Bill Pierce
Well-known
Although the film cameras that were used for the majority of my work were conventional rangefinders supplemented with SLRs for long lens work, much of my street work was done with smaller cameras that attracted less attention - the Rollei 35, the Contax T series and the Leitz Minilux made by Minolta. The same has held true with my digital camera bag. The street shooters tend to be the smaller “mirrorless” cameras. For me, that’s an APS sensor and, for the first time, a range of small fixed focus lenses with full frame equivalents of 28 to 90 mm. - simply because for the first time all that equipment fits in a very small bag and any camera/lens combination is small and unimpressive enough that no one feels threatened or intimidated by what is obviously a bumbling, elderly tourist.
But in the process of using these cameras for street shooting, I’ve found out that there is one other thing I like about these small camera - focusing accuracy. The contrast detect systems in most small mirrorless systems checks focus in the image sensor unlike phase detect systems in DSLRs. They are dead on without any adjustment of individual lens/body combos. They are a touch slower, yes, but that’s relatively meaningless to someone who grew up on manual focus. And, small sensor or not, I am very pleased with the final results which includes some fairly large prints. As a consequence, I’ve supplemented my small street bag with big zooms and big battery packs for those days when I want to appear as a big professional. And the DSLRs spend most of their time in the studio.
I like the mirrorless cameras’ small size, the focusing accuracy and, yes, the smaller price. I have a suspicion that other folks are moving to the mirrorless cameras also. I wondered what other folks who have made the move like about the cameras - and don’t like. It would be useful information for others thinking about the move.
But in the process of using these cameras for street shooting, I’ve found out that there is one other thing I like about these small camera - focusing accuracy. The contrast detect systems in most small mirrorless systems checks focus in the image sensor unlike phase detect systems in DSLRs. They are dead on without any adjustment of individual lens/body combos. They are a touch slower, yes, but that’s relatively meaningless to someone who grew up on manual focus. And, small sensor or not, I am very pleased with the final results which includes some fairly large prints. As a consequence, I’ve supplemented my small street bag with big zooms and big battery packs for those days when I want to appear as a big professional. And the DSLRs spend most of their time in the studio.
I like the mirrorless cameras’ small size, the focusing accuracy and, yes, the smaller price. I have a suspicion that other folks are moving to the mirrorless cameras also. I wondered what other folks who have made the move like about the cameras - and don’t like. It would be useful information for others thinking about the move.
Darthfeeble
But you can call me Steve
I got the X100 when they first came out because I loved the looks of it. I have always liked the fixed lens rangefinder cameras of the late 50's and 60's. I did just enough research to find out that it had pretty good IQ and was supremely happy to find out it has excellent IQ. Then I started to enjoy the ability to get excellent image quality from a camera that was easy on my wrists, fingers and wallet. What's not to like? I'm considering selling my M9 and keeping the lenses to go with the XPro1 for the same reason. Old bones and heavy cameras just don't go together.
YYV_146
Well-known
I always shoot with manual lenses on the street. I have AF lenses, but I've found that as street photography goes, my hand is more reliable than the focusing system of most cameras. A professional DSLR body will track better, of course, but to me that has always felt a bit like cheating...not to mention the weight and size.
Focus peaking is amazing in this regard - I simply press the shutter when the red lines cover the subject's eyes or hair. It makes off center focusing much easier than any phase detection system I've used.
Focus peaking is amazing in this regard - I simply press the shutter when the red lines cover the subject's eyes or hair. It makes off center focusing much easier than any phase detection system I've used.
pvdhaar
Peter
Indeed, focus peaking is a godsend.. Even an 85/1.4 wide open is no problem. Even autofocus speed is very decent for everything except perhaps the most demanding sports and wildlife shooting.
The only Achilles heel that mirrorless has left is the atrocious start-up time. That makes me miss shots. I'm not sure why the time that it takes from switching on the camera to the first shot has to take so long. It's not like the imaging pipeline isn't up to it; the delay between the sensor and the EVF is minimal, same as shutter delay which is almost neglectable.. Also, it shouldn't be unsolvable, DSLRs aren't hampered like this.
Come on Sony, Olympus e.a. make 'em faster to power-up!!
The only Achilles heel that mirrorless has left is the atrocious start-up time. That makes me miss shots. I'm not sure why the time that it takes from switching on the camera to the first shot has to take so long. It's not like the imaging pipeline isn't up to it; the delay between the sensor and the EVF is minimal, same as shutter delay which is almost neglectable.. Also, it shouldn't be unsolvable, DSLRs aren't hampered like this.
Come on Sony, Olympus e.a. make 'em faster to power-up!!
YYV_146
Well-known
If you have Sony cameras, have you upgraded the firmware? The A7 and A7s were both pretty bad at 1.0, and now reasonably good at 2.0.
I tend to keep my cameras on most of the time. Two to three batteries usually gets me through a full day.
Michael Markey
Veteran
Start up time is the only downside for me .
Other than that its the GRV for street (and a surprising amount of other stuff too), DSLR for sports , M bodies for slower stuff .
I prefer the compacts over the M and DSLR bodies for weight.
So more often than not its three compact bodies in a small Billingham bag 28/45/75.
Other than that its the GRV for street (and a surprising amount of other stuff too), DSLR for sports , M bodies for slower stuff .
I prefer the compacts over the M and DSLR bodies for weight.
So more often than not its three compact bodies in a small Billingham bag 28/45/75.
pvdhaar
Peter
Yep, latest FW in my NEX-6, and 3 batteries so I don't have to worry about keeping it powered-on. Still, if I don't keep prodding it awake all the time, it goes into lethargic mode and that's worse than a cold start (even with all the menu items optimized related to power-save)..
I've handled the a7ii, and it's better, but still, it's not DSLR-like instant on..
Rick Waldroup
Well-known
I moved to the micro 4/3 system in early 2009, if my memory is correct. I purchased the Panasonic GF-1 with the wonderful 20mm 1.7 lens. I am primarily a street shooter, and after using rangefinder film cameras for years and then using Nikon DSLR's for many years, I found the GF-1 was great for what I wanted to shoot. It was not perfect- the need to carry numerous batteries, slow autofocus, and slow start up time- but it fit my needs very well. I simply learned to adapt my way of shooting to take advantage of the rugged build, small body, and extremely lightweight system I decided to change to. Tack on the multiple lens options available for the new micro 4/3 cameras, and it became any easy decision to make the move to another system.
Today, I shoot with a pair of Olympus OMD E-M5 bodies and a variety of lenses for my work, but for the vast majority of my street stuff, I still shoot with the Panasonic GF-1.
My new avatar is a selfie I recently shot with the GF-1 mounted with a cheap $25.00 Lomo fisheye lens.
Today, I shoot with a pair of Olympus OMD E-M5 bodies and a variety of lenses for my work, but for the vast majority of my street stuff, I still shoot with the Panasonic GF-1.
My new avatar is a selfie I recently shot with the GF-1 mounted with a cheap $25.00 Lomo fisheye lens.
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
I've been using a Panasonic Lumix LX7 for just about the last year.
Suits my purposes pretty well because I've got the ability to focus in for close shots.
It will accept extra filters and I'm about to explore that possibility - I'll probably have an adapter fitted permanently. It takes reasonable quality photos and 'lives' in a belt case - so easy and light to carry around. But I'll go m4/3 at some stage probably in parallel with the LX7.
j
Suits my purposes pretty well because I've got the ability to focus in for close shots.
It will accept extra filters and I'm about to explore that possibility - I'll probably have an adapter fitted permanently. It takes reasonable quality photos and 'lives' in a belt case - so easy and light to carry around. But I'll go m4/3 at some stage probably in parallel with the LX7.
j
Graham Line
Well-known
Have been having a lot of fun with a Sony A6000 and their 20/f2.8. Although other M-mount lenses are available via an adapter, not having quick autofocus sort of misses the point of these cameras. Start-up time not bad; I have one charged battery in the camera and two others available -- rarely need the third one in a day.
John E Earley
Tuol Sleng S21-0174
I really like the a6000 also. It's a great little camera and although I do also use legacy lenses sometimes you are correct about the native lenses. Fast and accurate autofocus and a menu system that makes the camera easy to use. Did you download to the latest firmware upgrade? Startup was never what I would consider bad but any improvement certainly never hurts.
GaryLH
Veteran
Have u had a chance to try out the lx100? I initially bought mine thinking this would be a great vacation camera w/ the 24-74 f1.7-2.8 lens on a large 12mp sensor that has more traditional camera controls.
Though it is only 12mp compared to the new norm of 16 and greater sensors, I really like the look of the shots I am getting. I rarely print anywhere near 13x19 and normally just letter size.
I ended up liking it enough that this camera retired my Sony rx100mk1 and Fiuji x100.
The only thing I wished this camera had was a articulated LCD screen.
Gary