The best rangefinder for street photography

Alex1994 · Feb 21, 2010

This weekend I tried my hand at some street photography: photographing people in their environment, incognito, a la Cartier-Bresson. I own a Yashica Electro 35 for this purpose, so I set it to f/16 and pre-focussed, giving me a DoF of 2m to infinity (I used 200ASA film and it was a nice sunny day). The camera was easy to hold and responded quickly. I know from previous experience that the Yashica's lens is cracker.

Now, just wondering: what are the best rangefinders for fast, spontaneous photography of people in their environment? I know Cartier-Bresson always used a Leica - what are the other options?

Christopher Walrath · Feb 21, 2010

The one the photographer owns. Leaves more dough for gas and film. Really, the camera that the photographer is most familiar with so that the task of photography is not interrupted by 'What does this button do again?'

BobD · Feb 21, 2010

There are a zillion other options. You might want to narrow down your
requirements a bit. There is no such thing as a "best camera" for
everyone.

paulie · Feb 21, 2010

crown graphic

Anscojohn · Feb 21, 2010

A pre-focussed, pre-set Argus C3 comes to mind. It is shaped like a brick and has sharp edges, making it a good defensive weapon. ~+>}}

Christopher Walrath · Feb 21, 2010

paulie said:
crown graphic

Now, see, again, I would have to go with a B&J Press camera. Why? 'Cause I already own it.

Ken N · Feb 22, 2010

Really, about the only thing I see as an issue with the Yashica is the size. The Electro 35 is not a small camera and the chrome versions aren't overly discreet. The lens really does benefit from a lens shade too.

However, the Electro 35 (in its many varients) has specific advantages to street shooting:
1. Outstanding lens (F16 is diffraction limited, so reducing the aperture a bit will help with image sharpness)
2. Quiet. The lens uses a leaf shutter. Winding the camera makes more noise than shooting the camera
3. Auto Exposure
4. Decent viewfinder. The frame-lines can be remarkably accurate.
5. Inexpensive. Being stolen is not worth worrying about.
6. The lens is easily focused by feel. The tabs are different than Leica lenses, but with experience you can zone focus the lens completely by feel
7. Intuitive and fast operation.

The Electro 35 GS and GSN were my primary cameras for ten years. Great stuff.

Krzys · Feb 22, 2010

I have a super quiet Leica M2 (most silent when tested against at least 20 other models) here for sale. In my opinion the M2 and 35mm lens are ideal for street.

2F/2F · Feb 22, 2010

The one that happens to be set for a perfect exposure, focused on just the right plane, positioned for just the right composition, and snapped at just the right time.

In other words, it's all on you, not your camera.

In even more words, these criteria mean that the best rangefinder for street photography is not a viewfinder camera at all, but a reflex camera (except probably the first criterion, which is equal between the two types, and the last, which goes to the viewfinder camera).

Krzys · Feb 22, 2010

2F/2F I think you mean a Contax T3 (or one of its high end p&s brothers)

André E.C. · Feb 22, 2010

Contax IIa with a Sonnar Opton 50mm f/1.5, a killer street combo!

Micky · Feb 22, 2010

i loved my Leica IIIa for that type of work. it's just too slow and fiddly to load on the go for the stuff i do now, but in a slower environment, the smaller size is great. works a treat with the summar collapsable 2/5cm lens.

benjiboy · Feb 22, 2010

André E.C. said:
Contax IIa with a Sonnar Opton 50mm f/1.5, a killer street combo!

I've been shooting street with this combination since 1954 and agree with André it doesn't get much better than this, the camera has a much longer base rangfinder than any Leica ever made.

Krzys · Feb 22, 2010

The problem is the long long long focusing throw. If you see something close and you're focused afar then good luck!

mrred · Feb 22, 2010

I use a Kiev4a with tmy or tx pushed to 3200. This gives me wide pre focus (F22) and shutter speeds of 1000+ (as accurate as they can be). Having an ei so high gives even more latitude on bad estimated focus. When I bring it home, I use a pyro (wd2d+) to get even more exposure latitude.

elekm · Feb 22, 2010

A nice companion to the Contax IIa with 50mm Sonnar setup is the 21mm Biogon. Its huge depth of field compensates for focusing errors, or you can present focus.

Out on the street, you can simply lift the camera to the eye and take your shot.

The Contax IIa is an excellent street camera because it's unobtrusive and isn't too noisy, especially the first so-called black dial model.

Shan Ren · Feb 22, 2010

The camera that works for you, has a good lens, feels comfortable in your hands and, in my opinion, is fully manual is best. It might be an slr, a rangefinder, a point and shoot, or a "press camera". There is no magic bullet or perfect camera.

elekm · Feb 22, 2010

But to answer the "which is best" question is always a tough question. I was thinking that the best camera is the one that feels right at home in your hands. And that means that it might be an SLR, it might be an interchangeable lens rangefinder or maybe a fixed-lens rangefinder, such as the Olympus 35 RC or possibly a Kodak Retina or something else.

rmann · Feb 22, 2010

Why not a TLR ? You don't need to hold it up to your face to shoot - most people don't know what you are doing as they have seen so few of them. You can even use them when you are turned away from your subjects - Rollei is my choice for quiet smooth operation.

Krzys · Feb 22, 2010

The problem with a TLR is that your gallery will be full of belly button perspective photographs. Which is great if you like that but I don't...however I am very tall and a WLF brings the world of my photographs to a normal height.

Joe Grodis · Feb 22, 2010

Alex1994 said:
Now, just wondering: what are the best rangefinders for fast, spontaneous photography of people in their environment?

The bulk of cameras in my arsenal are range finders... None of them I would label as fast. If I HAD to choose a FAST range finder I'd select the Contax G2 or G3.

Personally, when I do street work I put the range finders down and grab my Nikon F5. Then I have speed where it is needed plus I can use a polarizer and simply do better faster work.

illumiquest · Feb 22, 2010

Olympus XA-2

WetMogwai · Feb 22, 2010

I like using the Olympus XA and the Voightländer Bessa R for street photography. I would really like something like the Leica AUFSU waist level finder to put on my Bessa, but those are way beyond my price range. I would make street photography even less conspicuous than it is with the tiny XA. Is there anything similar that costs less?

Xmas · Feb 22, 2010

Joe Grodis said:
If I HAD to choose a FAST range finder I'd select the Contax G2 or G3.

Tried my Contax G1, focused on wrong thing all too often. Passed it to a friend same problem.

Normally use a Canon P, CV 35mm f/2.5

- the shutter is noisier than a film M, but people, seem to ignore the clatter of the metal blinds, (even at 7 foot).
- non rotating speed dial
- fast film reload while walking is practical, (cannot manage this with an M4 reliably)

select 1/125, set the lens to f/6.3 and 7 foot, ride the first pressure on the release, 'shoot from hip'. If you don't have confidence, try the CV 28mm f/3.5, initially, focus at 6 foot. A VI-L or VI-T would do as well but the L is favored as the lever can be operated one handed.

Dont drink too much coffee, lots of frames will have camera shake, best to let people walk past or stop beside a group who are doing something.

Large shopping bag under other arm for distraction if you feel shy. Or have just bought a years supply of OOD film cheap.

Noel

narsuitus · Feb 22, 2010

Best for me would be a black Leica MP or M6 with a 35mm f/1.4 lens.

The best rangefinder for street photography

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