Manual transmission on an F100?

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Pfreddee

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Every now and again, I read recommendations that one should turn off the automatic features of, say, an F100, and focus manually and set the aperture and shutter manually too. This is supposed to return control of the camera to the operator, and result in better exposures. Well, OK, but why not simply use an all-manual camera anyway? Why go to the expense of buying a camera which has auto-focus and automated exposure control if you aren't going to use it? I do understand that the auto features can be wrong, and that one should use one's own judgement and experience to decide if one agrees with the camera.

By this time I would surmise that you all have figured out that I own and run a Nikon F100, and that I use as many of its features as I can. I also run my Ukrainian rangefinder cameras, and those are always on manual exposure and focusing.!:D But I'm still curious...

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)
 
Pfreddee said:
Every now and again, I read recommendations that one should turn off the automatic features of, say, an F100, and focus manually and set the aperture and shutter manually too. This is supposed to return control of the camera to the operator, and result in better exposures. Well, OK, but why not simply use an all-manual camera anyway? Why go to the expense of buying a camera which has auto-focus and automated exposure control if you aren't going to use it? I do understand that the auto features can be wrong, and that one should use one's own judgement and experience to decide if one agrees with the camera.

By this time I would surmise that you all have figured out that I own and run a Nikon F100, and that I use as many of its features as I can. I also run my Ukrainian rangefinder cameras, and those are always on manual exposure and focusing.!:D But I'm still curious...

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)
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Might also be a good idea just to keep up one's skills such as the ability to manual focus, and estimate good exposures.
So many photographers today who have never used mechanical, or manual focus cameras seem to be so reliant on the technology that they simply don't have these skills.
Personally, I like the connection to the process that I have while working manually and mechanically, so for me if I did own anything as space-aged as an F100, shutting down as much of the electronic processes that the camera is able to attend to on my behalf whenever possible would be important.
 
I didn't like the stock screen in the F100 for manual focusing, I switched it out. Try this, it's free, use the setting menu to set the camera to change aperture and shutter in 1/2 stop increments instead of 1/3. Shoot manually with the spot meter. the 'needle readout' gives you a total of 6 stops, 3 either way, and you'll know exactly where all your tones are very efficiently. It works slick.
 
I use quite a bit of Nikon equipment and certainly don't understand why someone would buy an F100 and not regularly take advantage of its automatic features.

I drop into manual focus when using my automatic cameras when I need to override something, but if I am using a whiz bang camera full of automatic features, I am usually using that camera specifically because I wanted to take advantage of those features.

Besides, the focusing screen (and pretty much everything else) in a camera such as the F100 is optimized for auto-focus. If one wishes to have manual control over camera most of the time, something like an F3 would be better suited to the task.
 
Pfreddee said:
Every now and again, I read recommendations that one should turn off the automatic features of, say, an F100, and focus manually and set the aperture and shutter manually too. This is supposed to return control of the camera to the operator, and result in better exposures. Well, OK, but why not simply use an all-manual camera anyway? Why go to the expense of buying a camera which has auto-focus and automated exposure control if you aren't going to use it? I do understand that the auto features can be wrong, and that one should use one's own judgement and experience to decide if one agrees with the camera.

By this time I would surmise that you all have figured out that I own and run a Nikon F100, and that I use as many of its features as I can. I also run my Ukrainian rangefinder cameras, and those are always on manual exposure and focusing.!:D But I'm still curious...

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)
Click to expand...

I agree. I don't see the point of using an F100 in manual. The meter is superb and after using the F5 for the last week or so can say it's even better. I shot 6 rolls of colour print, left it in matrix meter mode and used no compensation of exposure. I just composed and shot. The result over a broad range of lighting conditions including back lit windows and sky facing building shots was 6 rolls of perfectly exposed pictures. Not a single duff exposure.
This is the best metered camera I have ever used. The F100's is very similar I believe.
I have no intention of using them in manual. The camera allows me to concentrate on composition and getting nice photos. For some it's the process, the feel of the camera, the sound of the shutter etc. For me it's the end result, the photograph.
 
JSU said:
Or swap the screen for one that is better suited for MF such as a K or J screen.

Auto focus is a different concept than auto exposure. I'm of the belief that depth of field not withstanding, there is only one correct focus.

Auto exposure is an entirely different issue. I'm also of the belief that there is no one correct exposure, medium gray for the mid tones doesn't work for every situation. Sometimes an exposure is best when shifted towards the shadows or highlights, sometimes more than just a stop.

Auto focus is an extension of natural vision and manual focus. It isn't a replacement for thinking through an image or even reacting to a situation. But one can't always anticipate a focus point, particularly wide open, like one can anticipate an exposure setting.

Auto exposure for film is a step towards conceeding that one doesn't understand their camera or film sufficiently to make the image they want. Auto exposure for digital RAW is somewhat different given the extreme flexibility possible in post, to the point of choosing color or B&W.

Ultimately AF, AE, auto flash or auto anything are tools available to the photographer. If one knows, thoroughly, one's set of tools, one is in command of the operation. If one merely sets a camera to AF and P mode one is surrendering control of the image to the camera.
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So those of us who use Auto know nothing about our equipement or film and can't get the photos unless we use auto?
Better get rid of M7's as well as our Nikon's!!!:bang::bang:
 
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paulfish4570 said:
oh man, i thought this was about old ford pickup trucks ... :)
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Paul,

Yup, my first thought too. Being a Ford guy and not being a Nikon guy I thought we we're going to have something interesting to discuss. My Dad bought a brand new '66 F100--black, chrome trim, red and black interior, 352 automatic. I bought it from him in '68, cleaned it up and gave it different rims and dual exhausts--I can still hear that sweet sound today.

I have many fond memories of that beast since it was what I was driving when I met and wooed my wife and I used it to drive her to the hospital when our first two children were born. Man what I wouldn't give to be able to go back to those times--for many reasons...
 
My apologies for the confusion about the Ford! We do own a '94 F150, though. Does that help???

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)
 
IMO, I wouldn't bother with anything manual on such a fine camera. Nikon makes great AF cameras and you will get perfect exposures, perfect focusing most of the time. Using an AF lens on manual is like kissing you sister. You can do it but the experience is not so good.:rolleyes:

Use dedicated MF lenses on any body of your choosing and the world is in balance. Try AF lenses in MF mode and the poles of the earth undergo an unnatural shift.:p

In my experience, I use AF cameras and AF lenses for the tasks they do best and MF is not one of them. I use MF cameras and MF lenses for everything else.:)
 
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