Are automatic (film) cameras better for professional quality shoots?

[Forest_rain]

I was thinking about using my Minolta x-370 for an upcoming project. It's not professional, but I want it to be good quality. I want to experiment with colored flash gels, and different lens filters for portraits.

However it seems like it would be difficult and "slower" doing this on a manual x-370. I've got a Minolta 600si, and it struck me that the flash functions better than vintage flashes, cycle time is better, you can take "more" pictures, focus and exposure will be more accurate. I can also use the flash off camera with a cable or wireless sync. I can also experiment with High Speed Sync at high shutter speeds.

I don't have to take the time to focus, fiddle with exposure, making the subject possibly nervous or losing the moment.

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy using my manual X-370 more. It's just more fun to use. I learn much more about photography from using it. It's more enjoyable "doing it by hand" rather than having the camera compute everything.

But is there a situation where you would get better "results" from a manual camera? I know sharpness isn't everything - older lenses are probably less sharp than newer ones with newer coatings. Sometimes I feel like manual focus lenses have more "character" because of the less perfect image or less consistency.

However when it comes to the finished product, perhaps the newer autofocus film slrs are better, even though they aren't very popular, and don't seem to sell much compared to vintage cameras. And they still achieve the film "look" that is desirable in many circumstances.

 

[Ste_S]

If you're doing it for your own pleasure, use the camera that you enjoy using and that gives results that you like.

If you're doing it professionally, use the camera that's the best tool and gives results that the client likes.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Lighting. If shooting a product or on-location shoot, say an ad, the lighting is critical. With product photography, there is more time to set up but if doing smething like a wedding, knowing the lighting will make or break the shoot. Nothing can save a shot from bad lighting. Know the venue, have a handheld meter and take readings that you can remember, according to the schedule of events. The lens and body don't matter at all if you don't know how to light a scene. If you desire candid shots, you need to be able to pose your subjects here and there as well as learn some quick lighting cheats. If you are using flash, you need to know the guide number of the flash, guide number math, distance estimation, surface reflection albedo (ceiling, walls, their color and reflectivity), and you also can't rely on your camera to be shooting the proper setting if you are using the flash in a mode different than what the camera knows. If you fiind yourself using a lot of flash for paid work, get a better flash and an auxilliary battery pack foor it to help it recycle faster. Maybe find a photo class specifically dealing with lighting techniques.
As for focus, if you know your camera well and feel comfortable using a manual focus lens, go for it. If not, use an autofocus. Many folks prefer one or the other for whatever situation and I feel the same. I've shot action with long-throw manual lenses, but I also knew my gear, where to position myself, where to pre-focus, etc. I've also shot completely still product using autofocus and everything in-between those scenarios. It all comes down to your comfort, not mine nor anyone else's on this or any forum. No one can tell you what to do in a particular shoot because they don't have your lived experience, they aren't there, and they have their own experience as a photographer. Everyone will come to each from in their own way. So go out, shoot with the gear you feel most at home with but also take a backup. Always take a backup camera that has more ability than a cell phone.
Phil Forrest

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Professional do not experiment on the shot. Professional uses known modes.
Auto or manual is irrelevant as long as you understand. If light is changing fast auto is good. If light is tricky manual helps. Flash, gel and filters you need to learn how it works with your equipment. You.