Street Photog. on the Cheap

[reciprocity]

I've been an amateur photographer for a number of years, and I've mostly done landscape, architectural, and some sports and portrait photography. For the last couple of years, I've found that the images that fascinate me are the people 'on the sidelines'- people who aren't trying to perform for a camera, but have walked into an interesting pose, or made an interesting expression, but only for a split second. Body language in social situations, people who talk with their hands, moments of physical labor that look like a dance, etc... not even so much street photography as candids.

At any rate, I've been looking at reasonably priced cameras that would be compact enough to go in a pocket, focus and fire quickly, capable of low light work, and with a low enough price point. Keep in mind I'm not publishing these, but I want them to look decent. My current thought is an Olympus Stylus Epic, since it has an f2.8 35mm lens (good for getting close in low light) that's supposed to be superb, it's supposedly quite quick for a P&S, and it's dirt cheap.

I'm curious if people have any digital suggestions; I'm willing to pay notably more for a suitable digital ($250 max), since I won't have to pay for film (and processing in the case of color), and if there are any digitals from a couple of years ago worth checking out, I have no issue with spending some time scouring for a used camera. My main concern with any digital that's more than six months old is CCD noise- ideally I'd get 800 iso without bothersome levels of noise. I own a lumix series digital, and I love it, except that the only reason it's even usable without a tripod in anything but daylight is because of its excellent stabilization, given that iso 50 is the only way to guarantee decent noise levels. A good lens is a must.

Thanks

[johnastovall]

I don't think you'll find what you are looking for at 250. If you don't want RAW Sean Reid like the Ricoh GR-D for street work.

[reciprocity]

Thanks!
Yeah, I've come across the Ricoh GR-D before, and it's quite a nice camera. I'm hoping that since 5MP is enough for me (as long as it's a clean, accurate 5MP) someone might know of an older digital that's worth looking at.

[venchka]

Hmmmmmmmmmm...

High ISO and no noise.

Fast lens for low light situations.

Pocketable

$250 budget

A whole gang of P&S rangefinder cameras with knock your eyes out 1.9 to 1.7 lenses were made starting in the late 60s and continuing into the 70s & early 80s. They typicially sell for $50 and up. Some of the real stars from Minolta and Konica can sell for a lot more because they are worth it. Yashicas and Canons are the real bargains. Fuji 800 & 1600 C-41 process color negative film will also surprise you.

On the other hand, folks have been using whatever they had to shoot on the street since forever. 4x5, medium format, full and half frame 35mm. You name it, it's been used and used well. It's not about the equipment. It's about your involvement and your vision.

GOOGLE todd.hanz for some great work on the streets of Houston with a Mamiya 7II 6x7 camera.

Start shooting! Good luck!

[reciprocity]

Thanks again, good idea- I didn't realize there were old range finders out there for a decent price (sorry, can't drop a few grand on a camera). I'll look into Yashica and Canon. I've been shooting anyway, but it's gotten frustrating over the last three years not being able to pocket my camera when I'm not shooting, and trying to shoot at shutter speeds of 1/5s. Though you do make me realize that perhaps I should just go back to my automatic film camera. While its not pocketable, I could get a wide angle lens with reasonable aperature for only about twice as much as a cheap P&S. And it's rather faster focusing than my digital. So long as I wore a coat or something, I could get at least one shot off before the inevitable mugging or annoyance. My biggest frustration with it was exemplified trying to shoot at a couple of recent music events, in a dark, sweaty, crowded club. Even a small SLR feels huge and clunky, gets knocked around, and gets you stares from the second you enter the door in that context. Otherwise I can blend in. However, I could put electrical tape or something on it (it's plastic-silver), and hide the strap under a coat (thankfully sport coats and jeans are in fashion), wear it accross my shoulders like a purse and keep it in should holster position 'til needed. I may try that first.
Many Thanks!