15mm/

Epson R-D1s with the Voigtlander 15mm F4.5

thanks,
James

 

[thomasw_]

You make extensive use of the dutch angle in your street shooting, James. I found it really made me think about how you would've "seen" the situation. I liked the shot with the little kid a lot. Do you just set the focus at 1m and shoot at will or what is your method? Is the LTM or M mount? Man, that lens has sharp, very deep dof!

 

[kxl]

Hip shots and oblique angles are valid techniques, and interesting when interspersed with other styles. But when that same technique is used for a full series, it gets old really fast. I'm inclined to think that maybe (and I don't know if this is true), you're working up the nerve to bring the camera up to your face.

 

[jmarcus]

kxl: Yes thats true, thanks for your honesty.

thomasw_: I think I set the lens to infinity and between f/8-f/22. Its the LTM version.

James

 

[morgan]

James, I think you and I are probably the only people walking around Boston with this combo, although I need send my 15mm out for repair.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Very nice, just two remarks:
- get a Giottos airblower (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Giottos-Rocket-Air-Blower-Review.aspx) in order to keep your sensor clean from dust, these airblowers are very effective
- in case of using a 15mm or 21 mm lens the Epson like some other automated cameras must be corrected for about 1 stop.

 

[dfoo]

Like some of the other posters I find the angle distracting from some of the nice shots. I like the shot of the looking at the store front.

 

[topazbullet]

James, I think you and I are probably the only people walking around Boston with this combo, although I need send my 15mm out for repair.

Morgan, you're in Cambridge, MA? I'm here as well!

 

[morgan]

Morgan, you're in Cambridge, MA? I'm here as well!

Yep, I live in Central Square these days, suffering through this endless winter. The shots on your blog are fantastic, btw. Your color stuff is really amazing. Is that all M8 35/2.5?

 

[topazbullet]

Yep, I live in Central Square these days, suffering through this endless winter. The shots on your blog are fantastic, btw. Your color stuff is really amazing. Is that all M8 35/2.5?

Yea, mostly the M8 35/2.5 combo. Some of the color photos are Nikon D90 - I'm a T-stop away from you

 

[ferider]

I like the Monster (#11).

 

[Ahmed Poltroon]

Number #22 is marginally interesting.

 

[jmarcus]

Ron (Netherlands): I was shooting with AE + 1/3

 

[Tuolumne]

I like the shot with the man in the white suit. Reminded me of Steve Martin. In general, I like many of these, although not the building shots and the motorcycle which I found boring. I don't find the camera angle tedious at all. I think it gives a sense of dynamism to the pictures.

/T

 

[Drewus]

I'm gradually getting better at lifting the camera to my face to take a photo. Training myself to shoot first and think of any consequences later.

 

[BillBingham2]

I liked them.

B2 (;->

 

[Al Kaplan]

Drewus, when shooting with a 15 there IS no consequence. Nobody thinks they're in the frame or else assumes that you can't make a picture from that close. Be brave.

 

[Dingo]

kxl: Yes thats true, thanks for your honesty.

thomasw_: I think I set the lens to infinity and between f/8-f/22. Its the LTM version.

James

Setting to 2 meters can make full use of its DOF, in f8 you will get everything in focus.

 

[Dingo]

kxl: Yes thats true, thanks for your honesty.

thomasw_: I think I set the lens to infinity and between f/8-f/22. Its the LTM version.

James

Setting to 2 meters can make full use of its DOF, in f8 you will get everything in focus.

 

[Drewus]

Drewus, when shooting with a 15 there IS no consequence. Nobody thinks they're in the frame or else assumes that you can't make a picture from that close. Be brave.

Oh I didn't mean with a 15 specifically. I mainly stick with 50 or 40mm for any street stuff.

I find some of the reactions pretty funny. I've had a couple of old guys yell at me for not asking for permission first, but most people tend to give me weird looks.
One thing i've found is that a lot of people run out of the shot, thinking that they are getting in the way of something i'm photographing behind them. Totally unaware that they are infact the subject 🙂