Question(s) about street with my Contax

[Pfreddee]

I'd like to try street photography, but my reflexes seem to be too slow for this sort of work. When the discussion turns to "slow, contemplative photography," they're speaking my language. But not fast reflexes.

I like my small rangefinder, a Contax IIA, but I'm not sure if it's the best choice for me for street. I can use zone focusing, some other preset that I'm not aware of, practice, lots of practice, maybe? I can shoot faster with my Canon 10 on program, but it makes a LOT of noise. So what would be your recommendations for using my Contax on the street? And getting a little bit faster, maybe?

Thank you to all who reply.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[Monochrom]

Practice, that´s holy grail, good luck

 

[btgc]

Camera isn't too important. SLR can be used relying on zone focus without exact focusing, as well as rangefinders can. These days they have invented silent wide angle cameras built into phones to be used without attracting much attention. Mostly, street needs engagement and awareness.

 

[Pioneer]

Most street photography is about photographing people doing interesting things. Once in awhile you may need to react quickly but most of the time it is about paying attention. If you watch what is happening you will see situations developing that you can photograph.

A great example is HCB's photo of the man jumping the puddle. By keeping an eye on that puddle HCB was able to catch a man jumping through the puddle.

In the beginning you will miss many opportunities like this, not because you are not fast enough, but because you don't recognize things developing. Don't kick yourself, just remember. Next time you see that situation you may get another chance at your own "decisive moment."

And that Contax IIa will work great. Lots and lots of people have used that same camera over the years and come away with really good photographs.

 

[JoeV]

Whichever genre of photography you pursue, you need to do so because the subject itself fascinates you.

If you lack some intrinsic curiosity about people in public, or are not naturally bent toward public interaction with strangers in public, then perhaps street photography is not for you.

There's a lot of bad photography these days posing as "street," just random shots of people, no action happening or story being told.

Perhaps urban documentary more suits you? Photographing public spaces, urban landscapes but not necessarily zeroing in on just people, per se.

Follow your heart; what is it you want to pursue?

There's lots of enthusiasm for using rangefinders in "street," but there are also lots more things besides street to study.

Good luck, keep us posted.

~Joe

 

[Martin Carone Santos]

The Contax is perfect for street and candid photography! Small, silent, easy to use. I prefer the Tessar, but the Sonnars are great too. I like to use it too with the Biogon 35mm. Anyway, get practice with it. You will like a lot the results. And it's isn't a slow camera when you get the way to use it.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

On a sunny day with iso 400 tri-x you will be using f8 or f11 which provides you with a wide depth of field that will be in focus therefore it is not necessary to be concerned about focusing on a particular point.

On street shooting which is very fast you and the scene and the camera must be in sync without thinking. It is a zen idea. For example if you think this will make a great photograph by just thinking it time is wasted and the scene is lost.

There will be more waste. One good shot per 24 is an outstanding ratio. At one roll a week that is 52 outstanding photographs. Consider ten years at that ratio: 520 photographs to mount on your wall.

 

[D.O'K.]

A tip for speeding up the use of this camera on the street: disable the focus lock by wedging a small piece of wood or rubber (or whatever) into the gap next to the lens mount.

Regards,
D.