How important is a Body to the Final Image

[Michael I.]

film flatness(much more difficult then it sounds - some camera makers used glass pressure plates to ensure this), meter and shutter speed accuracy,shutter shake and mirror bump in slrs,accuracy of viewing\focusing mechanism and coverage(old zenits have 60% coverage dim viewfinders with no focusing aids but the ground screen so try winning a pulitzer with those) ease of use with wides,tele's. Another thing which is neglected is easy of use and response time - try shooting a picture of something that happens fast with a turned off digital,non wound manual focus camera etc. What about ergonomics?try grabbing an uncomfortable camera with sweaty hands or taking a 1/15 shot with a zenit e with no tripod,repeat procedure with nikon fm2n.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

For shooting in low-light, with little vibration, and without high cost: The Kodak Retina IIIS with a 50mm F1.9 Xenon or Retina IIIc with its 50mm F2 lens. These are compur, metal leaflet shutter, cameras. Cost is in the $100~$150 range, with lens. Fixed lens cameras: Yashica Lynx 14 and 14e. All manual cameras, fast F1.4 lens, soft release as they do not have a trap-needle mechanism.

I'm getting the first roll back from the Bessa R2 with the 5cm F2 Collapsibel Summicron today. The shutter is about as loud as a quiet SLR, like an OM-1. Of course, no blackout from the mirror. It was easy to focus in dim light, and the meter is quite nice. I'll be able to respond first-hand for the vibration later.

 

[VinceC]

>>old zenits have 60% coverage dim viewfinders with no focusing aids but the ground screen so try winning a pulitzer with those<<

I once attended a daylong seminar with a lighting expert named Jon Falk. His philosophy was that, when a Pulitzer moment presents itself, grab whatever camera is available -- even a disposable -- and blast the scene with direct flash. Pulitzers are won by the content of the image, not its technical prowess. However, for the 99.9995 percent of photographs that aren't taken in a Pulitzer moment, he recommended practicing excellence and mastery of craft.

Back on topic, I consider the camera body is one of several variables. The question is kind of in the realm of "what's the most important element of water, the two-parts Hydrogen or the one-part oxygen?" Going back to the long-ago days of the camera-obscura and experiments with jars of silver solutions that turned purple when exposed to sunlight, the physical act of photography (never mind any artistry) involves a lens, a light-tight box, a light-sensitive surface on which to record the image and a method for making that image permanent -- chemical in the old days, digital storage in the new days). Each of these four basic components is variable but essential.

 

[bmattock]

I want to ask just one , big question( Bill and Frank, specially), RFF friends:
If you take RF camera to shoot in low light and night,[/B]( FROM HAND -no tripod!) which camera will it be, and why?
I allready know that LEICA M have beautifull shutter( NO VIBRATION) , but it cost ... give me some other thoughts- what do you think about Besa- it is very popular.
THANK'S.

Petar - I have a Bessa R. I have used it for low-light photography with a Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens recently:

http://www.cameramentor.com/images/ra_fountain/

I also have a Yashica Lynx 50mm f/1.4 (fixed lens, leaf shutter) rangefinder. I have used this camera in low-light photography as well. (Note: the night shots were all taken with the Yashica Lynx 14. Others were taken with that and the Olympus 35 RC)

http://www.cameramentor.com/nyc.html

I like them both. I do not have a Leica M - I do not have that kind of money available at present.

Between the Bessa and the Lynx - if silence were most important, I'd take the Yashica. If the noise was less of a factor, I'd take the Bessa R.

I also have a Kiev 4. It has a very quiet shutter as well. I might try that for low-light work at some point.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[VinceC]

The Kiev can be very quiet. Its 1/10th speed has a soothing whisper sound that's barely audible.

Different cameras also have different sounds at different shutter speeds. A few weeks ago I sat in the front row of a classical music concert. My cloth-shutter S3s were quiet enough at 1/30 and 1/60. But when I shot a few frames a 1/8 and 1/15, the double sound of the shutter opening, then closing, was a little too distracting, I thought, so I stuck with the higher speeds. Nikon RFs are pretty quiet, but not Leica quiet.

 

[FrankS]

There is a Brian Sweeney J3 on my M6 right now. I took a few shots over the weekend with that combo.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I think I better try out the Summitar on the Fed 2 when it gets in.

Just to keep things balanced.

I put the Summarit on the Canon 7 when FrankS' Canon 50/1.5 went onto the CL.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

There is a Brian Sweeney J3 on my M6 right now. I took a few shots over the weekend with that combo.

Me too! -- I have not developed one single roll yet. 😱

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have a new policy on my lenses.

If the new owner does not get pictures shot, developed, and back within 30 days of taking possession of the lens, I'm giving a refund and taking the lens back.

Gabriel, Frank, Ralph! Take Note.

Chase, Raid, Stephanie, William, and Vince knows how to take a lens for a spin!

 

[VinceC]

And I've been using a Sweeney J-12 on my Nikon SP.

 

[VinceC]

And I've been using a Sweeney J-12 on my Nikon SP.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I have a new policy on my lenses.

If the new owner does not get pictures shot, developed, and back within 30 days of taking possession of the lens, I'm giving a refund and taking the lens back.

😱 Developing rolls right away!

Actually...I think there is a J-9 shot of my feet (which I shot the very day I got the package). But I'd rather post something more substantial.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I just got back a roll from the S3-2000 and the Bessa R-2.

The wide baselength of the Nikon really shows when tracking a moving target -such as a 7-year old kid. The New Nikkor 50mm F1.4 is sharp. I don't need anything sharper than that. ANYONE thinking about getting an S3-2000 better do it fast. When they are gone, they are gone. Focus was right-on, wide-open and close-up.

The Bessa R2 with the Collapsible Summicron is nice handling and pleasant to shoot with. I did not have problems with vibration with indoor shots at F2 and with ASA 400 film. The shots with the 90 Tele-Elmarit at F2.8 were pushing it, and I am going to back off of that combination. The 90mm F4 Elmar is probably better matched, or the T-E stopped down for some margin.

So next "shoot-out" will be the 21st century Nikkor on the new S3 vs the M3 with the Rigid Summicrons.

 

[PetarDima]

Petar - I have a Bessa R. I have used it for low-light photography with a Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens recently:

http://www.cameramentor.com/images/ra_fountain/

I also have a Yashica Lynx 50mm f/1.4 (fixed lens, leaf shutter) rangefinder. I have used this camera in low-light photography as well. (Note: the night shots were all taken with the Yashica Lynx 14. Others were taken with that and the Olympus 35 RC)

http://www.cameramentor.com/nyc.html

I like them both. I do not have a Leica M - I do not have that kind of money available at present.

Between the Bessa and the Lynx - if silence were most important, I'd take the Yashica. If the noise was less of a factor, I'd take the Bessa R.

I also have a Kiev 4. It has a very quiet shutter as well. I might try that for low-light work at some point.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

Bill, NYC photos are great! Specially the last one...You and Frank S. have same,good opinion about Yashica Lynx... it is really nice camera...Kiev is fine, too - Iallready have it.Thank you, your answers are big help for me.