| Camera description |
This is very outdated article written in 2003-2004 I decided to update it, please watch soon for new version
I had use different kind of cameras, but somehow I always find myself more comfortable with all manual ones. The only exception I use from time to time is Aperture priority. Just recently I again find myself in mood for changing camera. I decide to try two auto focus cameras I consider interesting for my way of working and for my budget. Canon eos 30 (elan 7) and Nikon F80 (N80). Again I decided that those cameras do not bring me any extra feature I would need. Only spot metering of Nikon is maybe interesting. But let us come back. What I use in camera? This is not true anymore. I had a special experience while trying out borrowed Nikon D70. Handling of that camera was so natural to me that I can't resist and I have bought Nikon F80 (N80). This camera I am using now most of the time. I use AF/AE button on rear side of the camera for focusing and shutter button for exposure lock. This way I have total control and still more precise and faster focus as when I do manually. I still have and use Olympus OM-2n when feel like. Good bright viewfinder on camera is very important for me. I like to see well and be able to focus right. For few years I used rangefinder. It was Voigtlander Bessa R and R2. This camera has very bright viewfinder and as any rangefinder one can see bigger area than will be capture on film. This give advantage of additional information of surroundings and actions, which could be useful for recomposing or delaying exposure. Good feeling of the lens in sense of focusing and changing aperture is also very important. Modern auto focus camera have very bad manual focusing ring. Feel too much plastic and fragile. I use Zuiko lenses on my Olympus OM-2n, which have excellent smooth operation of focusing and aperture modification. Next advantage of Olympus OM system is that also shutter time can be set by ring placed around lens mount. This gave possibility to manage all three parameter with one (left) hand and keep camera old the time at eye, if necessary. Exposure compensation is important to have, but can be done also by manual setting of film sensitivity. About shutter button and winder I am not really picky. I like those on my OM-2n. |
| Exposure consideration |
When I working with full manual camera I measure exposure in advance
on dark subject and closing by two stops. This way I am placing dark
part in which I like to still have information in zone three, based on
zone system. In this approach would be very useful to have spot meter
in camera so one is really sure that is measuring the dark place
only. This is the reason I am considering OM-2s camera, which has not
really spot meter, but exposure is measure from strictly limited place
of central circle in viewfinder.
Recently I try to experiment with measuring palm of my hand and opening one stop. But I need to do more shooting like this to be sure that that is better way. So once I measure light I set it up on camera and until light didn't change dramatically I do not change setting on the camera. On OM-2n I am using Aperture priority and by setting of aperture ring to f8 or f4 tie is calculating automatically. I use than exposure compensation in situation when it is needed. Shots in dark (close by one stop) or with very bright scene, like snow, sand (open by one stop). |
| Refocusing | In situations where I do not know exactly what I will take shot of I pre focus my camera on four meters and with aperture set to f8 I have depth of sharpness from 2.8 until 6 meters. When I have exposure set and pre focus like this than there is nothing else I could be bothered about only compose picture and expose. In situations when I like to shoot from very close from half meter until two meters I pre focus on one meter and than having my left hand on focus ring I am exposing picture and focusing as necessary. |
| Pre visualizing |
When I am going to take pictures I usually already know what kind of
picture I am going to do and how they are going to look. I know where
I am going I know place and mostly also people. This preparation is
done before I even left my house. I so called pre visualize what I
like to have on pictures. What I like to tell by pictures. I do not
see exact composition but almost. Possibly I have in mind series of
shots or situations I like to have there. I do not see really light,
but sometimes I have idea that I like to have certain light and than I
come on place early morning or when there is expectation of the light
I like to have. This way I am more prepared and even it not always
goes as I wished I am ready for change and I know which direction I
have to go to get my pre visualized shots.
There was a time when I was just walking around and looking for pictures. This is very tiring and most of the time very disappointing approach. ON the other hand walking around and taking few pictures can be a way of exploring new places where I will come back with plan and ideas based on these few shots. |
| Approaching subject |
Mostly I take pictures of people. Normally I first observe place and
possibly just wondering around to see all possibilities of the
scene. Than I do few shots of surroundings so people get use to it
that I take pictures of something else not them. In that moment they
usually notice me. I try to talk and ask about subject which I shoot
just few seconds ago. Trying to make some contact with them. And than
slowly I take few shots of them, I talk more with them and in mean
while taking pictures.
Sometimes I just starting taking pictures right the way and either I am not noticed at all or if I am, than I start talking and asking question. Showing my interest about them or place and listening what they talking and in mean tame exposing next photographs. |
