Advice on gear for a long term project please.

[Dave6223]

I dusted down the Olympus OM2 today. I want to try my hand at street photography. Highlighting the disposessed, homeless, poor. I want to try to highlight the effects our greed has on them.

No overt gear. One SLR, one lens, two rolls of film, no tripod, no monopod. No flash. ASA 400 Black and white, pushed if necessary.

I'm thinking a 24 or 28mm lens, keeping focussing to a minimum.

Any advice you can give would be great.

I know. I'm mad. Sorry, just got to do it.

Dave

[Axle]

I'd personally go for a longer lens myself, allowing for more candid shots. Something in the 105mm or greater. Gives you a bit more distance between you and your subjects.

Ilford Super XP2 for C-41 processing is nice, although Kodak Tri-X has a nice look about it. 400 is a good choice, nice mid-range speed and pushable. Black and white is an excellent choice.

[Dave6223]

I'd personally go for a longer lens myself, allowing for more candid shots. Something in the 105mm or greater. Gives you a bit more distance between you and your subjects.

Ilford Super XP2 for C-41 processing is nice, although Kodak Tri-X has a nice look about it. 400 is a good choice, nice mid-range speed and pushable. Black and white is an excellent choice.

Maybe a 135mm then?

[Axle]

Maybe a 135mm then?

That works. I love my AI Nikkor 135mm f/2.8

[Dave6223]

I love my zuiko 135 f3.5. Should be ok with faster film.

[n8]

small lens makes for better concealment if necessary though.

[Frog]

small lens makes for better concealment if necessary though.

Its hard to conceal a small lens when you would need to get so close with an slr.
For this type of photography I prefer a longer zoom in the 70-300 range.

If I had the time, I would do this type of thing and pay a homeless person so that they knew they were being photographed and I could get a model release.
This is especially true if you plan to use your photos professionally or it is taking advantage of their plight.

[Loupey]

If I had to pick one focal length to use on a 35mm camera (or full frame dSLR) for this type of project, it would be the 35mm lens for several reasons:

1. It provides close to natural perspective while still providing a wider angle of view to capture the story behind the subject
   
2. It forces you to be closer to the subject, where you can learn/understand his/her story and use that information to better portray him/her
   
3. It forces you to be closer to the subject, so cars, pedestrians, parking meters, etc. can't get between you and the subject
   
4. It won't look like so many "surveillance" shots taken with longer focal length lenses.

Sure it's riskier but you'll learn more about the subject and you'll be able to better pass that information on to your viewers.

[Greg McCary]

Try some Acros for film. TriX maybe to grainy.

[readingr]

I would go for the 50mm F1.4 or the fastest you can afford unless there is plenty of light of course.

Roger R.

[Speed]

I would go for the 50mm F1.4 or the fastest you can afford unless there is plenty of light of course.

Roger R.

I LOVE my 50mm f1.4. Of course the 50mm f1.8 is much cheaper, that is, more affordable, but I love my 50mm f1.4. Lighting is rarely a problem with this lens.

[Dave6223]

I'm thinking my 50mm f1.8 might be the best starting place.

Thanks all for your advice

[Charles Hess]

While there are several different theories regarding lenses for street candids, it's up to you. Many prefer wider (28-35mm) to become part of the scene, plus with a wider lens you don't have to be pointing the camera directly at the moment you want to capture. Many feel a telephoto lens doesn't really connect with what's developing at the scene.

Your thought about the 50/1.8 is a good one, as it gives you the ability to give you an overview plus it can also get close enough for tighter shots. The f/1.8 also gives you some low-light capability. Me, I've used 3 cameras for the street: Contax G2 with a 45/2, Leica M6 with a 50/2, and a Rollei TLR with a 39mm lens. I also bring the 90/2.8 for the Contax if needed.

Your OM2 is a nice, small camera that would work well. For quick shooting, you can get your exposure worked out using f/8, set the focus at about 10 feet, and you can literally shoot from the hip. Good luck, and hope I've helped a little.

[Frog]

I think the problem with 50mm is the inability you will have to shoot the scene/people without being part of their environment. If you want to shoot them as they are, then it won't happen if they know their pic is being taken.
People change when they know a camera is being pointed at them.
But if you want them to know, which may be more ethical, then the 50 should do.