A challenge (manual camera vs moving object)

[OptiKen]

No lessons to be learned here. I just wanted to share my walk at lunch today. It's bright, warm, and sunny here today (too bright). I took my Vito II loaded with 200 ASA color print film and put it in my back pocket then went out to see what I could see. In front of our building there was a Great Blue Heron walking under the trees.
For those of you not familiar with the Vito II, the only thing automatic on it is the button you push to open the bellows. It's a sweet little walk-around camera that yields some nice pictures when you take the time to set it up.
I take a reading which tells me that I should be at f22 around 1/500 sec. The Vito only goes down to f16 and the fastest shutter speed is 1/300 sec.
No options. Set it to f16 and 1/300th and start shooting.
Herons don't like you to walk up on them.
They move.
They fly.
So here I am following this bird around the business park.
Hmmm...infinity set....frame...shoot...(damn)..cock shutter next time.
Get closer....20 ft distance set...it FLEW....aim, frame, click (oh great..nice out of focus shot I'm sure)
Again....12 ft...maybe I got it. Again...infinity,....click (cock shutter, idiot!)\
Honestly, it was fun but I need more practice to be able to change these settings on the fly....
Maybe a check list for each shot so I will just remember...
Check distance....f stop....speed.....cock......frame...click....wind.....repeat.
1 out of 4 shots I either forgot to cock the shutter or the distance was way off.
I'm hoping I get something nice out of the 10 shots I took.
I just may have to print them with vaseline on the lens or something and tell everyone I was going for an 'arty' look.
Or if I messed up and pointed the camera towards the sun, maybe I'll get some lens flare and I can post them on the Lomo site saying, "I meant to do that".

 

[Rick A]

With cameras like that, I use hyperfocal setting. Pick an aperture setting and shutter speed for the light, set focus so infinity falls in the brackets, then all you gave to do is remember to cock the shutter and aim.

 

[Hatchetman]

I honestly don't think an "all auto" camera would fare much better in that scenario. A little faster shutter speed would be good though.

 

[captbrs]

It's all part of the fun of using that type of camera. Have the same fun with my Welta

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

"Honestly, it was fun but I need more practice to be able to change these settings on the fly...."

Yup. And using hyperfocal distance focusing.

I have a Vito II also. Nice camera.

 

[ME Super]

Hyperfocal focusing for sure. I mainly shoot 35mm; hyperfocal distance with my 50mm lens seems to be around 16 feet (5m) at f/16. Everything from about 8 feet to infinity is in focus. With the 28mm lens hyperfocal distance at f/16 is about 5 feet which puts 2 1/2 feet to infinity in focus. I use the 28mm lens at f/8 hyperfocal distance (5 feet to infinity in focus) a lot when shooting infrared. Hard to miss focus that way when depth of field is so big!