Others using your RF camera to take image

ornate_wrasse

ornate_wrasse

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I had a situation come up the other day when I was visiting a designer's show at a local shop. I was carrying my M9 and was about to shoot an image of the designer when someone offered to take a picture of the designer and me. I hesitated because 1) the lens was a manual focus lens and 2) the focusing mechanism using a RF patch is not something with which most folks, particularly those using autofocus cameras, are familiar with.

I finally said "No but thanks anyway" because I really didn't think she would be able to capture a useable image of myself and the designer. This caused me to wonder how other folks handle this situation when you are out in public and someone volunteers to take your picture using your camera. As it happens, I was using my M9, but the question also applies to film cameras such as the M3 and M6

Ellen
 
usually i'll just ask if they know how to/have ever used a manual film camera before and that satisfactorily freaks out most would-be snappers.

if i'm feeling charitable/want to spread the love of analogue photography and it's something i can quickly set up (light is ok for zone focus, etc), *AND* i don't mind them potentially wasting a frame, yeah...

sometimes it is a bit embarassing having to say "this is a bit complicated to explain... if you feel like sitting here for 1-2min while i do it, i'm happy to continue, but........"
 
it's usually my buddies and not strangers... so sometimes I tell them how to use the camera as they're looking though the viewfinder (makes for some weird poses sometimes: "see that yellow rectangle? well, there should be a double image, do you see that?..."). I usually set up the exposure and to make it pretty much idiot proof, I set the focus and tell them where to stand.

just tell 'em to hold the camera steady and make sure the shutter is cocked!



wasting film or not (yeah, most of the time the result is blurry), it's nice to have photos of yourself sometimes I guess.
jVYzAt
 
I would pre-focus it first , then tell the person to stand pretty much in the spot
I was in and take the picture, it comes out good.

Range
 
Helen,
That's an interesting question you pose. I do sometimes have well-intentioned people offer to take photos of me and my family when we're at tourist-y places. When its my film rangefinders (usually Leica, but not always) I almost always decline with some kind of inoffensive reason. When its my m4/3 digital, I'll sometimes take the offer. Regardless, if I do hand my camera to someone else, whatever camera it may be, I always have the person put the neck strap over their neck before I let go of the camera. Don't ask me how I came to this strategy.
 
Range-rover said:
I would pre-focus it first , then tell the person to stand pretty much in the spot
I was in and take the picture, it comes out good.

Range
Click to expand...

This strategy, usually. Or scale focus with a 25. Or let them do it. Some succeed focussing first time. Usually even when they say they can see the double image in the Leica VF they can't. With a focus tab you can tell. They so often change the aperture. And of course one of the reasons for them not seeing the double image is that their left index finger is over the RF window. When you tell them they have to change their grip on the camera, that is the last straw, and they know you're some anal madman who should be left to his toys.
 
roboflick said:
Pre focus and let them take the picture.
Click to expand...

This. Usually its someone either being nice, or travelling alone, either way they're being friendly. Its only one frame (total cost $0 on digital, $0.20 on film), does it matter if its blurry? If you pre focus and close it down a little, its usually a good record shot. People who want to learn usually ask in my experience, but treating people like they're idiots for being friendly isn't very nice in my book.

Michael
 
Manual focus isn't big deal for most people, it is often more difficult for them to find shutter release :)

It happens to me couple of times.
But I'm more often asked to take pictures with someone else camera.
 
I'm wary of letting stranger hold my camera in position where I can't snatch it back or jump to tackle at the first sign they're trying to run away. That and I'm a selfish jerk who don't like getting photographed.
But if they want to try the camera, I'll let them have some shots. The camera is digital so the shot cost none. There's also AE, so another setup relieved.

Usually they're quick to understand the idea of matching the double image to focus. Frameline is more difficult, but because the object will be in the centre where the patch is, and the point of interest is there, the framing is not so critical.

Instead, often time the hard part is about holding the lens. They turn the lens body like SLR lens, but since the lens (usually Cron-C or CV40) is shorter, this is more difficult. And they're not used to use the focus tab.

Result... after experiencing the rangefinder, result is usually less of their worries. The fresh experience is far more interesting than just a snapshot they won't take home.
 
It doesn't happen that often for me but I pre-focus and set the exposure. I have found that reverse focusing I.e. focusing on the photographer from the subject position and then passing the camera to be easiest. I get them to stay in place: one less thing to do and I just hope I've judged the framing correctly.
 
Range-rover said:
I would pre-focus it first , then tell the person to stand pretty much in the spot
I was in and take the picture, it comes out good.
Click to expand...
Exactly. It's this simple when there is enough light. In low light it can get trickier, but the same method usually works.
 
To worry that someone may drop your expensive camera or something like that, maybe that would be a consideration. That they might push the button and that the digital picture that costs me absolutely nothing might not come out? Is that even a real problem?????
 
I don't have a problem handing my camera over to someone who has a keen Interest..
I find it fun to exchange Ideas & banter about shooting

Just the other day I was on a train going to Greenwich Conn
And the conductor and I swapped cameras for a few minutes discussing pros & cons
His was the Big Beast canon 5D mark III
He even left me with his mini ipad to view his work and left it with me for awhile while he did his ticket route with other passengers
(mind you, he knew me only for a month hopping on and off this train
GrandCentral/Greenwich round trip)

I learned alot about his camera.... The capabilities of his one prime and a zoom :eek: 600mm
 
Pre-focusing has been hit and miss for me, a lot of times the shooter has moved to better frame the shot or couldn't hold it steady. I was very nicely surprised once by an older gentleman who had used leicas in military service.

Terry
 
And this people is why the DSLR is a superior device! Any idiot can use one to take the perfect pic and it's hard to get precious about someone else wanting to use it if it's yours!

(runs ducking!) :p
 
Keith said:
And this people is why the DSLR is a superior device! Any idiot can use one to take the perfect pic and it's hard to get precious about someone else wanting to use it if it's yours!

(runs ducking!) :p
Click to expand...


...and if it's just a DSLR and they should leg it with your camera while you're over by the fountain posing - well who cares?
 
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