Leica photog Uses Just One Lens

[VinceC]

There's an interesting article in the April 2007 edition of the National Press Photographers Association magazine.

In the article, "One World, One Lens." (written by Donald R. Winslow) they profile James Whitlow Delano, who predominantly shoots black and white using two Leica M2 bodies and two 35mm f/2 lenses (I assume for backup and in case one body runs out of film in midshoot).

About the only thing he says about the cameras is that he thinks they might be older than he is (he was born in 1960).

"One lens means speed," he says. "Very simple operations. That is critical. If you miss the moment, you cannot go back. I shoot exclusively Leica. On the few occassions that I have used Hasselblad, which is a wonderful camera, I feel like I am driving a Mack truck. But the Leica makes the work possible. You can suggest the energy rippling just below the surface."

He also says the "modestly wide angle ... means that I have to interact with the people I photograph. ... There is an interaction. If they don't like what I'm doing, they can reach out and grab me."

His website is http://www.jameswhitlowdelano.com

 

[morgan]

Thanks for that link. His work is pretty amazing. There is an otherwordly look to his shots that's haunting. I'm not sure how he does it, but it really works.

 

[Joe Mondello]

30 years ago my brother and I took a trip through Scandinavia. Due to constraints at work we were only able to take a single Nikon F2 and a 50mm 1.2 lens along.

Pete shot with it for a week and then he went back to the States and I shot with it for a week.

Having just one lens was a revelation! I recommend it for every photographer. Try shooting at least for a whole day (longer if possible) with just a single PRIME lens. You will learn more about that lens than you ever would if it were just another one in your bag.

Great way to get to know lenses and a great discipline -- especially in these days of mega zooms!

 

[sepiareverb]

80% of my work is shot with just a 50- the others have their place but the 50 is king. I do go through cycles- the 21 will get a lot of use for a while, then the 28 or the 90- but the 50 is always there.

 

[photogdave]

A few years back I took a train trip from northern Italy to Prague and back for about a week. I only took my Vivitar 19mm on my Nikon F801. It was great experience shooting only with one lens and I never look back at those photos and think "if only I had the ...".
Nowadays I typically choose which lens to shoot with for the day, put it on my camera and go. Nothing to clutter the bag or the mind.

 

[NickTrop]

Aren't we overlooking the obvious here?

Cartier-Bresson exclusively used Leica 35 mm rangefinder cameras equipped with normal 50mm lenses or occasionally a wide-angle for landscapes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson

Read quotes (too lazy to re-Google) where HCB was not a fan at all of the 35mm focal lengths, so I imagine those 15mm super-wides would be right out. His philosophy was that his Leicas were extensions of his eye, so it stands to reason he prefered the most natural angle of view, 50mm.

 

[VinceC]

Seventy years ago it was pretty common to use just one lens. Less so now, particularly among those who make a living in photography.

Just about everything shot to about 1950 on 35mm film was taken with a 50mm lens. Except for Alfred Eisenstaedt, who used only a 35mm lens.

 

[NickTrop]

Seventy years ago it was pretty common to use just one lens. Less so now, particularly among those who make a living in photography.

Just about everything shot to about 1950 on 35mm film was taken with a 50mm lens. Except for Alfred Eisenstaedt, who used only a 35mm lens.

Though not fit to hold any of these greats lens cap (here, kid, hold this for me...) I too prefer a 50 and don't like to carry 'round a bag of lenses. That's why I opt for those Japanese fixed lens rangefinders over interchangeable lens systems.

That, plus I'm cheap.

 

[ferider]

Thanks for posting, Vince. I think Winogrand used two M4s, both with the same 28/2.8
Canon lens.

Roland.

 

[NickTrop]

There's something to be said for knowing a single focal length - in fact a single lens in that focal length, inside out, upside down... to become one with the lens.

Ouuuuummmmmmm. (<- that yoga breath sound, in case you're wondering).

 

[back alley]

i only use one lens...at a time 😉

 

[aad]

I find I use 2 lenses, but they're both 50s.

 

[ray_g]

His photos from China were featured on Lens Works 1 or 2 yrs back. I had corresponded with him by email a little back then - very down to earth guy. I have since bought his book on China, one of my favorites. I don't know how he gets the effect he does, either.

I think he won an award from Leica recently.

 

[Trius]

I use this method a lot. Once I got a 35 for my OM, it pretty much stayed on the camera unless I needed the 100 for a specific purpose.

And I agree with Nick ... fixed lens RFs take any option away (OK, if you own more than one ... you can present yourself with indecision), you just shoot.

I'm now more of a 40mm guy ... nice balance for me between the charm of the 50 and the forced intimacy of the 35.

Using a single lens forces you to think more which, with practice, becomes instinctive action.

Edit: I too remember seeing his work in Lenswork; one of the best issues IMO. His photos captured me.

 

[dgriff2]

Hey you were right. I found my #54 copy of Lenswork, and his photo of two infants in the doorway of their abode is on the front cover. M U S T find time to revisit these books.

 

[Noserider]

Good stuff from Delano. One lens makes you try harder to use physical postioning in order to get the shot, which then requires adept, appropriate social interactions.
I've mostly only shot the Leica with a 35mm, and just recently added on a 50mm, but for the most part its either one or the other.

 

[Jerevan]

While I like the idea of using one lens only and appreciate the effort of making all those photographs, the stamp-sized photos on the website could have been done with a toy-camera, without anyone noticing it.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I use just one lens and find it very useful in that I 'see' with that lens and composition is so much simpler than taking one lens off and putting another one on.

Easier to carry too. Bags? Who needs a bag?

 

[iml]

80% of my work is shot with just a 50- the others have their place but the 50 is king.

Me too. Even when I carry a second lens more often than not I don't use it.

Having said that, I went out with a 21mm last weekend for the first time in a long time and got some results I like, so I may well use that as my main lens for the next few weeks. For a long time I couldn't get my had around how to use something that wide, but I have some ideas now.

Ian

 

[Steve Litt]

The reason I like Rangefinders is the compact size and the fact I hate carrying a bag full or gear just cos I have it.When I used SLRs I would either take the body and one prime lens 24mm or 50mm then when I got my first Bessa it was 28mm or35mm.On my M2 its 50mm Since the RD-1 I have used my 40mm cron(60mm fov)most of the time 28mm and 50mm (42and 75mm fov)on odd occasions.I am toying with the idea of swapping my 28mm for the new vc 21mm.I know its the same as the old one but the red dot to ease changing without putting my glasses on and the ergonomics may swing me as I think it would give me a nice second lens and similar fovs to my previous preferences.This is the luxury of being a hobbiest having said that the photographers I admire tend to use one lens such as Trent Parke and Homer Sykes etc.

Regards
Steve