Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/07/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Alastair Firkin wrote: > I think the point I was trying to make was that for you and Tina, the > automation is made to work for you not inspite of you. For less > experienced users, the automation should be kept off most of the > time, so that they (and me) can gain the sort of 6th sense which > allowed Tina to "spot" the floor before firing the shutter.<<< Hi Alastair I don't have any doubt the experience of handling M6's has made the M7 a far more useful camera with it's AE auto exposure for both Tina and myself. I think much of what we find ourselves doing with the M7 is more or less instinctive moves in it's use. But then I'm not a thinking kind of photographer, I'm more of a reactor to the motivating moment without thought. So any AE extra motions are purely by reacting to the action and available light or non-light. And I agree with you, some rookies or enthusiasts should turn the AE off until they develop a better feeling for light and how it's working for them and not just light for an exposure. > The other "devil" in the rangefinder -- for me-- is the central focal > patch. <<< That's true, but I think getting over the "everything in the middle" composition can be over come by taking ones time and shooting stationary subjects in the learning stage, where focus can take place and composition second. Eventually this can be moved up a notch through practice so moving subjects can be focused and still do composition all at the same time. And sure on some shoots there isn't time for focusing and being extra careful in composing and you go with what you have, bettering the composition in the darkroom during enlarging or in the use of PhotoShop.. Obviously with the M7 there is the danger of doing everything .... center composed due the quick action of the AE allowing one to shoot with not much thought. Again I feel any of these point & shoot composition concerns and re-actions can and will be over come with time and practice of shooting. But one must be aware of this and make their changes as they become better at handling the camera. And it will come with time and experience. ted Ted Grant Photography Limited www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html