You know, modern cameras are nice

[Vickko]

I shot three Polaroid shots this morning, and all came out over-exposed. I put it down to my own error in metering.

And one shot was fired into the dark slide. Fortunately I realized it, and pulled the slide and reshot it.

But it all made me think that modern cameras with reliable meters and auto-exposure sure are nice.

There is something to be said for the camera to deal with the technical logistics, and I just "deal with the shot.".

 

[FrankS]

That comes at a cost in diminished satisfaction for me.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You know, modern cameras are nice

Until they start thinking they know better than you do. Which seems to happen disproportionately often with the shots you 'know' would have been better if (a) you'd been in control and (b) you'd got it right.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Thardy]

I shot three Polaroid shots this morning, and all came out over-exposed. I put it down to my own error in metering.

And one shot was fired into the dark slide. Fortunately I realized it, and pulled the slide and reshot it.

But it all made me think that modern cameras with reliable meters and auto-exposure sure are nice.

There is something to be said for the camera to deal with the technical logistics, and I just "deal with the shot.".

This reminds me of that short time I spent using that old 120 folder, and Mamiya 35 mm kit. Let's just say that the expectation of using them far exceeded the experience.

 

[tunalegs]

There is something to be said for the camera to deal with the technical logistics, and I just "deal with the shot.".

For me dealing with the shot means considering the composition, exposure, and focussing. I let the camera handle the technical issues like how much film needs to be advanced to get to the next frame, and how to make the shutter move when I press the button. 🙂

O.k. I'm being a little silly, autofocus can be handy, auto exposure can be handy - in certain situations. It is useful to have automation at times when having automation is useful.

 

[Highway 61]

Were they old or modern, there are either bad or good tools put in either trained or febrile hands.

Too many collected cameras used too rarely rarely produce too good shots.

 

[Spanik]

I shot three Polaroid shots this morning, and all came out over-exposed. I put it down to my own error in metering.

But it all made me think that modern cameras with reliable meters and auto-exposure sure are nice.

Please explain how a reliable meter used wrongly gives good results?

Like Tunalegs I find auto-exposure and autofocus useful at times. But the times they messed up and I wished I had done it manually have far exceeded the other cases. I never got anything in focus with those multi-point autofocus systems. They always seem to think they know better than you what needs to be in focus. Auto-exposure in bright sun and hard shadows is also not much fun. It isn't easy getting it right manually.

These things are nice to have and get it reliably right in easy conditions. But those are mostly conditions where it isn't hard to get it right manually.

Now having electronic shutters that give a reliable, repeatable and correct timing are another thing. That is something invaluable. Even then you have to watch the battery but I regard that as a small price to pay.

To err is human but to foul things up right you need a computer. (forgot who said it)

 

[mugent]

I shot three Polaroid shots this morning, and all came out over-exposed. I put it down to my own error in metering.

And one shot was fired into the dark slide. Fortunately I realized it, and pulled the slide and reshot it.

But it all made me think that modern cameras with reliable meters and auto-exposure sure are nice.

There is something to be said for the camera to deal with the technical logistics, and I just "deal with the shot.".

Agreed, but there needs to be a limit. I like having wind-on and shutter cocking linked, as 999 out of 1000 shots, you want this, it makes sense, but only taking a picture when everyone is smiling is a different thing entirely 🙂

 

[thegman]

I shot three Polaroid shots this morning, and all came out over-exposed. I put it down to my own error in metering.

And one shot was fired into the dark slide. Fortunately I realized it, and pulled the slide and reshot it.

But it all made me think that modern cameras with reliable meters and auto-exposure sure are nice.

There is something to be said for the camera to deal with the technical logistics, and I just "deal with the shot.".

Yes, time and a place for both. I like the manual control if I have the time and peace and quiet. But if you're being rushed about the place without much time, then auto-everything can be great.

Last holiday I took, I took many photos from the back of a horse. I used a Lumix G1, and just fired away. That was a time I like the auto-everything and the Hasselblad was best left at the hotel.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Yes, time and a place for both. I like the manual control if I have the time and peace and quiet. But if you're being rushed about the place without much time, then auto-everything can be great.

Last holiday I took, I took many photos from the back of a horse. I used a Lumix G1, and just fired away. That was a time I like the auto-everything and the Hasselblad was best left at the hotel.

Well, I've heard of 'horses for courses' but never of 'cameras for horses'.

Sure, you use what works. And, of course, what's available to you.

Cheers,

R.

 

[gooseta]

I never got anything in focus with those multi-point autofocus systems. They always seem to think they know better than you what needs to be in focus.

Use center point af...

 

[Clint Troy]

Cyber-sex is not like real sex.

 

[MarylandBill]

Please explain how a reliable meter used wrongly gives good results?

Like Tunalegs I find auto-exposure and autofocus useful at times. But the times they messed up and I wished I had done it manually have far exceeded the other cases. I never got anything in focus with those multi-point autofocus systems. They always seem to think they know better than you what needs to be in focus.

In some of the more recent cameras, you can just touch the point you want the camera to focus on and the camera does the rest. The EPL-5 my wife and I got ourselves for Christmas is like that.

Now that being said, I like focusing manually, I like mechanical shutters. To me they provide an immediacy to the act of shooting that auto, or even electronic cameras can't. It is probably all psychological, but it is the way I feel.

--
Bill

 

[ibcrewin]

I like to think relate to beer and cars to cameras because it makes sense.

New cars are awesome, power steering, power windows, seat belts and efficient engines.. But old cars have a cool-ness about them. Some old cars run poorly and have quirks that would be annoying to most people.

It's like beer in that you can go to the store, buy a beer and drink it. Instant satisfaction. You can also brew your own. You can design your own beer how ever you want it. You may even mess the whole thing up and make a bad batch, but you keep at it. It's fun.