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Having spent the past few years using Nikon digital and an F75, I've decided to go back to basics and picked up an old Nikon FM, primarily as a spare camera. Yes - manual focus, basic metering, no onbody flash, metal body. What a challenge! I've now got to think about exposure and take care with my focussing! It doesn't half make me appreciate my newer all electronic stuff, but it's helped reinforce the principles of photography with me.
Anyone else taken a step backwards to get back to basics? Or am I on my own?
Andy
I use "old stuff" more than "modern stuff". I prefer manual focus & film, but digital is convenient.
Have you found that the FM feels more like a "proper" camera compared to the F75?
I have.
Bought a digicam to save on costs and ended shooting alot film (although, not entirely). I use Zenit 12XP totally manual and no metering. It's more fun as I get to twist barels and flip levers. The shutter speeds are very limited (1/30-1/500) and the flash sync is only at 1/30. That can get in the way of some shots on some occasions.
The good thing is that I have to check EVERYTHING before pressing the shutter release button. That makes me get things much slower and to think of my shots beforehand. The bad thing is that I almost can't "grab" shots as I'm always in the wrong settings (usually the aprture is too closed or too opened, but if I change it then I have to change the shutter speed and that takes time and the situation is 'over').
Ah, and the smell of some films is nice too ;-D
Ilia Kagan.
I have a Pentax K1000 - can't get much more basic and i have recently got a Pentax KX of ebay for more manual fun. The KX has more features like mirror lock up and DOF preview which should come in handy for macro shots. I find the wind action very satisfying on them.
My modern camera is a Canon EOS 300.
been trying out a DSLR lately - but very pleased to have a session yesterday with the MPP ('70s) and 15cm heliar (about 1942).
Nearly forgot - took a couple of trial piccies with the TTH RVP lens, should date from about 1890 something. No shutter, just a metal screw on cap.
>Hi Andy
I have a Nikon FM with a 50mm f1.8 nikkor lens which i use with extension tubes for close up work.A great camera - easy to use with top results,not bad for a 1973 piece of kit.Also have hoya 135mm and 200mm lenses (ebay) which were dirt cheap.Not as good as my eos30v but you dont expect it to be.A few close ups in my portfolio shows what the fm is capable of.
Good luck
Steve
After years of using only hi-tech 35mm cameras I recently bought a 100% manual medium format camera and after a brief, frustrating initiation (it took half hour just to work-out how to load it) I'm enjoying it immensely. It has three controls - shutter speed, aperture and shutter release - and no battery! Using a waste-level viewfinder is a real eye-opener and, finally, my much-neglected hand meter is getting plenty of use.
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