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Manual camera?
Oct 29, 2019 13:20:39 #
My be I'm too old, but how is meter automation if it does not actually control the shutter or aperture. Most of my film cameras if they have a meter work fine with the batteries out and the use of a handheld meter. Having an old camera does not mean you have to go back to shooting wet plates with out a shutter on the lens. I thought we all could agree on what a manual camera is, but it seems not.
Oct 29, 2019 13:35:48 #
leicajah wrote:
Just curious. Who uses a totally manual film camera?
---------------
I do when I am shooting film.
Oct 29, 2019 13:37:21 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
I used a Argus C-3 with 10 ASA film. Also a Exata and a 1939 Lica. All only manual, In that time we had NO AUTOMATIC stuff
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Oct 29, 2019 13:55:19 #
I can't say exactly when the last manual film image was taken but it had to be sometime after I started digital with the Minolta Dimage X20 in 2004. I haven't used film since probably 2010.
Oct 29, 2019 13:59:16 #
smf85
Loc: Freeport, IL
Nikon F c. 1970 - originally a FTN hence semi-automatic but meter failed about 20 years ago and I replaced the prism with a standard F prism - also got the waist level & sports finders. Still in reasonably consistent use.
Oct 29, 2019 14:14:50 #
leicajah wrote:
Just curious. Who uses a totally manual film camera?
Rolleicord III
Pentax 6x7
Bronica ETRSi
Oct 29, 2019 14:19:32 #
knoxworks
Loc: Western Mass.
Recently I put back into service:
- Minolta SRT-101 (two bodies)
- Minolta SRT-201
- Minolta X-570
All have meters powered by batteries. The X-570 won't operate without a battery; the others only use the battery to power the meter. I've done enough shooting that I can take a photo without a meter in a pinch. My collection of Minolta prime lenses includes a 28mm, 50mm macro, 58mm f1.4 that I've owned since 1970. I have two Sigma primes, one 14mm and one 24mm. The list goes on.
I find these are the primo lenses. Some equipment I've bought new, some used, and some has been given to me. One person said to me "But you have to pay to have the film developed." My reply was "Yes, but I've already made the investment in lenses." (In a nearby city is a lab that does excellent work.) I use them mainly for B &W. I have two Canon DSLRs that I love, but they're constantly being replaced by something newer and with better resolution. I like to make big prints.
- Minolta SRT-101 (two bodies)
- Minolta SRT-201
- Minolta X-570
All have meters powered by batteries. The X-570 won't operate without a battery; the others only use the battery to power the meter. I've done enough shooting that I can take a photo without a meter in a pinch. My collection of Minolta prime lenses includes a 28mm, 50mm macro, 58mm f1.4 that I've owned since 1970. I have two Sigma primes, one 14mm and one 24mm. The list goes on.
I find these are the primo lenses. Some equipment I've bought new, some used, and some has been given to me. One person said to me "But you have to pay to have the film developed." My reply was "Yes, but I've already made the investment in lenses." (In a nearby city is a lab that does excellent work.) I use them mainly for B &W. I have two Canon DSLRs that I love, but they're constantly being replaced by something newer and with better resolution. I like to make big prints.
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Oct 29, 2019 14:37:47 #
smf85
Loc: Freeport, IL
lamiaceae wrote:
My be I'm too old, but how is meter automation if it does not actually control the shutter or aperture. Most of my film cameras if they have a meter work fine with the batteries out and the use of a handheld meter. Having an old camera does not mean you have to go back to shooting wet plates with out a shutter on the lens. I thought we all could agree on what a manual camera is, but it seems not.
I agree - a camera with a meter bolted on to the camera body is still a manual camera if you have to read the meter and then set shutter/aperture from it. If the meter is aware of the shutter and aperture but you still have to adjust them yourself its semi-automatic.
Oct 29, 2019 14:43:00 #
kufengler
Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646
I have a couple and some film too, but haven't used then in years.
Also have a BROWNIE, not used much.
Also have a BROWNIE, not used much.
Oct 29, 2019 15:09:03 #
Robert1 wrote:
I still do. Not as often as recently as last year, but I still do.
Pentax LX
Norita 66
Chinon CS 4 and CM4
The chinon CS 4 was my first ever SLR. Back in 1981.
Pentax LX
Norita 66
Chinon CS 4 and CM4
The chinon CS 4 was my first ever SLR. Back in 1981.
As the happy and proud owner of Pentax LX cameras, it is NOT totally manual. It can automatically control exposures in moonlit conditions of many minutes. You do have to focus it, but other than that it can control exposure, TTl, and flash, both measured off the film during the exposure.
Oct 29, 2019 15:12:52 #
Different people define manual cameras differently.
1. A manual camera is one that requires you to set everything manually but it can have a meter and being battery dependence. Example the Canon AT-1. It has a meter and it won't work at all without battery.
2. It can have a meter but must work if the battery is dead. There are many in this example. Pentax K1000, Nikon FM, Minolta SRT's.
3. It can't have a meter nor needs battery to work.
4. It doesn't have a meter but depends on battery to work. Example the Hasselblad 2000FC.
For me it's the #1 definition.
Note: For some it's simply a camera without autofocus.
1. A manual camera is one that requires you to set everything manually but it can have a meter and being battery dependence. Example the Canon AT-1. It has a meter and it won't work at all without battery.
2. It can have a meter but must work if the battery is dead. There are many in this example. Pentax K1000, Nikon FM, Minolta SRT's.
3. It can't have a meter nor needs battery to work.
4. It doesn't have a meter but depends on battery to work. Example the Hasselblad 2000FC.
For me it's the #1 definition.
Note: For some it's simply a camera without autofocus.
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Oct 29, 2019 15:22:04 #
rmalarz wrote:
You seem to be a glutton for punishment.
—Bob
—Bob
You could just say I have my feet firmly planted in the old ways of doing things. Now while hiking with all that equipment is punishing the process is bliss, relaxing and more often than not results in a rewarding photograph. Not to mention the peace and tranquillity of the darkroom experience that follows.
And I know you know all about this too!
Jerry
Oct 29, 2019 15:22:17 #
Still have my FM2 and there is still some film in the freezer.
BUT - if I set the mode on my mirrorless to M, turn of auto-ISO, turn off auto WB, and use manual focus I have the same shooting experience without film to process. I could even ignore the on-board light meter and get out my old Sekonic Speedmaster.
BUT - if I set the mode on my mirrorless to M, turn of auto-ISO, turn off auto WB, and use manual focus I have the same shooting experience without film to process. I could even ignore the on-board light meter and get out my old Sekonic Speedmaster.
Oct 29, 2019 15:54:50 #
Longshadow wrote:
It's interesting that the original question was what manual cameras do you USE seems to have turned into what do you HAVE.
I interpreted OP’s original question as “what film cameras have you used” not as “what do you use now”. I took a serious look at film development recently (Canon AE-1P, Leica M6), but decided I prefer the benefit of digital cameras and modern post-processing software. The more I study and learn, the less I am likely to look back. Regards, Ralph
Oct 29, 2019 15:57:18 #
petercbrandt
Loc: New York City, Manhattan
I use my film manuals for display only, shooting digitally.
Got: Rollieflex f3.5, 3 Hasselblads 500C & C/M, 4x5 Cambo, NIKON F, F2, F3, F4, Nikormat, Alpa 10d & Alnea, and vintage Kodaks........
Wife is after me to sell some I just collected and keep those I used and close down my museum !?
Got: Rollieflex f3.5, 3 Hasselblads 500C & C/M, 4x5 Cambo, NIKON F, F2, F3, F4, Nikormat, Alpa 10d & Alnea, and vintage Kodaks........
Wife is after me to sell some I just collected and keep those I used and close down my museum !?
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