The benefits of street photography with an RF

[dfoo]

The focus indicator works with MF lenses? Interesting, I didn't notice that when I tried the cam. I was trying a 50/1.4, and the 105/2.5.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

With the standard screen, with no split prism, or focus assist? You are a better man than me. I tried and failed to use my manual focus lenses on my friends Nikon, and I couldn't focus worth a damn, especially if the DOF was small.

Sorry if my 'bit of fun' seemed like sarcasm, and to a certain extent you are correct, it does get a little tricky in poor light, and especially with slow lenses, I mainly use my old pre.AI Nikkors of around f1.4, f1.8, f2, and don't have any problem in reasonably good light. The D40 is really low priced here, lately - IMO it's the best bargain around!, that body and my old lenses is the only digital combo I want, or need!.
Dave.

 

[Eyal_bin]

Maybe try your SLR not with a 2.8 superzoom next time.

A Nikon D40 is just as small, put a prime lens on - maybe even the 45/2.8 Pancake - and it fits in your pocket.

My answer to this is that
A. I don't have a 2.8 super zoom on my SLR, nor did I ever. I have a sigma 10-20mm which is reletivly small (in the SLR world), but still doesnt come close to lens sizes of RF.
B. I have a Canon 350D which is just as small as the Nikon 40D, which is not small at all next to an RF.
C. No way a Nikon 40D + any prime lens will fit in anyone's pocket (unless you are wearing your baggies to work 🙂)
D. no way on earth that you will go unnoticed when trying to focus through the viewfinder on a bus full of people (and this I know from experience)

I totally agree with everyone here that are saying stick to what makes you feel good and comfortable. For me the Epson R-D1s wins by a long shot. I only shoot street and documentry, so I don't need a lens over 50mm, and this is why I don't suffer from the disadvantages of an RF.

Regards,
Eyal.

 

[dacaccia]

focus indicator can not be seen when aperture is closed (f8 and more).

I used 400D and 40D with Leica lenses - but fully returned to RF for street photography. Too heavy, too loud. To me it's ok for landscape or long distances (zoo, parks ...), but not for small roads and traffic.
Before buying an M8 I had a RD-1: a really fine camera, but with certain limits in bit density, of course. It's a pity this camera will not be further developed.

Cheers, dacaccia

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

focus indicator can not be seen when aperture is closed (f8 and more).

I used 400D and 40D with Leica lenses - but fully returned to RF for street photography. Too heavy, too loud. To me it's ok for landscape or long distances (zoo, parks ...), but not for small roads and traffic.
Before buying an M8 I had a RD-1: a really fine camera, but with certain limits in bit density, of course. It's a pity this camera will not be further developed.

Cheers, dacaccia

I think we were talking about the Nikon D40?.....which I certainly could not describe as too heavy - or too loud!, and as for the focus indicator not being seen when the aperture is closed?.....like most SLR's the lens stops down at the time of exposure, then opens again! ( no DOF preview on this one)
Dave.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

And the Voigtlander 40mm SLII is a cool looking, sharp, very small lens that includes the embedded chip making it completely compatible with DSLRs. And it comes with an accessory close-up lens! 🙂