Pentax 67 for Street Photography

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guardado1213

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Forgive me if this is in the wrong forum
Because of work,i usually don't have very much time to go out and photograph during the day so i generally try to walk around during my lunch and snap a few shots of people milling around. Normally i carry a small camera, such as Fuji X70 or my Leica M9. Today I decided to walk into a small plaza frequented by a lot of people that work in the area and i saw man walking around with one hell of camera. I got closer to try and see what kind of camera it was and realized he was lugging around a Pentax 67 :eek:. When I asked what he was photographing, he said he was capturing daily life. He went to explain that he was tired of trying to be conspicuous when taking street photos so he had decided to try the opposite, that is find the biggest camera he could find and see what would happen...

I found that a pretty interesting concept and wanted to see what the community thought of it. Sorry for the long read.

Cheers!
 
Dianne Arbus used a Mamiya TLR and large flash. I saw an article on a guy that uses a 4x5 Crown Graphic with two large strobes. I've successfully shot with a Crown also and even worked off a tripod with posed shots. I'm planning another series with a 5x7 view camera on a tripod. Sometimes the camera gets the right attention and people think it cool and want to be photographed. At least you're not perceived as sneaking around. Actually I think there's more trust if you're obvious.
 
Recently I tried out a hasselblad and 40mm in New York. worked fine for me. you'll get very different kinds of photographs when using cameras that are less mobile. it can work very well depending on the space you have to work with. I always end up pushing my film when I shoot medium format unless it's sunny for the extra dof
 
Like Jojoman, I also got very different kinds of photographs when I used a medium format (Pentax 67) for street stuff.

Sounds a bit pretentious, but because there are only 10 shots, instead of trying to capture random moments, I ended up trying to make more of a mini narrative or at least attempt a common theme with each roll, and be more careful with the pictures I was taking than I would with 36 shots.

I gave up on it because of the weight and film economy for that sort of more casual shooting. Picking up a 67 as you leave the house to take around with you all day is far too big to be unobtrusive!
 
People seem to be attracted to unusual cameras. Recently, I've taken to carrying around a Busch Pressman 4X5 camera and using that for street photography. I've had no problem finding people to photograph. Young and old have come up to me and ask that I take their picture. The worst part is I only have seven film holders, meaning I can only take 14 shots. 14 shots don't last long on the street.

Jim B.
 
P67 is bloody heavy, but in general big cameras are good because people think you are doing some serious stuff and just move along.
 
jbielikowski said:
P67 is bloody heavy, but in general big cameras are good because people think you are doing some serious stuff and just move along.
Click to expand...

The guy i spoke to had a small crowd watching him snap his photos so I guess his attempt to not be conspicuous worked out :D

I just found it interesting becasue most of the casual enthusiast i know usually are looking to use the smallest camera available. My Fuji X70 looked like a small toy next his Pentax...
 
I've used a Mamiya m645 and a Yashicamat 124 for Street photography...
I've noticed that most people don't get that I'm taking a picture since I'm not striking a pose they're used to seeing these days...and I don't hide what I'm doing either...
 
I used to shoot a RB67 for street photography. Currently, I use a Mamiya Super 23. These sorts of cameras - while at first unwieldy, do produce a distinctive "look"; partly because of how they force you to shoot, and of course because of the larger negative/shallower DoF. It's a nice change from my iiic, or another other small 35mm camera, for that matter.
 
I went out street shooting with my Crown Graphic a few years ago and it was very liberating. People engaged with the camera willingly and I spent quite a lot of time answering questions about it. It was a memorable day and I really must do it again at some stage.


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I used a P67 for street photography in the 1990's. I loved it. The negatives were gorgeous. You might have a better range of hand-holdable shutter speeds with a Rollei or Yashica, but I thought the 6x7 negatives were just the right size. The 90 and 105 lenses are a stop faster than the fixed lens Fuji or interchangable lens Mamiya 7 counterparts (they also focused closer and could be used with inexpensive extension tubes for macro work0. I found the scaled up SLR a much better fit for me than the Mamiya RB67. Also in the 1990's the Pentax 67 was the least expensive way to get into 6x7 out there. There were plenty of used lenses on the market, and because the shutter was in the camera they were less expensive than their Hassie, Mamiya or Rollei TLR counterparts.

On the streets of NY or San Francisco, nobody even gave me a second look. I still have that camera. Maybe I will get it out again this week for a go.

I say go for it.
 
Used to shoot a Bronica ETRS with grip and strobe. The daylight fill flash is fantastic.

Same for the Mamiya 6 and 7, very handy on the street.
 
The pentax 67 is a great camera for street or travel photography! I find it very easy and quick to focus. I think that being big and loud is equal to being small and quiet, it how the public perceives a photographer.

I'm a big fan of Mike Peters street photography, he used to use a Hasseblad 2000 series body with the 110mm f2, and managed to capture very candid images.
 
This thread makes me feel better as I don't feel like I'm the only one using a RZ670 shooting street. I too found the idea of being 'totally conspicuous' more suitable than trying to 'disappear'. I decided to exploit the ugliness of big *** cameras, and I love it. I just hope I don't go buying a 4x5 or 8x10.
 
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