Getting into Film for Street Photography?

[Dan Cook]

I'm in the UK

I've been trying to decide what camera to get for street photography, I have been bouncing between the idea of Ricoh GRIII, Fuji X100V, Leica Q, Fuji X-E4, M9 + 28 Elmarit..

I watched some NY street photographer videos, and they were using M6, 28mm elmarit and Portra 800, zone focus/hipshooting.

could I possibly get into that? a quick google shows it's £20 per roll of 36 exposures, is it even worth considering? If it's only £20 tacked onto a trip into London once a week, i guess that doesn't sound so bad.

Are there ways to bulk purchase? how do street film photographers feel about the future of continuing to use film?

Up to now my best street shots have been with the Leica Q/Q2 - but I don't currently have either. I have the Hasselblad X2D which is a little on the large side for getting close to people, and I don't use my A1 cameras outside of work.

 

[Overrank]

Do you own a M6 and lens ? If not that’s likely to be a much bigger expense than film

 

[Dan Cook]

Do you own a M6 and lens ? If not that’s likely to be a much bigger expense than film

No, but it keeps it’s value, film costs are spent

 

[Overrank]

Do you own a M6 and lens ? If not that’s likely to be a much bigger expense than film

No, but it keeps it’s value, film costs are spent

You could use black and white and home develop, that would be much cheaper than Portra 800 (which is pretty much the most expensive neg film you could use !). You could use Lomography 800 or ISO 800 film from disposable cameras, which would be cheaper (£11-£12 for 39 exp roll). It’s going to be more expensive than digital but it’s certainly possible to shoot mostly film.

 

[Bob Janes]

Do you own a M6 and lens ? If not that’s likely to be a much bigger expense than film

No, but it keeps it’s value, film costs are spent

You could use black and white and home develop, that would be much cheaper than Portra 800 (which is pretty much the most expensive neg film you could use !). You could use Lomography 800 or ISO 800 film from disposable cameras, which would be cheaper (£11-£12 for 39 exp roll). It’s going to be more expensive than digital but it’s certainly possible to shoot mostly film.

I'd second this - you could pick up some Kentmere from Process Supplies (up near Farringdon) for £5 a roll - they can also supply you with Some Rodinal developer, stop bath and fix. All you need beyond that is a tank and a dark bag.

A 250ml bottle of Rodinal/R09 is under £7.70 and should be good for 20-40 films (depending on dilution).

--
Save a life, become a stem-cell donor.
Hello to Jason Isaacs!
https://bobjanes.smugmug.com/PoTB/
Please respect a BY-NC-ND cc licence on all my public internet images

 

[GMann1]

I can tell you that 28mm is too wide for street photography most of the time. 35mm is the most appropriate focal lenth.

Of the cameras you mentioned, the Fuji X100V may serve you the best.

 

[Jaime100]

All I shoot is film for my street photography. I probably will shoot 10-12 shots for each outing I go out on, as I am selective. Most people with digital just start snapping off hundreds and hoping one sticks. Wrong approach.

 

[Dan Cook]

I can tell you that 28mm is too wide for street photography most of the time. 35mm is the most appropriate focal lenth.

Of the cameras you mentioned, the Fuji X100V may serve you the best.

Most of my street before now has been at 28mm, but I did just pick up a Fuji x100v knowing that if I don’t gel with it I can get my money back due to the demand

 

[tassienick]

I can tell you that 28mm is too wide for street photography most of the time. 35mm is the most appropriate focal lenth.

This is very much a matter of personal preference. *You* may prefer a 35mm, I would far prefer a 28mm.

Of the cameras you mentioned, the Fuji X100V may serve you the best.

 

[aenoether]

Do you own a M6 and lens ? If not that’s likely to be a much bigger expense than film

No, but it keeps it’s value, film costs are spent

You could use black and white and home develop, that would be much cheaper than Portra 800 (which is pretty much the most expensive neg film you could use !). You could use Lomography 800 or ISO 800 film from disposable cameras, which would be cheaper (£11-£12 for 39 exp roll). It’s going to be more expensive than digital but it’s certainly possible to shoot mostly film.

Another way to reduce costs is once you've had a go with some rolls of film and IF you decide you like it...you can buy a bulk roll and some empty canisters and bulk-roll your own film. It works out to be almost half the price of the prepackaged rolls (a 30m/100ft bulk roll is ~18 rolls of 36exp film).

 

[aenoether]

Beautiful set of images

 

[Dan Cook]

Do you own a M6 and lens ? If not that’s likely to be a much bigger expense than film

No, but it keeps it’s value, film costs are spent

You could use black and white and home develop, that would be much cheaper than Portra 800 (which is pretty much the most expensive neg film you could use !). You could use Lomography 800 or ISO 800 film from disposable cameras, which would be cheaper (£11-£12 for 39 exp roll). It’s going to be more expensive than digital but it’s certainly possible to shoot mostly film.

Another way to reduce costs is once you've had a go with some rolls of film and IF you decide you like it...you can buy a bulk roll and some empty canisters and bulk-roll your own film. It works out to be almost half the price of the prepackaged rolls (a 30m/100ft bulk roll is ~18 rolls of 36exp film).

I didn't even know this was a thing, thanks

 

[tassienick]

Are there ways to bulk purchase? how do street film photographers feel about the future of continuing to use film?

As mentioned above, black and white developed at home is the most affordable way to get into 35mm film. Personally it’s also my preference for street work as I prefer the look and it’s super easy to push if you need faster film.

Several brands sell bulk rolls of b&w. Certainly Kodak and Ilford, not sure about the others. To roll your own you will need empty canisters and a daylight loader (these can be found quite cheap on eBay.

Home developing is easier than you think. I use Ilford ID11, which is a powdered developed that you mix with water to make a working solution (Kodak D76 is the same thing). There’s a million other developers that people swear by.

 

[GMann1]

I can tell you that 28mm is too wide for street photography most of the time. 35mm is the most appropriate focal lenth.

This is very much a matter of personal preference. *You* may prefer a 35mm, I would far prefer a 28mm.

While being quite rude to those you are photographing!

 

[aenoether]

I can tell you that 28mm is too wide for street photography most of the time. 35mm is the most appropriate focal lenth.

This is very much a matter of personal preference. *You* may prefer a 35mm, I would far prefer a 28mm.

While being quite rude to those you are photographing!

Only if your style of photography is to get tight shots of peoples faces....then yes 28mm would encroach into someones personal space. Stand back though and you get more of the environment.

 

[tassienick]

I can tell you that 28mm is too wide for street photography most of the time. 35mm is the most appropriate focal lenth.

This is very much a matter of personal preference. *You* may prefer a 35mm, I would far prefer a 28mm.

While being quite rude to those you are photographing!

Sure, if your style is to jam your camera in someone’s face. Personally I like using 28mm to present my subject in context.

 

[Bashir Lunat]

I'm in the UK

I've been trying to decide what camera to get for street photography, I have been bouncing between the idea of Ricoh GRIII, Fuji X100V, Leica Q, Fuji X-E4, M9 + 28 Elmarit..

I watched some NY street photographer videos, and they were using M6, 28mm elmarit and Portra 800, zone focus/hipshooting.

could I possibly get into that? a quick google shows it's £20 per roll of 36 exposures, is it even worth considering? If it's only £20 tacked onto a trip into London once a week, i guess that doesn't sound so bad.

Are there ways to bulk purchase? how do street film photographers feel about the future of continuing to use film?

Up to now my best street shots have been with the Leica Q/Q2 - but I don't currently have either. I have the Hasselblad X2D which is a little on the large side for getting close to people, and I don't use my A1 cameras outside of work.

With results like this I dont think you need to add anything. Bravo! Top pictures posted.

 

[vostokstreetphoto]

Color film street photography is possibly the worst of all worlds in terms of value. Color film is at its most expensive at the moment and street photography has a pretty high rate of failure for pictures in general.

Not saying it shouldn't be done, as I've done it myself but nowadays I bring my digital for color on the streets and film when I want to shoot bnw.

Realistically, 35mm film is far inferior to even a basic apsc digital camera in convenience and performance, so you should get into it only if you really love the film look and don't mind the hassle.

 

[Dan Cook]

I'm in the UK

I've been trying to decide what camera to get for street photography, I have been bouncing between the idea of Ricoh GRIII, Fuji X100V, Leica Q, Fuji X-E4, M9 + 28 Elmarit..

I watched some NY street photographer videos, and they were using M6, 28mm elmarit and Portra 800, zone focus/hipshooting.

could I possibly get into that? a quick google shows it's £20 per roll of 36 exposures, is it even worth considering? If it's only £20 tacked onto a trip into London once a week, i guess that doesn't sound so bad.

Are there ways to bulk purchase? how do street film photographers feel about the future of continuing to use film?

Up to now my best street shots have been with the Leica Q/Q2 - but I don't currently have either. I have the Hasselblad X2D which is a little on the large side for getting close to people, and I don't use my A1 cameras outside of work.

With results like this I dont think you need to add anything. Bravo! Top pictures posted.

Thanks! I'm without the Q2 camera just now as I sold it to buy an X2D late last year.

Instead of jumping back into bed with the Q2, I thought I might sleep around a bit and try alternatives !

Still considering the film option but I have just bought a X100V, I won't lose any money on that if I don't gel with it. I tell you what I'm already bored of having to look through film simulations to see what I like and key them in..

I have until the siren call of the Q3..

 

[Bashir Lunat]

I'm in the UK

I've been trying to decide what camera to get for street photography, I have been bouncing between the idea of Ricoh GRIII, Fuji X100V, Leica Q, Fuji X-E4, M9 + 28 Elmarit..

I watched some NY street photographer videos, and they were using M6, 28mm elmarit and Portra 800, zone focus/hipshooting.

could I possibly get into that? a quick google shows it's £20 per roll of 36 exposures, is it even worth considering? If it's only £20 tacked onto a trip into London once a week, i guess that doesn't sound so bad.

Are there ways to bulk purchase? how do street film photographers feel about the future of continuing to use film?

Up to now my best street shots have been with the Leica Q/Q2 - but I don't currently have either. I have the Hasselblad X2D which is a little on the large side for getting close to people, and I don't use my A1 cameras outside of work.

With results like this I dont think you need to add anything. Bravo! Top pictures posted.

Thanks! I'm without the Q2 camera just now as I sold it to buy an X2D late last year.

Instead of jumping back into bed with the Q2, I thought I might sleep around a bit and try alternatives !

Still considering the film option but I have just bought a X100V, I won't lose any money on that if I don't gel with it. I tell you what I'm already bored of having to look through film simulations to see what I like and key them in..

I have until the siren call of the Q3..

For your film experiments, I will recommend FUJI GS645W (45mm lens) either manual or AF version. The later AF version is costly compared to manual focus model. This model is truly compact and lightweight, You can use either 120 or 220 films and once you have had enough of it you can get shut of it without any big loss.

This is one option but I am sure there are plenty more.