Dry firing and photography (Page 4): Other than the rare occasion where I want to test something, no. I prefer to save the wear and tear on a camera/shutter for actual photographs I...

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Other than the rare occasion where I want to test something, no. I prefer to save the wear and tear on a camera/shutter for actual photographs I want to capture.
--Bob

Quixdraw wrote:

Well, it isn't really the same, because you do get an image to review, so unlike dry firing a target firearm, you can do more than just implant good habits. I do it fairly frequently, in varying light with different apertures and speeds, most times while sitting at my desk. There are various objects, and dog friend photos that would have a viewer scratching their head. I think it is helpful, particularly for low light work. Anyone else doing it?

Quixdraw Loc: x

rmalarz wrote:

Other than the rare occasion where I want to test something, no. I prefer to save the wear and tear on a camera/shutter for actual photographs I want to capture.
--Bob

Thanks! If I recall, you have some cameras that aren't like appliances, black plastic blobs, and replaceable as light bulbs, or for that matter Refrigerators! I certainly don't treat Dad's Leica M3 I learned on that way.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You're correct. Though, my cameras are quite durable and are used quite a lot. I just don't "toy" with them.
--Bob

Quixdraw wrote:

Thanks! If I recall, you have some cameras that aren't like appliances, black plastic blobs, and replaceable as light bulbs, or for that matter Refrigerators! I certainly don't treat Dad's Leica M3 I learned on that way.

Mr Bill 2011 Loc: southern Indiana

I keep my Panasonic ZS 100 on a shelf within reach by my computer. I'm often trying different things with it, experimenting, practicing, or just playing with it. Typically, I will switch it to electronic shutter when I do that. As for dry firing, I always use a snap cap.

BebuLamar

rmalarz wrote:

Other than the rare occasion where I want to test something, no. I prefer to save the wear and tear on a camera/shutter for actual photographs I want to capture.
--Bob

For my film cameras I use them so rarely that my dry firing is better for their health.

Quixdraw Loc: x

BebuLamar wrote:

For my film cameras I use them so rarely that my dry firing is better for their health.

I Well know that situation!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

MJPerini wrote:

I can't speak to fire arms, but I'm not sure I see... (show quote)

The value of dry firing a camera shutter is right there in your post; SMOOTH RELEASE OF THE SHUTTER. The more you practice the smoother your shutter release will be. It is not the shutter wearing in to get smoother but your mind/fingertip learning the movement of the shutter release.

Dennis

Doc Mck Loc: Terrell,Texas

TriX wrote:

Yep - I do it all the time.

Not sure if it was/is true, but when I was growing up, we were taught to never dry fire a shotgun - always used a dummy Or spent cartridge. Supposedly it might damage the firing pin. Is that true or just an old wive’s tale?

I use a spent cartridge in my firearms. I only dry fire when I put rifle up. Releases tension on firing pin and greatly extends ts life. I have a several firearms that work fine that are over 100 years of age.

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

TriX wrote:

Yep - I do it all the time.

Not sure if it was/is true, but when I was growing up, we were taught to never dry fire a shotgun - always used a dummy Or spent cartridge. Supposedly it might damage the firing pin. Is that true or just an old wive’s tale?

Had a Quackenbush 22 single shot antique. The chamber i think would/will have to be redone by a gunsmith because dry firing has made a deep dent in the chamber rim from the firing pin. Don't know if it would be so deep if it had had a cartridge rim to pound on instead of naked steel. Just a thought.

cactuspic Loc: Dallas, TX

When I get a new equipment, such as a long lens, I will do it to get a feel for the lens and to practice my target acquisition. Or when I try a new feature for me, such as controlling the focus point by using my thumb on the screen with the camera to my eye. By the time I get into the field, I want my actions to be second nature so that I am not thinking about the physical aspects of it.

I will also occasionally manually focus stack at 1:1 to keep the ability to get small, relatively even incremental turns of the focus ring, while maintaining a light touch that does not effect camera position. When I started focus stacking, where were no automated controls and it was strickly manual. With the advent of automated systems, I did it so that I had a backup in case my CamRanger ran out of batteries. Now that my camera has an easy setting to use and has certain technical advantages, I sometimes do a manual stack after I got the automated stack, because I just like the feeling of doing it manually.

Irwin

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Doc Mck wrote:

I use a spent cartridge in my firearms. I only dry fire when I put rifle up. Releases tension on firing pin and greatly extends ts life. I have a several firearms that work fine that are over 100 years of age.

May I ask what type of rifle do you do this procedure, bolt action, lever action, pump, break open?

Dennis

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Quixdraw wrote:

What this started out as was a discussion of practicing with digital cameras in a manner similar to dry firing target guns for practice. Apparently a lot of folks would prefer to get into a discussion of all things firearms. That was not my intent, simply an analogy. Works for me, and some of the photos obtained in the process are even interesting.

It is sort of like that story of where a fellow who is getting bored with the current conversation suddenly leaps up saying "Hark, I heard a pistol shot, speaking of guns...."

Also there is a whole series of jokes based on "Hark I heard a pistol shot"

Doc Mck Loc: Terrell,Texas

dennis2146 wrote:

May I ask what type of rifle do you do this procedure, bolt action, lever action, pump, break open?

Dennis

Bolt action only. More difficult with other types of actions. It could easily be done with double or single barrel, break open shotguns. Semi auto guns with empty magazines. Pump guns, lever actions, etc. I double check everything before pulling the trigger. Gun safety is the paramount concern. Never point a weapon at anyone, loaded or otherwise. A well trained gun handler will never kill anyone if a misfire occurs. His weapon is never aimed at anything he doesn’t want to kill.

Quixdraw Loc: x

I've shredded countless targets, busted lots of clays, knocked down or rung a lot of plates and never killed a one of them. Obviously safe handling is paramount.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

pmorin wrote:

I rarely went to the range when i had weapons. Hunted thru all the seasons and always came home with some game, but just decided one day to stop killing for sport. Now i go to the market for food and i hunt with a camera.

So you let someone else kill your food. Going to the range at the very least just before going hunting is absolutely necessary to making an ethical one shot kill. Most people who care go much more often. How is eating what you kill, killing for sport?? Do I know how to spell Troll?