feenej
Well-known
In a crowd it would be good, but that's rare in Wisconsin on the Street, unless it is a festival or an event.
The Right Camera For Street Photography
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Bike Tourist
Well-known
Well Jon, the traditional answer would, of course, be B+W film in a RF camera.
But I confess to being a complete sellout to auto exposure, auto focus, variable ISO and zoom lenses. In short, I love my D300. I get far more usable pictures now than in the good old days, I don't have to wait days or weeks to see them and they don't per se cost much.
I think Gene Smith would be using a digital SLR if he were alive and shooting today. I think most of my PJ heros would.
But I confess to being a complete sellout to auto exposure, auto focus, variable ISO and zoom lenses. In short, I love my D300. I get far more usable pictures now than in the good old days, I don't have to wait days or weeks to see them and they don't per se cost much.
I think Gene Smith would be using a digital SLR if he were alive and shooting today. I think most of my PJ heros would.
MikeL
Go Fish
M
Michael S
Guest
My working definition of the "right camera" is as follows:
If you are out on the street taking photos with it, and getting a few you like, then it's the "right camera" ... for you. 🙂
There are so many trade-offs: size, weight, speed, photo quality, responsiveness, ergonomics, durability, price, and the list goes on. In my case, I'm trading quite a bit for convenience. And I know myself -- the bigger, heavier, more exotic (expensive) something is, the less likely I am to have it with me.
This was taken with an older compact Canon digital (5 mpxl) with an articulating lcd. I've taken quite a few of my street snaps with this camera.
If you are out on the street taking photos with it, and getting a few you like, then it's the "right camera" ... for you. 🙂
There are so many trade-offs: size, weight, speed, photo quality, responsiveness, ergonomics, durability, price, and the list goes on. In my case, I'm trading quite a bit for convenience. And I know myself -- the bigger, heavier, more exotic (expensive) something is, the less likely I am to have it with me.
This was taken with an older compact Canon digital (5 mpxl) with an articulating lcd. I've taken quite a few of my street snaps with this camera.
Maxapple88
Established
Not trying to turn the thread around here but I just like something that I enjoy to use that particular time. May be a Leica or TLR, whatever.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Sheez, I don't know what streets you walk on, but I'm sure that Rocks The SoHo. And Rudee don' like et. 😉
Rock the SoHo.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Ideal camera for street photography ?
Ideal camera for street photography ?
Every camera that works, and has film in it (or a charged battery and memory card in case of digital) ...
TLRs (and Hasselblads) are fine because of the waist-level finder and Leica M cameras have some advantage at low light. To know (really know) the camera you are using is the key point, IMHO.
Ideal camera for street photography ?
Every camera that works, and has film in it (or a charged battery and memory card in case of digital) ...
TLRs (and Hasselblads) are fine because of the waist-level finder and Leica M cameras have some advantage at low light. To know (really know) the camera you are using is the key point, IMHO.
Abbazz
6x9 and be there!
Sheez, I don't know what streets you walk on, but I'm sure that Rocks The SoHo. And Rudee don' like et. 😉
Special order numbered with HB prefix: it's a Platinum M6 made for Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei. Not exactly your average street shooter.
Cheers!
Abbazz
verselines
Member
DSLRs are so ubiquitous where I live (Singapore) that almost everyone has one strapped around their neck when I take a trip downtown.
If you're talking about how the people around perceive the camera, I'd bet that a Leica M would receive more attention and make people feel more conscious than a DSLR would. (I'm talking about a 'normal' sized DSLR with a 'normal' lens...say a D90 with an 18-105; a full frame DSLR with battery grip and huge telephoto would still scare anyone it was pointed at)
If you're talking about how the people around perceive the camera, I'd bet that a Leica M would receive more attention and make people feel more conscious than a DSLR would. (I'm talking about a 'normal' sized DSLR with a 'normal' lens...say a D90 with an 18-105; a full frame DSLR with battery grip and huge telephoto would still scare anyone it was pointed at)
I don't agree with the "you can use anything" type of posts. You should use a camera that you are very comfortable with (i.e. you're fast with it), that has fast AF or MF with DOF scales, and stays out of your way otherwise. Many street shots are spur of the moment and a camera like the Leica X1 (for example) due to its slow AF / poorly implemented MF, is not the best tool. For me, it is the M, but I've used a Nikon D700 on the street too. The bottom line is you need to be quick and comfortable with the camera.
Brian Levy
Established
I do not think there is a "right" camera for street photography. If I were to pick one, for me it would be a Minox series as they are so small but, of course today the film, etc. is even more difficult to find and have developed than either 35 or 120.
I see no reason why a SLR or DSLR is less of a street shooter than a film or digital rangefinder but the digital offerings in both formats still have low light challenges so it might be a factor for the present in choosing the medium but, not the camera design.
I do prefer a medium format design with waist level viewing when on the walk but also usually carry a 35mm rangedfinder if I need a quieter shutter or slightly faster times between frames for some reason. Maybe I am getting lazy but I've been going around with a p&s lately in lieu of my Lieca. It is much noisier but it usually is not an issue for me.
I see no reason why a SLR or DSLR is less of a street shooter than a film or digital rangefinder but the digital offerings in both formats still have low light challenges so it might be a factor for the present in choosing the medium but, not the camera design.
I do prefer a medium format design with waist level viewing when on the walk but also usually carry a 35mm rangedfinder if I need a quieter shutter or slightly faster times between frames for some reason. Maybe I am getting lazy but I've been going around with a p&s lately in lieu of my Lieca. It is much noisier but it usually is not an issue for me.
filmfan
Well-known
Whichever camera you have on you at the time.
GSNfan
Well-known
I have experimented with all sorts of cameras on the street, except large format and other novelty cameras such as holga lomo etc. A rangefinder have always felt more comfortable for me. Even though I had to focus manually and keep a check on exposure.
Patman
Established
I guess it has a lot to do with where your shooting. I used to sit on the subway with an M3 on my lap with a 25mm at about f8 and pre-focused at about 10 ft and I could shoot away and no ever noticed, got some great shots, I once tried shooting on the subway with my D200 everybody looked at me every time the shutter went off and many people turned their backs to me. The M is perfect for inconspicuous shooting.
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
This here "Weegee" feller did alright for himself with a Speed Graphic...
Add me to the chorus saying it's the photographer more than the camera.
Add me to the chorus saying it's the photographer more than the camera.
filmfan
Well-known
I would suggest not being so sneaky and people might actually smile and allow you to shoot away, regardless of what camera you decide to use.
daninjc
Well-known
Isn't it obvious that the camera is just a tool and the photos are what really matters? I was quite surprised by the link and the pictures, i found them plain and uninspiring.
This one wasn't so bad:
GSNfan
Well-known
I'm of the opinion that a camera is more than just a tool. Its part of the creative process when taking photos. I have noticed that I take more satisfactory pictures when I'm happy with the camera that I'm carrying. The way the camera handles, the way I operate it and the way it feels overall. Imo its not possible to be creative and enjoy taking photos when there's always something in the back of the mind about the camera in the hand. To me a rangefinder, one that ergonomically fits well in my hand, meets all those needs.
I agree completely... but others swear that it doesn't matter to them. I'm not sure how you make an intelligent purchase if everything just works exactly the same for you. You would think it would be based on price, but yet the same people who say the camera doesn't matter use expensive cameras. Comfort is everything to me when it comes to a camera. If I'm comfortable with what I am using, then I have no excuses when it comes to making photos.
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