Can you use a SLR for street photography?

[Markok765]

I think you can. Sure, people may notice you, but sometimes that adds to the photo. What's your opinion?

Also, just bought the 50mm f1.8 AF-D Nikkor lens. The element is recessed in the lens. Why couldn't they just made the element not recessed and make the overall length of the lens shorter?

 

[phenix]

I do that occasionally, and learned that the main issue is to have a bright prism and a fast lens to allow you to focus in a second or so. The aperture priority also helps a lot, allowing fast shooting while still providing some DOF control. A smaller SLR and a light lens are also beneficial.
Between my 3 SLRs, only the Pentax ME Super with a 50/1.7 (the 1.4 is to large and heavy) fulfills all these conditions. I use it, let say, one third of all the time on the street, another third I use a Minolta Hi-Matic range-finder, and finally one third I use either a Rollei B35 or a good (Tessar lens) P&S. But I never use on street my pro featured or my 100% mechanical Ricohs, because too large, too heavy, and their prisms are not as bright as the Pentax’s one.
Ooh, and I forgot: a… fourth third of the time, I use on street my TLR, a Yashica-Mat, which is also light and bright.

 

[jd callow]

SLRs can be great for street photography. Using an SLR you can have greater control of framing, and DOF as well as more success with longer lenses and very short lenses. On the down side they are louder than RF's, often more conspicuous, and harder to shoot handheld at slower speeds.

 

[Soeren]

For years Martin Parr used a Nikon SLR with IIRC a 60mm Micro and Mamiya 7 (80mm?)and for many shots a flash again IIRC a ringflash.
Kind regards

 

[Larry Bullis]

You can use anything for street photography. Sure, you get a much different kind of image with different rigs. It's a hoot to use a 4x5 view camera on a tripod. Pinhole cameras are fun, too. Nobody knows what they are. "Excuse me, sir, are you a surveyor?" I was asked while photographing near the Dakota west of Central Park. Remember Weegee? He used a speed graphic with a flash, and while we might not think of him in the same way as we normally think of say, Winogrand, he worked on the street most of the time. He was visible, and people knew what he was doing, and it didn't stop him. When I was shooting events for a magazine, I used both my Leica rangefinders (which I prefer for lots of things, actually) and various Pentaxes; several MX's, a K1000, an LX. Worked jes' fine.

Never hide, never sneak, never pretend not to be shooting, and anything will be accepted by most people. It is quite amazing.

 

[Excalibur2]

I think you can. Sure, people may notice you, but sometimes that adds to the photo. What's your opinion?

Depends where you go, in some countries they don't like being photographed and give you a suspicious look..of course taking pics of children playing is out these days....and even taking pics of pretty girls walking by, and you could be considered to be a pervert and get a thick lip, if with a tough boyfriend.

 

[firecracker]

I think you can. Sure, people may notice you, but sometimes that adds to the photo. What's your opinion?

Carrying a compact SLR with a normal prime lens and a P&S camera with a wider prime lens is a wonderful combination. But as long as you don't sneak around, there's no problem using any sort of camera.

 

[2F/2F]

I don't know about the camera question, except to say that si, se puede; I can use an SLR for street photography, but I can't speak for anyone else. However, one thing I know for sure is that you can't use the Internet for street photography. Just go shoot. "Run what ya brung" is the expression in the hot rod world. I would work on applying it to your photographic pursuits.

 

[André E.C.]

SLR for street photography? Of course, where´s the doubt? Everything can be used, just shoot away, don't think may I... just do it.


"Why couldn't they just made the element not recessed and make the overall length of the lens shorter?"


As for the optic, congrats for the purchase, gonna give you lots of great images, and Marko, don't lose yourself in silly details, the optic it's just perfect, size and design, it's a top performer, now, go use it. Have fun!


André

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I use an SLR for that all the time. The Olympus OM cameras are smaller than M-Leicas and nearly as fast to operate. I use an OM-4T.

 

[Shangheye]

I have used an SLR and a bronica...and thought about a Speed Graphic...the only thing that does not work is timidity. K

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

Sure but i'd like a concealable box camera with a relatively fast lens.. I agree that timidity is the deal breaker.

 

[Andy K]

Shangheye, I agree, Bronicas are great for street photography:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Minitar1/Print scans/211207pierBronica4r.jpg

 

[keithwms]

One of the big advantages of slrs for street photography is that you can use lenses much longer than 135mm. You can put as much distance between the subject and yourself as you wish. You can also get a lot of compression of visual interest that way too as well as more foreground/background focus differentiation, if you want it.

With a longer lens, then your/their shyness and the shutter noise do not matter. For newcomers to walkaround photography I'd recommend starting with a really long lens and then (if they get braver than me!) work their way to a normal.

Now, Marko, an F5 just shouts "I am taking pictures." That is an issue, perhaps.

 

[rossawilson1]

I find that it's as much about how the camera makes you feel as it is about how other people react to it.

I use a Leica M6, but any small camera will do, apparently it's about your reassuring people with a look or a glance.. friendly and happy not nervous and worried.

 

[gr82bart]

Street photography is not for the faint of heart or the sneaky. It's about connecting with the person on the street. SLRs are great for that due to their versatility. I've used my F4 since my university days for street photography. In the past few years though, my yellow Hassey or Holga have been the cameras of choice.

Regards, Art.

 

[Joe Grodis]

I use an SLR 99% of the time for Street Photography. As I sit here and look at my photographs on the wall it seems the best of my "Street Work" was done on a Kodak Retina IIa Rangefinder. But, I really feel at home with a trusty Nikon F5 for it's speed and great metering. Sure it's a brick but it's my favortite brick.

-Joe

 

[JBrunner]

The element is recessed in the lens. Why couldn't they just made the element not recessed and make the overall length of the lens shorter?

Because the big brains in Tokyo decided it needed to be that way.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Classic street photography uses a pre-focused camera with a small enough stop to assure a reasonable DOF - usually 6 to 12 feet. HCB didn't even bother raising the camera to his eye as it interfered with seeing and connecting to the subject, so the SLR/rangefinder thing is moot.

As to connecting - I find a Speed Graphic makes an ideal camera: the subject notices - you aren't perceived as being sneaky, the thing is so retro that it has an intrigue/comedy appeal, the wire-frame sports finder doesn't hide your face so you connect with the subject, and it has a comforting self-defense feel to it. I often hand out a business card, offering a free print if they want to fill out/email their address. If the subject is adamant that I rip out the film - well, what the hey, it's only one shot that is lost (and I can always pull out the wrong sheet).

I use it prefocused. There is a DOF chart and an exposure chart (sunny side of the street and shady side of the street Vs time, weather & lighting) glued to the bed.

 

[AgX]

Also, just bought the 50mm f1.8 AF-D Nikkor lens. The element is recessed in the lens. Why couldn't they just made the element not recessed and make the overall length of the lens shorter?

Think of that as gaining a lens shade as well as more length for controls.

 

[cmo]

Did you ever see how Bruce Gilden works? If you photograph that way you can use any camera you want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkIWW6vwrvM

 

[jd callow]

Did you ever see how Bruce Gilden works? If you photograph that way you can use any camera you want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkIWW6vwrvM

Great!

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

That man has some serious balls. I like that he uses flash, but even more so by holding it with one hand and 'guiding' the light. Very cool.

 

[jd callow]

I think he uses the flash just to be even more in their face -- I doubt it adds much. None the less he is my hero.

 

[2F/2F]

He says in the video why he uses flash. Something like, "It helps me visualize the way I feel about the street".