Oly RC auto exposure

[ruben]

OK, after my shock about the RC internal hoods I am ready for everything, even that Earth is flat.

So any of you has any other surprise regarding the RC's auto exposure capabilities, beyond the slow depressing?

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Xmas]

Ruben

It works ok, but you have to use the push & 'hold' for back lighting with chrome.

Noel

 

[iml]

Yes, half hold the shutter button down if you want to meter off a mid-tone and then recompose the shot while keeping the exposure set.

But I almost always use it on manual mode, in which case the meter isn't operative.

Ian

 

[ruben]

Yes, half hold the shutter button down if you want to meter off a mid-tone and then recompose the shot while keeping the exposure set.

But I almost always use it on manual mode, in which case the meter isn't operative.

Ian

Dont you find it cumbersome to get used to, due to the thin ring next to the body ?

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[iml]

I have relatively thin fingers, it's not too bad for me. The ring's a bit thin, but useable.

Ian

 

[jesse1dog]

Hi Ruben

I've been looking at that ring too.
When my engineer neihbour is back from wherever he has now gone I intend to ask him about the possibility of drilling and attaching a lever diametrically opposite the 'OFF' marking. Without seeing it he thinks this is a probability rather than a possibility. It doesn't have to be very long.
Just a thought for you.

 

[ruben]

Hi Ruben

I've been looking at that ring too.
When my engineer neihbour is back from wherever he has now gone I intend to ask him about the possibility of drilling and attaching a lever diametrically opposite the 'OFF' marking. Without seeing it he thinks this is a probability rather than a possibility. It doesn't have to be very long.
Just a thought for you.

Hi Jesse,
if your friend succeeds, this will be a great leap forward. Just be cautious.

In several cameras I have introduced design changes of lesser level, always making me happy for the chanllenge, and sometimes making their use more effective.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[ruben]

......... If you think the RC has a small ring, try a Minox 35GL.........

If the f/stop ring can be HIGHLY softened, this will make a better alternative.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[Trius]

Dave: The problem is that the ring is so small that those with larger hands/fingers find it difficult to use in manual mode. I haven't used the RC in quite some time, but will get back with it sometime soon to give it another whirl.

My other problem with the RC is the 1/15s slowest shutter speed. Given the f2.8 lens, that's an issue for me.

 

[iml]

My other problem with the RC is the 1/15s slowest shutter speed. Given the f2.8 lens, that's an issue for me.

I use mine in near darkness a lot, shooting at concerts. I just push the film speed to 1600 or 3200 to compensate for the relatively slow lens, the results are good, the lens gives good sharpness and contrast wide open.

Ian

 

[ruben]

I use mine in near darkness a lot, shooting at concerts......Ian

Hi Ian,
I am getting the feeling your RC is your main camera... and that you have the self discipline of owning only a very few other cameras, if at all.

Or even better, that no matter what do you have or not, with a single RC, you are done.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[iml]

If only that was true!

I have two RCs, an SP, a Leica M6, a Bessa R2, a Rollei 3.5 Tessar, and a Pentax K100D.

I use the RC a lot though, as I carry it with me everywhere. Second most used is the M6, and third the Rollei.

I like the RC because it keeps life simple. Even when I'm using the M6 or the Bessa, I only have two focal lengths to choose from, 50mm and 28mm. Any more than that is too much choice, for me at least.

Ian

 

[jesse1dog]

Hi Jesse,

if your friend succeeds, this will be a great leap forward. Just be cautious.

In several cameras I have introduced design changes of lesser level, always making me happy for the chanllenge, and sometimes making their use more effective.

Cheers,
Ruben

Hi Ruben

Engineer friend was still away so decided to have a go myself.
I set the 'thin' dial to off and guestimated where to drill a hole in the bottom of the ring.
I didn't thgink I was making too much progress until I discovered that I had drilled the ring and was still going into something beneath!!

I rotated the ring just a bit and with the drill bit now 'grounding' in the hole I find the depth of the hole is a bit over twice the visible thickness of the ring.
I Araldited a small length of fine welding rod into the hole and left it overnight to set.

I now have a little lever set in the bottom of the ring, and, with the camera to my eye find that I can quite conveniently move the ring if I hold the lever between finger and thumb. Looks odd but feels promising.

I need to improve on using welding rod - need a piece of steel or somethinbg like that. The end of the rod needs to be much smoother than mine is. If the lever was angled away from the camera it would be easier to use - perhaps I make an angled lever! I wonder if a small bead on a shorter lever might be easier to use.

But the idea is a 'runner' providing you are happy to destroy the pristine nature of your camera. I've been working on a 35RC I bought 'for repair or spares', just the king of thing to experiment on.

So now over to you and best of luck.