Why is mirror blackout a problem?

CK Dexter Haven said:
Brighter viewfinder? I just compared my Zeiss Ikon to my FE2. If the Ikon is brighter, it's insignificantly so. It actually feels like the FE2 is brighter (50/1.8 lens). The shutter speed thing, though - i really need to test that. I think i'm shaky with either....
Click to expand...

Actually, I think my OM-3 with the 2-13 focusing screen *is* just as bright than the M4-P, but that mirror-like RF patch is so cool to use. 🙂
 
In response to Keith's original post, To me, the "problem" of mirror backout is overblown and frankly of no consequence. I've been shooting with SLRs since 1977, and have never lost a photo because the subject was unbeknonwst to me, snatched away by aliens during the exposure blackout. And the number of shots where a person blinked, and it was so perfectly co-incidental with the blackout that I had no inkling it happened until I got the film back? Count 'em on less than two hands worth of fingers.
Certainly nothing to lose sleep over.
 
Last edited:
rbsinto said:
In response to Keith's original post, To me, the "problem" of mirror backout is overblown and frankly of no consequence. I've been shooting with SLRs since 1977, and have never lost a photo because the subject was unbeknonwst to me, snatched away by aliens during the exposure blackout.
Click to expand...

Trump.

1966.

And it has happened to me.

Not often, as you say.

But often enough that I'd rather use an RF (or LF and watch the subject directly) than use an SLR.

Tashi delek,

R.
 
There's one (sort of back-handed) advantage to SLRs -- if you SEE the decisive moment, then you can be sure you missed it.
 
Roger Hicks said:
Trump.

1966.

And it has happened to me.

Not often, as you say.

But often enough that I'd rather use an RF (or LF and watch the subject directly) than use an SLR.
Click to expand...

It happens once every eight years.

If I'm capturing the moment, then that's part of the moment.

If I really don't want that blink, I want everything perfect, then I'm taking multiple shots (and probably using digital for the advantage of instant review) anyway. I agree with you a lot Roger, but I think this one is just superstition. Which is fine, I have my superstitions to. But there it is.
 
I have a Nikon F100 and a Bessa R3A, and each has its advantages and its disadvantages. Mirror blackout isn't really a factor in deciding which one I pick up on a given occasion.

Typically, I like the R3A for its smaller size and because it's more quiet and better in low light.

I might use the F100 if I need to use longer lenses or where a zoom might be handy.

Like everyone always says - horses for courses.
 
I have an idea that the continuous connection between eye and subject afforded by rangefinders may improve camera steadiness for hand-held exposures longer, than, say, 1/60 or so. I haven't proved it, but it seems to me that when shooting at, say, 1/15 or so, having one's vision blocked out might worsen the ability to hold the camera as steady as possible. Just an eye/brain/nervous system thing.

Any ideas about that?
 
Rob-F said:
I have an idea that the continuous connection between eye and subject afforded by rangefinders may improve camera steadiness for hand-held exposures longer, than, say, 1/60 or so. I haven't proved it, but it seems to me that when shooting at, say, 1/15 or so, having one's vision blocked out might worsen the ability to hold the camera as steady as possible. Just an eye/brain/nervous system thing.

Any ideas about that?
Click to expand...

Dear Rob,

See posts 13, 25, 31, 36 and 40.

Tashi delek,

R.
 
climbing_vine said:
It happens once every eight years.

If I'm capturing the moment, then that's part of the moment.

If I really don't want that blink, I want everything perfect, then I'm taking multiple shots (and probably using digital for the advantage of instant review) anyway. I agree with you a lot Roger, but I think this one is just superstition. Which is fine, I have my superstitions to. But there it is.
Click to expand...

On further thought, you may be right. I get blinks with the Leicas too -- but normally only when the person is a small part of the picture, not when they are frame-filling.

I was thinking more of formal or informal portraiture, but even then, it may not be important. A few years ago I was shooting a few portraits of eminent Tibetans for the Government in Exile (90/2 Summicron on M4-P, as far as I recall -- it was what I had with me in Dharamsala when they asked me to do it) and again as far as I recall I did the same as I do with LF or a Hasselblad: look directly at the subject, with the camera on a tripod.

The thing is, I've used Leicas for so long (it may be 40 years next year -- I forget) that I probably exaggerate the importance of mirror black-out in my own perception. If you're not used to it (and I'm not any more) then it's really rather nasty.

And (of course) we remember what we're told when we're starting out. My gaffer when I first worked professionally in the 1970s was a Leica addict and always told me horror stories about blinking (but he also taught me to watch the subject, not the viewfinder).

Tashi delek,

Roger
 
When using SLR in careless Av mode - not checking speed in VF, mirror blackout sometimes makes impression that shutter has gone bad.

When setting exposure manually, blackout is expected thing and thus - can live with it.
 
I was thinking about this thread while
shooting the other day. I shoot with a
Rolleiflex and I was trying to think of
why I find it so different from using a
Hasselblad. I finally realized that the
mirror blackout does make a big difference
to me. I am shooting people, and looking
for vagaries of expression to capture.
The Rolleiflex gives me continuity -- I
see my subject changing from moment to
moment, and I am able to anticipate her
because I never lose sight of her. The
Hasselblad goes dark until you wind on
to the next frame.

Often, I will shoot a roll through the
Rolleiflex in less than a minute, hitting
the shutter as my subject changes from
moment to moment. I don't think I
would be able to capture the same sort
of spontaneity with an SLR.

Sanders
 
Short answer: lack of mirror blackout is an advantage of rangefinders over slr's. You can argue over how much or how little. I prefer the shorter blackout on my F6 over my fm3a, but my mp over both of these.
I'd also like to add that it's easier to pan with a rf.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom