![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-12-21-03.52.20-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1180%2C885\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHonestly 90% of mastering shooting with a Leica or a rangefinder is just mastering the focusing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, I recommend for all manual-focusing lenses, to get a lens with a focusing tab<\/strong>. I think the best lens for a Leica in street photography is the Leica 35mm f\/2 Summicron ASPH, as it is the sharpest lens, and the best ergonomic (with good balance).<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the focusing tab, you want to memorize the positions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Basically this concept is ‘zone focusing<\/em><\/strong>‘: the idea that you set your aperture to f\/8-f\/16, and you try to roughly get your subject in focus. Keep your ISO high, around 1600-3200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honestly the best thing about shooting with a Leica M rangefinder isn’t that it is fancy or whatever; it is because it is the ultimate simple camera. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What do I mean by that? You ideally want the Leica to be a glorified ‘point and shoot camera’:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus, you ideally want to just point and shoot in street photography with your Leica. You want to see something you find interesting that you want to photograph, and you just shoot without thinking<\/a><\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are shooting with a digital Leica M camera, these are the settings I recommend:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don’t get suckered into thinking of shooting everything ‘wide open’ at f\/1.4 or f\/2. Bokeh<\/a> is overrated in street photography. Shooting wide-open is nice for portraits, but not for the streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you shoot with a film Leica<\/a>, pick up a copy of FILM NOTES<\/strong> (print<\/a> or digital edition<\/a>) to practice your zone-focusing settings when shooting street photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To practice making better street photographs on your Leica, practice getting close<\/a>, and filling the frame with your subjects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I generally think that 35mm<\/a> is an ideal focal length when shooting with a Leica or rangefinder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Why? Here is my rationale:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are lots of great 35mm lenses for Leica M-mount:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I recommend shooting WITHOUT<\/em> a lens hood, in order not to block your viewfinder. If you want to protect the front element of your lens, just buy a clear B+W UV filter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best flash for Leica is the SF 24D flash (TTL compatible with digital). If you prefer to shoot fully-manual, shoot with the SF 20 flash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I generally think that if you want to shoot street photography with a flash<\/a>, get a neck strap (HENRI NECK STRAP<\/a>). Why? You will just walk around, and always have your camera ready before<\/em> you see interesting ‘decisive moments<\/a>‘ in street photography. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When shooting with a flash on a Leica, here are the benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you shoot with a digital Leica, I recommend shooting with a flash in TTL (through the lens, automatic) settings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you shoot with a film Leica or rangefinder, just use manual settings with your flash:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flash in street photography also works well at long distances. Note the photo of the guy on his phone; this was shot with my flash at full-power at night. It makes the photo looks far more interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The downside of shooting with a Leica-M camera at night is that if you aren’t using a flash, you must shoot everything wide open (f\/1.4, f\/2, f\/2.8). But this is slow and inefficient. Instead, I recommend shooting with a flash at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an advanced street photography tip<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep shooting until your subject notices you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The benefit of shooting with a flash (it is very bright and they will<\/em> notice you photographing them).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason why the Leica M rangefinder camera is the best camera for street photography is this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is the fastest camera for street photography<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you master focusing, zone focusing, and you can shoot quickly (without fear, trepidation), in theory:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should never miss a decisive moment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n What happens quickly in street photography? Gestures. They come and go quickly. If you can react quickly with a Leica, you will never miss the decisive moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To be frank, the Leica isn’t a light camera. Sure, it is lighter than a DSLR with a zoom lens, but still– the Leica has a decent weight and heft to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is simple: the more often you carry your camera on your neck, the more decisive moments you will witness, and the more quickly you can react and shoot it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The principle is simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever you leave the house, always carry your Leica or camera around your neck.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n I had the idea:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rappers always wear heavy gold chains; why can’t we do the same in street photography?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Wear your camera like a necklace or a bracelet<\/a>. Best neck strap is HENRI NECK STRAP<\/a>, and best wrist strap is HENRI WRIST STRAP<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So as an experiment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For an entire month, always wear your camera around your neck when you’re out of the house.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Wear your camera around your neck when you’re walking around the block, commuting to work, or just out on the streets. You will probably witness more interesting street photography opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re interested in shooting street photography with a Leica or rangefinder, test it out first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can buy a cheaper used Leica M8, Leica M9<\/a> (if you want to shoot digital) for street photography. What you want to do is experience the rangefinder system in street photography; don’t get a Leica M rangefinder for the sake of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you got swole pockets and want the best, the Leica M10<\/a> is the best digital rangefinder for street photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best ‘everyday’ street photography camera is RICOH GR II<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But above all, mastering street photography<\/a> is more important than mastering your gear. Check out the STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT<\/a> as a strong foundation, but ultimately, you must shoot more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For myself personally, I have no interest in buying another new digital Leica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why? Too expensive, and the value of digital Leica’s go down so quickly. Probably better to buy used digital Leica cameras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"bottom](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-12-21-03.50.07-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1180%2C885\")
![\"Tab](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-12-21-03.50.36-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1180%2C885\")
![\""Close"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-12-21-03.51.14-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1180%2C885\")
![\""Far"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-12-21-03.51.47-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1180%2C885\")
\n\n\n\n2. ‘Set it and forget it!’<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Good](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-12-21-03.49.03-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1180%2C885\")
3. Shoot head-on with a 35mm lens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Leica](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/eric-kim-downtown-la-layers-2000x1327.jpeg?resize=1180%2C783\")
![\"What](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-12-17-04.29.52-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1180%2C885\")
4. Shooting with a neck strap and flash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"ERIC](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/henri-neck-strap-eric-kim-leica-mp-benjamin-2000x1333.jpg?resize=1180%2C786\")
![\"tucson-contact-jpeg](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/tucson-contact-JPEG.jpg?resize=956%2C448\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/tucson-red-hair-woman-yellow-shirt-1-2000x1327.jpg?resize=1180%2C783\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Film](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/eric-kim-photography-black-and-white-tri-x-1600-leica-mp-35mm-film-0940.jpg?resize=1024%2C1545\")
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/eric-kim-street-photography-london3-street-photography-flash-portra-400-diversion-ends--2000x1327.jpg?resize=1180%2C783\")
5. Shooting street photography at night with a Leica or rangefinder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/flash-woman-phone-portra-400-eric-kim-.jpeg?resize=1180%2C782\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/eric-kim-street-photography-london2-2000x1327.jpg?resize=1180%2C783\")
6. Shoot gestures: body gestures, or arm gestures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/eric-kim-photography-black-and-white-tri-x-1600-leica-mp-35mm-film-1588.jpg?resize=1180%2C782\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Hand](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/eric-kim-photography-black-and-white-tri-x-1600-leica-mp-35mm-film-1469.jpg?resize=1180%2C782\")
7. Always have your Leica on your neck<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Long-distance](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/eric-kim-photography-black-and-white-tri-x-1600-leica-mp-35mm-film-0953.jpg?resize=1180%2C782\")
![\"Flash](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/img_1136eric-kim-grit-and-grain-black-and-white-trix1600.jpg?resize=1024%2C1544\")
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Leica](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-eric-kim3-2000x1331.jpg?resize=1180%2C785\")
![\"Leica](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/0-eric-kim-street-photography-sweat-downtown-la-leica-m8.jpg?resize=1180%2C794\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/0-la-sweat-contact-1606x2000.jpg?resize=1180%2C1469\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Laughing](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_0222-1-800x1208.jpg?resize=800%2C1208\")
Digital Leica or Film Leica?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/2018-12-21-03.49.32-1-2000x1500.jpg?resize=1180%2C885\")