PatrickCheung
Well-known
I'm not too sure where to post this, so I posted in the place I thought was most applicable.
I'm primarily a DSLR shooter, but about a year or so ago I was introduced to the wonder that is Film Photography! I find it so fascinating, the plethora of cameras out there that I can choose from to take my photos with! But the problem is, I can't seem to find a camera that suits me.
Film-wise, I've shot/shoot a Nikon EM, Rolleicord 3, and a barely functioning Zorki 4 (inaccurate speeds, appears to be missing 1/125, shutter doesnt lock in place unless held). Not too many, but I mostly buy my own cameras (being a near broke student, it's difficult to find money to spend on cameras).
Out of the three, my favourite is definitely the Rolleicord. Big focusing screen so I can clearly check my focus, smooth operation (well smooth enough for me), can shoot from the waist, surprisingly stealthy despite the look. The photos it makes are just lovely. However, it does get a little cumbersome at times.
I hate the Nikon EM. I hate how I have limited control over exposure (I often have to trick the meter into thinking it's exposing for faster/slower speed film), the split image focusing just doesn't seem to be my thing... and I hate how small the split patch is compared to the rest of the image. Makes composing images a bit tough since I have astigmatism in my left eye and I'm left-eye-dominant, meaning I have trouble telling if things are in sharp focus!
The Zorki, I'm rather ambivalent about. I havent gotten a good roll out of it yet, due to the shutter problems. Guessing and hoping that I have the misaligned speed selector set at the correct speed just frustrates me. But I like the size, weight, and rangefinder style focusing.
My digital camera (Nikon D7000) is perfectly fine, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I find it too... clunky, heavy, cumbersome... attention drawing... for everyday purposes. I'd much rather carry the Zorki than the D7000, and I often do. I want something small for everyday shooting, something that doesn't draw too much attention.
I've had quite a bad experience with 35mm film... and I really don't know if it's my thing. I feel as if that's mostly because of my bad experience with 35mm film cameras.
I have about $300 right now. I've had my eyes on a Leica M for a while, but it's a lot of money to spend on a camera, especially since i'm a little unsure about shooting 35mm... plus, I have more important things to spend that money on (tuition, a new laptop, food for my rabbit, etc.) I'm a little reluctant to buy online, after spending way too much for a dud Zorki 4 (excelent working condition my ass, ebay). The camera local camera store is a bit over priced ($800+ for a F3 and $300 for a FM seem a bit too much).
I've considered fixed lens rangefinders, especially the Yashica Electro 35, but I'd prefer one which gives me full control over exposure. My girlfriend's Ricoh 500g is quite fun to use!
I have a small collection of Nikon Lenses (35/2, 80-200/2.8, 85/1.8), and I'm somewhat willing to pay for the overpriced cameras at the local store. I think a nikon SLR would be best for me, but I really really really dislike the split image focusing... and would much rather prefer a rangefinder for it's quieter shutter, smaller body, and simple focusing. Metering isn't much of a problem for me, as I've gotten used to guessing it with my rolleicord!
So... I guess what I want to know is... where should I go from here? Save up for a M, get a LTM body (barnack, nikon, canon, etc), fixed lens RF, iunno.
I'm primarily a DSLR shooter, but about a year or so ago I was introduced to the wonder that is Film Photography! I find it so fascinating, the plethora of cameras out there that I can choose from to take my photos with! But the problem is, I can't seem to find a camera that suits me.
Film-wise, I've shot/shoot a Nikon EM, Rolleicord 3, and a barely functioning Zorki 4 (inaccurate speeds, appears to be missing 1/125, shutter doesnt lock in place unless held). Not too many, but I mostly buy my own cameras (being a near broke student, it's difficult to find money to spend on cameras).
Out of the three, my favourite is definitely the Rolleicord. Big focusing screen so I can clearly check my focus, smooth operation (well smooth enough for me), can shoot from the waist, surprisingly stealthy despite the look. The photos it makes are just lovely. However, it does get a little cumbersome at times.
I hate the Nikon EM. I hate how I have limited control over exposure (I often have to trick the meter into thinking it's exposing for faster/slower speed film), the split image focusing just doesn't seem to be my thing... and I hate how small the split patch is compared to the rest of the image. Makes composing images a bit tough since I have astigmatism in my left eye and I'm left-eye-dominant, meaning I have trouble telling if things are in sharp focus!
The Zorki, I'm rather ambivalent about. I havent gotten a good roll out of it yet, due to the shutter problems. Guessing and hoping that I have the misaligned speed selector set at the correct speed just frustrates me. But I like the size, weight, and rangefinder style focusing.
My digital camera (Nikon D7000) is perfectly fine, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I find it too... clunky, heavy, cumbersome... attention drawing... for everyday purposes. I'd much rather carry the Zorki than the D7000, and I often do. I want something small for everyday shooting, something that doesn't draw too much attention.
I've had quite a bad experience with 35mm film... and I really don't know if it's my thing. I feel as if that's mostly because of my bad experience with 35mm film cameras.
I have about $300 right now. I've had my eyes on a Leica M for a while, but it's a lot of money to spend on a camera, especially since i'm a little unsure about shooting 35mm... plus, I have more important things to spend that money on (tuition, a new laptop, food for my rabbit, etc.) I'm a little reluctant to buy online, after spending way too much for a dud Zorki 4 (excelent working condition my ass, ebay). The camera local camera store is a bit over priced ($800+ for a F3 and $300 for a FM seem a bit too much).
I've considered fixed lens rangefinders, especially the Yashica Electro 35, but I'd prefer one which gives me full control over exposure. My girlfriend's Ricoh 500g is quite fun to use!
I have a small collection of Nikon Lenses (35/2, 80-200/2.8, 85/1.8), and I'm somewhat willing to pay for the overpriced cameras at the local store. I think a nikon SLR would be best for me, but I really really really dislike the split image focusing... and would much rather prefer a rangefinder for it's quieter shutter, smaller body, and simple focusing. Metering isn't much of a problem for me, as I've gotten used to guessing it with my rolleicord!
So... I guess what I want to know is... where should I go from here? Save up for a M, get a LTM body (barnack, nikon, canon, etc), fixed lens RF, iunno.
