"built in" framelines for 21mm lenses on R-D1

[Phil_F_NM]

I don't know if anyone has seen this, and I've not read about this little bit of "cheating" here in the forums, but I've found a reasonably accurate way to frame and compose with a 21mm lens using the standard R-D1 finder.
With the frameline selector set to 50mm, a photographer can compose the scene accurately using the edges and the corners of the framelines. They equate to just about exactly the "thirds" lines both horizontally and vertically. The best part is the parallax compensation for close up. I don't have them up yet for viewing, but today I took a few nice environmental portraits using the corners of the 50mm framelines as my "thirds" composition lines. The framing and composition just worked out perfectly after that.
This makes it much easier for glasses wearers (like me) also.
Happy shooting!
Phil Forrest

 

[ferider]

Hi Phil,

I use this technique with 28mm and 90mm framelines on film and standard .72 finders. Works very well, once you get used to it. Cheers,

Roland.

 

[sleepyhead]

Interesting tip - I recently got a 21mm SA but have only used it with my film cameras - will try this tip on the R-D1 soon - THANKS

 

[catastro]

hi,

this is my first message here. Nice to meet you all.

I use also a similar technique and actually I am extremely happy with it.

here is an example that I shot with Super Angulon 21mm f/4 on my Epson r-d1s.

 

[swatch]

RE : How?

RE : How?

Hi Phil,

I use this technique with 28mm and 90mm framelines on film and standard .72 finders. Works very well, once you get used to it. Cheers,

Roland.

Hi Roland, could you explain it as I cannot imagine how to do it? Thanks.

 

[ferider]

Hi Swatch,

the 90mm framelines cut the 28mm FOV almost exactly in thirds. So on the M2, I use the full viewfinder and the corners of the 90mm framelines for 1/3rd composition. That they are a bit tighter fits the golden ratio even better. No parallax problems, since the 90mm framelines move.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[Joe Leung]

Hi Swatch,

the 90mm framelines cut the 28mm FOV almost exactly in thirds. So on the M2, I use the full viewfinder and the corners of the 90mm framelines for 1/3rd composition. That they are a bit tighter fits the golden ratio even better. No parallax problems, since the 90mm framelines move.

Cheers,

Roland.

How about in reverse? That is, I want to use the 90mm on R-D1, what frame lines should I use to make use of the 'golden mean' of 1/3rd rule? TIA. Joe

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Rich Cutler has a little guide to estimation for the 90mm (see the sticky at the top of the R-D1 forum)
Basically, use the 50mm framelines, mentally draw diagonal lines from corner to corner. There is a gap in the top & bottom framelines between the corners and the middle of the frameline. Estimating the midway point of this gap & drawing another imaginary line gives a pretty good indicator of the 90mm field of view. Sorry if my explanation is a bit obscured, Rich makes it much more clear on his site.

 

[Joe Leung]

Imaginary 90mm frame lines

Imaginary 90mm frame lines

Rich Cutler has a little guide to estimation for the 90mm (see the sticky at the top of the R-D1 forum)
Basically, use the 50mm framelines, mentally draw diagonal lines from corner to corner. There is a gap in the top & bottom framelines between the corners and the middle of the frameline. Estimating the midway point of this gap & drawing another imaginary line gives a pretty good indicator of the 90mm field of view. Sorry if my explanation is a bit obscured, Rich makes it much more clear on his site.

Thanks, Phil, for the guide lines. You have explained it clearly. I've just taken a few test shot and it works!