Blind photographer needs help focusing

Hello Fellow Photographers,

 

I am in search of a Fuji GW690 or GSW690 6x9 rangefinder camera. I might want to

buy one later, but for now I want to test it to see if I am able to focus it. I've never

used a rangefinder and can't seem to find one in a store to try out. Fuji actully

stopped selling them about a year ago I think.

 

No I'm not totally blind, but almost. And yes, it has been suggested that I use an

autofocus camera. I have two digials now. I have heard the Fuji is an excellent

camera and I just want to test one for myself before I buy one, then find out it's

too much of a challenge.

 

I would appreciate anyone's help in this matter. I live in Santa Cruz, California and

can travel down to Monterey and up to San Francisco.

 

Thanks in advance. Troy

Troy, I own both a GW & GSW 690IIIs along with a GX680III system. I use the 690s strictly for landscapes and never try to focus. I simply set them at f22 and at infinity focus and fire away. Everything from about 10-12 feet to infinity is razor sharp. These cameras are incredible - fantastic optics mounted on a simple box. A perfect example of less being best in so many situations. Feel free to email me if you have any additional questions.

Just out of personal curiosity, how well can you "see" the final results of your work/

photography?

 

I am curious if you have trouble "seeing" the real world, but somehow can enjoy it better

as a photographic print.

I can relate to Troy's concern as I too have vision problems right now.

At my age (57) my eye doctor tells me that I'm developing cateracts on both eyes with the right eye being the worse. He also tells me that 99% of population will develop cateracts as they age due to the loss of the

ozone layer.

 

I struggle to use my equipment finding that my enlargments are one way

to see the world a bit clearer when I view them inches from my nose!!

The loss of vision has slowed me down but not stopped me.....yet.

Hopefully, surgury will fix my concern but until then my auto focus

Pentax Pz-1p will get a workout. My Mamiya c330 will get a short rest.

Troy,

as you are able to go down to Monterey I would suggest you dropping by CameraWest there (www.camerawest.com).

According to their inventory they have both Fuji 680 and 690 there.

Paul, you asked a question about how well I can "see." Well, techniacally, my left eye is

corrected to 20/200. That means that what someone with 20/20 vision sees at 200

feet, I can see at 20. My right eye is worse at 20/400...To put it into perspective, I

can't see well enough to drive. Riding a bikeis a challenge, but hey, got to get around.

This is all because of an eye dicease.

 

Anyway, I first bought a camera back in the late '70s thinking that if I photographed

something, then held it up to the object, I would understand how other people saw.

Well, once I got the Canon ae-1, i never did the experiment, but over the years I have

learned something about how I "see." What I've learned is that sometimes I don't

really see what I'm shooting. I have to imagine it. I go to county fairs sometimes, but I

can't see the exspression on someone's face. I imagine what I think is happening,

how a scene will play out, and when everything comes together I push the shutter.

One reason for the Fuji is that I love expansive spaces. I don't have to see every leaf

of the tree to know it's a great shot

Troy, auto-focus is not necessarily the answer, either. The autofocus can focus on the wrong item (background instead of subject, for example), and if you have difficulty focusing, you'll likely have a certain amount of problem using autofocus. If you don't mind losing occasional shots, then check into it.

 

Read up on "zone focus" and hyperfocal distance- a couple of techniques that may be useful if you haven't used them.

Troy

 

The fuji rangefinders have bright viewing (as do all rangefinders compared to SLRs with slow lenses), so should be suitable for framing. Actual focussing might be difficult as the 'overlapping image' mechanism of a rangefinder is indistinct.

 

The above advice about stopping down for landscapes is good, especially as you like expansive views. They are classic landscape cameras (I have a GSW 690III).

 

As stated above, they are good lenses with a simple box. Only real annoyance is the lack of a good B or T setting.

 

As a matter of interest, have you seen the Australian movie "Proof". It is a about a blind photographer who has a friend describe the scene he is photographing and the pictures taken. Interesting idea, but deception and deceipt start to send things awry. Has Russell Crowe in it for what that's worth.

Have you tried Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto: www.kspphoto.com? Maybe they have a

used one they'd let you rent or test. FWIW, they have Mamiya 7's listed in their rental

catalog. I believe they also do rentals by "mail" to out of town photographers.

Hi, Troy,

 

Mr. Fisher's point about f22 and infinite focusing seems encouraging.

 

FYI...because it has become difficult for me to focus, I looked for alternatives...and tried focusing a Mamiya 7 Rangefinder in a used store. However, aligning the Rangefinder into focus was not much easier than viewing through a 35 mm viewfinder.

 

You probably have pursued this, but have you also looked at used "Mamiya RB67 Pro S" and similar cameras of that style? I purchased a very clean, used RB67 with a 140mm macro lens for $700 from Columbus Camera Group. They were great to deal with, and I am very happy viewing the larger Waist-Level screen. (And I understand the aftermarket Beattie Brightscreen products provide an even better image in low-light conditions.)

 

Good Luck!

 

Robt.

I can relate to Walt regarding cataracts. I am 55 and recently had cataract surgery and also have a nasty case of glaucoma. I was 20/60 in both eyes and had much trouble focusing my Fuji GW670. The surgery has changed my uncorrected vision to 20/30, left , and 20/20, right.

I used to be nearsighted, and I have artificial lenses which make me farsighted. The change is miraculous. Even my eye pressure has been lowered. Now I can focus without glasses.

 

To the original poster, you are an example of one who hasn't let a problem interfere with enjoying something you want to do. I hope you will find a Fuji you like as they are great cameras. Your determination inspires me.

I have considered your plight and considered the market place and I would encourage you to get a cheap photo assistant who is in college or university to be your eyes, as a professional you understand tha tthe vision is in your mind befor ethe camera and shutter captures the shot, so get an assistant and the best camera money can buy and get the shts by close supervision. You are a wonderful person, You have alot to contribute and offer to us and the world. Please shoot alot and get the shots to us!!!!!!!!!