On Assignment

[That Guy]

A couple weeks ago I was browsing the local volunteer website for Milwaukee. I came across an organization looking for a volunteer photographer (the ad said "prefer if you have your own camera" ). So I called up Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful and offered my services. The nice lady (she sounded like a bit of a hippie-chick, so we should get along good) said they needed some help redesigning their website. If you click the link, you'll see what I mean. She asked for "urban-type-pictures" whatever that means. So for the past couple weeks I've been trying to capture some "urban-type-pictures."

But I'm not sure what to do about the second request. I was also asked to tag along on a field trip for college students that KGMB was hosting to a recycling facility as the photographer. That's all good and fine; I've done three weddings to date, so I can handle myself in a group getting the candids in. The trouble is, I'm not sure which camera to take, my rangefinder or my SLR.

With the SLR I have a range of focal lengths and it's the old standby. I know the camera well and what it will do. It's also bayonette mount for speedy lens changes, handy in changing conditions. And it's AE to boot. I only have wides for my rangefinder. But I've been really happy and getting better with the 35 lately. I've also been getting faster at gauging the exposure, but still take my time to set up anything using an external viewfinder.

So what should I take? I want to do a good job for these folks and not look like some hack with a fancy camera. I'm willing to chance it a little and use the "foot zoom." And the wides could be appropriate for the tour groups. What would you do?

[rover]

I think you may have answered your own question there. Park a wide on your RF and have it handy for quick grabs when you need that perspective, and let your SLR be the workhorse. Especially since you are comfortable with your SLR. I think you are thinking correctly, the most important thing is to do a good job for them. Do it in the way that makes you most comfortable, and so that you can have a little fun too.

[SolaresLarrave]

I agree with rover here. Take the SLR with a handy zoom (say, if you have something like a 35-70 or a 28-80), but keep your RF handy because there will be times when you want to shoot without interrupting the action.

BTW, I learned from a photojournalist that wide angles work wonders when you get really close to your subjects. I wish I could show you the pic with which he illustrated his point. In any case, be a two-camera commander for this assignment and have fun!

[Brian Sweeney]

I have been using mostly RF's these days, although I have many SLR's and love shooting with the Nikon F2. The RF's are quieter and seem less intrusive. Most of the trips are to the playground and other places with kids. The RF with a short telephoto, like an 85mm or 90mm is my favorite setup. You may try adding a portrait telephoto to your RF line-up, it sounds like it would be handy for this assignment. A Jupiter-9 85 F2 or 9cm Elmar F4 (assuming Leica) would not cost you too much.