Need some advices!

[bibietlabinette]

Hello,

i'm really new to the rangefinder world, I just received a R3M as a gift and I love it!
However, find myself struggling to focus in a low contrast situation, and would like some advice how to proceed in these cases.

Also the lens I received with the camera is the Nokton 50mm f/1:1. It's a beautiful lens, but a bit overkill for an amateur like me.
I understand that at f/1.1 the depth of field is very shallow and cant be difficult to catch. So with this lens, is the way of taking portrait by focusing in the eyes still works ?

Thanks,

Bibi

PS: If you have ANY advices regarding the camera/lens, I'd be happy to hear them!

 

[Keith]

An R3M and a 1.1 Nokton ... nice gift I have to say!

If you're worried about the depth of field at 1.1 stop the lens down a little to f2 maybe?

Also keep a lookout for a good used 40mm Nokton f1.4 in our classifieds ... probably a more usable lens for learning than the 50mm 1.1 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Bibi,

Focus on the eyes. Shoot. Rock forward 1 inch/25mm. Shoot again. Now do the same at 2 inches/50mm. Then the same at 1 inch/25mm back and 2 inches/25mm back. This will give you a good idea of whether the lens is focusing perfectly at that distance.

The answer to focusing in low light is just practice. There's a little jump in contrast when things are in focus: learn to look for that, rather than precise alignment.

Cheers,

R.

 

[kshapero]

I'd say you got quite a nice gift. I would not worry about getting anything else for a good while. Learn to use what you got, it is a great kit. Follow some of the threads here at RFF and you will learn a lot. good luck.

 

[bibietlabinette]

Wow! Thanks for the advices guys, i'm gonna practice all that!

 

[thegman]

Great present indeed. If I were you, try shooting the same portraint at f/1.1, f/2 and f/2.8, you'll see the different in depth of field and get a feel for what you can get away with.

Also, I think for nice portraits, try Portra 400, and over expose by 1 stop (rate the film at ISO 200, not ISO 400), and you'll get nice skin tones which I expect would work well with the shallow DOF of the Nokton.

Great kit, I'm sure you'll love it.

 

[MC JC86]

What an awesome gift!

Good advice already here, I'll just add

The key to accurate RF focusing is consistency in your technique. Figuring your DOF and how critical focusing will be shot to shot is important too... also using things at the edge of the RF patch rather than the center sometimes helps. Akivas advice was spot-on... practice practice practice with WHAT YOU HAVE! My mistake is always switching from one piece of equipment to another. Familiarity with your camera and lens (both excellent choices, btw) will result in a much higher rate of success and satisfaction. And who doesn't like success and satisfaction?

 

[kshapero]

Hey I'm learning some good tips, too.


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