Most over rated feature

[Alex1994]

Focus lock. I find that the focus rings on a MF camera only moves when I touch it.

 

[MattKing]

The self-timer/delayed action shutter release, though perhaps I'm unusual in not wanting to be in more than one of my own photos per year!

The self timer function on a couple of my cameras pre-releases the mirror. As a result, I regularly use the self timer in lieu of a cable release and mirror lock up.

But I agree, I rarely want to get into my own photos.

 

[fschifano]

I have a Canon Elan7e ... the "eye tracking focus" system is just absurd ...

Yes, isn't it? Tried it once. Gave me a headache.

Most over-rated "features"? Probably TTL flash, and matrix metering, and many implementations of auto focus. Too many AF lenses have really crappy manual focusing rings that are hard to control precisely.

 

[5stringdeath]

TTL flash is the greatest invention ever if you ask me ....

Ok, not the greatest ever ... but I definitely use it when I do flash stuff, which isn't all that often

 

[removed-user-1]

Most over-rated feature... batteries. (Batteries in cameras that is; obviously they're necessary for flash and most hand-held meters).

My favorite cameras of all time are the Nikon F with a meterless prism, the Pentax S2 (a Spotmatic without a meter, basically), and my RB67. These cameras do what I need, all the controls are right where I want them, and they just work.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Oh, we know that, and it has nothing to do with autofocus!

!

Jeff

 

[alexmacphee]

Pixels.

 

[kuyman]

As someone who got into this whole film photography thing basically the wrong direction (through digital), I've got certain bad habits that I picked up from digital that I tend to enjoy. I'm seventeen, I'll admit, and I've got fantastic vision, but I still really enjoy autofocus. Except when it's noisy. I absolutely hate noisy autofocus. The point of AF for me was always to do something better than I could, usually meaning faster. Noisy autofocus is usually slower than me and completely distracting, and thusly overrated and useless.

Auto DX coding is really silly too, especially (as mentioned previously), when it's forced on you. If I want to expose my Portra 160 NC at 100, my camera better have no problem with me telling it that.

I usually throw ever-ready cases out. They just get in the way.

 

[2F/2F]

TTL flash is the greatest invention ever if you ask me ....

Ok, not the greatest ever ... but I definitely use it when I do flash stuff, which isn't all that often

...and since you do, I can guaran-bloody-tee you that your flash exposures are very rare "ideal" or as good as they could be. Printable? Sure. A decent amount of the time...but almost never spot on.

Don't get me wrong; I don't state that it is useless, or that it is not better than a guess sometimes...but it is most certainly tremendously over-rated in my book, as is any meter that gives an exposure based on composition as opposed to one based on a measurement of the light source itself.

Wouldn't it be great if all of our subject just had remote incident metering domes built in, to which we could connect, kind of like Pocket Wizards?

 

[frdrx]

100% viewfinder coverage.

 

[5stringdeath]

...and since you do, I can guaran-bloody-tee you that your flash exposures are very rare "ideal" or as good as they could be. Printable? Sure. A decent amount of the time...but almost never spot on.

Don't get me wrong; I don't state that it is useless, or that it is not better than a guess sometimes...but it is most certainly tremendously over-rated in my book, as is any meter that gives an exposure based on composition as opposed to one based on a measurement of the light source itself.

Wouldn't it be great if all of our subject just had remote incident metering domes built in, to which we could connect, kind of like Pocket Wizards?

I can guarantee you that any TTL flash photo I've taken is better exposed than pre-TTL especially bounce flash. However the failing may be mine but TTL is for me!

 

[5stringdeath]

Also back on topic


Mirrors!

 

[sidearm613]

As a member of gen-Y, I am going to defend all automatic modes, AF, and matrix/multizone metering, etc.
For one, I couldn't live without the matrix metering on my Pentax 67. Sure, all manual mode and spot metering is fine, but to me, especially when working with slide film, matrix metering and AE is a feature I count my blessings for having. This isn't to say I don't appreciate slowing down, but only when I have the time to slow down.
This is the same reason I love AF, because it frees the photographer up to compose. You don't have to worry about anything, you just take photos.

Having said that, to me the most overrated feature is dedicated TTL flash. Give me a generic flash and a PC sync port any day of the week. That way I can use the damn thing on any camera! Canon may make some fabulous flashes, but it is so damn annoying to have them only work properly on EOS bodies. If I buy a flash, I want it to work for any camera I mount it on!
Oh, and while I'm ranting on Canon.... I despise how they implement mirror lock up. I just want to be able to flip a lever or push a button and have the mirror pop up. I don't want to have to go hunting for custom function 343453! UGH!

Oh, and just to defend Canon and rant a little more...
While I love AF, I dislike cameras that have the AF motor in the body or have noisy non-USM motors. If I am going to AF, I want it fast and silent, not slow and noisy. I also really hate contrast-based AF in live view DSLRS, but that isn't for this forum

 

[Vonder]

Since this is the 35mm forum, I'd have to say the most over-rated feature is...

Any negative bigger than 35mm

 

[narsuitus]

The built-in flash in a 35mm SLR -- I would much rather have an interchangeable viewfinder.

 

[nolanr66]

Sensor wiggler on a DSLr and auto rewind on a 35mm.

 

[Dennis S]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5stringdeath
I have a Canon Elan7e ... the "eye tracking focus" system is just absurd ...
Yes, isn't it? Tried it once. Gave me a headache.

Most over-rated "features"? Probably TTL flash, and matrix metering, and many implementations of auto focus. Too many AF lenses have really crappy manual focusing rings that are hard to control precisely.
__________________

I had the same problem with the eye focus control on my Elan 7e. After I received the Ed-E eye cup it seemed to alleviate the focus problems. I still think the eye control focus is an option I can do with out.

 

[sidearm613]

Since this is the 35mm forum, I'd have to say the most over-rated feature is...

Any negative bigger than 35mm

Oh, you are so wrong.

 

[sidearm613]

The built-in flash in a 35mm SLR -- I would much rather have an interchangeable viewfinder.

Why can't we have both? This is probably the only thing I like about the Hasselblad H series

 

[Worker 11811]

+1 for the Program Exposure mode.
I used to use it as a crutch. It took me a long time to learn NOT to use it. 90% of the time it is not necessary. The only time I use it is when I have to capture a fast moving subject or something that is in quickly changing conditions, such as sports. Then, again, ask yourself how photographers used to photograph sports events before Program Exposure mode came along?

But, my number one vote for the biggest hype...

Anything digital.

Digital cameras. Digital television. Digital movies. Digital music.

I could put a piece of $hit in a box and stamp the word "DIGITAL" on it in big, red letters and people would buy it.
When asked, "Why did you just pay $1,000 for that piece of $hit?" the answer, almost invariably, is "Yes, but it's DIGITAL $hit!"

The Lord knows I love my digital television because I can now get a dozen crystal clear channels on TV using nothing more than a rooftop antenna. It's great to be able to shoot and edit digital movies at home then share them on the internet. Digital cameras are nice when you want to be able to shoot and share the results immediately but there is a time and a place for everything. Making quality photographs is not what digital cameras are for. Magazines, newspapers and ad agencies can make great use of digital photos because their images are so transient. As the saying goes, "Today's newspapers line the bottoms of tomorrow's bird cages."

About a month ago, I spoke to the director of the local art museum and asked her about the availability of their photography classes. She told me that they recently got rid of their darkroom equipment. Her reason was because "Only artists use film anymore."
I wanted to bop her on the forehead and tell her, "Duh! You are in charge of the ART museum! What ESLE do you do here besides promote ART?"

People jump on the "digital bandwagon" not because it is better than analog. It isn't. They jump on the bandwagon because advertisers hype it to the high heavens. Therefore, the most hyped feature is anything that is being marketed as "Digital Quality."

 

[alexmacphee]

I'm seventeen, I'll admit, and I've got fantastic vision

We hate you.

Any chance of a lock of hair? (I have a voodoo doll here and a couple of long pins.)

Auto DX coding is really silly too, especially (as mentioned previously), when it's forced on you.

Horses for courses, maybe. All my big cameras with DX reading have an over-ride. My favourite P&S, the Yashica T5, is auto everything. The only thing it lets me do is switch off the flash, and even that's only for one picture at a time. But then, that's the beauty of the T5, it's damned good at auto-everything for those auto-everything days. Maybe when you're a little older (I'll try to avoid cardiac areas with the voodoo pins), you'll have auto-only days too.

 

[alexmacphee]

I could put a piece of $hit in a box and stamp the word "DIGITAL" on it in big, red letters and people would buy it.

The nail on the head. 'Digital' is one of those adwords now, like 'sexy' and 'new' and 'improved'. Cokin filter holders are now 'digital' too. A recent camera bag buy is for 'digital', and it has left me extremely worried that my film camera won't fit. You can buy a digital tripod now. I'm just waiting for a film version of it to come out.

 

[lxdude]

Clothing with a "digital" pattern...not a number on it anywhere. Just square-edged blotches. :rolleyes:
Hm. Maybe they realize more than I'm giving them credit for.

 

[thisismyname09]

Program mode, for sure. I use shutter/aperture priority often when I'm shooting 35mm, but program seems kind of useless unless you have no idea what you're doing.

Shutter speeds beyond 1/1000s aren't exactly overrated, but kind of useless. You'd need extremely fast film or very bright lights to make use of it. In the case of trying to freeze something like a bullet, you're better off using 1/30s in the dark and using the flash as the shutter.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Shutter speeds beyond 1/1000s aren't exactly overrated, but kind of useless. You'd need extremely fast film or very bright lights to make use of it. In the case of trying to freeze something like a bullet, you're better off using 1/30s in the dark and using the flash as the shutter.

1/1000 is a bit low for long telephotos...
I'm very glad when 1/2000 is present: In the sun or with good light, I can usually shoot my 400mm handheld at that speed.