Re: [Leica] re: should i buy a noctilux?

["Mxsmanic" <mxsmanic@hotmail.com>]

It seems to me that it is boiling down to talent--something I am unlikely to
acquire through any amount of practice.  However, I'll try to implement the
techniques you suggest and see if I can do better.  One of the greatest
disadvantages to using my M6 for street photography is that I often cannot focus
and set exposure quickly enough to capture a shot.  It is true that I probably
worry too much about exact focus (at f/11 being an inch off isn't going to
change anything, after all) and perhaps also about exposure (I scarcely need
1/3-stop accuracy for Tri-X), but the habit is hard to break.

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "stephen holloway" <stephen.holloway@balcab.ch>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2001 12:53
Subject: Re: [Leica] re: should i buy a noctilux?


> Mxsmanic wrote:
> >
> > I'd very much like to know his secret for focusing accurately at f/1 in fast
> > street photography.  It scarcely seems possible, and yet his photos seem to
> > prove that it is.
> >
>
> There's no real secret: it's just a combination of techniques.
>
> - Lots of practice at snap focusing. With the Noctilux, there's no time
> to rack the lens round from infinity, I place it a little ahead of the
> expected subject distance so only a small twitch of the ring is
> necessary. Don't twiddle with the focus if you think it's not quite
> there, take the picture anyway.
>
> - If possible take more than one picture of a subject (sometimes a lot
> more). If you're using a difficult technique you have to accept a lower
> hit rate sometimes.
>
> - For things like the Fastnacht pictures where people are moving
> predictably, I use a 'gating' technique. Preset the lens focus, put it
> to your eye and let the subject walk into frame, hit the shutter when
> the rangefinder lines up. You lose control over timing with this
> technique, so take lots of pictures. If there's room, start walking
> backwards in front of the subject, now you've got lots of timing control
> - don't forget to look behind you every few seconds though! (Or get an
> assistant).
>
> You've got to try and stay in control of the situation, exposure should
> always be preset and rarely adjusted (use an incident meter or sunny 16
> rule). Street pictures normally build up fairly slowly in front of you
> (over a few seconds), if you've got a clear idea of what the picture is
> you can prepare the focus and be ready for it.
>
> Did I already say take the picture anyway? You can correct or forgive
> gross errors in composition, exposure or focus; but if the timing's
> wrong the picture is junk.
>
> --
> Stephen Holloway
> http://www.deepturtle.com/steve/photos