dslr vs film camera thoughts

sorry frank, i can understand the romance of a darkroom as i still remember the first time i saw an image start to appear after dropping photo paper into developer tray...
 
I'm here for the same reasons I drive a Saab with manual gear shift. As Bill said I like the ritual. And Joe even though this is RFF, we don't live in a bubble. Some guys need to get this DSLR thing off (or on) their chest, so they can get on with their RF lives. At least it helps me. Just toking. Here dudes.
 
kshapero said:
I'm here for the same reasons I drive a Saab with manual gear shift. As Bill said I like the ritual. And Joe even though this is RFF, we don't live in a bubble. Some guys need to get this DSLR thing off (or on) their chest, so they can get on with their RF lives. At least it helps me. Just toking. Here dudes.
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i don't disagree, but doing it somewhere else is cool too...
 
Meezy, this sounds like buyer's remorse. Other than the fact that you should have bought a Nikon ;):D you've got a very nice camera. Yes, you can dumb down on it and make it a dp&s, but that's just part of the versatility of the camera.
The challenge to create might be greater with this camera, but essentially it's no different than using any other camera. Take an impersonal hunk of metal and plastic that can make wonderfully exposed images all_by_itself and create images that please yourself and others.

/
 
Pickett Wilson said:
So, if you don't shoot a film rangefinder, there's the door. Well, that "would" make RFF an even more exclusive club! ;)
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I know lots of photogs who don't come to RFF, because of the name, it's association to a single type of camera, and the reputation that the forum is strictly gear focused. And while I agree with joe's point, I think that this forum is still heavily centered-weighted (p.i.) to RF cameras. But all this is OT.

/
 
FrankS said:
It seems we've drifted apart over the years, Joe. ;)
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On Valentines Day? Harsh!


I like photographs and photography. I personally like using rangefinder cameras, so I landed here. But I'd prefer to keep RFF more inclusive than exclusive.

Cheers,
Gary
 
gns said:
On Valentines Day? Harsh!


I like photographs and photography. I personally like using rangefinder cameras, so I landed here. But I'd prefer to keep RFF more inclusive than exclusive.

Cheers,
Gary
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I have a sneaking suspicion that the majority of members here have r/f cameras, but use slr's and compacts a hell of a lot more!, just my hunch....but if it could be proved - I'd put money on it! ;)
 
I used to think as much - that modern SLRs are bloated and "do it all for you." But its not absolutely so (having now at least a couple of years of DSLR experience. Nikon at least is quite user friendly and its easy enough to decide not to use P (program) mode but to shoot manually or as I do more often A (Aperture Priority) mode. Simply because I like to be in control of DOF rather than at the whim of a camera which likes to shoot at mid speeds / mid apertures whenever it can get away with it. Similarly with metering - 9 times out of 10 my camera is set to centre-weighted metering with an occasional foray into spot metering for those times when the alternative just does not work. Matrix metering is in my view just not good enough for tough lighting situations - well not as good as the proponents claim anyway. Similarly for focus. My D200 has all sorts of wizz bang focusing modes some of which I must confess I do not understand as well as I should. But I do know that one is great for shooting moving "clouds" of people on the street as it tracks their movement and predicts where they will be a moment just in case you choose to press the shutter button just at that split second. But mostly I focus on a spot and press the button when I think the subject is in range just as I would with a manual rangefinder or (radical I know) use manual lenses or AF lenses set to manual to do the same.

So I can confirm that there is plenty to do and you can use a modern DSLR quite easily in modes that are very very similar indeed to their older cousins. While of course still having the option to use in "idiot" mode for those times when one just cannot be bothered.

I even have a Panasonic L1 which has an aperture ring on the standard lens and a shutter speed dial. Leave them both where they are and its in P mode. Twiddle one and its in A mode, twiddle another and its in S mode and do them both and its fully manual. So the option to use all my skills are there too.

I must admit though that there is nothing like the purity and simplicity of an older Leica M. Manual focus, perhaps a wider angle and small aperture for maximum DOF, no meter - so that frees you from metering worries - estimate once then stick with it till the lighting changes. Pre metered, pre focused, pre shutter set. All you need to worry about is pressing the shutter at the right moment.

It is somehow liberating but on reflection is this not a kind of point and shoot mode for clever people? (Smile)
 
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I can see where Joe's coming from regarding the 'purity' of the forum ... sometimes it's fun to part of a sect or group that is dedicated to one purpose to the exclusion of all others that don't fit that group's parameters.

Back when I first joined this site it had six thousand members ... it now has thirty five thousand! :eek: There was little discussion of cameras other than rangefinders and the FSU forum was very active ... our main mod (guess who) was an occasional Olympus OM shooter but to his credit never use to bang on about his OMs the way we do ... now that our passion has been legitimized by the recently introduced 'evil' forum (thanks Stephen) we are free to rant at will!

The enthusiasm in the 'evil' OM threads is remarkable and the thing that I like is that the passion is attached to a very simple, relatively inexpensive camera system that doesn't need a premium priced glowing red dot obove the lens to bring out that passion.

Attempt to maintain any type of camera apartheid here and an implosion would be inevitable ... what we currently have gives it an excellent balance and keeps it humming IMO! The fact that there are dedicated rangefinder shooters here who still appreciate an SLR in the right environment and keen SLR users who still pick up their rangefinders frequently makes this place special
 
It is amazing how the lines have blurred regarding rangefinders with the introduction of pure digital rangefinders (RD-1, Leica M8-9), then digital quasi-rangefinders (L1), 4/3 cameras and now the micro 4/3 -- all which have at least some similarities to rangefinders. Also, the types of shooting for which these cameras are suited (street shooting, black and white, etc.) are very much like that of classic rangefinders. Given that separate forums have been established for 4/3 and SLR's, don't know why one would want to ban these topics. I enjoy using SLR, DSLR, 4/3 and Rangefinders and it is nice to discuss these topics with each other on RFF. BTW, even the LUG is now loaded with discussion of micro 4/3.
 
remphoto said:
It is amazing how the lines have blurred regarding rangefinders with the introduction of pure digital rangefinders (RD-1, Leica M8-9), then digital quasi-rangefinders (L1), 4/3 cameras and now the micro 4/3 -- all which have at least some similarities to rangefinders. Also, the types of shooting for which these cameras are suited (street shooting, black and white, etc.) are very much like that of classic rangefinders. Given that separate forums have been established for 4/3 and SLR's, don't know why one would want to ban these topics. I enjoy using SLR, DSLR, 4/3 and Rangefinders and it is nice to discuss these topics with each other on RFF. BTW, even the LUG is now loaded with discussion of micro 4/3.
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Its indeed true that there has been a blurring of lines. For example I now often use a Panasonic L1 (AKA Leica Digilux 3) which is a digital SLR but which looks and behaves pretty much like a digital rangefinder. It has been designed for this specific purpose I would surmise. I suppose that role has pretty much been taken over more recently by the various micro 4/3 cameras that have the added benefit of being able to use M lenses with an adapter - although unless you buy an accessory finder lack a viewfinder and are in this respect distinctly non traditional which has prevented me formo taking the plunge just yet.
 
peterm1 said:
Its indeed true that there has been a blurring of lines. For example I now often use a Panasonic L1 (AKA Leica Digilux 3) which is a digital SLR but which looks and behaves pretty much like a digital rangefinder. It has been designed for this specific purpose I would surmise. I suppose that role has pretty much been taken over more recently by the various micro 4/3 cameras that have the added benefit of being able to use M lenses with an adapter - although unless you buy an accessory finder lack a viewfinder and are in this respect distinctly non traditional which has prevented me formo taking the plunge just yet.
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indeed. Composing using just the LCD screen has no similarity to using a rangefinder (or D/SLR for that matter). So an add-on rangefinder, optical or digital, is required. Or you can do as I did and buy a G1, which has the viewfinder integrated, is not that much larger than its other M4/3 cousins (or an M8 for that matter) and has a better grip/balance for the inevitable mounting via adapter of heritage lenses. And it is $400 less expensive.
 
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