Portrait of Daughter

[Trooper]

This is my daughter playing under an old table that is way out-of-square. She has drawn me back into photography this past year, and I've dusted off my SLR's and 6x7cm field camera.

I feel awkward posting this in RFF, because this was taken with a Nikon D200, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. But, I'm seriously considering a Leica M8 to give me something that I will actually carry versus my bulky Nikons. I miss so many opportunities because my SLR is in the trunk of the car...

I've been playing with cameras for the past 15 years, but I clearly haven't improved since I was 16 years old, so please critique away.

Sharpened in Photoshop CS2. Natural morning light through a giant window and lots of light reflected from the snow outside.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Have you used a Rangefinder Camera before?

I have used both for many years, and do not have a problem switching back and forth. Biggest difference- all in the viewfinder of the RF "looks" in focus, you have to train yourself to use the split image for actual focus. You also need to focus and compose, even though the RF patch is usually dead center.

With that in mind, the RF can be faster to focus and more accurate for lenses out to portrait telephoto.

If you have never used an RF before, you might pick up a fixed-lens RF that uses FILM and try it out. I love my M8, but used it will cost as much as a new D700. I went with the used M8 rather than a new D700.

 

[Trooper]

Have you used a Rangefinder Camera before...
...If you have never used an RF before, you might pick up a fixed-lens RF that uses FILM and try it out. I love my M8, but used it will cost as much as a new D700. I went with the used M8 rather than a new D700.

I've never used a 35mm rangefinder, but I use my Horseman 980 with a rangefinder quite a bit. I've been considering a Bessa R2 in the short-term to determine if this is going to be the best move for me. I won't purchase a Leica M8 until August, when my pay will increase dramatically, but with the Bessa the lenses would be compatible.

I've also become increasingly less enamored with Nikons ever since the shutter speed dials were replaced by the command wheels and the new G lenses aren't compatible with my F4s.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That is a good plan. The Bessa R2 is quite nice, I had no problems using mine with an F1.5 50mm lens.

Keep an eye on the Classified ads here- some good ones come up. And of course, the R2M and R3 are available new.

 

[farlymac]

That's such a sweet photo. I don't think you've lost your touch. And using a rangefinder will only enhance your photographic vision, as it will sometimes make you slow down and think a little more about what you are doing. But after a while, as you get used to the controls and handling, it can be just as fast as using an SLR.

PF

 

[Gumby]

Nice!

Only thing I would think about is cropping the "dead space" at the top of the frame.

Shoot and enjoy no matter what camera you are using!

 

[Trooper]

That's such a sweet photo. I don't think you've lost your touch. And using a rangefinder will only enhance your photographic vision, as it will sometimes make you slow down and think a little more about what you are doing. But after a while, as you get used to the controls and handling, it can be just as fast as using an SLR.

PF

Thank you! I'm hoping that a rangefinder will bring me back to the basics from which I learned.

Nice!

Only thing I would think about is cropping the "dead space" at the top of the frame.

Shoot and enjoy no matter what camera you are using!

I agree on the dead space, but I can't decide how much to remove. My wife and I kept doing, "Better 1, or better 2" before I posted an uncropped version.

 

[Allan Reade]

If you haven't improved then you must have started out good. Very nice image.

 

[Keith]

With respect I don't see a dead space. I see a very nice photo framed naturally with the timber of the table and it would be a shame to crop that out.

Good luck with your future RF choice by the way. 🙂

 

[Keith]

I meant to add ... I would have posted it a little smaller than the 1000 pixels shown vertically. I have to scroll slightly to see the entire image which makes it difficult to judge/appreciate as a whole.

 

[Paterson]

What a wonderful photograph, The composition is good the expression is great, (alot of energy in your daughter), she is what your eye is drawn too. you could try to darken the background a bit, it will provide more separation.

I hope you printed it. It deserves to be seen. Beautiful!

P