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daveywaugh

daveywaugh

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Apr 14, 2008
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I kind of ditched the idea of using rangefinders after some unsuccessful times over the years with an R3A, CL and Contax G. Never seemed to click. Then I fondled an R3A again from a friend recently and just loved it...

I am not into street photography (no good at it and don't have the guts) but still like taking photos of people. I can't believe how much of a difference it makes using a camera that's just a little 'unfamiliar' - people respond so differently when I use something like a rangefinder or my 500cm compared to an SLR. It's amazing - I guess people are so jaded by SLR's (no matter film or digital) and really enjoy someone with a little RF or even an SX70 or something. I am just kind of surprised at how much difference it makes.

I have also recently stumbled upon someone's work here in Australia, almost exclusively using the R3A and 40mm Nokton and I am really, really impressed. Not that a camera makes you a good photographer but it still inspires me to own a Bessa again! http://www.flickr.com/photos/becomingmichaeldbrown/
 
that's also something I've discovered when I took the familial rolleiflex for the first time. Such a different feeling with the subject of your photos...
Now I'll see if it does the same witha rangefinder. I am painfully waiting for the LTM to M mount adapter to arrive so i can finally match my jupiter 8 and bessa R2.
 
Bessas are useful, true. Not sure why I don't love to shoot them. But an old Leica or even an old Fed 2, there seems to me more soul there. Like the difference between easting carry out food vs. home cooked. To each his own.
 
januaryman said:
Bessas are useful, true. Not sure why I don't love to shoot them. But an old Leica or even an old Fed 2, there seems to me more soul there. Like the difference between easting carry out food vs. home cooked. To each his own.
Click to expand...

I agree. The early ones feel too much like SLRs with a rangefinder or VF tacked on.

However, I was impressed by the R4a/m. It felt better than the earlier VC RFs and I could see myself using one if I cared about film more.
 
daveywaugh said:
I can't believe how much of a difference it makes using a camera that's just a little 'unfamiliar' - people respond so differently when I use something like a rangefinder or my 500cm compared to an SLR. It's amazing - I guess people are so jaded by SLR's (no matter film or digital) and really enjoy someone with a little RF or even an SX70 or something. I am just kind of surprised at how much difference it makes.
Click to expand...

Absolutelly!!! Actually that's one huge plus for me. People are always curious and I use that to strike up conversations which always result in a few shots of willing subjects.
Last weekend, on separate occasions, I had a few very qute girls commenting behind my back what a beautiful camera I had (M6). Damn, where were they when I was single! Other times people just stare at my cameras which gives me an opportunity to go up and tell them "here, have a look, oh, and let me show you how that works - stand here, look that way, click! Thank you very much. You can give me your email address if you want this photo". Subject extatic - "OH LAWD!! I'm gonna have me an analogue photo! Oh thank you so much!" "No, thank you". :)
 
Whenever a woman comments on my Leica on the street, she's always with a guy. I'm single and my camera hasn't gotten me jack except "nice Leica."

I heard Bessas are what the ladies like these days... ;)
 
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