The best rangefinder for street photography

benOM

Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
20
Location
uk, the shir
Format
35mm
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.

firecracker said:
But your appearance counts as well. How you present yourself to other people really matters...
Click to expand...

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

Snapper

Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2004
Messages
230
Location
Brighton, En
Format
Med. Format RF
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

Member
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
593
Location
El Cajon, CA
Format
Multi Format
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

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Joined
Jul 4, 2008
Messages
830
Location
Latte Land,
Format
Multi Format
mhcfires said:
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.
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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

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
2,366
Location
Winnipeg MB Canada
Format
35mm RF
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

Member
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
593
Location
El Cajon, CA
Format
Multi Format

cbphoto

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
406
Location
NYC
Format
35mm RF
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.
 
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Bateleur

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
155
Location
Netherlands
Format
Multi Format
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.
 
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sangetsu

Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2009
Messages
214
Location
東京
Format
4x5 Format
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.
 

gil_1

Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2010
Messages
1
Location
Manila, Phil
Format
35mm RF
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.
 

Pumal

Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
580
Format
Multi Format
Best? The one you own, like, and are familiar with. I like my Yashica 14e IC; f/1.4
 

Voyager13b

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2010
Messages
23
Location
NJ
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
580
Format
Multi Format
How about the Ricoh 500GX?
Dead Link Removed
 

Brian Legge

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2010
Messages
544
Location
Bothell, WA
Format
35mm RF
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).
 
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