Street Photography Gear You Don’t Need (Part 2)

[@saltydog1311]

Absolutely true. I just transitioned from film to digital. Bought a Fujifilm X-T2 in excellent shape for a great price, the 18-55mm lens, and the rest of my lenses are manual from my old film system. My workhorse lens used to be a Tamron adaptall 35-80mm f2.8-3.8. Got it in 1980. It was amazing then, and it's still amazing now. Of course, I use it with an adapter for the Fuji. Thanks for this video. I also saw your Part 1, and agree with everything there as well. Totally makes sense. Thanks for the videos.

[@doriyancoleman]

x-t2 is a tank! and i’d recommend the 18-55mm to just about anyone. glad you’re enjoying yourself and that you’ve enjoyed the videos ✊🏾

[@larsandreas2045]

Very refreshing after watching all of the other channels. Thanks!

[@doriyancoleman]

Coming to this late, but I appreciate the love!

[@WillieHustles]

I agree with everything except for the part about auto focus, I believe it be another part of my kit that is a tool that is useful when I go out and shoot, AF lenses are extremely competent if the body it’s used on is capable to nail the focus, manual focus has its uses and place for sure, but in terms of street photography, having AF (for me at least) is game changing if I want to shoot at a lower aperture but still hit critical focus on my subject in moments where I can’t take the time to manually focus my lens, the difference between getting the shot or not for me has been the usage of AF

[@doriyancoleman]

auto focus can definitely be awesome (and is still my preference), however it’s hardly a need for street. and considering you said you occasionally use lower apertures that makes sense, even i wouldn’t try manual focus below say f/5.6 😂 i will say though if you properly set up zone focus with a manual lens, you rarely have to worry about focus at all! i use both in my process. keep it up 🙏🏾

[@chryseass.5143]

I am liking it Doriyan, down to earth and refreshing advice. Pearls are good, too!

[@doriyancoleman]

much appreciated, and pearls for the boys 😤

[@martingreenberg870]

I agree the three bits of gear you mention are not required. The only requirementfor street photography is you be in the street. Gear is preferable but not required. I sometimes leave my condo sans camera. Next month I turn 70. I seldom bring my cell phone with me. While on the street without gear I see an image. I say click and capture the Image in my head. The rest is preferences. I prefer a prime. Sometimes I take the Fuji kit lens for the OIS. I get all the included focal lengths at no additional cost. Whereas I prefer zooming with my legs I can also zoom with the lens barrel. As you point out, any camera body will work for street photography. I prefer a small body. The body doesn’t bring attention to me. I’m invisible. The black body doesn’t make the body invisible. My handling of the body makes the body invisible. I like small and lite bodies and primes as I have to carry this gear all day. My neck and shoulder demands this choice and says thank you. Most of my bodies are black because I like the esthetic. I feel stupid. I know how to zone focus. For some reason I don’t. I like autofocus. My bodies, except the new to me used XS10, have the SCM switch on the front. The switch stay on A. Truth be told, zone focus would be faster. It would be one less thing to think about. None the less I have gotten into the habit of the half shutter press. Not necessary. This is just what I do. As a result, I have no manual focus lenses. Again, turn the switch to M and I have a manual focus lens. In conclusion, the only thing I require for street photography is to get out of my condo. Having a camera enhances the experience. Small, lite, digital, and black are my choices for the body. Small & lite is my choice for my primes. Auto focusing lenses are what I like to use. There are virtually no requirements for doing street photography. Mask On Nurse Marty

[@doriyancoleman]

couldn’t agree more that a LOT of this is preference. it’s cool to hear your story and perspective. whatever keeps you going strong is paramount 💯

[@woodedape]

#1 Rule Breaker quote from Jimi "Move over, Rover and let Jimi take over.."

[@doriyancoleman]

one of my favorites right there

[@philrmcknight]

I love your vibe, and I find it truer and truer the longer I practice photography (40+ years) that rules really aren't applicable. Once you figure out how to properly expose an image while maintaining correct focus (still arbitrary, depending on your style), everything else is a matter of choices that you're comfortable with. Loving your channel and your photography!

[@doriyancoleman]

thank you! and i agree ✊🏾

[@raymeedc]

Best zoom lens for street photography, Fujinon 15-45, super small & light, great street photography range, Image Stabilization, sharp, close focusing, cheap. For some inexplicable reason, tho, you can only use some of it’s features on a handful of Fujifilm bodies. For example, I can and do use it on my x-T20, but not on my X-E2, on which I use a Fujinon 27mm for street.

[@doriyancoleman]

that’s one i’ve always wanted to try out. honestly i’m at a point where i’ll take a smaller size over aperture, mariginal IQ improvement, etc

[@CaptisLucemGaming]

"There's so many weird rules about the right way to do street photography" I couldn't agree more. I remember I was part of a group of street photographers don't get me wrong they're good and learned a lot from them, but then again, they have this so many rules that whenever I shoot and share some of my photographs, they give me these weird rules and said "that's not street photography" and it went to the point that the toxicity of those "rules" sometime made me feel belittled, ridiculed and almost made me throw in the towel. Good thing I left the group, do my own thing and couldn't be any happier.

[@doriyancoleman]

i respect you following your own intuition 🤝

[@showdaKOs]

100% right with you Im doing street photography with my favorite lens, the viltrox 85, by no means a small lens (I have an x-S10 but more than the compact size, the deep grip allow me long lenses without a problem) ! it's a very fat one in fact but I love longer focal lentgths, it makes my photos very different from what others make every days and when people notice it, it's a cool ice breaker and then I can sometimes make very good portaits on top of "normal" street photos... But even when I have the 18-55, I'm mostly at 55 (70% of the time), I just love the compression of long focals !

[@doriyancoleman]

see, and it sounds like you’re having a great time and making the photographs you aim to. keep it going! 😤

[@ndgloimage1]

I am here in Cleveland as well, New to Photography and i am enjoying the journey. Hope to meet you one day.

[@doriyancoleman]

i’m out shooting every week!

[@martinphilipps8678]

i am too self-aware, always reflecting what others might be thinking of me. your video is quite liberating. thank you i have an x70 and x-t30. going to swap the x-t30 for an x-t3 soo, for the iso dial and the better tilting screen. and will use that bigger camera for street photography, along my x70

[@doriyancoleman]

glad my video could help Martin 🙏🏾 do your thing out there

[@NildoScoop]

You've certainly made your point. 👊

[@doriyancoleman]

right on 👊🏾

[@filterfreephotography]

I have always recommended new shooters to use a zoom lens to get an idea of what focal length they like. Most software now a days will let you sort by focal length so you can see how many shots you take at various focal lengths. That is how I knew where to invest in my next purchase of a prime lens. 35mm is my go to now. Great channel. Glad I found it. Seems like you would be fun to go shoot with since we seem to have a similar idea of shooting styles.

[@doriyancoleman]

i agree for the same reason. thank you!

[@guillaumesandmayer7053]

Like you say Doriyan - Zooms for Street work can be perplexing depending on the actual individual. When I started out with my XT2, all I could afford was the 18-55mm kit lens, a great value lens but more importantly it allowed me self-realize that I see the streets at 35mm and 50mm - As for 23mm? Not so much, the kit zoom lens was my silent teacher to help me find my natural primes. Having said that, we've all heard the newbie street shooting cliche - faced with a wide range of focal lengths in one lens - some folks find it hard to commit and fret over what to use for what is in front of them..Cheers!

[@doriyancoleman]

i feel you! zooms can definitely have a special way of steering you towards the one or two focal lengths you really like. cheers!

[@30dc]

I find manual lenses more satisfying but I needed to hear someone else say it to feel better about it. I also just got the X-T5 and now I'm like snap do I need the x100vi cuz it's more compact. Thanks for helping me put that nonsense to rest

[@balboa0621]

The Fuji 18-55 is actually a great zoom for street. It can function as a 28, 35, 50, and 85. It doesn’t have to be used as a zoom, but rather a group of primes that you can change easily.

[@doriyancoleman]

completely agree, it’s a great lens for various purposes

[@JayGrapherTh]

maybe a funny thought from the idea of having a "stealthy" camera is that we are still "larger" bodies compared to any possible camera that will be the first thing other people notice and not the camera. as you said if people notice you its most likely not the camera but the the way the person is acting on the streets

[@doriyancoleman]

bruh, i’m SAYING 😂 not only that, but once a camera is in your hands, it’s gonna get seen. it’s just a matter of what do you want to carry lol

[@tiffanymeeks8740]

💯!! I often fall back to the saying use what you have…. Yes it’s nice to keep it light and compact but most people may not have that in the budget… I started with a canon 60d. That thing felt like a brick and no one said a word to me on the street. I’ve found it isn’t the camera that make the interaction awkward it’s usually the photographer 😫😫😭😭😭

[@doriyancoleman]

yep! that’s why i advocate for using lenses long term! that 60d is no joke lol. and i agree, while of course you’ll have the occasional person who would’ve had a problem with anybody, we all need to look at ourselves at some point and see what part we may have played 😂

[@andreleitecoelho5274]

Great video!

[@doriyancoleman]

thank you! glad you found value in it

[@Thedailyfight488]

100% accurate your so realistic about your craft 🤍

[@doriyancoleman]

always trying to balance being a realist and an idealist 🙏🏾

[@meyers323]

I happen to use an EOS R with the 24-105mm kit lens often for street photography. Truth is that most people don't care what you're doing on the street regardless of the size of your camera. The one thing I did was tape over the logo and swap out the red-lined strap, because that is possibly eye-catching. It's funny that people give advice to shoot at f8 to zone focus but make fun of zooms. Zoom lenses can do everything and even if they aren't the best lens, f8 will be the sweet spot. Primes can help you be creative through constraint but a camera is better than no camera.

[@doriyancoleman]

perfectly said, most people are living their own lives. and i agree, that advice was maybe true way back in the day when primes were objectively better quality, but we’re at a point where zoom lenses are mostly excellent

[@micahgabriel2072]

Thank you for this video and Well Said...👍👍👍

[@doriyancoleman]

i appreciate it Micah!

[@macjim]

It doesn’t matter what camera (and lens) you use for street photography, if it’s the one on you, then it’s the one too use. Whether it’s a box brownie, a large format camera, a plate camera (it would be a bit awkward to use but I would be an ice breaker when your seen using it) or a mobile phone, that’s the one too use. Personally, I alternate between my iPhone 13 Pro, my GRIIIX and my X100v which means I only have one that has the ability to zoom in… so I have the choice of being lazy or having to do the zooming in with my feet; if I need to get closer.

[@doriyancoleman]

i think i get your overall point, but i believe gear definitely matters in many ways. for example a 28mm lens brings a different look/perspective than a 50mm, which in turn might also influence someone’s style in general. it’ll definitely change how the photos look with one or the other even with the GRiii and x100, one has a built in evf and the other doesn’t, so that too could affect the photography experience depending who you are i’m extremely interested in the griii / iiix and i need to get my hands on one!

[@macjim]

@@doriyancoleman 🙂

[@OpenDGuitar]

Excellent advice!

[@doriyancoleman]

thanks! happy shooting 📸

[@Enrique-the-photographer]

Excellent video Doriyan, really on point. One of my favorite lenses for street is the XF16-80, but it’s not getting much use lately since I got the XF33 f/1.4 for the X-T4, what a great combo, that lens is amazing. I have to admit that I’m a little insecure, so just in case, the 16-80 is always in my bag🤣

[@doriyancoleman]

thanks! that 16-80 is nice. the 33 1.4 tho, i know exactly what you mean. been loving it as well 📸

[@woodedape]

Ya know, I was always wondering about that. I have a Nikon DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens with Vibration Reduction. I can set it to 24, 35 or 50mm. I have a D3200 that has all kinds ISOs, sutter speed, and etc. That's all I really need. Do I really need a leica? No. Do I really want a leica? Yes!

[@doriyancoleman]

we’ll get our Leicas one day 😂

[@WidePhotographs]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I plan on buying the Z5 on sale for $999 as my first full frame camera. I am just debating on whether to get a 28mm f2.8 $279 lens or a 24-70mm f4.0 $599 lens. I plan on using it for street shooting and maybe attend events to randomly shoot and get better. What would you choose if you were in my shoes?

[@WidePhotographs]

Sorry I mean $699 for the 24-70mm f4.0 lens***

[@doriyancoleman]

@@WidePhotographs for sure! between those two lenses, i’d go 28mm 2.8 because i prefer primes. if i may throw another option into the mix, check out their 40mm f/2 as well!

[@WidePhotographs]

@@doriyancoleman the only reason why I didn’t think of the 40mm is because I rather continue to save money to afford the 50mm f1.8 if I wanted a little more range over the 28mm. I’ll just have to continue watching videos on 28mm vs 40mm to see what will be best for indoors and street photo shooting. Thanks for your feedback, really appreciate it.

[@doriyancoleman]

@@WidePhotographs good plan, a 28 & 50 pair is strong. plus, i’ve always maintained that the nikon z 50mm 1.8 is the sharpest lens i’ve ever used. good luck!

[@funkmon]

It's me from the future. Autofocus lens is a HUGE deal. If you're using classic range focusing, no problem, but if you want to do anything else quickly, you gotta get autofocus. Unless you are so poor all you can get is a vintage lens, that's fine. I agree with the other stuff.

[@doriyancoleman]

there’s some higher-priced manual only lenses from companies like voitlander and leica, you can do quick/fast street photography even with a ttartisan lens if you zone focus properly i still prefer autofocus as well, but even if you aren’t poor you can still do great with manual lenses

[@ElplatanoGuibz]

"Its not because you have a big canera, It's probably because of you" 💀 but facts.

[@doriyancoleman]

let’s be real about it 😂

[@DeeRosa]

Nah man you’re too fhuckkkinngg cold right now - you’re literally Himmy Turner, Him Burton, Himbo Slice.

[@doriyancoleman]

and you’re Him Duncan after that last video 😤 thank you bro!

[@macjim]

PS I used to do street photography with a 50mm equivalent lens when I used my X-T1 but now, I work with 35 & 40mm equivalent lenses with my two cameras and whatever the lenses are on my iPhone 13 Pro…

[@doriyancoleman]

the iphone is taking me some time to get the hang of but i’ve tried out my 13 during my last couple photo walks and i was pleased with the IQ!

[@PikPikkabbu]

2:12mns. I would say - if you don't mind - that my opinion about camera size differs from your. I've used a Nikon D850 with grip and Sigma 50mm F/1.4 Art in the streets. It was terrible. A part of the hampered use, people looked at me just as if I were wearing Thor's hammer ready to strike them. Now, I use a Fujifilm X-T30 II and a Ricoh GR3X; I feel much better and people don't hurry away ;-)

[@doriyancoleman]

That’s fair & your experience is valid!

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

I don't need a pearl necklace, I don't need a pearl necklace but, gosh the lord Doriyan has one..forget getting that 33m 1.4 lets go necklace shopping.. LMFAO. GAS, is just a SHOPAHOLIC...

[@doriyancoleman]

ayeeee let’s go christopher! glitter gang ✨

[@christopherrodriguez7223]

@@doriyancoleman haha going outside with the Doriyan pearls, the Dee Rosa crocs, the Leica Lee karhu hat, the stockezy life vest, and maybe some hoochies.. sounds like a great street photographer’s suit.

[@TheWutangclan1995]

I kind of agree and disagree with the big camera theory. I agree if it works for you and being a rule breaker. However objectively many people and photographers overtime want something smaller. Especially for times when you do street photos all day 8-10 hours. Even when mirrorless came out, people didn’t want to hold a giant ass camera and switched when the funds were available. I won’t use Leicas as an example because they’re expensive. Something like a Ricoh GR have been popular for street and the legend himself Daido Moriyama is known for using it primarily.

[@doriyancoleman]

fair, but the whole point is that you don’t “need” a small camera

[@ekofotoz8260]

Basquiat!

[@doriyancoleman]

him, jimi, andre 3000, gordon parks to name a few 🙏🏾

[@richardschrader6011]

Where is part one,,,can u send link…thanks

[@doriyancoleman]

in the description!

[@dmapp]

5 inch shorts and a pearl necklace! Cool as F.

[@doriyancoleman]

i’m out here! much love 🙏🏾

[@dopevernacular2925]

Great points. I started with a gargantuan D800 and a bazooka of a zoom lens and still managed to get great shots. I only switched to primes just so I could have a manageable EDC. I break the f8, and you're straight rule often and with great results. It feels good to manually nail focus at a narrow depth of field. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJOlaWmoiKeHe80

[@doriyancoleman]

exactly! having a lens you actually want to carry around is so important.

[@richardvlcko9697]

Are you even street photographer if you're not using griii, x100v or leica q/m?

[@doriyancoleman]

idk Richard, i think that just makes us wannabe peasants 😂

[@richardvlcko9697]

@@doriyancoleman it's literally impossible to shoot street if your camera has more than 0 customizable buttons. Confirmed by 9 out of 10 leica photographers 😀

[@ssatx6911]

M/A - M

[@doriyancoleman]

e = mc^2

[@BertrandVanderBerg]

Brilliant advice!

[@doriyancoleman]

much love Bertrand!