Best Film Cameras For Street Photography & Urban Movies

Contents

At a Glance

Street photography can be quite a broad subject, and that’s why many photographers find it hard to find the best film cameras for street photography. For instance, different countries in the world have different subjects when it comes down to this kind of photography, and you could be facing a lot of dangers out there if you don’t have the proper gear.

Are you thinking of starting a film production and getting yourself a film camera for street photography? We’ll tell you our stories and how they turn out better with an improved set of gear.

Common Hindrances in Street Photography

Filming in the streets is not only inconvenient for some, but it takes a lot of guts to do, especially since you are in the public eye and some could be intimidated. Here are the common things you might encounter when you start shooting in the streets:

Bad weather. The biggest hindrance in street photography is definitely the bad weather; it can either be too hot or too cold, or the wind might blow your setup away (hopefully not). When faced with bad weather and a tough deadline, you need a very durable camera that doesn’t easily get knocked away or at least one that is water-resistant and shock proof.
Camera-shy people. Not everyone will say “hi mom, I’m on TV!” when a camera points at them, so you do have to consider this when shooting your outdoor film scenes.
Nearby authorities. In some instances, nearby authorities may also butt in on what you’re shooting, especially if there are ordinances in your locality about filming certain places and the like. When conducting a shoot in a foreign (or local) place, make sure you know any limiting rules for such.
Sudden riots or emergencies. Your shoot can be entirely ruined if something like a riot or emergency happens outside, such as a fire incident, a shootout or a robbery chase. Such things can be an opportunity to shoot but they can also be dangerous if you get caught in the fray.
Crowds of busy people. Let’s face it; any outdoor place is not always safe, sound and peaceful. In some cases, you may need to shoot in Times Square or Shibuya, where tons of people always pass by every single minute just to get to their jobs. If you ever shoot in a busy street then you should prepare yourself by being extra careful with your gear (or getting one that’s a little more durable in case some dudes knock them off).

What Cameras Do Street Photographers Use?

DSLRs and digicams can be quite different, but both of these types of cameras can be used in street photography. They just usually differ in specs.

Here are some common camera types to choose your ideal street filming setting:

Compact and portable

Should be easy to carry around and not too bulky
You can get close to your subject without disturbing them with a big camera
Should still present a good image quality

Mirrorless or interchangeable lens

Allows you to customize the lens for each scene type
Gives you a good image quality wherever you shoot
Doesn’t make a lot of noise compared to mirrored cameras
They also don’t weigh that much

Fixed lens camera

Great for the budget saver because you don’t need to buy new lenses
It can still give a good image quality
Very beginner-friendly
Not too heavy to carry around

DSLRs

Great for advanced photographers
Can be used in practically any situation
Gives you professional results
Battery life can be very convenient

What Is The Best Mode For Shooting Street Photography?

Many photographers agree that the Program AE mode is the best and ideal mode for outdoor shoots, which includes street photography. This is because adjusting to the light conditions outside can be tough, and it can also prevent you from focusing on aiming your camera at the right angle.

It allows you to easily adjust the camera settings in a breeze without having to worry about losing your subject. Street photography requires fast thinking and that’s why you need quick settings in order to make a successful film shoot outside in the streets.

Additionally, you could also do just fine if you have the following recommended settings for your camera (if applicable):

ISO

Header 2

Focal Length

18 to 2000 mm

Aperture

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/125 seconds +

Autofocus

Continuous focus

Exposure mode

Program AE

White balance

Daylight or Auto

Best Camera For Street Photography

Based on our experience, we chose three (3), worthy competitors, when it comes down to film cameras to be used for street photography:

Fujifilm X100T

If you’d like something that is easy to carry around, this camera is for you. It is not only lightweight but also quite speedy for tweaking the settings – even the manual focus (thanks to its electronic viewfinder) is very easy to play with! Its image quality for its contrast and JPEG processing is decent for a small camera and it is definitely a must-try for street filming if you are a beginner, since it is capable of 1080p video capture.

Pa nasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

Fans of Lumix cameras will love taking this one to the streets. It also has manual controls (like the X100T) so it is good for outdoor shoots where lighting can be a bit tricky. The cooler thing about this is that it is able to record 4K ultra HD videos – perfect for those giant flat screens. Its optics are pretty similar to that of DSLRs, only in a lighter scale for its body, making it very street-friendly.

Nikon D750 FX-format

This 24.3 MP camera can be quite akin to a DSLR body but it may be a great gear to have if you want something that’s fully flexible with its ISO, video quality, aperture control and recording from low and high angles using the Flat Picture Control mode. You can also share your videos on the go with its Wi-Fi sharing feature – perfect for fast production process when shooting a film in the streets.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, film cameras for street photography don’t really have to be heavy and bulky – some are as small as digicams and can still pack a lot of shooting power, quality and ease of use. We hope this small guide can help you out on your street photography and filming journey.