_larky
Well-known
If I ever see him on the street, I'll take his photo, chimp, then ask him to hold his pose whilst I re-shoot. 😉
John Free Insults Rangefinders!
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matthewm
Well-known
I am so TIRED of hearing this crap about "chimping" on digital cameras. There's a fking LCD back there. LOOK AT IT! Or don't. But who cares if you do? Jeeze.
Put down the stick. Step away from the horse...
Ranchu
Veteran
When I try to scale focus an slr I'm always fighting an impulse to focus it, and usually I lose. Too tempting.
I'll never know why these people can't figure out the strong points of various camera types and use them for their best intended purpose. Or at least use them for the fun of it. "They are oh so serious in their opinions, and everyone must acknowledge it as a universal truth."
Right.
I own more cameras than he does. I win.
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Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I don't have a problem with what he said because it's just his opinion after all and he oviously is very passionate about photography.
He was a bit relentless with the chimping thing though!
He was a bit relentless with the chimping thing though!
How come no one ever used the term "Chimping" for view cameras?
Out chimping with your Century Graphic....
Out chimping with your Century Graphic....
I see the problem- he never learned how to use a rangefinder camera, and is used to an SLR. I've used both for over 40 years. If he ever drops in for a visit, I can pull out a pair of SP's and teach him how to use one. I have more pictures in focus with the SP and Nikkor 8.5cm F2 than I do with the F2a and 85/2. Since he knows how to use an F, he should be able to pick up an SP. He uses a Nikon F with eye-level and Nikkor-H 50/2. he would be able to focus accurately with an F1.4 on the SP. Nikki was using the SP when she was 4.
But I'm not going to do a youtube video. It would be floating Mario Head uses a rangefinder. The world is not ready.
But I'm not going to do a youtube video. It would be floating Mario Head uses a rangefinder. The world is not ready.
Vilk
Established
Brian, sorry for being brief initially--and for latching onto your post--I was in a rush; I certainly had no intention to fight for any special cause, surely not against you. 🙂
I think it's not not about "opinions" at all, as you (and Keith in the next post) are saying. He's an instructor--and a good one, too. He's clear and concise, brief and to the point. His statements are memorable. His students produce better pictures after meeting him. Anything else should be relatively irrelevant in this context.
Though personally, I would tend to agree even with his rangefinder comment. I sold my M a couple of months ago precisely because it was so slow and inaccurate in street action. Power to those who can use it more efficiently and more effectively than an SLR--most people cannot. The RFF is an exclusive club. 😉
Anyway, whatever... I better go back to work! 🙁
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cosmonaut
Well-known
All cameras are toys.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I don't really see chimping (within reason) as that destructive to your concentration.
They give us two and a half ton projectiles to drive on the roads with instrumentation that means you have to take your eyes away from what's happening in front of you occasionally to check your speed etc. I don't find that too challenging and glancing quickly down at an LCD on the back of a camera is much the same IMO.
Interesting that I've used Nikon F's and F2's for 25 years before shooting with Nikon RF's, which I picked up about 12 years ago. I could focus and frame with the SP and S3 faster than I could with the F and F2 up to and including the 85/2, used wide-open. The 10.5cm F2.5- about a draw. The Nikkor 5cm F1.4, same story- could focus and frame faster than I could with the F and F2. The AF cameras- the hunt mode with the Af-Nikkor 50/1.4 under low contrast drove me nuts. I switched to the RF's.
I suppose it's what you are open to.
I suppose it's what you are open to.
Vilk
Established
...and probably what you shoot, too. Sometimes I like to dive right in the middle of an emotional crowd with a 50 on my F2. Pre-focusing won't work and dissociating focusing from framing, RF- or AF-style, is out of the question; the near-subconscious eye-finger "dynamic" focusing on plain matte is OK.
Now as to landscapes and architecture... 😎
Thardy
Veteran
He should present his videos like Sam Kinison. His rants would then at least be funny.
I could lend him my 2.1cm F4 Nikkor and the shoe-mount viewfinder for his Nikon F.
Ultimate Pancake lens for the F, required mirror-up operation. Non-retrofocus design.
Ultimate Pancake lens for the F, required mirror-up operation. Non-retrofocus design.
huntjump
Well-known
Hah oops, what a mistake he made by saying anything negative about RFs! (kidding). Least his video is getting high traffic 🙂
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, i don't really care what he thinks. He has good points in his video, he's strong in his opinions which is good and bad.
I wanted to get a better sense of his tips so i watched a few others of his. This is a good point, "dont be misunderstood" when shooting your subjects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We7Z8B9tItc&feature=related
I just don't think he gives any tip on how to do that.
His name is John Fee right? not "free"?
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, i don't really care what he thinks. He has good points in his video, he's strong in his opinions which is good and bad.
I wanted to get a better sense of his tips so i watched a few others of his. This is a good point, "dont be misunderstood" when shooting your subjects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We7Z8B9tItc&feature=related
I just don't think he gives any tip on how to do that.
His name is John Fee right? not "free"?
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Poor guys, feels threatened and inferior and this is the best he can do to cope...
Neare
Well-known
I disagree. He may be an alright photographer but that does not make him a good teacher. He is not teaching photography, he is teaching how he thinks people should practice photography. He has no appreciation or understanding for other methods or forms.
Vilk
Established
Vics
Veteran
I don't think so. I think he means black & white pictures that have been hand tinted to look )sort of) like color pictures.
umcelinho
Marcelo
when I started using rangefinders I would focus every shot, wide open or not. then i learned hyperfocal and it made life much simpler. i find that focusing with a rangefinder is faster and more accurate than manual focusing with an slr, specially in the dark. but for beginners, getting the focus right can be a way to miss photos... i did lose some when i was starting and wasnt used to the system. nowadays it's pretty automatic.