View Full Version : Aperture Preferred Poll
kshapero
12-28-2010, 17:54
I confess, I love aperture preferred cameras. Which one do you like the best? The ZI has the great Viewfinder. The M7 is oh so accurate. The CV Bessa R*A's are for everyman and affordable. My Nikon FM3A is durable and can run all speeds if the battery fails. I'm sure there are others. Please Pipe in.:D
I have to go with the OM-2 ... it's metering is way ahead of the Nikon and a lot of cameras of the same era.
wlewisiii
12-28-2010, 18:33
Canon T90
William
BTMarcais
12-28-2010, 18:44
Canon F-1N. I had two, now I have none, and it's one of the few camera's that have come and gone that I really miss sometimes. Sold it because I wasn't using it much after picking up a contax G1/G2 system. (which would be my other favorite in this category, and I ALSO don't have that anymore, gone Leica for the most part.)
I could probably get used to a pentax LX too...
-Brian
FrozenInTime
12-28-2010, 18:50
Hasselblad 203FE : all the other film cameras I've ever owned have been all mechanical.
Though I did borrow a Pentax LX for a week : that had a superb mechanical/electronic system with fast speeds mechanical;slow speeds electronic and electronics for AE.
If we're being expansive with our choices then I'd really have to nominate my D700 ... matrix metering is nearly idiot proof!
paulfish4570
12-28-2010, 18:56
i sure do like my FE2.
Good question, but weird/odd poll choices. "Other" for me. Whenever the most popular poll choice is "other", the options were not selected well.
I voted for my M7 but, upon further thought, I might have gone for the F6. Just an incredible piece of engineering.
Wait, then there's the G2! Eh, they're all darn good, just different :)
... matrix metering is nearly idiot proof!
only if you know how and when to override it, which is almost always.....
Wow, I've never owned one.
Phil_F_NM
12-28-2010, 19:27
Konica Hexar AF
Phil Forrest
only if you know how and when to override it, which is almost always.....
From a novice's point of view though if you don't it will still get you a usable image ninety percent of the time which is why it was created. The large majority of the people who buy these pro-sumer DSLR's are happy to let the camera make the choices.
If you're constantly going to over ride matrix metering there's no point in using it ... you're better off with spot or centre weighted.
If you're constantly going to over ride matrix metering there's no point in using it ... you're better off with spot or centre weighted.
+1 , yeap
Guaranteed
12-28-2010, 22:00
I voted R*A as it's the only film body I have.
Brian Legge
12-28-2010, 22:19
I picked up a Nikon FG as a small, aperture priority capable body. The problem is, I got way too hooked on rangefinders at that point. Its a great camera but it feels so loud and big.
I just picked up a Yashica CC - likely dead ut for twenty dollars I'll take a chance - just to see if it fits for me. I'm sort of dreading the point where I start eyeing the R*A cameras. I'm so close to happy with the Leica screw mount body form factor that i'm sort of desperately hoping the desire for AP goes away.
oftheherd
12-28-2010, 22:35
As would be expected from me, Fujica ST 901. SBC Blue cell for metering EV -3 to EV 18, extremely sharp lens line-up, light and quiet (for an SLR). What's not to like? I have used mine for over 30 years. It caused me to fall in love with AP for its versatility (for me). I just can't really cotton to TV.
Contax RTS II and Olympus OM2
I like my rangefinders manual but A-mode is what I use most with my 35mm SLR cameras. I'm currently using F100 but I like most Nikons.
ruby.monkey
12-29-2010, 01:28
Other. Depending on my mood it's either my Nikon F3HP or Olympus OM-2N - but I'm considering adding the capability to my Mamiya RZ67 Pro II.
I used R3A and it worked fine, now I use Mamiya 6 and it is fine too - just one needs to be careful is it is not a TTL metering.
The one in my DLSR (Minolta 7D) works only so-so. The matrix option sucks completely - it underexposes about 1 stop.
Oly XA --- like using a pencil and a sketchpad, only smaller.
stupid leica
12-29-2010, 03:30
of the choices, Nikon FM3A.
Out of all cameras i've owned, i LOVE my FE2's. I plan on getting a "new" F1N AE soon though.
newspaperguy
12-29-2010, 04:37
Other for me - OM-2n in film.
Oly C-5050 or Canon G5 in digits, but all in AP.
kshapero
12-29-2010, 04:42
If we're being expansive with our choices then I'd really have to nominate my D700 ... matrix metering is nearly idiot proof!sorry this is a film poll Keith.
kshapero
12-29-2010, 04:44
Good question, but weird/odd poll choices. "Other" for me. Whenever the most popular poll choice is "other", the options were not selected well.It was late at night and that was all I could think of. At least I put in other, better than some dang polls.
sorry this is a film poll Keith.
Well ... if I was lucky enough to own an F6 I'd nominate that because it has the same metering system as the D700.
One day I'll have one (F6) ... when the price comes down a little. (or a lot)
:D
kshapero
12-29-2010, 04:50
Well ... if I was lucky enough to own an F6 I'd nominate that because it has the same metering system as the D700.
One day I'll have one (F6) ... when the price comes down a little. (or a lot)
:Dyes that is the probably finest film 35mm SLR ever made if you don't mind the weight.
digitalintrigue
12-29-2010, 08:01
Contax 645, Contax Aria (matrix!), Minolta CLE, Contax G2.
Also, my Leica IIIc is aperture priority, at least, that's what I set first. :)
NickTrop
12-29-2010, 08:27
Yashica Electro 35X
Yeesh - had to read a page and 1/2 of posts before the KING of AP film cameras was mentioned? Faith in RFF wavered, now restored... Right now my favorite is the Nikon D5000 DSLR (or any modern DSLR Canon, Nikon, Pentax - what have you) nearly always set to "A" mode. I can see all the necessary nfo in the viewfinder and can set the aperture with the thumb wheel, w/o fiddling with on the lens barrel or taking my eye out of the VF to set aperture. The camera does a nice job automatically balancing shutter speed with variable ISO for optimal quality. The aperture ring on the lens barrel is archaic, and the aperture ring is obsolete on lens barrels now. Glad Nikon (not sure if others are too - assume so) are doing away with them on newer lenses.
As a practical matter, I don't see how the older cameras - as wonderful as they are, can compete with these innovations personally.
Used to think DSLRs were more futzy with menus n'all. Now that I've owned one for a while I find them less futzy. Set the menus up, and forget it. Put in "A" mode. Shoot at desired aperture without having to blindly futz with the aperture ring on the lens barrel, or take your eye off the scene to set aperture - all the info is right in the VF. Less futzy.
jsrockit
12-29-2010, 09:30
Well, the only one I use that way is the Nikon EM... because I have no choice.
viramati
12-29-2010, 10:01
OM 4 and Konica Hexar RF
kshapero
12-29-2010, 10:56
Man my mind was shot when I created this poll. All these others are some great rigs.
Yeesh - had to read a page and 1/2 of posts before the KING of AP film cameras was mentioned? Faith in RFF wavered, now restored... Right now my favorite is the Nikon D5000 DSLR (or any modern DSLR Canon, Nikon, Pentax - what have you) nearly always set to "A" mode. I can see all the necessary nfo in the viewfinder and can set the aperture with the thumb wheel, w/o fiddling with on the lens barrel or taking my eye out of the VF to set aperture. The camera does a nice job automatically balancing shutter speed with variable ISO for optimal quality. The aperture ring on the lens barrel is archaic, and the aperture ring is obsolete on lens barrels now. Glad Nikon (not sure if others are too - assume so) are doing away with them on newer lenses.
As a practical matter, I don't see how the older cameras - as wonderful as they are, can compete with these innovations personally.
Used to think DSLRs were more futzy with menus n'all. Now that I've owned one for a while I find them less futzy. Set the menus up, and forget it. Put in "A" mode. Shoot at desired aperture without having to blindly futz with the aperture ring on the lens barrel, or take your eye off the scene to set aperture - all the info is right in the VF. Less futzy.
I find your attitude towards the menu system of DSLR's refreshingly realistic Nick. Everyone uses a PC these days and most of us use them fairly competently ... if you can't navigate your way through the menu system of a DSLR then you don't belong in this century! :D
CLE, HRF, ZI, R4A, G2, M8, M9, RF645... Lots to like among my aperture preferred RFs. I'm with Akiva in preferring this kind of operation...
NickTrop
12-29-2010, 13:35
I find your attitude towards the menu system of DSLR's refreshingly realistic Nick. Everyone uses a PC these days and most of us use them fairly competently ... if you can't navigate your way through the menu system of a DSLR then you don't belong in this century! :D
Thank you very much, Keith... Call'em as I see'em.
Really, regarding the menu thing - you set up the metering the way you want, autofocus options, ISO settings, and color options what have you - then leave them alone. They're "preferences", and there's no need to fool with them too much as some would have you believe, which is why it's okay to have them buried in a menu system as long as it's reasonably intuitive.
On to myy next technological conquest - texting! 2011 resolution - de-Luddite myself ;)
Michael Markey
12-29-2010, 13:47
Interesting view Nick.
I only own a point and shoot digi but must admit I don`t enjoy the menu approach.
However ,what you say makes a lot of sense.
Some people like to continually adjust...fair enough.
That view informs much of the comment regarding menu systems.
Texting ...well I`m still on predictive most of the time.
FrozenInTime
12-29-2010, 13:59
The aperture ring on the lens barrel is archaic, and the aperture ring is obsolete on lens barrels now. Glad Nikon (not sure if others are too - assume so) are doing away with them on newer lenses.... Shoot at desired aperture without having to blindly futz with the aperture ring on the lens barrel, or take your eye off the scene to set aperture - all the info is right in the VF. Less futzy.
Blasphemy :mad:
Removal of the aperture,focus scales and depth of field legend are all just ways for manufacturers to cut manufacturing costs - and remove lens calibration.
Glad it's all still there on rangefinder lenses - because you can scale focus, set aperture and estimate depth of field without having to futz around and look through the viewfinder or look at menus on the LCD.
All the information is right there on the lens. Less futzy ;)
robbeiflex
12-29-2010, 14:05
On one hand, Nikon has a great auto-ISO function regardless of which DSLR. Set the slowest shutter speed you want (say 1/30) and the maximum ISO (say 1600) and done. Never touch it again, or at least not very often.
On the other hand I'm not a fan of Nikon "G" lenses. No aperture ring or display of aperture on the lens, no focus scale or display of the focus distance. These "features" are all about minimizing cost, not maximizing the lens user's ability to make photographs.
Cheers,
Rob
robbeiflex
12-29-2010, 14:07
Back on topic, I'm surprised at how low the ZM is scoring on this poll. Is that because there are so few of them out there? Or is there something else about the other options that I'm missing?
Back on topic, I'm surprised at how low the ZM is scoring on this poll. Is that because there are so few of them out there? Or is there something else about the other options that I'm missing?
I don't think I've used my Ikon on AE much at all ... from memory it wasn't that great when I did.
Paul Luscher
12-29-2010, 14:15
All of mine which are...aperture preferred.
NickTrop
12-29-2010, 15:18
Apologies, in advance, for going off topic:
@ JSU - D5000 functions the same way as these, based on your description.
@ Michael Markey - my take is the DSLR menu system is like any other electronics equipment I own. Take my DVD player (not Blueray'd yet...). It has lots of menus to tweak loads of stuff. I set it up the first time to my liking, rarely fool with it after that - maybe for sub vs dub (prefer subs unless it's some 70's Euro exploitation flick, where the bad English dub is part of the fun). Same with DSLR. Set it up to your preference intially, then just shoot - usually on A priority. In fact, I even rarely move it out of that setting. I'm a weird DSLR user - I only shoot with a prime, hardly ever fool with settings other that aperture, almost never chimp, and keep the LCD folded inward and go by the info in the VF. I shoot it just like as if it's a film SLR.
@JSU - I don't tweet (but have an inactive account). I do FB though...
@Frozenintime - I agree with you on distance scale. Disagree with you about aperture ring. I can see the aperture setting in the viewfinder and control it with the thumbwheel on the camera body. It's easier to control, and my eye never has to leave the VF when composing to set aperture. That said, I absolutely LOVE the plastic fantastic Chinese-made 35/1.8 that's permanently attacked to the Nikon. Best "50" (crop factor) I've ever owned. I think excluding the distance scale along with the aperture ring is a reasonable compromise to keep the cost down. As long as they don't cheap out on the coating or the glass - which they didn't. If I want to spen more money to have those things, there are other options - which cost over twice what I paid for comparable performance.
@robbeiflex - completely agree. Nikon implemented this perfectly. Takes a little getting used to at first to figure out what the camera is doing with ISO but it gets it right every time.
film : Nikon F6
digital : Nikon D3 or D700
http://www.etiennemichiels.com
... I'm a weird DSLR user - I only shoot with a prime, hardly ever fool with settings other that aperture, almost never chimp, and keep the LCD folded inward and go by the info in the VF. I shoot it just like as if it's a film SLR. ...
Yep, same weirdness here, and same with the dRF too. :)
picker77
01-19-2011, 13:36
Bronica RF645, hands down.
Back on topic, I'm surprised at how low the ZM is scoring on this poll. Is that because there are so few of them out there? Or is there something else about the other options that I'm missing?
I had some time off today and I mindlessy wandered to a photo shop and I leasurely took a black shiny ZI in my hands.
BIG MISTAKE!
Now I can't get that thing out of my mind. Oh my.. oh my...
Hexar RF. And Other: Olympus OM10, Pentax LX and MZ-5, Fuji GA645, all with some form of AE-priority auto exposure. And one of those undesirable dSLR things too. All good.
Mongo Park
01-20-2011, 03:37
Leica R7 - as it is the only non "manual only" camera that I have.
Harrejesus
02-02-2011, 01:31
Xpan has a great meter.
bastian a.
02-11-2011, 03:37
Leica R8
Pentax LX
Contax G2
Brian Sweeney
02-17-2011, 15:14
The FE2, of course very close to the FM3a except for implementation of the shutter mechanism.
Gabriel M.A.
02-17-2011, 23:12
Back on topic, I'm surprised at how low the ZM is scoring on this poll. Is that because there are so few of them out there? Or is there something else about the other options that I'm missing?
It's "Other": there are hundreds of cameras that have an Aperture Priority function. I don't think the poll was worded correctly to reflect the original intent of the poll.
For example, I like the Lumix GF1's Aperture Priority setting: good metering, good auto-focus. But I don't "prefer" it over my Leica M8 or Canon 5D, or Canon 50D, or Nikon F2M. I like it differently.
I think he meant to say "film rangefinder (or manual-focus) camera that has an Aperture Priority mode". But he didn't. :o
NickTrop
02-20-2011, 18:53
Geez, you missed a lot of choices! Since this is RFF here's the straight-up classic RF AP cameras that come to mind:
Olympus XA
Yashica Electro series
Minolta made a Hi-Matic or two that were AP
Here's the kinda-sorta RF AP cameras:
Contax G and T series camera
Nikon 28/35Ti
and of course the Hexar...
New poll!
I'm sure there are others...
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