RF or SLR for beginner in film photography?
- Thread starter ptm
- Start date
ermm SLR does have large aperture lens as well...for example nikon has a few good AI AIS f1.2 lens...but given the budget TS has...i doubt he will go for these expensive lenses.
Maybe TS want to read more about the different system?
For example, the frameline for RF...and Prime lenses that can be used on RF vs the choice of lens over SLR...whether he is comfortable with the focusing of a RF vs a SLR...
Maybe TS want to read more about the different system?
For example, the frameline for RF...and Prime lenses that can be used on RF vs the choice of lens over SLR...whether he is comfortable with the focusing of a RF vs a SLR...
The ISO is fixed by the film - so it would also be applicable to the SLR. Nikon FM2 is a film SLR *hint*
Tried a rf (yashica lynx) and find it easy and fast to focus.
Seems that slr body is cheaper then rf body generally.
IMO the biggest Advantage of RF over SLR is the shutter speeds at which you can hand hold the camera. Also, the Mirror slap and shutter lag issues are negated.
SLR is cheaper than RF because most of the SLR manufacturers have moved to D-SLRs.
Digital Range finders usually are costlier than D-SLR Counterparts.
For most RF users Film is the most viable option. That is why Film RF tend to be a little more expensive.
From my own experience, Fixed Lens RF is really good to start out for beginners. But if you want more lens options, the SLR is a better option as the lenses tend to be priced lower.
SLR is cheaper than RF because most of the SLR manufacturers have moved to D-SLRs.
Digital Range finders usually are costlier than D-SLR Counterparts.
For most RF users Film is the most viable option. That is why Film RF tend to be a little more expensive.
From my own experience, Fixed Lens RF is really good to start out for beginners. But if you want more lens options, the SLR is a better option as the lenses tend to be priced lower.
serial_lain
Senior Member
What are your experiences with photography? Have you tried a digital SLR? Whether digital or film, I feel the most tangible difference between SLR and rangefinders is the way it focuses, the SLR giving you "what you see is what you get" viewing. If you haven't tried an SLR at all, I suggest trying one to get a feel. Its generally easier to learn and gives you a good grounding in the basics of exposure. After that if you find your shooting style veers towards street photography, etc etc where rangefinders excel, maybe you can pick one up to try. If you enjoy shooting portraits, then maybe an SLR is more up your alley. Thats not to say you can't use a RF to shoot portraits. Its just a tad easier using the SLR for such purposes.
So in summary, choose SLR over RF based on your shooting preferences and style of shooting! just my 15 cents..
So in summary, choose SLR over RF based on your shooting preferences and style of shooting! just my 15 cents..
Thanks will keep the option of a Fixed Lens RF in mind.
Have not really been taking pictures often till recently still consider myself a beginner. Currently using a LX3 and own a DSLR few years back.
I reckon I tend to snap more while out and about, not much of portraits only candid or in the flash kind.
I have used a yashica GSN and MG-1 before. I moved away from film RF to Film SLR. Fixed lens RFs are too bulky for me. I moved to the Olympus pen F system (not digital pen ep) and the Olympus OM system. They are really small SLRs. Nice for street photog. The gsn takes awesome pics though. With very nice depth of field. But it's very unreliable in a sense that because of it's age, it gets spoilt very fast sometimes. The pad of death is one problem. If you're going film RF. Get a bessa. Try not to get a fixed lens rf. Get a leica if you have an extra kidney to sell.
Royale With Cheese
Senior Member
Thought the canon QL17 is like small as well?
i would suggest you start with your film photography journey with an slr first. reason being slr are generally cheaper. film isn't for everyone (not exactly the most convenient medium for photography) so start out with an slr and get a feel of the film workflow first.
most importantly after deciding which camera to get - go out and shoot a few rolls of film to get a better understanding of how iso, shutter speeds and aperture are interdependent with one another. after you understand that you will take good pictures with any camera.
most importantly after deciding which camera to get - go out and shoot a few rolls of film to get a better understanding of how iso, shutter speeds and aperture are interdependent with one another. after you understand that you will take good pictures with any camera.
Royale With Cheese
Senior Member
spoken like a true master :thumbsup:
Hi thread starter,
I suggest you get a cheap SLR with metering first. Nikon makes the best SLR in their F series. You compose the entire image in the viewfinder than RF which you "imagine" how the image will look and compose them within the framelines. Some poeple find this easy, some find it hard. But generally, most find SLR easier to handle. The once you are ready to try RF, its another thing altogether.
I suggest you get a cheap SLR with metering first. Nikon makes the best SLR in their F series. You compose the entire image in the viewfinder than RF which you "imagine" how the image will look and compose them within the framelines. Some poeple find this easy, some find it hard. But generally, most find SLR easier to handle. The once you are ready to try RF, its another thing altogether.
Hi thread starter,
I suggest you get a cheap SLR with metering first. Nikon makes the best SLR in their F series. You compose the entire image in the viewfinder than RF which you "imagine" how the image will look and compose them within the framelines. Some poeple find this easy, some find it hard. But generally, most find SLR easier to handle. The once you are ready to try RF, its another thing altogether.
heh mmmel and DoveVadar thanks for your advice.
is nikon fm2 or the f series suitable for beginner?
ptm: RF is not for everyone because what you see, may not be exactly what you get (this is what most SLR users who tried RF complains). RF is about seeing the world and putting a frame around it to compose, compared to your experiences of LX3 or DSLR, where you are composing based on what the camera sees. Get cheap FM2 and a 50mm (it will last you for years, decades and might even outlive you) and keep a portion of you $ for film & developing. You will need to portion more for film and developing, which is essentially what photography is all about, if you are serious about pursuing film photography. Anyway, you might start off firing at will but will eventually find yourself shooting lesser, with higher hit rate when you get more comfortable.
Do also read more about the fundamentals of zones in metering as older cameras does not have the fancy metering of cameras today. Understand your camera and the meter and you will be able to appreciate the basis of photography. Assuming you have not touched film before, its very different experience from digital. Something most, if not all of us here appreciates and enjoys
If you are keen to try out RF, do drop by SAM (Glass Hall) on 6th August at around 6.30pm. We will have a talk on RF and you can chat with RF users and even try your hands on one. Warning though.. you got to stay away from those who's cameras looks vaguely like the brand with a "Red Dot". Cos your budget is definitely not enough and if you get bitten and poisoned, your are in for it
Cheers~
Do also read more about the fundamentals of zones in metering as older cameras does not have the fancy metering of cameras today. Understand your camera and the meter and you will be able to appreciate the basis of photography. Assuming you have not touched film before, its very different experience from digital. Something most, if not all of us here appreciates and enjoys
If you are keen to try out RF, do drop by SAM (Glass Hall) on 6th August at around 6.30pm. We will have a talk on RF and you can chat with RF users and even try your hands on one. Warning though.. you got to stay away from those who's cameras looks vaguely like the brand with a "Red Dot". Cos your budget is definitely not enough and if you get bitten and poisoned, your are in for it
Cheers~
Hey, FM2 or FM3 are such a fine cameras. I really wanted to indulge myself and reminds me of my school days. Alas, work and time is a concern, I dont even have time to shoot with ever of my camera. But honestly, Nikon is the best. Spiderman uses it, what do you think? Beginners can shoot right away after figuring out how to load the film. As long as you can shoot DSLR, you can shoot an SLR. That also leave me with another option for you, a tiny contender: The Olympus SLR. Super tiny and cheap.
Anyway, off track abit, FM2's shutter sound is the sweetest I've heard. Really! Pure mechanic joy.
Anyway, off track abit, FM2's shutter sound is the sweetest I've heard. Really! Pure mechanic joy.
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Honest truth right there. I havent felt anything that is mechanically better. Maybe except the M6.
But even then......
TS: I was from a DSLR background, shooting film and RF now. I am faster on a RF due to the focussing, but I think I frame better with an SLR due to the fact that I can see EXACTLY what I am going to get. First time I used an RF, my first 20 images were shot with me using the whole rangefinder, instead of the framelines :sweat:
