Ricoh GRII on the street - aiming/framing issues

[agentlossing]

I've used my Lumix GX85 for virtually all of the street photography I've done, usually with lenses in the 35mm-50mm range (equivalent). I've gotten pretty comfortable with that setup, and my usual style is to keep my elbow bent and the camera resting at about chest level, with my thumb on the shutter and the lens aimed at about 11 o'clock. I use the tilt screen for when I need to glance down at it, but I usually shoot without looking.

I've tried several times now with the GR in a somewhat similar fashion, but I haven't had much success. I'm familiar with the 28mm FoV, and I quite like it, but I actually have more difficulty getting people into the frame when shooting from the hip (or chest) with the GR than with slightly tighter FoVs on the GX85. That seems weird to me, and I've decided it must come down to the small size of the GR body. It may just be harder to aim than the GX85 with half-case that fits well into my hand. Kind of like aiming a large handgun is easier than a tiny pocket pistol, the smaller mass is just harder to point.

I'm considering a half case to add a bit to the grip, or I may have to fundamentally change my shooting style on the street and use my optical viewfinder instead. Just a bit worried I won't be able to rely on AF when I can't see exactly where the focus point is aimed.

 

[rayvonn]

In your scenario, I don't use the camera for anything regarding VF (well obviously, it hasn't got one). My own eyes are effectively the VF and the camera, held at stomach/ chest level is used just to snap shoot whatever I see at a moments notice. The 28mm FL means there's every chance that what I've shot may have been captured. This means having your in camera settings ready to go. Even then there's no guarantee that the shot's going to be pristine but it does deliver a sense of spontaneity to the image. Here's an example of what I mean from a shot taken in the last 2 weeks:

Untitled by Otim, on Flickr

It's certainly different to when I had, say an E-P5 and Lumix 14mm lens but developing the habit over a period of time gets you there.

 

[agentlossing]

Sounds like your technique is fairly close to mine, I'm not sure why I'm having so much trouble getting what I want into the frame. I guess I just need a lot more practice (unfortunately I live in a very small town without much street life, so I have limited chances to shoot street).

 

[rayvonn]

Sounds like your technique is fairly close to mine, I'm not sure why I'm having so much trouble getting what I want into the frame. I guess I just need a lot more practice (unfortunately I live in a very small town without much street life, so I have limited chances to shoot street).

Just 1 day out in any city, you’ll be right.