My name’s Gajan, and I’m an award-winning photographer based in Toronto, Canada. My mission in life is to travel the world and make dope shit. While I’ve been able to make a living shooting portraits and fashion, street photography is, and will always be my true love. Street photography is becoming even more popular at home or abroad, and getting started has never been easier. I often get asked about the essential tools I use to capture my work, so I’ve compiled a curated guide with some of my favorites.
10 Must-Have Cameras & Accessories for Street Photographers
Capture the streets effortlessly with top items curated by professional photographer, Gajan Balan.
1. Moment Fanny Sling
The first thing on my list that still turns photographers' heads when I carry it is the Moment Fanny. Not something I thought I would get, but once I pulled the trigger, I couldn’t see myself going back. There’s plenty of room for a small camera, sanitizer, cleaning cloth, film rolls, business cards, playing cards, blank cards, and even your Pokemon cards. They’re built to last and will keep you low-key prepared in the streets.
2. Fujifilm X100VI
It's called Fujifilm X100VI. And in case you're wondering, that's pronounced "X one-hundred six" because Roman numerals are still a thing. It's the successor to the original X100V and introduces several upgrades designed to iterate on an already great camera. What makes this camera so enjoyable is how effortless it feels in the hand. At well under 600g, it's light and feels like more of an extension of your hand. You don't have to fight it to take a photo. You have direct access to the key photography settings, and as I've said in the past, a layout like this makes for an easier path to learning photography.
3. Fujifilm AR-X100 & Moment 49mm CineBoom 10%
The following items are a duo, and that is the Filter Adapter for the X100V and the 49mm Cinebloom 10% filter. This small addition to the X100V gives it complete weather sealing and, more creatively, some sound diffusion to your images. Digital cameras have a way of capturing over-realistic sharpness at times, and this CineBloom by Moment does a great job of removing the bite that some images may have. What’s also great is that light sources will have a lovely bloom and feel more ethereal in select environments. These two pieces make for a killer combo and level up a fantastic camera.
4. WCL X100 II & TCL X100 II
Regarding adapters, the WCL X100 II & TCL X100 II are two pieces of glass that can supercharge your X100V kit by allowing you to shoot wider and tighter. The camera has an equivalent focal length of 35mm; the WCL will stretch that to a 28mm equivalent, while the TCL will narrow it to a 50mm equivalent. This means you can have the three most popular focal lengths in street photography in a small package to fit your fanny back. Do you see how this all comes together? And if you’re wondering, which would you get if you could only get ONE? I recommend the WCL because it's often harder to get more expansive in the field than tighter.
5. Sekonic L-308X U
If you’re a photographer, buy a !@#$-ing light meter. Enough of this BS that you let your camera meter the light, or you can gauge it with your eye. None of that is as good as a dedicated light meter, and the Sekonic L-478D is the one I use and recommend, but the L-308X-U is plenty enough for most people. Now you’re wondering, when would I use this in the streets? Lock settings at the hour before you put in work. Or when you have time for a portrait and want the perfect light ratio. OR when you look to capture something on film and can’t afford to screw up. A light meter allows you to measure light and work faster and accurately. I go on at length about how to use a light meter in my studio photography course, so I’ll leave it at this: a light meter is something you buy once and use for a lifetime. It will make you a better photographer if you are willing to take the leap and use it.
6. Fujifilm X-S20
Okay, that last pick may have been a little assertive, so here’s a little more fun, the Fujifilm X-S20. For those who want more flexibility from their camera and need something that can perform excellent video work, the X-S20 has to be on your shortlist. Packing the latest Fujifilm sensor, image stabilization, and great video features, this camera delivers a ton of value that can cover many items for a budding creator. If you want to learn more about this camera, check out the honest review on my YouTube channel.
7. Fujifilm XF 23mm F2.0 WR
The first lens I got when I switched to Fujifilm was the XF 23mm F2.0 WR. This is also the lens I recommend most to new shooters. While zooms make the onboarding experience easy, a prime will train you to be a better photographer, and this 35mm equivalent focal length is very welcoming to new shooters. This lens packs plenty of value, has excellent autofocus, and is weather-sealing to keep you shooting in any situation. It’s the first lens I ever got for Fujifilm and one I may never get rid of.
8. ONA Sevilla Strap OR Peak Design x FujiFilm Cuff Wrist Strap
Whether it’s the ONA Sevilla Strap OR Peak Design x Fujifilm Cuff Wrist Strap, a good strap (how many times can I stay strapped in a sentence?) makes all the difference in the field. I love the Sevilla because it’s thin, durable, and easy to manipulate. The Cuff is also fantastic if you want something more discreet and has some custom branding to complete the look. I can’t tell you which one is right for you, but I will say that both are fantastic products.
9. Rode Wireless GO II
More and more photographers are creating content beyond images. Maybe it's for a quick video on social media or a full-on YouTube video, and regardless of where you might be on that spectrum, good audio makes all the difference!@#$-ing. The Rode Wireless GO II is a kit that I didn’t open for a few months, but when I started using it, well… there was no going back. They’re easy to set up, provide good audio, and even have integrated recording if your camera screws up. It’s the Rode Wireless GO II and is my default audio solution for most of the content I produce.
10. FujiFilm Instax Wide Printer
Last on my list is the new Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Smartphone Printer. This might seem like a gimmick for some creators, but I’ve gotten so much value out of Instax — and even some clients — over the years that I must include this on any list. Look, there’s no sugar-coating it… print your !@#$-ing photos people. Don’t let them die on a hard drive. This new Instax provides an easy way to share your work, leave it as a souvenir, or even flex it as a business card. I love my Instax solutions, and I think the creative in you will, too.
Gajan Balan shooting.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to hit me up on Twitter or Instagram (@GajanBalan) and we’ll continue the conversation there.