Street Shooting - RF or SLR

I use either depending on my mood, (although ever since I got my M6 about a month and a half ago, i've used it almost exclusively for everything) but usually if i'm shooting at night, I tend to use my F100 because its AF system seems to work well in low light, while it seems harder to focus my manual cameras at night.
 
You can put a focusing "tab" on most any lens with a plastic cable tie, only a few cents at your local hardware shop. You can choose from white or "professional" black. The focusing lever on the Minolta Autocord makes it ideal for street type shooting and the younger generation doesn't have a clue that a TLR is even a camera.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com
 
My belief: While it's true that the gear used can have a significant effect on the image produced, in many ways, any psychological effects are by and large on the photographer more than the subject...regardless of whether the photographer is aware of this.
 
Dave Wilkinson said:
I just wondered what you do with that amount of pictures of total strangers - walking around?.
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This raises a number of questions for me--actually, they're probably closer to opinions:
1. There's a strong element of "sport" involved in street shooting--more so with RF and film than digi, but it's there. Can I react fast-, focused-, and framed well enough to capture what I think might be a shot I want? It's a mild adrenalin thing. I even appreciate the missed shots--those for which I castigate myself for not paying attention or being prepared.

2. Most street shots of strangers are pointless unless there is some added value--an irony, juxtaposition within the context. I have no reason to believe that my strangers are more worth looking at than your strangers. Without that added value I might just as well peruse, print, copy, or link to other people's photos, go to a museum, buy a book or flip through one standing in the aisle.

3. Time and expense taking photos is small stuff compared to that required for selecting, editing, and preparing for presentation--if for no other reason than I don't want my few decent photos to be lost in the dross.
 
AgentX said:
My belief: While it's true that the gear used can have a significant effect on the image produced, in many ways, any psychological effects are by and large on the photographer more than the subject...regardless of whether the photographer is aware of this.
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YES!

Brilliantly put.

Cheers,

R.
 
SLR's over emphasize focusing. The rangefinder viewfinder de emphasizes it. This is there drawback for this kind of street thing.
When you are wondering about, you have to react quickly, and so you have prefocus set and know what aperture you have so you know how much depth of field you have. IF something happens, camera comes up briefly and you take a picture. Sometimes you will have time to refocus befire you lift the camera, but even that will be general andwill rely on depth of field to a certain extent, because its guessing distances quickly.
The SLR you work the same way, and put the camera up to your eye, its out of focus or slightly out of focus, you are compelled to focus before you push the button, which means often you miss the picture.
Any other kind of shooting and the SLR would have the advantage in theory I suppose. Add to that a quieter shutter (for the shy shooters) and generally smaller in size, and the rangefinder is better for candid shots for me.
 
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