susansav

<p>I learned "real" photography several years ago using my husband's Ftn from the 1970's. That's the one with the little needle in the finder that estimates the exposure for you. I took out books from the library, read stuff on-line, took many awful pictures - you know, you finally get the pictures back and they are black or all white or out of focus. But I finally got the knack and took some of my very favorite pictures. I loved that camera. Due to illness, I missed a couple of years. When I picked it up again, the finder that shows you the exposure wasn't working. Should I buy a used 30-year-old finder that works? How long would it work? Would I ever understand how to use an exposure meter to use the camera in full manual mode? Probably not. So I let it go.<br>

Last summer I bought a G9 compact. It is fun for sure, but I so miss the Ftn. The Velvia slide film pictures were something special. I think about taking some other film camera up now, thinking...<br>

thanks for the memories</p>

I took this Friday at Valley Forge Park using my compact camera, setting the exposure by pointing at the moon and locking then focusing on the moon and then finding a pleasant composition. I thought the moon turned out pretty nice. So, you might try letting the camera pick the settings for a shot or two, just to see what it works out.<div></div>

We had a very budget wedding. My father-in-law offered to do the photography. He was a very good photographer who had "done" many weddings before. Really, the photos he took are good, well exposed and composed and all that. However, there are many periods of time that he missed because he was part of what was happening! LIke, where's the photographer? Others had cameras so there were snapshots of most moments, some of which I got to see. The biggest problem was that it was a very long time before I saw the result as he forgot to give us the pictures! Many months later I happened to notice an album on their table and realized it was our pictures.

 

I guess I'm saying that it can work out if you are okay with it but little things can and will go wrong. Decide how much you want to be a part of the celebration versus pleasing her request for your photos.

Hello all. I'm new to large format photography and am waiting impatiently for my first lens to arrive in the mail...

I've been serious about learning photography for exactly one year now, practicing with a Nikon FTn so as to learn all the basics. I know I'll have to use the hand-held meter for the LF, but think that will be okay. I inherited a 4x5 Nagaoka from my father-in-law which prompted the foray into large format but I would have done it anyway sooner or later.

I'm so excited about all this! :)

Okay, I'll admit that I'm 54 and learning a whole new area of life.

I ordered the extension tube from KEH. They were prompt and it is in very nice condition. Now for an opportunity to use it! Something to look forward to... Perhaps I'll post a pic if one turns out nice.

thanks!

Alright, I'll try what I have. If that doesn't work satisfactorily then I'll order the PK-3. Looks like what I have is: PK-11, PK-12, PK-13, BR-2. All are tubes without prongs that attach. So I'll practice some with these and see how it goes. If it goes badly, then I'll probably buy the PK-3. Sounds like a plan!

Thanks everyone!

 

Looks like I should look for the PK-3 extension tube or else get a newer 60 or 105 (manual focus, right?) and get it modified - or better yet, find one already modified. I'll have to think about how I want to spend bigger money - there are several options to my goal of getting finer, more detailed macro pictures.

 

Alex, funny you should mention large format macro... I am also considering getting a g-claron for the large format camera that I inherited (it has no lens). But now you have me worried! Is it really hard to focus? I know this belongs in another forum, perhaps you could show me where?

 

Bob - Okay, I should set the lens aperture? I didn't realize you could do that separately. I'll definitely try that! It's so disappointing to get an off exposure when you try so hard to get it all right. I really love manually setting everything, but there are so many things to go wrong. Thanks for the info.

Thanks... what worries me is getting a lens to fit with the Ftn that I have. The lenses that I use have a little prong that fits into a moving thing that attaches to the meter somehow. The moving thing has numbers on it: 1.4, 2.8, 5.6 (something like that - I'm not with the camera at the moment). If you don't get the lens attached pointing to the number that is closest to the lens' maximum aperture, then the pictures come out with the wrong exposure. When you get it attached correctly, everything is fine.

 

So when you say that I can get a newer lens modified to attach to my camera, can you be more specific? Or point me somewhere that describes all that? It sounds complicated..

 

I tried one of the extension tubes once and could barely see the subjects. Perhaps I had it attached wrong? Maybe I should spend more time with them? Will the picture come out as clear? Even so, a single lens would be nice if not too expensive.

 

I do love the closeup. : )

I've been using an old 55mm macro lens on the also old but works

fine Nikon Ftn that my brother-in-law lent me to learn photography

on. I love it! But, I want to get closer - 1:1 - and don't like

extension tubes. Can anyone recommend a lens that will go "lifesize"

that will fit this camera? I'm happy with used but would consider

new. Thanks!