Which camera for street photography?

AKum8 · 08-09-2012, 10:05 AM

Hi guys,
what do you suggest to someone that is looking for a

this year I realized that time I spend for photography got drastically reduced to zero, I'm much busier now and my chances to carry my camera with me are very poor, the K20D I own is big and heavy.

I spend a lot of time walking around, and my interest for street photography is getting bigger. I'd like to have something smaller and discrete, but at the same time I don't want to get rid of my gear (K20D, DA* 16-50, D-FA 100mm, Sigma 8-16 and some manual glasses).

My first choice was Pentax Q, but I'm afraid the Q system is too immature.
I could change the K20D for a K-01 but it's not very small.

Do you have any suggestions for me?
I was looking at the Sony NEX 5n camera but I'd like to have some advise on that...

-Andrea

eddie1960 · 08-09-2012, 10:32 AM

nex the body is small but the lenses make it large again, and unbalanced IMO., personally if I went Nex it would be for the Nex7 since a VF is really important to me (and by the time you get one on the 5n you are getting close to the superior nex 7 price)
a K-01 with the DA LTD lenses is very compact and would make a pretty good street shooter. For that matter pair any of the pancakes with a K30 and you have a really functional compact system. a setup with the DA21 or DA40 would be a really good street setup (even your K20 will look smaller with a lens like hat and no grip)
I find for streets it's really shooting with big zooms on the front that throws people.

If you want a good small street shooter have a look at the X100 from fuji which is a nice compact system

**Fontan** · 08-09-2012, 10:33 AM

I say Leica.

eddie1960 · 08-09-2012, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by Fontan

I say Leica.

LOL so would i but I got the feeling the M9P or MM may be out of the budget, not to mention the lenses

RonHendriks1966 · 08-09-2012, 10:44 AM

K-01 with DA40mm Ltd or the new xs lens is a good set-up. Matching your lenses when you have time to take it all out. Small with a pancake when that is your only gear coming.

Wen you like it smaller then maybe the new Sony RX100 is a good camera with a descent sensor in it.

LeDave · 08-09-2012, 10:50 AM

I agree, K-01 with the 40 XS or LTD and you'd be a happy man.

spellcaster · 08-09-2012, 11:22 AM

give a try to a pentax Q, i guess you will be more than surprised.

i was surprised that nobody even noticed me shooting... even the one sitting in front of me in the subway, not even customers in shops

very nice for streetwhen you like the 50mm range

Vicboy · 08-09-2012, 11:58 AM

Pentax Q, Q to K adapter and then 40XS.

eddie1960 · 08-09-2012, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by Vicboy

Pentax Q, Q to K adapter and then 40XS.

for street????? with an over 200mm equivalent

Actually the Q with the 01 prime does well

boosted03gti · 08-09-2012, 12:46 PM

Honestly any camera will do. Its ones apporach or ability to be unnoticed that needs pratice. Gear wise i would consider the G1x, Rx-100, or Fuji x10/x100

**crewl1** · 08-09-2012, 12:50 PM

Or, just get a small prime for your K20D like say, a DA21LTD? Or if you need something slightly smaller/lighter maybe a K-x/r/30 with a prime?

K-5 + DA21 (self portrait)

RonHendriks1966 · 08-09-2012, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by eddie1960

Actually the Q with the 01 prime does well

Well I handled the Q for a short time. There is a lot possible with that little camera. The only setting I really liked is the Q with the 01 prime set at iso125. With iso going up it looses me as an enthousiast (but others may still like it).

aleonx3 · 08-09-2012, 01:18 PM

The more I read, the more I am interested in the capability and possibility of the Q. I think my travel or street photography setup would be the Q with the k-30 and a couple of m42 lenses (24mm/55mm).

AKum8 · 08-09-2012, 01:21 PM

Thank you for the comments. Unfortunately I still haven't had any chance to try the Q or the K-01 with my hands.
They both have some appeal on me, especially for the price (sorry the M9 is a little too much

) but the Q doesn't convince me for performance with low lights and the K-01 for the size. Maybe I'll see what Pentax is going to present at Photokina in September (and Fuji as well, someone rumors of an X200).

I'd prefer a compact-like camera because DSLRs intimidate people, and cameras with swivel screen let you to shot without pointing directly at people's face.

tuco · 08-09-2012, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by AKum8

...
I'd prefer a compact-like camera because DSLRs intimidate people, and cameras with swivel screen let you to shot without pointing directly at people's face.

That's the bottom line. Even a small lens on a DSLR can still be problematic. I feel the general public's perception of small, non-DSLR looking cameras is one of casualness and a sightseeing amateur just taking snaps as it stands today. The black DLSR, pro level or not, projects a very different message to many.

It was already said. About any current crop of mirrorless will do. Just learn to use and ignore gear-head talk about buttons not in the perfect spot or some other stupid thing that really doesn't stop you from getting the shot when you learn to use it.

08-09-2012, 10:05 AM	#1
AKum8 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Milan Posts: 89	Which camera for street photography? Hi guys, what do you suggest to someone that is looking for a this year I realized that time I spend for photography got drastically reduced to zero, I'm much busier now and my chances to carry my camera with me are very poor, the K20D I own is big and heavy. I spend a lot of time walking around, and my interest for street photography is getting bigger. I'd like to have something smaller and discrete, but at the same time I don't want to get rid of my gear (K20D, DA* 16-50, D-FA 100mm, Sigma 8-16 and some manual glasses). My first choice was Pentax Q, but I'm afraid the Q system is too immature. I could change the K20D for a K-01 but it's not very small. Do you have any suggestions for me? I was looking at the Sony NEX 5n camera but I'd like to have some advise on that... -Andrea

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08-09-2012, 10:32 AM	#2
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	nex the body is small but the lenses make it large again, and unbalanced IMO., personally if I went Nex it would be for the Nex7 since a VF is really important to me (and by the time you get one on the 5n you are getting close to the superior nex 7 price) a K-01 with the DA LTD lenses is very compact and would make a pretty good street shooter. For that matter pair any of the pancakes with a K30 and you have a really functional compact system. a setup with the DA21 or DA40 would be a really good street setup (even your K20 will look smaller with a lens like hat and no grip) I find for streets it's really shooting with big zooms on the front that throws people. If you want a good small street shooter have a look at the X100 from fuji which is a nice compact system

08-09-2012, 10:33 AM	#3
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	I say Leica.

08-09-2012, 10:41 AM	#4
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Fontan I say Leica. LOL so would i but I got the feeling the M9P or MM may be out of the budget, not to mention the lenses

08-09-2012, 10:44 AM	#5
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	K-01 with DA40mm Ltd or the new xs lens is a good set-up. Matching your lenses when you have time to take it all out. Small with a pancake when that is your only gear coming. Wen you like it smaller then maybe the new Sony RX100 is a good camera with a descent sensor in it.

08-09-2012, 10:50 AM	#6
LeDave Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Minneapolis - St. Paul Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,067	I agree, K-01 with the 40 XS or LTD and you'd be a happy man.

08-09-2012, 11:22 AM	#7
spellcaster Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: marseille Posts: 52	give a try to a pentax Q, i guess you will be more than surprised. i was surprised that nobody even noticed me shooting... even the one sitting in front of me in the subway, not even customers in shops very nice for streetwhen you like the 50mm range

08-09-2012, 11:58 AM	#8
Vicboy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40	Pentax Q, Q to K adapter and then 40XS.

08-09-2012, 12:00 PM	#9
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Vicboy Pentax Q, Q to K adapter and then 40XS. for street????? with an over 200mm equivalent Actually the Q with the 01 prime does well

08-09-2012, 12:46 PM	#10
boosted03gti Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: tampa, fl Photos: Gallery Posts: 237	Honestly any camera will do. Its ones apporach or ability to be unnoticed that needs pratice. Gear wise i would consider the G1x, Rx-100, or Fuji x10/x100

08-09-2012, 12:50 PM	#11
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Or, just get a small prime for your K20D like say, a DA21LTD? Or if you need something slightly smaller/lighter maybe a K-x/r/30 with a prime? K-5 + DA21 (self portrait)

08-09-2012, 01:09 PM	#12
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by eddie1960 Actually the Q with the 01 prime does well Well I handled the Q for a short time. There is a lot possible with that little camera. The only setting I really liked is the Q with the 01 prime set at iso125. With iso going up it looses me as an enthousiast (but others may still like it).

08-09-2012, 01:18 PM	#13
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	The more I read, the more I am interested in the capability and possibility of the Q. I think my travel or street photography setup would be the Q with the k-30 and a couple of m42 lenses (24mm/55mm).

08-09-2012, 01:21 PM	#14
AKum8 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Milan Posts: 89 Original Poster	Thank you for the comments. Unfortunately I still haven't had any chance to try the Q or the K-01 with my hands. They both have some appeal on me, especially for the price (sorry the M9 is a little too much ) but the Q doesn't convince me for performance with low lights and the K-01 for the size. Maybe I'll see what Pentax is going to present at Photokina in September (and Fuji as well, someone rumors of an X200). I'd prefer a compact-like camera because DSLRs intimidate people, and cameras with swivel screen let you to shot without pointing directly at people's face.

08-09-2012, 01:51 PM	#15
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	Originally posted by AKum8 ... I'd prefer a compact-like camera because DSLRs intimidate people, and cameras with swivel screen let you to shot without pointing directly at people's face. That's the bottom line. Even a small lens on a DSLR can still be problematic. I feel the general public's perception of small, non-DSLR looking cameras is one of casualness and a sightseeing amateur just taking snaps as it stands today. The black DLSR, pro level or not, projects a very different message to many. It was already said. About any current crop of mirrorless will do. Just learn to use and ignore gear-head talk about buttons not in the perfect spot or some other stupid thing that really doesn't stop you from getting the shot when you learn to use it.