Which lens for stealth like photography or remain unnoticed

[gho]

it's a strange phenomenon, at first, people see you, the more you stay, the more you disappear, even if none of the people around were there when you first arrived, you've become part of the scenery. Try it.

Interesting, I have to try that out. Maybe it is because you are feeling more comfortable with the situation. If you are tense with your camera, people may pick that up and feel just like that.

Personally I do not like to be too stealthy about my photography. In fact I like if people see me, so that they have a chance say no. Some even start to pose, but mostly this is not what I am after. Hmm, this is giving me thoughts for a project 🙄.

What also seems to work is to shoot from your waist with a flip screen.

 

[NickTrop]

This is THE best lens for street photography:
http://www.gadgetvenue.com/super-secret-spy-lens-12084141/

It is a "fake" lens with a 45 degree mirror. You point the camera forward, but you're shooting someone to the side of you. I have one recently purchased and intend to use it for outdoor street photography. I bought the 55mm version for my Panny 12X super zoom for candid street shots. I've already tried it. No one has a clue. Perfect. The image is somewhat degraded but not too badly. That's not the point of street photography anyway.

I'm not getting in to the ethical debate over this thing. Call me names... Don't care. Heard worse from far better than the motley crew on this particular forum. It's legal. It will absolutely get me fantastic true candids.

The way to get candid street shots is "NOT" to "go up to the person" and get establish rapport, blah, blah, blah.... That's not even street photography as far as I'm concerned. That is "posed" shots of strangers.

 

[NickTrop]

PS... as it turns out, the best set-up for street photography is any digital super zoom camera with image stabilization and the above mentioned fake lens. Not a rangefinder - film or those overpriced digital abominations (I won't say "digital rangefinders" since those two words "hurt" when I type them together.)

This settles the matter. Any posts that follow mine on this subject are irrelevant. I have spoken.

 

[peterm1]

If youa re talking speifically about a rangefinder camera I cannot help as I dont find that they really have long enough lenses for when i really want to be stealthy. For this purpose I often use a Nikkor 180mm f2.8 with my Nikon D200 for of street photography (especially as I think it to be the height of rudeness to shove a camera into someone's face.) With a DX camera this focal length is certainly long enough, (and can be boosted further with a teleconverter) and is sharp wide open. Which is nice as it allows you to shoot at high shutter speeds on low ISO settings to minimize digital camera noise and also produces its characteristic lovely bokeh. A top lens by any standard. Here is an example shot with it. I have just softened tones and color a bit for effect.