Modern body or old school- what do you use and why?

[faberryman]

I prefer manual focus. I have a OM1 and an OM4Ti. The OM4Ti has automatic exposure. Does that count as modern or old school?

 

[1kgcoffee]

old school. I like the heft and fully mechanical cameras. No batteries

 

[RattyMouse]

What are your preferences for 35mm SLR? Do you shoot what you prefer because it gives you results you like or do you greatly enjoy the experience (or both!)?

I have both; a Nikon FM2n and Canon EOS 1V. I use whatever I'm in the mood for and suits my needs.

 

[ac12]

Manual focus (MF) for me.

• Like others, I am old school, and was brought up on manual focus lenses. So focusing a lens manually is easy for me.
  
• Unlike the new kids, I do not need an AF camera, I can focus manually. I even bought a Nikon 500/f8 mirror for my DSLR, and I have no problems focusing it.
  
• It may become an issue as I get older and my eyes age, but right now, I can still manually focus easily.
• One BIG thing for me is that all of my MF lens (including the zooms) have Depth of Field scales on the lens. I do not think any of my AF lenses have a DoF scale. So it is much easier to plan a shot where I am using DoF, using a MF lens.

As for AutoFocus (AF)

• Yes, AF is faster, but I feel more comfortable with manual focus. So if time/speed is not an issue, I would choose MF
  
• As was mentioned, AF with multiple focus points has given ME more problems than it solves. So for my type of shooting, I stick to CENTER focus, so I have control over what the camera focuses on.
• I will admit that shooting kids is probably easier with a FAST AF camera that can do continuous focus. Although I do not recall having focus problems with my SLR+MF lens. My digital P&S is close to worthless and very frustrating when shooting kids at a party, as the shutter lag is so long that the kids are long out of the original position, and out of focus.

 

[ciniframe]

As long as I can still manual focus then all manual bodies (usually all mechanical too, except for an OM-4Ti obtained "jammed" at a second hand store for a stupid cheap price) because I'm not in a hurry. I also like to prefocus by scale, and let DOF cover my behind. At 68 I have cataracts developing but thankfully not in my good eye...yet. Also like pinhole which just solves a lot of focus problems as long as you can put up with it's look. I have various cameras using 35mm and 120 film that are scale focus anyway so over many years I've learned to judge distance fairly accurately out to about 30 or 40 feet.

A extra thought; I could always move to the f64 school.

 

[dmtnkl]

I used F2 and F3 for a good 10 years from late 70's to late 80's. Then I sold them all. Using a Minolta SRT-101 with no meter. Up to early 2000's I wanted a camera again so after much reading I decided that the F5 would be the one. At the same time the F3 + Motor drive was about $1700 and the F5 was $1900. So out of curiousity I bought the F5. I found that the F5 control layouts are very logical but when I started to use it they are very slow to operate. Turning the wheel from f/3.5 to f/11 takes a while. Try changing shutter speed from 1/125 to 1 sec. it's time consuming. I kept overshooting.
AF is good but selecting the focus point isn't fast. If use the center focus point I hate focus and recompose thingy.
And the Matrix meter doesn't work for negative film.

AF point selection and the various modes usually slow me down or confuse me as well. I am still not quite sure how to work fast and effectively with AF.

As for matrix metering, at least on the F80 and F6, it works quite well for me both for negatives and slides.

In case you find it interesting or useful, F6 has a custom setting that makes each control dial click to move exposure up/down one full stop instead of 1/3 increments. Also, F80's dials operate at half stops by default.

 

[Sirius Glass]

More to the point, I would like to turn my old body into a much newer body. How can I do that?

 

[Peltigera]

I used to prefer my Olympus OM10 until I bought my OM1, now I prefer that one.

I have 4 EOS bodies but I rarely use them.

 

[wastelanded]

When I are based on taking photos, I used Nikon F2 and F3. I've played with modern AF cameras with auto-everything, but they just don't feel right for me.

Until recently I only shot Nikon, but I've amassed a pair of OM-1s and three lenses which I'm enjoying tremendously. But if I want to take shots without thinking, it's the FE-2 that's in my hands. My brain doesn't have to do anything then, the camera is an extension of my hands.

Of course I am old, so there's that.

 

[avb]

I like shooting with my "modern" (21 years old?) Nikon F5 for the AF, matrix metering, and build.
I've set the custom settings so I change the aperture on the lens and can view it through the aperture direct-readout in the viewfinder. I always use A mode.
I also like it that I can set it to shoot 35 exp instead of 36 so I can file in and contact print my (5 column x 7 row) Print File sheets.
Just need to get my hands on a MF-28 back so it will automatically print the date between the frames.
The F5 only has 5 focus points; I don't find it too difficult to switch between them.
I only wish I could dial in the exposure compensation on the subcommand dial without having to press the button first. Maybe I'm more suited for an F4?

 

[Chan Tran]

More to the point, I would like to turn my old body into a much newer body. How can I do that?

Easy! It depends which model of the old body you have. With many you would have to put some dollar bills in but for some you can actually get some money back.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have EOS 300, my wife took great portraits of kids with it, AE/AF and kids were not moving. Those portraits made me get back to film in 2012. But I did it with family FED-2, because it is camera I started with film. Manual focus was never limiting back then and now.

Leica RF.

The trick is to know your kids and kids in general and have camera ready.

FED-2 RF.


Honestly, most of the pictures of kids and relatives, friends I have were taken with them not jumping, but not sitting for portrait. Manual focus was fine.
Leica RF.


EOS 300 is in the drawer for years now, EOS 3 was quickly sold after purchase. Those are not my cup of tea, nor old SLRs or made in Japan old RF cameras. I like Nikon FG-20 and around this time Nikon's SLRs, like F3HP, but nothing after it.

 

[voceumana]

Old school for me--I can use that type of camera faster than anything modern with auto-anything. I don't want to have to carry around the instruction manual to see why the camera doesn't take a picture when I press the shutter release--I just want it to work.

 

[mshchem]

90 % of what I shoot is medium format 6x6 and 6x9. No auto. I do use a F5 with auto bracketing when shooting 35mm slides. I really hate relying on batteries. I love shooting a F2 with prime lenses and plain prism. Motors are so noisy they are distracting.

 

[David T T]

I like mechanical cameras on principal, as there durable/serviceable. (Until they're not!) And focusing is a breeze with my RB67, which is my main squeeze.

However, for 35mm I like aperture priority shooting. And auto-focus is great with my old Rebel's tiny/dim viewfinder.

 

[TheRook]

90 % of what I shoot is medium format 6x6 and 6x9. No auto. I do use a F5 with auto bracketing when shooting 35mm slides. I really hate relying on batteries. I love shooting a F2 with prime lenses and plain prism. Motors are so noisy they are distracting.

I never understood why some people hate using batteries in cameras so much... at least not with film cameras. You stick it in, and it's usually good for a year or so. With some cameras, such as my Nikon FE, a battery will last several years before it needs replacing.
However, digital cameras and their constant need for battery recharging - that's a different story.

 

[Cholentpot]

I never understood why some people hate using batteries in cameras so much... at least not with film cameras. You stick it in, and it's usually good for a year or so. With some cameras, such as my Nikon FE, a battery will last several years before it needs replacing.
However, digital cameras and their constant need for battery recharging - that's a different story.

Because some of the batteries cost more than the film body these days.

 

[narsuitus]

I never understood why some people hate using batteries in cameras so much... at least not with film cameras.

I do not hate using batteries. I just try to avoid using them for the following reasons:

Camera may not function without the batteries.

Batteries may leak and damage the camera.

Batteries may explode and damage the camera.

Batteries may swell and get stuck in camera.

Batteries corrode the electrical contacts.

Batteries die at the most inopportune times.

Batteries loose their charge in cold weather.

Stored batteries have a limited shelf life.

Some batteries are very expensive.

Rechargeable batteries require a charger.

Batteries may be hard to replace because they become obsolete.

It is hard to gain access to the battery compartment of some cameras.

Batteries usually power moving parts and moving parts are susceptible to breakage.

Batteries add weight to the camera (some motor drives require as many as 10 AA batteries).

Batteries are counter to my KISS principles (Keep It Simple Sweetie).




Batteries by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[Les Sarile]

I never understood why some people hate using batteries in cameras so much

I had batteries die once and had spares but did not have a coin to open the battery cap!

Not necessarily hate but also by option.

 

[drmoss_ca]

Frankly, I wish I could make up my mind. I like using manual cameras because I have to think, and I like using auto cameras because I just have to compose the photograph. Ultimately I'm a total screw up and I either don't know what I'm doing, or I cleverly know exactly what I'm about.

To be honest, I would be happy to stick with my pair of F6's - but yes, I could wish the AF Nikon lenses were as good as some others, but they aren't. Hence I still use Leica M, Leica R, Olympus OM and Pentax K and M bodies and lenses. This is silly, as I know perfectly well that the few photographs I have taken that I can be proud of could have been taken by any of those lens brands. I have some mental baggage to get rid of before unloading some physical hardware, it seems.

 

[RichardJack]

Since we are keeping it to film here, I'd go with old school. I love my Nikon F3 & FA, and my more compact Spotmatic F and Minolta XD-11. When I want automation I shoot digital.

 

[Helios 1984]

The first thing I thought when I held my EOS 30 was how it felt similar to my digital. Don't get me wrong, I like to use my EOS 30, it's reliable, comfortable and loaded with features, but I have to admit that I just have more fun when I'm using my old school cameras.

 

[Chan Tran]

I like electronic controlled shutter although I don't care for automatic or meter.

 

[mshchem]

I never understood why some people hate using batteries in cameras so much... at least not with film cameras. You stick it in, and it's usually good for a year or so. With some cameras, such as my Nikon FE, a battery will last several years before it needs replacing.
However, digital cameras and their constant need for battery recharging - that's a different story.

No argument with what you are saying. It's the darn digital cameras that require 100 dollar and up battery packs. I use a Bronica SQAi , electronic shutter takes 4ea. 357 button cells, batteries last for years. I use a hand held incident meter, it takes a battery too.

 

[Pioneer]

I am primarily old school and I usually prefer manual focus. I use fuzzy words like "primarily" and "usually" because nothing is absolutel

Without getting into great detail I find that rangefinder lenses with very short focus throws work very well for quick manual focus. I can usually find focus and lock quicker than most autofocus lenses do.

I find my negatives are much more consistent when I am using manual exposure cameras as they are not continually trying to adjust for transient lights or differing backgrounds that are not important to the subject I am photographing. This happens to me a lot when shooting sports when the strong lighting gets picked up in the focusing area.

If you have become used to autofocus/autoexposure cameras doing this work for you then it can be quite daunting to take that control back.