At 23:29 12/25/01, Acer wrote:
i meant i'd like the rf for other social occasions, since it's a very nice
set up, but i am using the slr for the auto show.
Acer,
I've wrestled with three issues in using two rangefinders. Their severity
depends on specific camera design, but all are inherent to an RF:
(1) Parallax between the viewfinder and the taking lens when working at
close distances (under 10 feet) makes what you see in the viewfinder
different from what the taking lens will create on film. It requires some
experience to know how much to shift the viewfinder based on the subject
distance. Some viewfinders are more helpful than others, but unless it's
coupled to the lens focusing and automagically compensates for parallax
this is an art best learned by shooting film. Even if it does compensate
viewfinder aiming, it's still not perfect. The perspective angle will
alwyas be slightly different (see #2).
(2) Perspective control is more difficult. It's not just the parallax,
it's also how the viewfinder presents its perspective of the subject versus
how the taking lens will create it on film. Depending on the RF this can
easily be different. The user must translate the viewfinder image and
visualize what it will look on film through the "taking lens."
(3) Metering is typically similar to a hand-held reflected meter with a
fairly wide angle of acceptance (not TTL) and can be "fooled" easier,
although it's likely coupled to the aperture and shutter speed. Its
reading should be viewed as a "starting point" for setting exposure and
modified to compensate for special or unusual lighting.
As you use the RF in the "social occasions" take some risks on non-critical
shots. This will help you get a feel for its metering and develop skill at
visualizing what the taking lens will create based on what you see in the
viewfinder and its distance from you. Remember that the SLR is a
relatively "new" technology. Photographers were using RF's and TLR's for
decades before the SLR.
The RF does have some strengths. Its viewfinder doesn't "black out" when
the shutter is fired an there's no delay in shutter travel waiting for
mirror movement and lens stopdown. I found it easier to "pan" with fast
moving subjects and to capture a "decisive moment." Most have a quieter
shutter than an SLR making them less obtrusive.
Winsor may have some additional tips based on his Leica experiences.
-- John
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