Street photography: 1 or 2 cameras?

[Dali]

Hi there,

Until recently, I carried only 1 camera / 1 lens when doing some street photography.

A few days ago, I took 2 cameras to get 2 different lenses (25 & 50mm) and used each of them in different circumstances (portait-like with 50mm, candid with 25mm). Films are not developed yet so I am sure that it really brought some added value...

What is your preference?

 

[GregY]

Hi there,

Until recently, I carried only 1 camera / 1 lens when doing some street photography.

A few days ago, I took 2 cameras to get 2 different lenses (25 & 50mm) and used each of them in different circumstances (portait-like with 50mm, candid with 25mm). Films are not developed yet so I am sure that it really brought some added value...

What is your preference?

For travel or street, I use one camera.
For travel roadtrips w landscape work or portraits....i have another camera or LF holders for back-up images.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use one camera and I can change lenses or change film backs or both. Clearly an advantage for Hasselblad.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi there,

Until recently, I carried only 1 camera / 1 lens when doing some street photography.

A few days ago, I took 2 cameras to get 2 different lenses (25 & 50mm) and used each of them in different circumstances (portait-like with 50mm, candid with 25mm). Films are not developed yet so I am sure that it really brought some added value...

What is your preference?

Two cameras and two lenaea addsa lot of flexibility!

 

[Pieter12]

Adds flexibility and capacity, less film changing. But adds to attracting attention. Depends on your style, but I tend to go for no longer than 35mm for street work, sometimes 28. And I'd rather not fiddle with two cameras around my neck.

 

[Daniela]

One camera, one lens. I find that having "options" only slows me down; and it's a great skill to learn to make the best with what you have.

 

[baachitraka]

one camera and a 28mm lens.

 

[Laurent]

Street for me is generally one camera / one lens (either the Rolleiflex, or the M4 with 35mm Nokton).

I sometimes carry 2 (many times it's the IIIa with a 21mm Skopar) but using it is mostly for "non street" images.

(street for me implies candid shots)

 

[gary mulder]

One camera, one lens. I find that having "options" only slows me down; and it's a great skill to learn to make the best with what you have.

That corresponds with my own experience. Intuitive, knowing, almost feeling, how the camera/lens will frame the picture takes a lot of practise for just one angle of view. To be able to frame and take the picture almost instantaneous seems to be paramount for street photography.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I go both ways on this. Lot's of time I carry a 28mm and a 35mm on two cameras. Sometimes a 50mm instead of the 35mm. The lighter you can go the easier it is to shoot so sometimes I just take one camera with the 35mm.
If it's snowing or raining out, I don't like to open the cameras in the snow/rain so might take two cameras so I have more film to shoot.

 

[warden]

One camera, one lens. I find that having "options" only slows me down; and it's a great skill to learn to make the best with what you have.

Me too. Some days I go for a wide angle walk, and others telephoto.

 

[Tel]

One camera, one lens. I find that having "options" only slows me down; and it's a great skill to learn to make the best with what you have.

+1: I usually shoot street when I’m travelling abroad and I like to pack lightly when I travel. My go-to cameras in these situations are a pair of rollei 35’s (one is a spare for emergencies). I like the lens on these cameras, it’s nearly retrofocus and a bit wide so perfect for taking grab-shots in public places but it’s also super-sharp. The camera literally hides in the palm of my hand and yet it holds a 36-exposure roll so I can shoot all day without reloading. And 35mm is often better for flying—the TSA people know what a roll of 35 is; I’ve caused consternation by carrying home-rolled 127 through an airport.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have used a number of combinations, in the old days a Leica IIIG and a Nikon F, later a FG. I switched to point and shoots, Konica Z up with 28 to 50, it is slow and with DX coding with no override I use Tmax 400 or 3200. Currently I use a Minolta 5 with older 35 to 70 F4 generally I can get away with a slower 400 speed film or a Chion point and shoot with a 35mm 2.8 lens. The Chinon's ISO is DX or I can fuss with the exposure by adjusting the ISO.

 

[MFstooges]

less is better for me.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

That corresponds with my own experience. Intuitive, knowing, almost feeling, how the camera/lens will frame the picture takes a lot of practise for just one angle of view. To be able to frame and take the picture almost instantaneous seems to be paramount for street photography.

great shot!

 

[Sirius Glass]

I only use two cameras when I am shooting black & white and color films.