The Classic Street Photography Kit: Leica M2 Rangefinder + 35mm Lens

To mark our first anniversary, we are hosting our first Street Photography Contest with a first prize comprising of what we believe is the classic street photography kit – a black Leica M2 rangefinder camera paired with a Voigtlander Nokton 35mm F/1.4 lens. Here’s a little more information on our first prize kit.

LEICA M2 Rangefinder Camera

One of the best ways to describe the Leica M2 is a street photography tank with a sniper’s viewfinder. Sure, today’s world is one of digital speed and automated convenience, but nothing quite beats the experience and feeling of photographing with an all metal, all mechanical analogue camera – no electronics and automation here. We’ve shot with the M2 in China’s rainy, snowy, minus degree winter with no fear of electronics failure and worry of battery drain.

While other models in Leica M camera series like the M6 and M7 have the benefit of light meters and aperture automation, the Leica M2 is all manual with only Shutter value dials on the camera body and focus and aperture values on an attached lens. While some may consider such basic operation primitive, we advocate it as a means to further improve your understanding of exposure and your relationship with the photography craft. The M2 also has one of the best, if not the best, viewfinders of of the Leica M series. The M2’s viewfinder has virtually no flare and provides the most clean and uncluttered vision for taking photographs, especially with a 35mm lens. We liken it to a Sniper’s viewfinder.

While a rangefinder camera like the Leica M2 will never replace an SLR, digital or analogue, there is a special place in the photography world, especially ours, for this passionate craft we all love – Street Photography.

Voigtlander Nokton 35mm F/1.4 Lens

While the masters of old preferred a 50mm as their one standard lens, today’s world is bigger, wider and more fitting of a 35mm focal length prime lens in our eyes. A 35mm rangefinder lens offers the best of both worlds in a compact size – take two steps forward to frame a tighter composition (documentary or street portrait for example), take two steps back to capture a wider, enveloping street scene.

The craft of street photography prescribes mobility and nimbleness so the tools you use should allow you such. The Voigtlander Nokton 35mm F/1.4 lens sponsored by Chiif Cameras as part of our Street Photography Contest first prize is one of the smallest 35mm focal length lens available with a super fast maximum aperture of F/1.4 stop.

The IPA Street Photography Contest

The Leica M2 and Voigtlander Nokton 35mm F/1.4 lens are part of the first prize offered in our IPA Street Photography Contest. Contest submissions is now open till Wednesday, 1st June 2011. Take part to stand a chance to win this classic street photography kit.

Contest and entry details here: invisiblephotographer.asia/2011/03/30/streetphotographycontest

Approximately 2 weeks left to join!