goamules
Well-known
I'm really enjoying my new X-E1. As I shoot my various legacy lenses, I'm realizing how good, and easy, these new mirrorless digitals are compared to what these lenses originally came on.
Both cameras were shooting early 1950s Nikkor 1.4 lenses. On the right is the Tower/Nicca that the lens originally came on from the factory.
Focus - The X-E1 is extremely easy and fast. I have the lens pre focused for a touch off infinity. When I see a shot, I bring it up to my eye, pushing the zoom button with my thumb, then touching off the shot when it is right. The electronic viewfinder is bright and large. Even extreme closeups like the below are easy. Focusing takes about 2-3 seconds.
With the Barnack, focusing is a chore that is often a failure. First, you squint through the tiny eyepiece, moving your head around until you are certain you see the focus patch in the most contrast. Then you focus the lens back and forth, because if you happen to have had it already spot on, the one image looks like you may have to "hunt" by focusing to find the second image. Oh, there it is! When you think it's good, you move your eye to the OTHER viewfinder, and touch it off. This is the rangefinder procedure we all "love." Klunky, hard on the eyes, and liable to fail.
The people that are talking about how "slow" the X-E1 AUTOfocus was, before the firmware fix, need to get a grip. .3 seconds is not slow. You should try shooting Large Format sometime.
Both cameras were shooting early 1950s Nikkor 1.4 lenses. On the right is the Tower/Nicca that the lens originally came on from the factory.
Focus - The X-E1 is extremely easy and fast. I have the lens pre focused for a touch off infinity. When I see a shot, I bring it up to my eye, pushing the zoom button with my thumb, then touching off the shot when it is right. The electronic viewfinder is bright and large. Even extreme closeups like the below are easy. Focusing takes about 2-3 seconds.
With the Barnack, focusing is a chore that is often a failure. First, you squint through the tiny eyepiece, moving your head around until you are certain you see the focus patch in the most contrast. Then you focus the lens back and forth, because if you happen to have had it already spot on, the one image looks like you may have to "hunt" by focusing to find the second image. Oh, there it is! When you think it's good, you move your eye to the OTHER viewfinder, and touch it off. This is the rangefinder procedure we all "love." Klunky, hard on the eyes, and liable to fail.
The people that are talking about how "slow" the X-E1 AUTOfocus was, before the firmware fix, need to get a grip. .3 seconds is not slow. You should try shooting Large Format sometime.
GaryLH
Veteran
It looks like u are bonding w/ the camera.
Lol. I don't think u need to go all the way to LF to slow down.. Many of the old mf folders will do nicely
Gary
Lol. I don't think u need to go all the way to LF to slow down.. Many of the old mf folders will do nicely
Gary