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 p.2 #7 · Good street gear, but not Leica | |
Sorry, but a Canon FF DSLR for street? I used to shoot with a 5D-II and they are very unwieldy and obvious for street shooting.
I've used Leica M6's and a Canon 5DII with a CV 40/2 for a number of years now. I don't recognise any difference in the interface with people. Either way, it's pretty obvious that I have a camera and I'm taking a photograph. I minimise this by carrying the camera at my side until the moment I need it. Both cameras are so quick to use that I rarely miss what I want to take. Either way, it is not the model or type of camera that could make me miss.
Where I do see a very big difference is convenient portability. If I have a bag with me, there is no difference, but, I can carry a small tailor-made leather pouch on my belt that is perfect for the M6 plus a 40/2 Rokkor. It is then easy to slip in and out and I hardly notice that I'm carrying anything. Unfortunately, there is no sensible way to do this with the brick-shaped canon 5DII, which is also too heavy for wearing on the belt.
I am thinking along the lines of a Fuji X camera , perhaps the follow ups to both the X100 and the X pro-1. Having handled these and the Sony Nex 7, for me, there is no comparison. I immediately liked the optical finders of the Fuji X cameras, and felt that for street they would be snappy and fast. I really hated the EVF on the Sony (I wear glasses). It seemed far too contrasty, blocking out shadows and it lagged. You should try these out for yourself to find out what you prefer - to me there is a massive and obvious difference. The other issue with the Nex cameras is their lenses. The 24/1.8 Zeiss, which may be a nice lens, destroys the slim ergonomics of the cameras, and makes it a very awkward shape.
As to lenses. The X100 has what you want, albeit with a compromise on the maximum focus isolation possible. How important this is for you, only you can say. I'm also tempted by what many reviewers have claimed is the excellent fill flash ability of this camera, with its ability to synch at fast speeds and to be used well in harsh sunlight (I photograph a lot in India, where shadows often block out eyes in harsh sunlight). I am ultimately put off by examples of lens flare though, since I shoot a lot of contre jour. Maybe the next model will improve on this and other niggles with its speed of focus.
The Fuji road map has the 23/1.4 coming. It seems that this will be proportionately small when compared with the X pro-1 body size, and no doubt, given Fuji's track record will be an excellent lens. I look forward to trying it when it comes out. This lens will give you almost the level of focus isolation that FF Leica can give you. In my hands, I loved the ergonomics of the x pro 1, which would also fit in my belt pouch, if I select the right lens (possibly the 23/1.4, I'll have to see). It is light, has an easy grip, and direct aperture and speed ring control - I can see my settings before I bring it to my eye and begin to adjust as I raise it (heaven! even the Canon does not have this - only the Leicas).
The Sony RX 1 is also interesting, in that it is FF and will have aperture ring control. It is also going to be expensive, particularly if you want a viewfinder with it. The lens will be a 35/2, so in terms of focus isolation ability, the same as the Fuji 23/1.4. The Sony is fixed, like the X100, but if 35 is all you really want that may not matter. At least you wont be tempted by more lenses. I assume the quality of the camera/lens combination will be excellent, judging from the few samples so far. I will be looking at this as well, since I guess that with an optical finder, it could be very fast to use, if one can anticipate focus point accurately enough. It should also have excellent flash synch capability and will hopefully be set up well for fill flash.
For me there is one more choice: since I have a very good collection of Leica glass, including the 35/1.4 asph, I'll also be considering both the new Leica M, and even possibly the Monochrom. Buying just the body will not be such a leap up in price from the Sony Rx 1 plus optical viewfinder, especially if I later feel a need to also get the EVF. Plus, I think the Leica will be considerably more flexible and will be better built.
Someone also mentioned the tilt screens of the Olympus and the Nex cameras. Now these do seem to be really useful for street for the reasons they mention, particularly the touch screen on the Olympus, and it is a real pity that the cameras that interest me do not have this feature. I have therefore considered the Nex 6, but the EVF and lens ergonomics really put me off. If Sony brought out a SMALL fast 35/40 equivalent and I could use an additional optical finder without too much ergonomic disruption, then I might consider that as well. The Olympus seemed very fast and responsive in my hands, but again I disliked the EVF, though it seemed better than the Sony's. But putting an optical finder on top of the OM 5's finder lump, would look ridiculous and be an ergonomic accident waiting to happen. This, plus the increased depth of field that the smaller sensor induces, also makes me reluctant, notwithstanding the remarks on the CV 17/.95 lens.
So, for the moment I soldier on with what I've got.
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) with a degree of admiration/respect. I go to the city park with it and people look at me with suspicion & contempt, like I'm up to no good. Switch lenses to a macro or wide, crawl on the ground to get my composition and suddenly I'm an artist with people asking me what I'm taking pictures of.