streetshot Loc: Los Angeles, California

This is my first time on the Street Photography Forum, although I have been on the Main Forum for many years. I do a lot of street photography in NYC and LA, and any other city I can find (Davidhermanphotography.com). I work and my children are all grown so this is a serious hobby. I have been shooting for at least 40 years.

I currently own an Olympus Pen F and use the Pan/Leica 15 mm lens for most of my street work (I also have a Nikon Z7 for landscapes etc. but its too big for street with the zoom and Nikon hasn't made a small 35mm prime lens for this camera yet). I often crop and sometimes as much as a third or more of the image...I look for the picture within the picture. I'm seriously thinking of getting a new street camera and I'm open to suggestions. I have been to Samys in LA and they have suggested the Fuji X100F, XE 3, and the XPro2. I like the rangefinder style for street since its relatively small and I can shoot discreetly.

I would like to hear if anyone has had experience with those cameras and/or suggestions on others I should try. I'm going to NYC and taking a street workshop in 10 days and I wouldn't mind having a new camera. Thanks for your help. David

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

If you are going to NYC for a workshop, it might make sense to talk to the instructor and/ or the participants and then buy something while you are there. B&H and Adorama are good places to shop.

I don't shoot that much street; but when I do, I like to use a small film camera like the Nikon FM. There are a ton of small light good lenses available for Nikons. The 50mm 1.8 pancake lens is inexpensive and very sharp. It was marketed as a budget lens; but it is mostly metal and made in Japan. I also like the 135mm f/2.8. It only has 5 elements and images really pop.

This works for me; but I'm kind of weird: Yashica 124G twin lens reflex. It uses waist level ground glass viewfinder. You can set the focus and use a small aperture to get lots of depth of field. It is nearly silent and, since it is at your waist when you are shooting, people don't even realize that you are taking a picture.

If you are not interested in film (and I totally get that) the lenses I suggested will function very well (albeit manual focus) with digital bodies. There are others in this section with much more experience and expertise than me. What I described works for me; but might not be your cup of tea.
Erich

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I find more and more that I use my iPhone because it’s unobtrusive, and no one pays any attention to a guy with an iPhone. It does have its limitations, though. My little Sony A6000 doesn’t get much attention, either.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The Olympus Pen F is an excellent tool and Olympus and Panasonic have excellent lenses to fit it with. I tend to use the Zuiko 17mm f2.8 for street photography although I do not do street photography that often.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

I'm not in to street - but I am into M43. A Panasonic retro rangefinder style with a panny pancake lens would do you fine. A GX9 would be good - better would be a GX8 which is what I use - but they are now out of production (if you could find a good'n) - the GX9 replaced the GX7. Worth a look !

Leo_B Loc: Houston suburb

I think your Pen-F is a great choice. That said, if it were me, I'd take it and use it through the course and after I finished I'd take all my existing knowledge and experience with all the added bits from the course and then make a day of BH, Adorama and KEH if I still felt any GAS. I might more seriously consider a different lens to use with the Pen-F than a new system though. Good luck.

streetshot Loc: Los Angeles, California

Thanks for everyone’s suggestions. I may just use the Pen F as suggested but I’m still curious if anyone has used Fuji.

David

Voss

Hi, David. Welcome to the Forum. I can't help you to pick out a camera, but philosophically speaking, the key seems to be, "I wouldn't mind having a new camera."

As you've shot a lot of street in the big cities, you undoubtedly know that if you're shooting the subject from the front, and he's not doing much, he's probably made you. If he's active or it's more of a rear shot, you could use a cannon and not be noticed. I've used primarily a Nikon D5200 with an 18-200 zoom, and occasionally a Ricoh GRII, for almost four years now, and this holds true with either one.

So, take what feels good, and buy what gives you pleasure, and I hope we see more of you here.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

I use a Fuji X100F as my point and shoot. I also lug around a Nikon D7000. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I love both although I'll be upgrading to the D7500 soon. Your Pen F is probably a good camera to stick with unless you really just want a newer camera. The choice is yours.

truckster Loc: Tampa Bay Area

I use a Fuji X100F as my point and shoot. I also lug around a Nikon D7000. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I love both although I'll be upgrading to the D7500 soon. Your Pen F is probably a good camera to stick with unless you really just want a newer camera. The choice is yours.