Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> 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. Yes, I think Stephen has an unusually good eye and reflects for street photography. One thing that I have recently found out after buying an M6TTL and using it's meter, is I find for SP the TTL meter to be a major distraction when i am trying to shoot fast (which you pretty much have to do for SP). To focus and then have to futz around with that TTL meter is to much lost time. So i have gone back to my meterless M2/M3 and using a handmeter. With getting a hand meter reading you get your setting then nothing much is really going to change light wise, if the sun comes out from behind a cloud in about 10 seconds you can get another reading and adjust. With B&W you get at least a one stop exposure latitude. sl > > ----- 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 >