Teaching help requested

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After months of dating, my girlfriend sent me the following mail:
"Philと一緒にいたら美穂もカメラがんばりたくなる.
美穂もいいカメラほしくなってきた:D"

Basically, 'if we're going to be to together, I want to try to improve at photography... I think I want a new camera..."

She's been using point and click digital for all her life. For a trip to the Japanese Alps next week, I want to set her on a learning course that's instructive but not too intimidating.

I can lend her one of two cameras as 'hers' for the trip: Canon P or a barnack-styled Leotax. In LTM, I can lend her one or more of:
50/2 lenses (Japanese and Russian)
35/2 canon
28/1.9 CV
100/3.5 Canon

My thinking is this:
Leotax + 50/2 Topcor & meter + Fuji 400 = simple

My reasoning is this:
- less cluttered finder
- focal length that forces her to compose
- lens that's not strictly for bokeh

Reservations:
- squinty (and separate) finder doesn't give comparison to other focal lengths
- max shutter of 500 (vs 1000)

Frankly, the meter is my biggest concern, but we'll shoot together, so maybe it's ok. Is my plan ridiculous? Advice?
 
I taught two of my ex-girlfriends photography with film. A meterless rangefinder will frustrate her, especially something with such a squinty finder as a barnack type camera. My last GF I taught with an Olympus OM-4T SLR and she picked it up fast but I still had to shoot with her for several weeks before she really could work alone. Get her a digital SLR or a 35mm SLR with a good metering system.
 
「美穂もいいカメラほしくなってきた」

Dude, reading between the line here → Miho wants YOU to buy her a new camera ;)

BTW what is it with Japanese girls referring to themselves in the 3rd person? (no need to answer that, its just a retorical question:rolleyes:)

Anyway, my advise is keep it simple and user friendly! My GF bought a D70 with kit lens so she could come along on photography trips, but it ended up being too heavy for her. She much prefers the FM3A and 45mmP setup I got her :)
 
Yeah, that sounds like 'buy me a camera' to me as well ;)

Canon P and a 50 would be my choice, and just let her get on with it and learn for herself.
 
Sounds like a request for a personal camera to me too, not just a short loan. I'd be tempted to find something with manual and aperture priority, manual-focus and a 50mm lens. Given the obvious cost constraints for a rangefinder having AP (assuming you are not a millionaire), then this suggests an old-ish SLR. Stick with film though !
 
jonmanjiro said:
「美穂もいいカメラほしくなってきた」

Dude, reading between the line here → Miho wants YOU to buy her a new camera ;)
Click to expand...

Oh, I know. The issue is that I am not yet sure what will suit her. I believe she has a Sony DSC-T100 now. She seems most disappointed with its low-light performance. Example: fireworks - I lend her my tripod, but the camera has no cable release and using self-timer doesn't really cut it in that situation. She also seems concerned about bokeh and detail, which she finds lacking in her shots.

Anyhow, the upshot is that I know I can find decent RF equipment that gives her the control of aperture / cable-release / tripod socket / she needs and the quality of lens she wants. I know it *can* give her the results she wants at night (someday). Before I drop $$, I want to know if an RF even suits her.

Maybe I should consider a FLRF in 40mm.
 
It's Friday night and my request for camera advice has evolved into a dating helpline. I'm not that young, but apparently, I'm that naive.
 
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Okay seriously, of the 2 cameras, go with the Canon P just because the viewfinder is larger and clearer (less squinty). The controls are very simple.
 
buy her a Nikon D40 with kit lens (or the D60, or whatever it is they just came out with in that price range) which is a lot lighter than the D70.

Or what nikonwebmaster says.
 
I've noticed that some older men do act stupid at times. A couple of years ago I had to stop seeing a 24 year old because her dad didn't like the fact that I was seven years older than he was, and he was paying for her car and apartment, but I agree. He was acting stupid. Now I'm seeing a 43 year old :D
 
If she wants to improve she needs to study. Either with classes or a private instructor like myself or some of the other people here at RFF. A very few over a long time can study and improve on their own. Most people just end up hitting a wall and not making progress on their own beyond that. Gear will make a difference but only so much...
 
A couple of years ago I had to stop seeing a 24 year old
Click to expand...

You player you ;)

Anyway, just to continue to off topic advice, I'd go for a fancy point and shoot, like a Contax TVS or Fuji Klasse for that winning combination of manly aperture control, feminine style and cheapness.
 
Yeah, I'm wondering if a full-on manual RF camera is the right call too. On the other hand, it would certainly test her level of commitment.
 
Al Kaplan said:
I've noticed that some older men do act stupid at times. A couple of years ago I had to stop seeing a 24 year old because her dad didn't like the fact that I was seven years older than he was, and he was paying for her car and apartment, but I agree. He was acting stupid. Now I'm seeing a 43 year old :D
Click to expand...


Always date a woman whose age you can bet on in Roulette, at least in one case you have a chance of winning. ;-)

Ten years ago 22 came up for both of us, but she is European. ;-)
 
I have learned a lot in the last 24 hours. :-D Additionally, I considered my camera conundrum.

1] FLRF - good for night, good for fireworks, no user feedback, no zoom, cheap
2] DSLR - So-so for night, good for fireworks, good feedback, zoomiezoom
3] SLR (Pen?) - same as above but no feedback
4] Micro4/3 - same as DSLR with potential for better lenses at a better size.

I'm going to lend her my DSLR until I can find her something suitably small like a Panny G1. [I'll still offer the P and film options to test the kind of woman she is. :-} ]

I suspect I fall into that class of men who try to give women what they need at the expense of what they want, so your help has been invaluable.
 
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Well, she sat through the plusses and minus of what to get and seemed content with my 4/3, but not just yet advice. She definatively stated that she wants manual focus and wants to give the P a shot on vacation. I told her to bring her standard digicam along and if it becomes a pain, no loss, no gain.

Tonight, I left my camera at home and shepherded her through fireworks on the 20D. I'll bet these will be the best shots she's achieved, and only for lack of appropriate equipment. Henceforth, I'm just going to give her free roam to tell me what she wants to try. For now, I sent the DSLR home with her and the recommendation to just play around and have fun.

Again, advice appreciated. Now to rest my feet, put away the geta, and dry the sweat from my yukata.
 
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