Need inspiration to use my SLR!

[Markok765]

I'm not using my Nikon much these days. It's large, heavy and loud. The last time I shot a roll with it was a few weeks ago, during a paid shoot. I've been using a Olympus XA for the past few weeks, favoring it for its silence, small size and easy portability. It's a totally different feel shooting it, it seems relaxed and easy. I also love the 'look' of the lens, evident in the photos in this album: http://picasaweb.google.com/Markok765/OlyXAPics

So I'd like to be inspired to use it, any way you know how!

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Get an interchangeable lens rangefinder (M39 or Leica M).

My experience with Cosina/Voigtlanders (wide) lenses is that they are sharp but tend to vignette... Might be the look you want, but with many more possibilities.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Oooops... Sorry, your post could qualify as an official reading comprehension test.

So, to bring out the best in your SLR, start getting *very* close to your subject.
(I'll avoid mentioning the use of very long focal length lenses)

 

[nickandre]

I've given up shooting b+w material in 35mm. I'll probably try a roll of microfilm, but I vastly prefer the tonality of a 4x5. The SLR has been relegated to color work with Ektar 100.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Markok,

Maybe the problem is because of problems with the Nikon. Send it to me and I will check it out right away.

Steve

 

[Markok765]

So SLR's work the best when you fill the frame with the subject? I would love to get a Leica M RF with some wides, but I cannot afford one at this time, plus some features of the Nikon/Flash combo such as focusing in very dark places, and the awesome autoexposure with flash I need for some situations.

Sure Steve! Just send me a nice RF such as a Leica M6 to check out for you while you check out mine

 

[IloveTLRs]

With an SLR you can get right up close to your subjects. After getting an OM-2 a few months ago I started doing that (coming from 2 years of nothing but RF work.)

 

[mjs]

For a somewhat unusual take on use of 35mm, check out the book "Creative Elements" by Eddie Ephraums. It's a different philosophy than you get from mainstream reading.

Mike

 

[2F/2F]

I can't believe that this is actually happening.

 

[Markok765]

I can't believe that this is actually happening.

Why is this?

 

[nickandre]

I enjoy the close focusing ability of my 28-80. That's the only thing I don't get with my other weird cameras.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Marko,

You could calm down slightly. I last time I did some serious photography was in January, mostly because I have many other photography related things to get done, as well as printing. Do you have a darkroom or access to one?

Tom.

 

[Markok765]

Tom, I am calm sorry if I didn't seem like it lol.

I don't currently have a darkroom, kinda rebuilding mine! I still develop film in the washroom though, which is good as I have a huge backlog of around 70 films lmao!

 

[removed account4]

I can't believe that this is actually happening.

i know what you mean ...

 

[ChrisC]

Have you tried running a new/different roll of film through the F5? Could be all the inspiration you need to keep using it. Maybe even spring for a used wide that gets you really close to things (if you can afford to spring for it) as it seems like it'd suit your style. I know new focal lengths (especially primes) do a lot for Also try planning a series on something where an SLR would be more suited. I've just started a series and I'm finally starting to use my 4x5 properly for the first time in well over 6 months. It's a good feeling, and there really are different courses for different horses.

 

[Markok765]

Have you tried running a new/different roll of film through the F5? Could be all the inspiration you need to keep using it. Maybe even spring for a used wide that gets you really close to things (if you can afford to spring for it) as it seems like it'd suit your style. I know new focal lengths (especially primes) do a lot for Also try planning a series on something where an SLR would be more suited. I've just started a series and I'm finally starting to use my 4x5 properly for the first time in well over 6 months. It's a good feeling, and there really are different courses for different horses.

Hmm... Tri-x pushed in rodinal to 1600, wide lens and head on flash portraits? Weegee style?

 

[rpsawin]

Put a lens on it, point it at something and see what happens.

 

[glockman99]

No problem. If you don't use it, send it to me, or I'll hunt you down and take it from you, and then I'll use it...

 

[Sirius Glass]

No problem. If you don't use it, send it to me, or I'll hunt you down and take it from you, and then I'll use it...

I got dibs! I called it first!

Steve

 

[ChrisC]

Hmm... Tri-x pushed in rodinal to 1600, wide lens and head on flash portraits? Weegee style?

See, you're thinking already.

 

[mudman]

If you have the SC-17 (or whatever its called) cable for off camera flash, try that with the portraits. I dunno about pushing Tri-x to 1600 and using flash, but its your experiment.

 

[keithwms]

I understand where 2F and John are coming from

Marko recall that I advised you to get an F100 That advice still stands. An ex-F5er myself, I simply question whether the F5 is the right piece for you (based on what I have seen of your work). The F5 is a machine gun and you are a natural sniper. I went through this transition to more selective shooting myself... and now even the F100 feels like massive overkill most of the time.

 

[Markok765]

I'd love to get a F3, but I need flash exposure! It's not so much the 'machine gun' style of the F5, but rather the weight. I'd rather have a F4 or F3.

 

[Rick A]

Marko- why dont you try to get your hands on a TLR. Shooting an old Yashica D or Minolta, or Ricoh 6x6 with or (preferably)unmetered causes inner eye distortion, and you'll never see things the same again. They force a person to slow down and think a bit. Seeing things reversed through a dim viewfinder imposes serious brain warp. The worst that can happen, is you slow down and start composing in a manner you never thought of. Who knows, that may be the best thing to happen.
Rick

 

[removed account4]

I'd love to get a F3, but I need flash exposure! It's not so much the 'machine gun' style of the F5, but rather the weight. I'd rather have a F4 or F3.

marko

flash exposure ?? get a flash and bracket ...
learn how to use a flash on a cold shoe.

go out and shoot ... the easiest way to do that is just to start ...

good luck!