Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/04/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I think this list was not written by the same Polish guy who broke the Enigma code, but you never know! > . Don’t be overloaded with a too complete equipment That Leica winder M sure doubles the weight of my little camera bag. I most often bring a camera with lens on it with a roll of film where the other lens should be. And a spare set of battery chips. But sometimes i bring everything. And someone to carry it for me. > 2. Work as often as possible wide open I make sure there is nothing within several hundred feet of me when ever i pull out my camera. That way i don't bump into anything and scratch my expensive UV filter. > 3. Chose in advance the distance of the work domain I really do this. I'll set the camera at 8 feet and leave it there all day. If it's not 8 feet away feet do your stuff or i don't shoot it! 8' and be there! But as I've already made certain there is nothing within several hundred feet of me before i pull out my camera; it makes for a lot of foot work. > 4. Adjust the exposure in advance and fine-tune it only when the light > changes really yes i set my camera up to be all ready to shoot practically before i get there. Or certainly when i first arrive. > 5. Don’t use the motor-winder only to shoot faster but also –taking > advantage of the of its weight- to shoot with an increased stability Yes i agrree it's very imporat to leave my Leica winder M turned off but just think of it as ballast! Sure it also helps stabilize the camera with a 90 apo Asph Summicron on it or the lighter 135 apo 3.4. But these guys are selling stuff here. I love the zip zip zip of that winder! > 6. For fast shooting – with small diaphragm value and short focal length – > it is not always necessary to refocus. Work preferably with typical > adjustment This of course is the opposite of "2. Work as often as possible wide open" A Veritable Quandary! and this is what i tend to do. Hate it when i don't have some leeway in the front to back department. > 7. Learn to shoot “au jugé” – at the belt height over the head, …- practice > to increase your experience/success I myself personlly never wear my belt over my head. I keep it around my waist where it belong. but i've just discoverd suspenders so this may change! I'm just as likely to raise my camera high as put it anywhere. Having it glued to your eye socket is a real detriment to getting the shot fast and spontaneously. > 8. Stabilize the camera by using the strap around you elbow They seem determeed it seems to see me with my pants around my ankles. No i refuse to do this either! I keep my straps out of site. > 9. Always check that the viewfinder window is clean Nose grease works great for this. And fills in any micro scratches which may have incurred. > 0. If by strong light the in of in the viewfinder are hard to see, use one of your finger to shade the exposure window What was the first part again? > 1. Never shoot without a hood I wear a hood and gloves and a cape which lowers my profile considerably. But i leave my sickle at home as my outfit is scary enough as is. makes it hard to hit that 8 foot sweat spot i've set up for myself that day! > 2. Press the shutter release slowly and smoothly. If needed use a tripod I never though of smashing my tripod on top of my shutter button to get it unstuck! What a great idea! The right tool for the right job! > 3. To obtain perfect result it is necessary to hold correctly the camera I'm not going there girlfriend! > 4. For vertical shooting It is preferable to adjust the focus horizontally and then turn the camera For getting vertical lines in line sure but for horizontally arranged lines in line you'd want to hold it vertically. get it got it good. > 5. To work fast chose pre-select the speed and than adjust the diaphragm Kinda goes against what they just said "6. For fast shooting – with small diaphragm value and short focal length" but what the heck! What they should have said is not "To work fast" but "for fast work"! Or: "fast work if you can get it!" > 6. Never obstruct the rangefinder window with a finger Kinda goes against " use one of your finger to shade the exposure window" I'm using all my fingers to hold correctly the camera! :) > >><Snip> are these numbers out of order of is it me? Mark Rabiner Portland, Oregon USA http://www.rabiner.cncoffice.com/