Gallery's Gone Non-RF & Digital

[RayPA]

🙂 I just wanted to get some clarification on uploads to the gallery. I realize with the new gallery we've lost our categories, but I've been seeing a lot of non-RF and a lot of digital (non-RD1) images being uploaded. Are we still using the RFF gallery for rangefinder cameras, only? 🙂 🙂

 

[canonetc]

Good question. I have also uploaded Non-RF images, but think I will delete them since there no longer appears to be a folder titled "non RF". I'd like to keep RFF related to RF specifically, no matter how much I like a non-RF shot....

chris
canonetc

 

[pshinkaw]

For most photos you probably can't tell the difference, but I make it a point to only post my RF images here.

Of course if anyone posts photos of equipment, an SLR or a digital makes a lot more sense.

-Paul

 

[Kin Lau]

I notice that some/many here have pictures of their RF's, and also camera repair projects/tutorials, which are usually digi shots.

Maybe we should just wait on Jorge to setup the folders again.

Except for the "cameras & coffee" (which is probably 99.9% digital) shots, I only have 1 shot in my gallery that's non-RF.

 

[jan normandale]

Hi Ray

I've been noticing this also but don't want to be too dogmatic about "images". Still there is an argument for the forum being focused on a) rangefinders b) film since it is one of the few places where people can gather to discuss and share information regarding 'hard copy' rangefinder photography.

I personally have a couple of digital cameras and they are 'rangefinder' style. I have not put any of those shots up on this site since there is a sister site for this at DSLRxCHANGE.com

Still I have seen some migration with straight ahead SLR shots noted in the technicals on the individual shots. I think we have to be first and foremost a rangefinder / film discussion group. I am not about to try and police this issue, I think members might be better doing that themselves.

I get my shots (35 and 120) scanned onto a disc at the time of processing and then upload the images to RFF. Is that truly RFF ethos; after all it is a digital image? I think it is because we are talking about the images and issues related to those images made by rangefinders and film. Still sometimes people want to share an image or make a point and it was done with an SLR. I think there’s room. Just as long as we agree to stay on the film/rangefinder thread and don’t abandon it. Film and rangefinder photography will be around for a long time.

Jan

With various Perkeo’s , Ikonta’s, Mamiya 6, Olympus’, Yashica’s, and crappy cam’s

 

[RayPA]

Well, for the digital camera images, members should know that there is the DSLR eXchange site (see Cool Links on the home page), and should post there instead.

IIUC, the NonRF folder on the old gallery was for nonRF FILM cameras (?). I think that's an important distinction, and one I came to view as a valuable adjunct, particularly when it pertained to medium format (nonRF medium format cameras and rangefinders seem to have a welcomed kinship of sorts). 🙂

 

[phototone]

I try to stay about 86% RFDR and VFDR type camera images, but I have added a few images from other types of FILM cameras to my gallery. I think, at least for me, the appeal is that the forum (except for the RD-1) is about FILM cameras and the great work that can be done with them. I will always post primarily RFDR shots.

 

[RayPA]

Hi Ray

I've been noticing this also but don't want to be too dogmatic about "images". Still there is an argument for the forum being focused on a) rangefinders b) film since it is one of the few places where people can gather to discuss and share information regarding 'hard copy' rangefinder photography.

Jan

With various Perkeo’s , Ikonta’s, Mamiya 6, Olympus’, Yashica’s, and crappy cam’s

Hi Jan,

I agree completely. One of the main underlying threads here besides rf cameras is film. Regardless how it ends up, the use of film as a starting point offers unique challenges. Discussion of images here always seems to center on the variables that affect that process (camera, lens, film, chemistry). We do end up digital, but our process is unique, and that's what seems to bring us together.

We seem to be able to police ourselves, but it seems a reminder is occassionally necessary. Membership has always accepted the occassional SLR or digital posting (hence the non-rf folder). I think we may have some gallery posters that don't visit the forums, and may not be getting the idea. 🙂 🙂

 

[dreilly]

Well, I hope the non-RF folder makes a reappearance.

I shoot TLR and now I have a Ricoh GR-1, which is sort of like an electronic rangefinder with its passive AF and zone focusing readouts. It's also aperture priority (like the GSN I tried a while back but 1/4 the size!) and direct view, and film, and I was counting on the non-RF folder for sharing images...there's no other place I've found that has such a nice community around it. I liked the fact that a little territory was reserved for us fellow travellers, with or without cameras that are technically rangefinders.

 

[kiev4a]

Just glancing a recent gallery posts the vast majority seem to be RF posts. I, too would like to see the non-RF section return. Sometimes it's nice to post a photo that illustrates a general photo topic related to both RF and SLR.
Some Leica owners probably would argue the Bessa doesn't qualify as a true rangefinder because the original model was made by modifying an SLR chassis

 

[doubs43]

I, too, would like to see a non-RF folder in the Gallery. I take pictures with a little of everything and it would be nice to have a place to post the occasional image that wasn't taken with a rangefinder.

Walker

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I wouldn't feel too bad about losing a non-Rf category. It's nice to have when available. It is necessary for showing cameras, parts and assemblies.

The RFF members do a very good job of staying on topic. I consider it human nature to stray now and then. But here, someone always brings it all back home.

Now if there were only more options for a digital Rf camera. I can't spring "3 Large" for a camera these days.

2maneecameras-- where is that homebrew digital rangefinder you were working on?

 

[Kin Lau]

Some Leica owners probably would argue the Bessa doesn't qualify as a true rangefinder because the original model was made by modifying an SLR chassis

Those same people would probably be in trouble since the Leica "Model 0" wasn't a rangefinder either 😀

On the flip side, were not some of the early Zenits or some other FSU SLR based on the Zorki/Fed?

 

[kiev4a]

Those same people would probably be in trouble since the Leica "Model 0" wasn't a rangefinder either 😀

On the flip side, were not some of the early Zenits or some other FSU SLR based on the Zorki/Fed?

Very true. Inside the early Zenits lurks the heart of a Zorki--or Leica II if you want to get technical.

 

[DougK]

I guess you could always create another album for yourself in your personal gallery called "non-RF shots" or something like that. I think it's reasonable to post non-RF shots of RF equipment, but other than that I'd like to see the gallery remain dedicated as much as possible to rangefinders/viewfinders as it has in the past. I think we're all adult enough to accept the occasional "stray," however 🙂.

 

[back alley]

i think we have mostly stayed on track with having a gallery that is mostly rf shots.

we are working at 'less than' before by not having the seperate galleries. i don't know when or if that will change.
i agree that we do well looking after this ourselves and am not quite ready to lay down a law or 2.
rff has remained 'the genteel site' because there are no hard rules or hardline moderation tactics. we deal with each other respectfully.

that being said, i go back to my original comments about the site & gallery. it is about rangefinder cameras & rf photography primarily. we do not want to exclude people - we want to include people. as long as there is no abuse of the guidelines all is well and will be well.
we do have the dxlr site for those digi-freaks and there are many many sites for slr and camera brand specific pics.
thanks for the concern and the emails with your comments, believe me, we keep an eye open and the extra ones help.
joe

 

[Bertram2]

Hi Joe,
as far as I know there are many here in RFF who shoot with all kinds of film cameras.
If RF is the link which is connecting us to each other and which has led us here I presume that we are interested in each other's work generally because there is a strong common passion behind this kind of cameras , which is just a tool used by a group of people who have the same basic understanding of photography .
In other words solely the camera is not what keeps the forum running, it's the spirit behind it.

And so I'd find it really interesting to see what members do with their SLRs, pinholes, Vfs, TLRs and so on. At least as long as they use film and at least as they keep on shooting RF .

IMHO it would not make any sense to have people here on a NON-RF gallery who do not shoot RF at all or worse, do not shoot film at all.

For those indeed Usefilm or Photopoints is a better suite place.

Best reagrds,
Bertram