The importance of knowing your equipment

[tuanvinh2000]

Just want to share something i have come to conclusion recently on really knowing your cameras inside out.
In the past year, twice i have tried to get to know some other gears I have in my random collection (different format or non-rangefinder cameras). Both times i see a significant drops in keepers that I have. The moment I come back to my film M + 35mm lens, i feel the calmness and my rate of keepers (images that please me) start to increase again.
The fun of trying new gears really bring me less joy than seeing beautiful images with familiar gears. I know others try out different format/focal length to broaden their creativity but for myself, i realize it's not the case. Creativity comes through once i'm familar with what in my hands only.
Do others feel the same? Is there any instance of trying new formats bringing you new creativity? How long does it take you between switch in format to get productive (35 to medium, medium to large).

 

[froyd]

Switching to RF was a big step for me, but I took to it like a duck to water. Same when I picked up a Rolleiflex.

When it works, I like trying new cameras and/or focal lengths because it challenges to bring new approaches to familiar subjects.

However, sometimes I don't mesh well with a camera an my rate of keepers drops. For me, that's the case with the Contax G and most cameras with heavy automation (though not all). One of the reasons is that the pace of shooting tends to be faster than my manual wind bodies, so it takes me a little time to adjust and master the camera rather than have the camera master me, as it were.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

In the past year, twice i have tried to get to know some other gears I have in my random collection (different format or non-rangefinder cameras). Both times i see a significant drops in keepers that I have.

Interestingly, I find the opposite effect. When I get a new camera, the proportion of shots I'm pleased with goes up significantly. That's one reason why I have several cameras.

I've never been a big believer in the "know thy camera" mantra. With a film camera, you only need to know where three controls are. With a digital camera, you don't even need that, once you've put it on "full auto". I know it works differently for others but that's the point. vive la differance!

 

[Pete B]

I sometimes feel I'm thinking more about how to use the camera than the actual image. I don't think I could use any manual film camera other than the Leica Ms for street action. Even using a Voigt R4A slowed me down. I also have to remove the batteries of my MP to stop the distracting lights.
If I've time to compose with cameras other than the Ms my keeper rate is pretty normal.
Pete

 

[jsrockit]

I don't think I could use any manual film camera other than the Leica Ms for street action. Even using a Voigt R4A slowed me down.

How was the R4a slower?

 

[semilog]

That's why I'm inclined to get a second X-E1 body rather than supplement my existing X-E1 with one of the newer Fujis. I know that camera inside and out. When you are working muscle memory is good; surprises are bad.

 

[Pete B]

How was the R4a slower?

I had to leave the batteries in (it's not mechanical) so I'd be distracted by the meter and start reconsidering what I thought the exposure should be. Then I started looking for the meter before going by my instinct to see if it agreed with me, and sometimes I'd have to angle the camera to see the metering properly. It's a lovely camera otherwise, and nice and light; I keep it in the top pocket of my rucsac. Perhaps I should've got the R4M but aquiring it was an emergency for a last minute trip. I'd quite happily get another one to run two side by side, but I read that the rangefinder is prone to going out of adjustment?? Internet myth?
Pete

 

[Vics]

I'm in total agreement with the OP. For me, simpler is always better.

 

[tuanvinh2000]

I just think trying out new camers due to curiosity really kills the outputs which i like more than toying with settings. 🙂 What i visualize, i want it exactly in my photos. And thats where familiarity helps.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Just want to share something i have come to conclusion recently on really knowing your cameras inside out.
In the past year, twice i have tried to get to know some other gears I have in my random collection (different format or non-rangefinder cameras). Both times i see a significant drops in keepers that I have. The moment I come back to my film M + 35mm lens, i feel the calmness and my rate of keepers (images that please me) start to increase again.
The fun of trying new gears really bring me less joy than seeing beautiful images with familiar gears. I know others try out different format/focal length to broaden their creativity but for myself, i realize it's not the case. Creativity comes through once i'm familar with what in my hands only.
Do others feel the same? Is there any instance of trying new formats bringing you new creativity? How long does it take you between switch in format to get productive (35 to medium, medium to large).

This may be age-related. When I was younger, yes, new kit inspired me. Now, the picture is what inspires me more, though I have to admit that sometimes trying to get ANYTHING out of new equipment inspires me.

There's also the question of what "new" means. As far as I am aware my M240 review is out now (or shortly) in American Photo. How different is it from my M9? Read the review...

Cheers,

R.

 

[tuanvinh2000]

I think M9/M240 would fall into the "familiarity" zone for M users but i never own one so it might be just my imaginations. But that's where i would move if i go any further in digital realms. For now my film images make me happy and i stick to it.

 

[presspass]

Another + for the OP. Using a comfortable camera makes quick shots possible. Zone focus with an M and either a 35 or a 50, set the exposure, and you're ready to shoot. Even the old SLRs with depth of field markings on the lenses didn't make this as easy as an M rangefinder lens. With the older (M6 original and earlier) bodies, you could also set the shutter speed by feel.

 

[Barnackdriver]

I had to leave the batteries in (it's not mechanical) so I'd be distracted by the meter and start reconsidering what I thought the exposure should be. Then I started looking for the meter before going by my instinct to see if it agreed with me, and sometimes I'd have to angle the camera to see the metering properly. It's a lovely camera otherwise, and nice and light; I keep it in the top pocket of my rucsac. Perhaps I should've got the R4M but aquiring it was an emergency for a last minute trip. I'd quite happily get another one to run two side by side, but I read that the rangefinder is prone to going out of adjustment?? Internet myth? Pete

You are one seriously lucky guy. Most of us have hunt and squint to see the meter in the R4A. It is very far from intrusive!

Also, the rangefinder alignment problem was real, with the Bessa R. Mine came from the factory out of alignment. With later models, especially the R3 and R4 this was not any more problem than any other rangefinder, including Leicas. You can go to Cameraquest and read about it. Look for the Bessa R page, near the bottom.

 

[xia_ke]

I'm kind of torn on the gear familiarity issue. With the gear I feel the most comfortable with I find that I miss less photographic opportunities, but have a lower percentage of keepers. With gear I am less familiar/comfortable with I find that I miss more opportunities, but I have a higher rate of keepers because I am paying more attention to what I am doing. I seem to get less selective in my shots as my comfort level increases.

 

[Spanik]

Depends. If I want to spend time enjoying everything around me and take photo's I like a camera that I know inside out so I can just take a shot without thinking about the camera. The photo-taking isn't the most important then, I'm just documenting so it has to go fast and plenty or it's just a memory/snapshot and I don't want to break the feeling of the moment.

But when I go out to take photo's then the camera is part of the experience. And just using another camera can lead to other viewpoints, other kind of photo's, finding new experiences. Then taking another camera or even a specific camera is just what's needed.

 

[unixrevolution]

I find that gear familiarity lets me know what to expect, but that newer gear or less used gear kind of frees my mind and lets me be creative. It gives me a new vibe to follow and I get a lot of keepers from new cameras that I like.

So yes, familiar gear is good, but don't discount the fun of playing with something different. It might just shake you up enough to give you some new found creativity.

 

[robbeiflex]

Leica M and a 50mm or Rolleiflex for me, and otherwise in full agreement with the OP.

Cheers,
Rob

 

[airfrogusmc]

"The fact is that relatively few photographers ever master their medium. Instead they allow the medium to master them and go on an endless squirrel cage chase from new lens to new paper to new developer to new gadget, never staying with one piece of equipment long enough to learn its full capacities, becoming lost in a maze of technical information that is of little or no use since they don't know what to do with it."- Edward Weston

 

[Barnackdriver]

This is what I love about film photography. Simplicity. No menus to learn, no buttons to memorize, no worries about WB. Just one ISO setting, shutter speed, f stop, and focus. Simplicity. Concentrate on composition. Nirvana 🙂

 

[Keith]

Personally I've never really noticed any difference in keeper rates between cameras .... except for maybe my Crown Graphic and that's driven by a reluctance to waste expensive negatives I suspect.