Changing shutter speed with one finger

carlostaiwan · Apr 19, 2017

I have Nikon FM and I love it! is light, feels sturdy and looks great. The only problem that I have with it is that while my eye is in the viewfinder, I can't change the shutter speed with one finger. I need to use two fingers, resulting many times in losing focus or even the whole picture.
What camera do you recommend me that can be easy to change with one finger and is completely mechanical? Is the FM2, FE2, FM3a any better? Could I make the dial a little bit more "loose"?

I know you can do it with leicas... I always dream about getting a M6, maybe voigtlander? However I would rather stay with Nikon, so I would actually have money to buy film and develop rather than having a Leica in the shelf and no money for film...

PS: I also own a F100 that can do that, it's also great but different, but I'm looking for a more mechanical feeling.

darkosaric · Apr 19, 2017

I can change shutter speed with one finger on F3 without a problem. M6 classic is difficult to change with one finger (at least for me), but M6 TTL looks much easier (not sure - as I have classic M6).

Chan Tran · Apr 19, 2017

I don't know of any. The old Canon AE-1 and A1 you can change with 1 finger but they are electronic. I have no problem losing focus using 2 fingers.

hashtagquack · Apr 19, 2017

Pentax spotmatic or any derivatives first come to mind. Minolta sr1, possible the others from this range too. Olympus om1 as shutter dial is on the front

mrosenlof · Apr 19, 2017

Keep your Nikkors and get a Nikkormat ft2 or ft3. Any of them really, but the 2 and 3 take batteries that you can still buy. The shutter speed selection is around the lens mount like an OM-1 (but reverse direction). I like this arrangement because it is easy to change speeds without moving my eye from the finder.

A camera in aperture preferred automatic mode also changes the shutter speed with a control around the lens (aperture ring in this case).

In both cases, it's not "one finger", but it very natural while looking through the finder.

GRHazelton · Apr 19, 2017

Sadly the Pentax MX demands 2 fingers to change shutter speeds, at least my 3 examples do. I know, I know...THREE! Probably time for an intervention. I think that Olympus had a wizard solution with the OM series - focus, f stop AND shutter speed with the left hand! All concentric with the lens mount. If only my OM-4 didn't eat battery cells like M and M's.

M Carter · Apr 19, 2017

I get the love for metal and leatherette cameras, but when you can get a Nikon 8008s for $25 or so, or an N90s with grip for $50-$100... (and the grip works just fine on the 8008, except for vertical firing) - why not give one a try? The 8008/8008s is one of the most spectacular film camera bargains these days. Modern batteries, integrated motor drive, matrix, wide, and spot metering, 1/8000th shutter, plenty of info in the VF, and one-finger shutter speed (and really good auto settings). I have two that have been going fine for close to 20 years now. Electronic shutter control so no worries about shutter timing being off. And the 8008 gives you that awesome multi exposure control. (I know the OP mentioned an F100, but for anyone else looking, there's not much you get going higher than the 8008, a real sweet spot in the film lineup).

markbarendt · Apr 19, 2017

filmconquistador said:
I have Nikon FM and I love it! is light, feels sturdy and looks great. The only problem that I have with it is that while my eye is in the viewfinder, I can't change the shutter speed with one finger. I need to use two fingers, resulting many times in losing focus or even the whole picture.

Having used an FM2 with essentially the same knobs for years I can hardly imagine how using two fingers would make you lose focus, or the shot.

Focus and aiming are done with the left hand. Are you having to look at the dial?

Huss · Apr 19, 2017

filmconquistador said:
I know you can do it with leicas... I always dream about getting a M6

The Leica answer is actually the M5. The shutter speed dial overhangs the front and is designed to be used with one finger. It also has a much better exposure readout in the VF than the M6 - it shows the shutter speed and has matched needle metering to go with its spot meter. Even if you can turn the shutter speed dial with one finger with the M6, you wouldn't know what speed u are setting with the camera at your eye.

winger · Apr 19, 2017

Pentax PZ1p (one of my faves). I do have a Nikon N6006 sitting here (was my dad's) and it can be changed with the thumb, I think while looking through the viewfinder. I haven't used it in 15 years, so I can't remember.

Gerry M · Apr 19, 2017

Another thumbs up for the Pentax Z-1P.

miha · Apr 19, 2017

filmconquistador said:
However I would rather stay with Nikon, so I would actually have money to buy film and develop rather than having a Leica in the shelf and no money for film...

Nikon FG allows the speeds to be changed with your index finder: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nikon_FG_shutter_dial.JPG

darkosaric · Apr 19, 2017

miha said:
Nikon FG allows the speeds to be changed with your index finder: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nikon_FG_shutter_dial.JPG

Correct, FG and FG20 are the same as Leica M5 in this regard.

TheRook · Apr 19, 2017

The shutter speed dial should not be so stiff. It certainly isn't on my Nikon FE; I can easily turn the dial with one finger. Even with my pinky, if I wish to do so.

It wouldn't hurt to have the gears in your camera cleaned and lubricated. In other words, maybe it's time to send it out for a CLA. If your Nikon FM is otherwise in great shape and you use it often, having it serviced is a good idea. If done properly, the camera will then operate as if it had just come fresh off the assembly line.

rpavich · Apr 19, 2017

I change the shutter speeds on my FM2's with one finger.

However...I usually make sure that all that is set well before thinking about getting the shot...I don't wait until I'm focusing on something to adjust exposure related things.

BAC1967 · Apr 19, 2017

My Minolta srTsc-II as well as a few other Minolta models have the shutter speed across the bottom of your view when you are looking through the viewfinder. I find it quite easy to turn it with one finger without taking my eye away from the scene.

Minolta srTsc-II by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Chan Tran · Apr 19, 2017

BAC1967 said:
My Minolta srTsc-II as well as a few other Minolta models have the shutter speed across the bottom of your view when you are looking through the viewfinder. I find it quite easy to turn it with one finger without taking my eye away from the scene.

Minolta srTsc-II by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

It's not about not seeing the shutter speed in the viewfinder. It's about the dial is too high and too stiff to turn with 1 finger.

Theo Sulphate · Apr 19, 2017

Very easy to change shutter speed with one finger on my ZeroImage pinhole. In fact, it's required.

Not what you wanted? Ok, don't forget the Canon EF ("Black Beauty"). The dial overhangs the top edge.

On the Canon EF, batteries are only for the meter and slow speeds; otherwise it's mechanical.

flavio81 · Apr 19, 2017

filmconquistador said:
I have Nikon FM and I love it! is light, feels sturdy and looks great. The only problem that I have with it is that while my eye is in the viewfinder, I can't change the shutter speed with one finger. I need to use two fingers, resulting many times in losing focus or even the whole picture.

It is that way on many cameras.

Here are some cameras that i've owned or used that you can change the shutter speed dial with one finger:

Canon EF (copies the Leica M5 shutter speed dial)
Nikon FG (wonderful camera btw)
Pentax P30 (nice compact camera)
Canon AE-1 (classic)
Canon A-1 (you love it or you hate it)
Canon AE-1P

also, the Nikkormat series of cameras, with shutter speed dial around the lens mount, can be easily changed with one finger.

Besides them, cameras with push-button shutter speed change like the Pentax ME super, will let you switch speed with one finger.

flavio81 · Apr 19, 2017

Theo Sulphate said:
On the Canon EF, batteries are only for the meter and slow speeds; otherwise it's mechanical.

I sold mine last month and I'm starting to miss it... OMG.

flavio81 · Apr 19, 2017

filmconquistador said:
I can't change the shutter speed with one finger. I need to use two fingers, resulting many times in losing focus or even the whole picture.

You shouldn't lose focus. Are you holding the camera according to (what I call) the "Classic technique"?

In the classic technique your camera is also supported by the left hand, by using your left palm as a "cradle" to the camera base.

Thus you can completely support the camera with your left hand and part of your right palm, thus leaving your right hand fingers free to do whatever they want, without having to move focus or image composition.

Thus, no problem with cameras that require two fingers to move the shutter dial. Which is a long list including some of the best cameras ever like the Nikon F2 or Pentax Spotmatic or the Canon F-1.

Sirius Glass · Apr 19, 2017

Two fingers with my Nikon SLRs, but I set the speed before I compose.

ac12 · Apr 19, 2017

I don't understand how you are doing it that you find it so difficult.
A pix of you holding the camera might help us figure out this puzzle.

I used my shutter release finger + thumb on most all my 35mm cameras to change shutter speed.
The only one that I did not, was a Nikkormat FTn where the shutter speed control was a lever that rotated around the base of the lens mount. I think all the Copal shutters had this type of shutter speed control.

If you want tricky to use, as I recall the Exacta had a left hand film advance and the shutter speed knob was on the left side.

Theo Sulphate · Apr 19, 2017

Maybe the focusing ring on your lens moves too freely (such as with an AF lens in manual mode).

Best lens feel for me, for both aperture and focus rings, is on the old 1960's-1970's Super Takumars. Nothing else has quite matched that.

Les Sarile · Apr 19, 2017

filmconquistador said:
What camera do you recommend me that can be easy to change with one finger and is completely mechanical? Is the FM2, FE2, FM3a any better? Could I make the dial a little bit more "loose"?

However I would rather stay with Nikon,

The FM2, FE2 and FM3A have the same force to turn. Of the completely mechanical cameras in my possession and is a Nikon, the Nikkormat FT3 can be actuated by the left index finger as you have better leverage with the control arm sticking out but it is awkward for me a rightie.

Of the completely mechanical cameras in my possession but not a Nikon, the Minolta SRT101 and Pentax KX take noticeably less force to turn then the Nikons.

Changing shutter speed with one finger

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