How do you balance?

kipkeston

kipkeston

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After purchasing a dslr starter kit I'm finding myself slipping away from using the RF and spending more time with the dslr. I mean they're completely different systems, the M mount versus F, with very different strengths. I haven't had such a good SLR before and I see that the technology is quite good now. How do you balance your RF usage with your SLR usage?
 
98-99% RF (M2/M4-P/MP/M8, Voigtländer, Retina IIa), 1-2% SLR (Nikon F/D70/Nikkormat/Pentax SV)

(Not counting MF and LF).

Cheers,

R.
 
I can't give you percentage, but for me slr (not Dslr) is for portraits and for landscapes, while rf is for street kind of photography. The ratio changes as I sometimes have a rf period, and then I have a slr period... But basically for me each is for different purpose, so I use both systems rfs and slrs.
 
As has been said, there's probably not much necessity to consciously try to balance which cameras you use; you'll find the specific camera(s) that work best for what you shoot and when you do different things, then you'll likely use different gear.
On other thing to consider: when I get something new I tend to use that almost exclusively for a while until I have learned it's strengths and limits. Then I get back to my more usual patterns and don't obsess too much about which camera I am using.
Specifically, I got my self a decent digi P&S over the winter and spent some time using only that while I figured it out and now it is just another part of my kit. I didn't shoot my RFs much(and my medium format not at all) while I was doing that but now that I know what the digi will and won't do well, I am back to mostly using the Rf cameras. With the occasional use of my others as the task requires.
Rob
 
My only digital shooting these days seems to be with my M8 ... my DSLR (D70s) languishes in the cupboard and hasn't been used in six months now.

I do however seem to be using a film SLR more now in the form of my OM-2. It's a brilliant camera with an excellent meter ... and with a decent selection of primes from 28mm to 200mm and an 18-70 zoom for those times when convenience is more vital than outright image quality, it's becoming a more frequent choice.

Somewhere in between the M8 and the OM there's my Hexar RF which has become the pick of my film rangefinders for those times when only a rangefinder will do and film is the desired medium!

In percentages I would say 20% M8 ... 20% OM-2 and 60% Hexar or Zeiss Ikon!
 
I don't balance at all. For some reason, and I don't know why, my photography is almost totally with RF cameras, 35mm and MF. (I'm not into macro or telephoto wildlife phtography which RFs would not be good for.) I could take the pictures that I take with an slr, but I like the RF gear better. I find it more fun and satisfying to use, for whatever reason.
 
The point of using an RF is because you enjoy it. You should use whatever camera you want, and whatever suits the situation best. For example, for simple snapshots on family outings, most of the time I will use a digital p&s. This is because it is compact, quick and easy to use, versatile, and my wife can use it as well.

Another thing to remember is that the DSLR is a new toy, so of course you'll be lpaying with it more. If you bought a new rangefinder, you'd probably play with that more.

And as far as I'm concerned, simply owning an RF or related camera allows you to post on this forum!
 
An SLR can do anything an RF can do and more.

But, it's more fun to use an RF for walking around on the street. Use what's fun for you. If at the moment it's SLR, go full hog with it :)

If you still find that you don't use your RFs a year from now, sell them, you're an SLR guy :)
 
I manage to balance when to use a pencil and when to use a pen perfectly well.

Most times.

It's the same with cameras.

More or less.
 
No need for any balance; it's normal I think to go through phases in the use of gear as well as the kind of photos you make with it. As mentioned, there's a tendency to use the new item a lot to get completely familiar and explore its possibilities.
 
As others have said, it depends on the day and the subject. I carry a rf with me every day, but have been spending the most time lately with my medium format SLR. I've been shooting a lot of Astia lately and really am beginning to like it. So within the last two months I'd say 70% medium format SLR and 30% rf (both 35MM and medium format). But as I said, it depends on the projects I'm pursuing at the moment. Rather than worrying about percentages, go out and make pictures that speak to you.
 
Doug said:
No need for any balance; it's normal I think to go through phases in the use of gear as well as the kind of photos you make with it. As mentioned, there's a tendency to use the new item a lot to get completely familiar and explore its possibilities.
Click to expand...

Doug...you stole my thoughts yet once again...:bang:
 
Doug said:
No need for any balance; it's normal I think to go through phases in the use of gear as well as the kind of photos you make with it. As mentioned, there's a tendency to use the new item a lot to get completely familiar and explore its possibilities.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm hoping. Heh
 
I use a D200 for:

o commercial work
o sports
o anytime I think a strobe is a good idea (especially for off camera strobe lighting)

I have an old SLR I use when I feel nostalgic or with specialty film.

I carry a rangefinder (film) with me every day and use it most of my personal work.

willie
 
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