Re: [Leica] Thanks!! OT Nikon F5

[Simon Lamb <s_lamb@compuserve.com>]

B. D.

I have to agree with your comments.  This whole issue about manual vs auto is
like saying that, even though I have a PC with Excel on it I would rather use an
abacus.  The results may be the same, the effort greater and perhaps more
rewarding, the process of learning one of awakening, but if your boss wants the
year end profit and loss statement in one hour, forget it - use the PC!  Right
tool for the right job, given the parameters for success.

Simon

B. D. Colen wrote:

> Aw, come on...THE Life photographer at Omaha Beach, Robert Capa, got some
> iconic images - but I would argue that they are iconic images precisely
> because they came from the early hours of Omaha Beach...to argue that he
> wouldn't have done infinitely better - under those circumstances - if he
> could have kept the cameras dry enough - with a couple of F5s  or EOS1nVs
> and wide aperture AF zoom lenses, is ludicrous on its face. Yes, manual
> focus cameras are wonderful tools. Yes, Leica rangefinders are wonderful
> tools. But some tools are better for some sorts of photography than other
> tools. And on Omaha Beach, an autofocus, motordriven, matrix metered, tool
> that would let the photographer simply concentrate on making the image and
> saving his skin, would have been INFINITELY better.
>
> B. D.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> > [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Robert
> > Stack
> > Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2000 10:28 AM
> > To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> > Subject: Re: [Leica] Thanks!! OT Nikon F5
> >
> >
> > Greetings Simon.
> > I think you answered your own questions.  Before computers in
> > cameras,autofocus and motor drives, photographers measured the light, made
> > exposure decisions, pre focused, etc.  I don't think there were too many
> > problems that the Life photographers on Omaha beach couldn't
> > overcome using
> > their manually operated cameras while dodging all forms of nasty
> > stuff from
> > the enemy above.  Not the same as photographing a fast lion, I grant you,
> > but tough to do nonetheless.  And they succeeded brilliantly!
> > Bob
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Simon Lamb" <s_lamb@compuserve.com>
> > To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> > Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2000 5:33 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Leica] Thanks!! OT Nikon F5
> >
> >
> > > Uwe
> > >
> > > OK, so that I can understand how non AF people operate is fast action,
> > what are
> > > your (and the groups) opinion on this.
> > >
> > > You are tracking a lioness stalking a hers of wildebeest and
> > you know that
> > you
> > > are going to see a high speed hunt in action. Suddenly the lioness
> > accelerates
> > > and gives chase, dodging this way and that as a single young wildebeest
> > tries to
> > > evade capture.  The action is happening realtime and sometimes
> > the animals
> > are
> > > passing behind trees.
> > >
> > > Do you use your super SLR with predictive AF, focus lock-on so that you
> > don't
> > > refocus when the action goes behind obstacles, colour metering
> > so you can
> > forget
> > > about exposures as they will be spot on and high shutter speeds because
> > you has
> > > 400 film in the camera and don't have time to change rolls.  You get 36
> > frames of
> > > action captured in about 4 seconds, five seconds to change to new film,
> > and off
> > > again.
> > >
> > > OR
> > >
> > > M6 or R8 rangefinder/manual focus camera with none of the above.
> > >
> > > Now, don't shoot me down in flames.  As I have said, my new M6 is great
> > and I
> > > love it but it is not the tool for the job IMHO for the scenario above.
> > My F5
> > > is.  So, as so many have said before, the picture counts and I know what
> > will
> > > give me the best chance of getting it.
> > >
> > > I would be interested in finding out how others with M6 or R8 would
> > approach this
> > > situation.  I know that many have said they were sports action photogs
> > before AF
> > > existed, so I would be interested to learn of any techniques that could
> > work in
> > > this type of scenario.
> > >
> > > Simon
> > >
> > > Uweflammer@aol.com wrote:
> > >
> > > > <<If you don't need AF on your rangefinder system why would
> > you need it
> > on
> > > > your
> > > > SLR system?>>
> > > >
> > > > According to my experience, AF only makes sense if i can see
> > what the AF
> > is
> > > > doing, and so i need the SLR focusing screen to see this. This was the
> > reason
> > > > why i did not by a Contax G2, although this system is well made and is
> > sold
> > > > for a reasonable price.
> > > >
> > > > Best regards
> > > > Uwe
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >