Tokyo Streets in 35mm 🇯🇵 Shooting Fast & Slow w/ Canon EOS-1n and Leica M6

My Canon EOS-1n makes for fast shots, speedy autofocus, multiple kinds of metering, and a wealth of lens options. With my Leica M6, on the other hand, I’m taking my sweet ol’ time, thinking more about depth of field, lighting, and just waiting for the moment. Let’s discuss.

It’s happening fast and slow! — Shot with Canon EOS-1n (left) and Leica M6 (right) — photo by Jason Garcia

I own a Canon EOS-1n from the late ’90s, and I consider this my go-to film rig. It’s basically the predecessor to Canon’s digital lineup, so its features are very similar to some cameras that Canon was making early in their digital day. I rely on this camera for fast autofocus through my 28–135mm EF lens, its multiple programmable metering options, and 100% viewfinder coverage, and many other cool features that make my film-shooting experience easy and fun. If you decide to embark on shooting 35mm film, this pro-level film rig might be a great option for you.

Performance before the shift — Shot with Canon EOS-1n and 24–135mm lens. Photo by Jason Garcia

As you can see here, I’m capturing of-the-moment shots with a fast-moving subject. This fellow was stretching before his shift on the bus. I was on the overpass pretty high above him, and without a moment to lose, I captured some compelling shots.

Late ’90s Canon EOS-1n and a late ’80s Leica M6

I’m very happy with the photos I’m taking with the Canon. I’m not usually one to wait for long periods of time in a single spot, so “waiting for the action shot” isn’t part of my photowalk timeline. Imagine standing around with the camera to my face, waiting for this security guard to look at the stuffed animals. Not gonna happen.

When it comes to “shooting slow” with the Leica M6, I had only just purchased the camera and film an hour before this walk along the dark streets of Kyoto when I was already thinking about slowing down. There isn’t the fast autofocus, so I have to concentrate more, especially with a big aperture setting. The metering is center-weighted, so I’m adjusting exposure in an area and reframing the image, and there are a number of things that make the experience of using this camera different. I take my time. For the night shots below, I pushed the ISO to 1600, and these are some of many favorites on the first roll I shot on Ilford XP2 Super. There’s something much more deliberate about them.

Kyoto umbrellas — photo by Jason Garcia

Kyoto at night — photos by Jason Garcia

And moving on to my daily life, I take more time with the Leica M6. I think about composition, lighting, contrasts, and depth of field much differently. For a while, I was shooting a lot with a 28mm lens. Now I’m using a vintage 50mm thread mount lens almost exclusively. The framelines are almost spot on, but they aren’t exact. I have to think a little bit more about how my focal point is going to fit within and around those frameline areas.

For these shots below, I’ve left the film sprocket holes so you can see how I framed the shots. Everything was done in camera, and I haven’t cropped them (which I often do with my digital images). The lens I’ve used here is a vintage Canon 50mm f1.8 Leica thread mount, and I have attached an Urth adapter to fit the Leica M6. Works perfectly.

I take more time with the Leica M6. I think about composition, lighting, contrasts, and depth of field much differently.

Akasaka, Tokyo on 35mm film — Leica M6 — photos by Jason Garcia

So there it is. When I’m on the street, I’m shooting differently depending on what camera I have with me. At this point, I’m actually going on photowalks with intention instead of just going out with my Panasonic digital rig to capture all things. With the Canon, I’ll head to areas I know will have a ton of people and that are super busy, like Shibuya or Shinjuku. There are many people everywhere and it’s very busy in Tokyo proper, but my latest walk around Akasaka and Tokyo Midtown with the M6, I had a completely different vibe and mindset. I am seeking out areas and subjects that allow me to capture those static or slower-moving settings. Do I want to use the M6 for fast street photography? Nah. I’m fine takin’ my time.

Check out my video that features a number of images shot with both cameras.

I’m Jason Garcia, a photographer in Tokyo, shooting with various 35mm and Panasonic M4/3 cameras. I shy away from the usual camera bags, enjoy the occasional publish to print magazines, and I’m always on a quest to find what’s just around the corner.

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