Vintage 50 mm Lens Street Photography: Ikebukuro
Shooting A Vintage 50mm Nikkor f 1.4
Recently, I have begun shooting video on the Nikon Z9 with a vintage Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lens. This manual focus lens lacks the conventional coatings and specialized glass used to reduce ghosting, flare, and chromatic aberrations, resulting in a natural look. This look translated so well to the N-RAW video that I decided to spend the day shooting stills with it.
I could not have been happier with the results; the same natural look from the video translated perfectly to the still images. Shooting street photography with a manual lens felt genuine. It is something I didn't even know was lacking in my street photography. Many years ago, I began with manual lenses, gradually switching to autofocus with each new lens purchase. The autofocus was very useful in professional situations, to the extent that I completely abandoned manual focus in my art.
I don't think the art suffered in any way because of it; it is just a tactile sensation that I forgot I love. After grading, selecting the images and colour grading them, plans were made to shoot the next day with the Nikon Ai Nikkor 50mm F1.4. The results were the same, a great look that was satisfying to capture in a way I hadn't felt for a long time.
The pairing of a flagship camera like the Z9 with a small manual lens, not much bigger than the adapter required to mount it, is rather odd-looking. The results are entirely worth it. The only downside is that a small dust spot is visible from f8. An easy fix for a photo, but a little more complicated in video.
Street Photography in Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is the less touristy version of Shinjuku. A huge station with two distinct commercial areas, one on the East side and the other on the west side of the station. Both the East and West areas have a range of high-end department stores to low-level Izakaya (bar). Offices and residential areas are near the station, resulting in a diverse mix of people.
Ikebukuro has a rich history in street photography. Many of the greats plied their trade here, including Seiji Kurata and Daido Moriyama. There is something about this place that sets it apart from the other large areas in Tokyo. Ikebukuro is a unique blend of history, gentrification, tourists, and locals all coexisting in harmony. It is easy to see why so many street photographers have Ikebukuro high on their list of places to shoot while in Tokyo.
Adding more manual lenses to my kit
After having success in Ikebukuro, Oji, Ueno and Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, I decided to add some manual focus lenses to my kit. I love to shoot with 50mm, 35mm, and something in the 85-135mm range. After conducting some research, I found a 35mm and a 105mm lens with character. Below is a list of some lenses I am now on the hunt for.
At 35mm, I have two choices: the Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2 Distagon, which is proving difficult to find, and the AI Nikkor 35mm f/2. The Zeiss would be my first choice, but it is much more difficult to find. The Nikon is also a great lens, and it's much less expensive and easier to find a quality copy of.
I already have a nice 50 mm lens and will use it for the time being. There seems to be a plethora of solid copies available in the Tokyo used camera market. At some point, I will upgrade to one of the many great options, as each era seems to have a standout 50 mm lens.
The medium telephoto is a different question. Currently, I am leaning toward the Nikon 105mm f/2.5 AI-s, as it has a legendary status. I also love 135mm, as well as 85mm, which have several great lenses made throughout the years.
Several manufacturers are offering excellent lenses in these focal lengths, and I will make sure to keep researching as I proceed with this manual focus approach to street photography. I will make a purchase as soon as possible to fulfill this new desire. With so many great used camera shops in Tokyo, it shouldn't take long to find what I am looking for.
As always, I would love to hear your story in the comments below. If you feel so inclined, share a coffee with me. I am a flat white kind of guy. Happy shooting, everyone.
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