Wes_S wrote:
I don't think I've ever really done street photography, but (to me) a compact zoom would make a lot of sense. For those of you that HAVE done street photography, correct me if I'm wrong, but this what I think would work best:
Compact physical size. I would think you'd want to carry a rig that doesn't draw too much attention.
A zoom comprising a wide range of focal lengths from wide to medium telephoto. I just think a zoom would provide much more flexibility over a prime.
Reasonably fast. My Nikon 24-120 S f/4 seems like it was made for this kind of scenario.
Again, take this with a grain of salt because I haven't done street photography....Show more →
You are correct that in radiational street photography a compact and unobtrusive camera and lens setup is highly prized.
Also prized is the ability to shoot quickly and discreetly. For many this means without even bringing the camera up to your eye. This requires previsualization, for exposure, focus, and framing.
If you are a practitioner of this style of shooting then a zoom is pretty much out of the question. It takes too much time select the focal length, focus and compose. Doing so draws too much attention to the photographer. Using the zone focus system and preset exposure method the shot can be made faster than you can select the zoom position, let alone AF and compose.
As far as size goes the Nikon 24-120 S f/4 is huge compared to the traditional manual focus lenses offered by Leica, Voigtlander, and Zeiss, which seem to me the favored system for this genre of photography. More true considering that most of these lenses are f/2 and faster. Go take a look at the size of these lenses and you will see how small they are. A Leica "M" camera with a lens like the Voigtlander 28mm f/2 Ultron is small enough to almost be cupped in the hand.
There are lots of styles for shooting street photography just like all genres. No one answer, no single guru. So many use Leica camera systems. But because this is a Nikon forum, I thought sharing this video of World famous street photographer John Free may help make the point. He shoots a manual Nikon system. This video is an interesting presentation of traditionally street photography. Watch how little time he spends with the camera at his eye. Like many street shooters his style is aggressive almost like hunting. He is in Los Angeles. Enjoy the video.
Joel Meyerowitz is a legend in street photography. He shoots Leica, but his style could be done with many systems. Once again small, fast, manual system, and stealthy shooting style you may find interesting. He is in New York.
AS our friend in Bangkok, suteetat has pointed out there are other styles. Steve McCurry now uses a larger Leica system that does include Zoom, AF, and AE. He is more a news and documentary photographer rather than a street shooter. For a broader look at the genre it may be worth a visit to the Magnum Photography Group website and review the work of the photographers there. It is am amazing collection of photographic talent and content. Not your typical workshop promoting photographers. True history making photography. Founded by masters for the purpose of giving a home to masters and their work.
Once again comprehension and context seem to be a problem. You generalize up to street photography overall. My comment was specific to the style of photography exemplified in the videos posted. To accent this differentiation I commented that there are other styles of street photography multiple times.
sjms wrote:
evidently not huge enough to make a difference.
Evidenced by who and/or what. I see no evidence posted in this thread. Claims are not evidence.
Once again I will attempt to help you by posting a definition to a misused English word or phrase.
Let me also help your case by providing a video to a well known street photographer Martin Parr, who does use zooms, flashes, and generally bigger kit that most. This is what evidence looks like.
But once again I was posting qualifiers like traditionally, generally, optimized, specific style. Nothing is pure. There are always outliers. In fact I personally shot street style images with DSLRs and Zooms. As I got more involved I refined my tasted and optimized my kit I settled on Leica and manual primes. So, I recommended what my experience led me to.
you are hilarious. you try so hard to be so narrow banded to be correct in a world that doesn't conform always to the way you think it is. isn't it too bad? the one thing you are is predictable.
everyone has a view, narrow or as wide as it can be made. just to make it fit ones wants and needs.
sjms wrote:
you are hilarious. you try so hard to be so narrow banded to be correct in a world that doesn't conform always to the way you think it is. isn't it too bad? the one thing you are is predictable.
No, I try to contribute meaningfully rather than cover insecurities with snarky remarks. Yes, I am predictable in that. You always want to make things personal. That is so small. Hey, what a coincidence. Heck, I even tried to help you make your case. I know how hard that can be when one is language challenged. You are welcome, happy to help!
I no longer shoot Nikon, so forgive me, but back then, when digital caught on, the 17-35, f2.8 was the love of my life. I still shoot on the street and still like wide angles. With a wide angle I get close and the folks I photograph sort of spread out in front of me. If they notice me, I tell them I'm so close because my kens is a wide angle and ask them to just continue what they were doing, but often too, I'm the one who starts the conversations. In truth, I am just a sociologist with a camera.
Heck, I even tried to help you make your case. I know how hard that can be when one is language challenged. You are welcome, happy to help! 