New to photography, need help

[itmccb]

Thanks, all, for the advice, though I should probably mention that it's film photography that I'm new to and I've already worked most everything out and just needed to sort out a few more details before I got started (if not now, I'll try for the filters again some time in the future.)

 

[JoeV]

You're not going to be able to see the affect of the variable ND filter through the rangefinder viewfinder of your camera; you need to be able to see the filter through-the-lens in order to adjust it properly. Same thing with using a polarizer on a rangefinder, you really can't do it properly without TTL viewing.

You can try adjusting the filter ahead of time, prior to mounting on the lens; but once you start threading the filter onto the lens, you've misaligned the filter once more.

EDIT: The same goes with metering; how are you going to meter for a variable ND filter when you don't have TTL metering on your rangefinder camera?

I say don't buy the ND filter at all, and instead buy more film, or a reliable light meter.

You also didn't indicate what kind of film you intend on exposing. Color with lab processing, or B/W with home processing? If the latter, you'd do better to save your money and work on building up your home processing kit.

When getting into a film camera it isn't just about the camera and lens, but the fact that you're using film, which has its own requirements altogether separate from the gear.

Good luck and keep us posted.

~Joe

 

[itmccb]

The film I'll be using depends on the gear I buy. Without the filter, I'll use B&W and will process at home. I've already compiled a list of supplies and have bookmarked the store pages.

 

[brainwood]

You're not going to be able to see the affect of the variable ND filter through the rangefinder viewfinder of your camera

I say don't buy the ND filter at all, and instead buy more film, or a reliable light meter.

Absolutely agree with this. You will learn a lot more about film photography with a light meter rather than ND filters. Variable ND filters on rangefinders just isn't practical.

Chris

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi itmccb,

If you're interested in film photography, and you have never owned an SLR, you should... There are things only a RF will teach you, but IMO you'll be more prepared to perceive them after seeing through the lens for some time... THEN you'll know it's the real world what you need to look at... But an SLR (Nikon FE2, cheap, great) and a 50 1.8 (Nikkor, cheap, great) will be as important -at least- to your photography as a RF will be... Using both is a good advice.

If you decide to use ND filters, use the common ones... Simpler... They're good with RFs especially, as you won't see through the lens+filter... But with a 1/4000 SLR like the FE2, you won't need ND filters if you use the appropriate ISO film for the light you're in...

Light meter! Write down data!

Good luck!

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Vics]

Thanks for the suggestions! I wanted my first film camera to be one I could fall in love with and a quirky Leica-copy named "peace" couldn't be a better fit 😛

On the ND filters, I'd skip it for now. There are ways to get around the limited shutter speeds. I've been at this now for well over 40 years, and I've never owned an ND filter.
Get a camera that's easy to use, like Chris says. The Pentax K1000 would be ideal. Best of luck, and welcome!

 

[itmccb]

Very helpful advice! 😀 I'll bookmark some info about the FE2 and work out the rest of the details later.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Check this great review on the FE2...

http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fe2/index.htm

Cheers,

Juan

EDIT: User CP / Edit Profile / Custom User Title

 

[itmccb]

I'd like to thank everyone again for the advice, I've bookmarked the FE2 review and will check it out (as well as everything else I've bookmarked today) on my next reading binge, I'm going to take everyone's advice about holding off on the ND filter, and if I end up with another album of photos filled with horrendously overexposed shots with shallow DoF taken at midday against the sun, I'll never forgive you guys 😛