The best rangefinder for street photography

[benOM]

I've just started to try with street, and my om1 or 2sp when I want to work quicker with a 50 or 35 work's well.

But your appearance counts as well. How you present yourself to other people really matters...

This is very true, more important than the camera. You dont want to go sneaking about!

 

[Snapper]

Can I put in a shout for a Voigtlander Bessa L plus a C/V 21mm f/4. Small, light, discrete and you don't even have to focus. You may need to get in a little closer though.

 

[mhcfires]

I'm not sure why, but when I carry my 4x5 Speed, people almost WANT to pose for you. I think it is the novelty of an old camera. "You can still get film for that thing?" The Speed and a few Grafmatic changers and I'm having a blast.

 

[Ralph Javins]

I'm not sure why, but when I carry my 4x5 Speed, people almost WANT to pose for you. I think it is the novelty of an old camera. "You can still get film for that thing?" The Speed and a few Grafmatic changers and I'm having a blast.

Michael, thank you.

All this time I thought that the best choice for "street shooting" was a TLR or a rangefinder.

I may try your method with the 4 by 5, tripod, black drape, et cetera. The only thing I may need to buy is a black stove pipe hat. I already have a beard.

 

[Colin Corneau]

Just get one with a working rangefinder, use the wire framing guides, and then all you need is a fedora and a cigar to chomp on.

The Speed/Crown idea is a good one - it all comes down to approach.

 

[mhcfires]

Michael, thank you.

All this time I thought that the best choice for "street shooting" was a TLR or a rangefinder.

I may try your method with the 4 by 5, tripod, black drape, et cetera. The only thing I may need to buy is a black stove pipe hat. I already have a beard.

You might try this "Creative use for a Dark Cloth":http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=59313

This guy is really creative!

 

[cbphoto]

Restricted to rangefinders, any of them, really. If you open it up a bit to include automatic/viewfinder cameras, look at the Konica Hexar AF (fastest camera I've ever used, period) or the Ricoh GR1. The Ricoh is made for street shooting, is very responsive, sharp, and compact, and has an automatic hyperfocal mode that gives you instant shutter release.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

I basically use whatever camera for street shooting. but, my favorite is the Konica Auto S2. very nice lens. Also the Olympus SP.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

IMHO a 35mm RF. Nothing has the same balance of speed, quietness, profile, size and performance. Uninterupted viewing and superb optics are a plus too.

 

[Bateleur]

Recently I have adopted a Leica IIIf with collapsible 50mm summicron for street photography, it’s light, pocketable (with lens collapsed) and quiet. Equipment is one thing but your best equipment for street photography are your feet a friendly smile and a positive attitude, without being arrogant be bold and if the situation allows ask first to photograph the subject.

 

[sangetsu]

I have any number of SLR and rangefinder cameras, and all of them can be used for street photography. The cameras I usually carry are either a Leica M4, or Olympus OM.

Recently I picked up some small Yashica rangefinder cameras, one is an Electro 35 CC, and the other is the identical Electro 35 CCN. These little cameras are incredible, they are smaller than my M4, much quieter, and far faster to use. The exposure system is aperture priority automatic, so all you need to is set your aperture, focus, and shoot. What's more, they come with a 35mm 1.8 lens, which offers a very convenient field of view, while having very good speed in low light. The only thing which limits these cameras is a rather limited ISO setting selection, and a top shutter speed of 1/250th. But for evenings or indoors they are excellent, the CC has a maximum exposure time of 15 seconds, while the CCN has a maximum exposure time of 8 seconds.

These cameras are an improvement over the regular Yashica electros in that they have the exposure indicators located inside the viewfinder as opposed to being on top of the camera body, so you can see the lights without taking your eye and camera off the subject.

Unfortunately, these cameras are rather rare and pricey, but there are a few listed on eBay now.

Another recent purchase of mine is the old Olympus XA rangefinder. This is the tiniest camera which I have, and I'm looking forward to putting some film through it to see how it works.

 

[Vincenzo Maielli]

A Leica M7 with Summicron 35 setting in hyperfocal focus.
Ciao.
Vincenzo

 

[gil_1]

Rollei 35 small unobtrusive fast. Most street shooters would use scale focusing as there is not much time to get critical focus. F8 and be there.

 

[BobD]

4x5 Graflex Crown Graphic Special with 3-cell flash.

 

[fotch]

4x5 Graflex Crown Graphic Special with 3-cell flash.

No body will mess with ya for fear of being clubbed with it.

 

[Craig Swensson]

4x5 Graflex Crown Graphic Special with 3-cell flash.

I would love to live in a street where the pace is that slow

 

[Pumal]

Best? The one you own, like, and are familiar with. I like my Yashica 14e IC; f/1.4

 

[Pumal]

http://www.yashica-guy.com/document/chrono2.html

 

[Voyager13b]

There are no interchangeable lenses here, but the camera is pure joy in every sense. It has a fast, razor sharp lens, B to 1/500 lens shutter with hotshoe sync, QL film loading system, full manual, match needle, and shutter priority AE, one stroke, quiet film advance, and silent shutter operation. It also has a very bright and accurate rangefinder focus system. Metering is done at the front lens element, so filter correction is automatic. That is a major plus for ease of metering over the old style metering eye. I bought this one new back in 1980 or so, and bought a spare from KEH a few years ago for about $80. Sweet camera with a fast lens.....

 

[Pumal]

How about the Ricoh 500GX?
Dead Link Removed

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Probably already mentioned, but I'll put in a vote for a Contax G2. Either the 45 or the 28 mm lens make for great street shooting lenses, with the 90 in reserve when you can get a somewhat more planned photo.

 

[Brian Legge]

I can't comment on best as my experience and exposure are limited, but I will say that the Canonet 17 and Rolleicord IV pair made a nice duo for wondering around Seattle. The Canonet was the my main camera. I switched to the Rollei when I had time to plan a bit, when I wanted a square shot or I sensed a 'don't point a camera at me' vibe. People either ignored it entirely or were curious about it. I'll definitely be going out again with the pair.

I'm sure there are plenty of better cameras, but that pair was a cheap way to get started (50$ between the two cameras).