Street photographers: how do you stay mean when going lean?

One camera, one lens. Generally a 35mm Summicron for me. I tend to carry a bag when I'm out in the city anyway so the camera is in my hand when shooting and in the bag when not. I've got a little Domke single insert with a cut up mouse pad in the bottom inside a Jack ***** messenger-ish bag. Sometimes I throw a CV 28mm 3.5 in there too but rarely use it. Changing lenese kinda throws off my rhythm. If I know I'm going to be shooting in a tighter situation where I want to go wider, I put the lens on before I leave and toss the summicron in the bag.
 
Michiel Fokkema said:
Or any nice small bag with a Domke insert will also work very good.
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YUP. I use either:

1) A Mountainsmith Recycled Day bag (large belt pack that takes optional shoulder straps and/or backpack straps), which is incredibly versatile, and really hugs your body as long as you don't overload it. I'll typically put in 1 or 2 Domke inserts.

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OR

2) A KAKADU shoulder bag with 1 or 2 Domke inserts

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I also sometimes use a Lowepro 300AW Street & Field Reporter, which has removable inserts.
 
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Just read Chris91387's post... I assume that's your zip code -- Santa Clarita, right? It figures we SoCal folks would recommend beltpacks,.. they truly are very versatile, especially here.

Hello from 91709 (in the IE) !!!
 
it is very much an issue of personal character plus what image do you want to project. But for a guide line, the lesser the better.

Nevertheless, I repeat, character plays a lot. Thus you can wear the biggest backpacks and front packs, short pants, and sandals - but if you manage to project an approchable image about yourself - you pass.

It is not technical - it is substance. It always has been and will be.

Cheers,
Ruben
 
I second Nh 3's statement as I experienced that myself (not exactly the way he described it): The conspicuos Photobag taken from me at the entrance of the location I wanted to do portraits.....so I had to use 4 cameras instead of 6 :09.
Those bottleholders are good for carrying the extra lens in case you do it (or just a 35RC. 2 holders two RC's one forColour one for BW). A bag and a bottleholder: once the lens is taken of it goes either into the pocket of my jacket or in the bag and the 2nd lens gets out of the bottleholder. I like either 28/50 or 35/85. with an RF (usually a screwmount) I usually don't change as 35 and ig so its to the 21 CV
 
One camera, one lens, one spare film (perhaps no extra film, depends).

I'm there to make the photo, not unpack and pack, then try this lens and that lens...
 
One body, two lenses (35 & 50), meter, film.
Spare lens and everything else goes in the jacket pockets or a very small waist pack.

or

Two bodies, each with one lens (35 & 50), meter, film.
Jacket pockets, waist pouch, any small bag.

Keep it simple.
 
Hey!

Hey!

urban_alchemist said:
One camera. One lense. Extra film usually stuffed in girlfriend's handbag :)
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What about diversity and PC you're excluding single people, male same saex relationships and Asexual people:p
The next time I see a guy with a camera who's accompanied by a girl with a huge refrigerated backpack that must be you:D

The most important thing still is spare FILM!
 
iiic or M2 in jacket pocket or carried in hand. Small meter in pocket. More film in other jacket pocket.
 
Crumpler 4 millon dollar bag.Perfect bag.I carry my M6 with lens attached and my other two lens one is a 90mm.The pockets have room for 4 or five rolls of film a couple of filters an a lens hood for my 35mm.this is a very compact bag.I cant figure out why these bags are not more popular here.Very well built most durable bag Ive owned and the price is very good.
 
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feenej said:
Also one camera. I put the lens in my front pocket, and the body in the back pocket when needed....Maybe not always a good idea.
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Are you serious? Ok, lens in one pocket, body in another pocket...then where do you stash the film? Did you ever hear of the "decisive moment?"

By the time you assemble your rig the decisive monet is history.
 
Billlinghamd leica bag. small and plenty space for film, 203 spare lenses and camera when not out ready. small and discreet in black.

Lowepro slingshot bags are interesting (I have the 200 for my mamiya 7) They have their flaws but very quick access when really moving from a-b. The 100 series might be worth a look.

Personally, I prefer to use belt pouches/pockets for lenses and film. Filters I use a small belt puch for. for me, street is so much more pleasant without a bag.
 
black domke F5XB that's been throught the wash a few times. Skip on the 35mm and 50mm and just use 40mm. If you want wide, got real wide and make it 21mm. Bring the 90mm and you've got a versatile setup with nearly doubling focal lengths.
 
I don't carry a bag! I go out with one camera, one lens, and a few rolls of Tri-X or Plus-X in my pockets. The camera and lens hang from my neck. I am good to go!
 
35mmdelux said:
i would not be caught dead with a crumpler that looks like a chics bag.
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Fair enough, but the Crumpler "4 million dollar home" a perfect bag for the purpose.

For what it's worth, that rigid-gender-roles stuff is getting a bit old-fashioned, at least in my part of the world.
 
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