How do you focus with an old SLR?

Pioneer · Mar 10, 2014

MattKing said:
+1

What concerns me most, though is that the OP refers to a Pentax MX as an "old SLR".

Bill Burk · Mar 11, 2014

Suppose you got your answer already. With Pentax, generally I explore the scene and focus while looking at the image in the microprism section of the center... The image turns clear and sharp decisively... After "practicing" this way for a while, I'll go out and actually use the camera, focusing as quickly as necessary for the shot I'm taking. Yes, focus on what must be sharp, then move to compose so the shapes are pleasing in the viewfinder and take the picture, if it is worth it.

Xmas · Mar 11, 2014

Bill Burk said:
Suppose you got your answer already. With Pentax, generally I explore the scene and focus while looking at the image in the microprism section of the center... The image turns clear and sharp decisively... After "practicing" this way for a while, I'll go out and actually use the camera, focusing as quickly as necessary for the shot I'm taking. Yes, focus on what must be sharp, then move to compose so the shapes are pleasing in the viewfinder and take the picture, if it is worth it.

yea that is all good
if there is light for /125 @ /5.6 I fit a 28mm set focus to 5 feet and lock the mirror up
review mistakes on light table rather than screen treat it like digital...

Nuff · Mar 11, 2014

Xmas said:
yea that is all good
if there is light for /125 @ /5.6 I fit a 28mm set focus to 5 feet and lock the mirror up
review mistakes on light table rather than screen treat it like digital...

That doesn't help when a person wants to use 50mm or 85mm. Focal lengths are not interchangeable.

lxdude · Mar 11, 2014

It is quite all right to use any place on the focusing screen for focusing, if you can discern sharp focus doing so. My LX and one of my MX's have a plain matte screen, as that is what I prefer most of the time. It's great for macro, IMO. I like it for my 500mm mirror lens too, though the image in the finder will will be noticeably brighter in the center. I use a screen with a microprism dot sometimes- it just depends on how I feel like working.
The LX screens are brighter than the MX screens, and will fit perfectly in the MX. The added screen brightness affects the MX's meter reading slightly, about 1/3 stop.

Xmas · Mar 11, 2014

Nuff said:
That doesn't help when a person wants to use 50mm or 85mm. Focal lengths are not interchangeable.

Well if I need a photo of a statue I do use a fast 85mm & monopod. Takes a while to swap lenses, etc. The monopod is as or more necessary than a focus spot unless the light is real good...

Depends on the style of photo you want - a subjective thing,

It was the HCB who said
' Adams and Weston have gone mad they are taking photos of rocks. '

miha · Mar 11, 2014

Xmas said:
It was the HCB who said
' Adams and Weston have gone mad they are taking photos of rocks. '

Almost...

Nuff · Mar 11, 2014

Xmas said:
Well if I need a photo of a statue I do use a fast 85mm & monopod. Takes a while to swap lenses, etc. The monopod is as or more necessary than a focus spot unless the light is real good...

Depends on the style of photo you want - a subjective thing,

It was the HCB who said
' Adams and Weston have gone mad they are taking photos of rocks. '

I usually take photos in dark places where I need fast lens and wide open lens. In my case that's 43mm lens. I don't like perspective of 24mm, I do own one and I never use it. I also rarely use my 31mm lens. It's too wide, doesn't suit my style of photography. I'm more into minimal photographs which include less, not more. In my case, wide lens will not work. But then, I'm not the OP.

Not to mention wide angle lenses don't work with people, unless you want to make them look very distorted.

Sirius Glass · Mar 11, 2014

Ian Grant said:
Focus on the part of the image that you feel is most important to be sharp and in focus, that may not always be the centre.

Ian

What he said.

GarageBoy · Mar 14, 2014

Use the ground glass and look more carefully?
I have a type A screen on my Nikon F2 and on occasion, it's easier to use the matte part rather than the split (wish I had a microprism) but it's fine
and my vision's terrible, even with glasses

RalphLambrecht · Mar 15, 2014

I get the best results with a bright screen and a slit-image finder. moving the camera never upset my focusand doing the mathI'll doubt it ever will DOF should easily take care of that.but,You can always test(see attached.

fstop · Mar 15, 2014

jnanian said:
i don't focus at all, its easier that way

I like your style.

Bill Burk · Mar 15, 2014

That reminds me...

Though I can't very well judge distance quantitatively... I find I am very good with depth perception (comparative distances).

So when I want to take a quick photograph of someone without them being self-conscious, I position myself so that my subject and the person next to the one I want to photograph are the same distance away from me. I focus on the other person and then turn at the last second to take the picture.

How do you focus with an old SLR?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency