{PHOTOGRAPHY} FOR THE LOVE OF STREET

RETRO1920

Aug 21, 2022

S12.2022

In 2019, I purchased a Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 (Canon EF) to accompany my Panasonic GH4. The lens is compatible using a Viltrox adapter (0.71x). One of my first trips with my upgraded equipment was to St. Augustine. The sole purpose of upgrading lenses was to get more of a cinematic look when filming for a documentary titled Thirdy. Although I was wrapping up filming, I felt a cinematic look for the last 10-15% of the documentary would be suitable.

There's a 1% chance I take any camera equipment on vacation. However, I was curious. This trip, with my wife, was for our one year anniversary. We had been eager to visit St. Augustine, and I decided to take my lens and camera.

Today, I woke up early had a good cup of joe, read a local magazine, and shot some street photography with my new Panasonic S5. What brought me "outside" was the fact many blogs discussed photography specs with the Panasonic S5 were more limited when switching to ASPC mode.

The 24 megapixel capabilities downgrade to 10 megapixels in ASPC mode. Hearing this news, I was not pleased. I always dreamed of getting to 20 mp or higher when I had my 16 mp GH4. Though this is not an issue in video mode, I felt it was necessary to invest in native lenses moving forward.

My trouble shooting mind was fixed on getting a native lens that would suit my photography needs on the Panasonic S5. I already have the 20-60mm kit, and B&H threw in an 85mm 1.7 on the house. To complete my native set, I decided to purchase a Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8. Huge lenses are not my thing, so it was easy to decide between the Sigma 24-70mm and the 28-70mm due to the heaviness of the 24-70mm.

This weekend, while waiting for the Sigma 28-70mm to be delivered, I decided to take photos with native lenses I already had.

Panasonic S5 20-60mm kit, 85mm.

After shooting with my s5 I looked back at these old photos I took while visiting St. Augustine to see what photos looked like at lower megapixels.

Still, I was impressed at the look and feel of the pictures from my GH4. Based on calculations some of the photos I exported were as low as 4 megapixels, due to cropping or certain aspect ratios like 16 x 9.

Panasonic GH4, Sigma Art Lens 18-35mm Canon Ef. w/ Viltrox Adapter.

When looking at the info specs, I noticed how much my aperture, iso, and shutter speed constantly changed. I did not stick with one setting. Run n gun style photography reminds you to be versatile with your settings and not stick to a certain aperture for the sake of bokeh.

Still, I was impressed at the look and feel of the pictures from my GH4. Based on calculations some of the photos I exported were as low as 4 megapixels, due to certain cropping or certain aspect ratios like 16 x 9.

Street photography does not get enough credit for helping photographers become more accountable for rapid setting changes in real world scenarios. Some of the photos I chose here do a good job of juxtaposing or complementing lines and shapes. There's a certain symmetry, balance, or slight rule of thirds that brings the composition together as a whole.

Street photography also makes us better filmmakers. As I'm learning my new gear, I am becoming more intrigued with using my lenses in intimate, outdoor spaces.

I wanted to sell my B camera, but there's a vintage look coming from it. I'm afraid I will envy this look in the future. If I had to choose a back up B camera it would be the gh5, but with the features in the s5, it’s completely unnecessary to upgrade my b camera by $800 simply for IBIS, when the b cam would be on a tripod anyways.

Here are some shots from the GH4 shot with the sigma 18-35 f1.8, back in 2019. Click on one photo to be in expand mode and from there you can scroll through all of the pics.