visualizing w/ a 28mm lens

Allen Gilman · 01-30-2005

Hey all,

I haven't shot w/ a 28mm lens before (on an RF camera that is) but am considering this set up as it's my favorite lens when shooting w/ an SLR. I was wondering if any of you could give some comments/advice on what helped you to adjust to visualizing the 28mm perspective when using the camera's internal finder...pretty please.

RML · 01-30-2005

Practise, Allen, lots of practise.

For me it was the CV 25/4, and before that the Canon EF 22-55.
Nowadays it's the J-12 35/2.8 that I'm getting used to; never used a 35mm lens before.

peter_n · 01-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by RML

Practise, Allen, lots of practise.

Or a 28mm finder...

hjfischer · 01-30-2005

RML wrote:
For me it was the CV 25/4, and before that the Canon EF 22-55.
Nowadays it's the J-12 35/2.8 that I'm getting used to; never used a 35mm lens before

What camera are you using the J-12 on?

RML · 01-30-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjfischer

RML wrote:
For me it was the CV 25/4, and before that the Canon EF 22-55.
Nowadays it's the J-12 35/2.8 that I'm getting used to; never used a 35mm lens before

What camera are you using the J-12 on?

The J12 is on my M2.
It used to be on the FED2 or the Zorki 4 but I never used these cameras.
Only after I got the M2 and started to feel comfortable with it I thought again of the J12. My specimen needs a hood as it flares pretty badly. Others have quite different experiences; too bad for me.

Doug · 01-30-2005

I'll agree with Remy and Peter; just spend some time looking at the world through a 28 finder. That could be either actual camera-clicking experience, or just carrying a 28mm finder around to peer through occasionally!

Allen Gilman · 01-30-2005

Thanks guys - guess I'll just practice w/ a finder first. The learning curve continues...

Brian Sweeney · 01-31-2005

Allen,

Did you get the Leica CL?

The Minolta CLE has 28mm Framelines. If you have not bought the interchangeable lens RF yet, you may want to look at one. Otherwise the DOF of the 28mm lens makes its use with the external finder on the CL fairly easy. Set to 10' or so, point, and shoot.

Allen Gilman · 01-31-2005

Should be here any day now Brian (the CL) - counting the minutes here. I'm also planning on getting a used M6 some time in Feb., so I'll use a 28mm on that. Looks like I'll just get an external finder as a crutch to help visualize the 28, then take it off after a while. Funny I spent all this time shooting SLRs w/out knowing how to visualize with my own eyes rather than through the lens.

Brian Sweeney · 01-31-2005

Allen, you will love the CL. As I read in Ivor Matanle's Book last night: It is easier to fix an all-mechanical camera with a drop of oil than to replace the electronics in a failed camera.

I would go with the external finder. The CL is good enough with a 35mm lens; just using the full viewfinder for the FOV.

I had thought of painting gold framelines for various lenses on the left lens of my eyeglasses. Two eyes for shooting. It would probably draw stares from subjects. The Nikon SP is less conspicuous.

Allen Gilman · 01-31-2005

If you paint the framelines on your lenses, just promise me I'll get a chance to do a portrait of you sometime! As always, thanks for the info amigo.

peter_n · 01-31-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen Gilman

{Snip} Funny I spent all this time shooting SLRs w/out knowing how to visualize with my own eyes rather than through the lens.

That encapsulates a major factor in the difference between shooting with RFs and SLRs. Well said!

Doug · 01-31-2005

Indeed, Peter! And Allen, I think use of zoom lenses pretty much torpedos learning any such visualization too. SLR + fixed-focal-length lens users at least have a chance!