O Yeh...a lot of the forums (fora??) have a group of so-called "experts", and some are quite good... giving advice like it was actually worth something, and otherwise reinforcing their particuar prejudices. Photo.net is the worst, imo. There are a few, however, The Nikon Cafe, and Nikonians, which are more user friendly, and actually friendly, too. Don't ask a question regarding third party equipment (Tamron, Sigma, Sunpak) on Nikonians, tho. (with hauteur) "Really, Old Boy, none of us here have had much experience with third party equipment!" Other than that, a great bunch. Dunno about Canon sites, tho.
The "Old Technology" still lasts forever, and works a treat! And doesn't need a damn computer to translate your eye into reality. I've been considering buying a Nikon F 100, just for "old time's sake. You can get some of the classic lenses for Nikon or Canon for a song off daBay, but you do have to watch out for the sharpies. All of my lenses would fit, and film, while expen$ive compared to free pixels, can be converted to electronic media for just a few $ at the time of processing. Just be sure your 18 1/2 year old "processing professional" understands the process, and doesn't faint at the suggestion that C-41 processing IS designed for modern chromogenic black and white films like Ilford XP, and the Kodak films. The Kodak offerings are, or at least the last time I tried them, were not on the same level as the Ilford chromogenic film, or the ancient Plus-X or Tri-X in D-76 1:1, either. But, that's just me.
Whoooo knows, I might have to find all the film processsing stuff I have in my basement, and become a darkroom monkey again. (I think I will take 3 aspirin, and lay down in a dimly-lighted room, listening to soft, soothing music till this passes.) : )
Photography is a Magical pastime...or profession!
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I've been on a coupla DSLR forums recently (I think I'm gonna dump one of 'em: photography board.net) trying to get a handle on my 7D's autofocus issues. The problem is that it generally doesn't. In the course of on discussion one alleged gentleman suggested that I not use autofocus because it "had limitations." He cited his "all-manual Leicaflex SL2" as an example of something where manual focus worked just fine. I replied, "apples and oranges" and got out my old Pentax Spotmatic and 300mm lens.
I was floored. I remember using that combo and thinking how large and unwieldy it was. Holy shit, Batman! It's tiny and could almost be considered a toy camera. It's not a toy; the photos I got from it were very good when decent processing could be found. Its light metering/exposure control consisted of a needle on the left side (I think) of the viewfinder that one centered by adjusting shutter speed and aperture. It was considered to be state of the art in the mid 60s. Focus was done manually with a fresnel dot in the center of the viewfinder. Not quite as good as a split image, but still, pretty decent when ya got used to it.
But the size in comparison to the 7D and 100-400 lens blew my mind. Interestingly enough, the weight of the cameras is pretty close. Maybe a coupla ounces light for the Pentax. If I removed the 7D's battery grip, they'd probably be equal.
Blew my own mind right out the left ear (the right one has a bluetooth earpiece in it or it would have gone in both directions. :) )
I spose I'm gonna have to buy a roll or two of Fuji Velvia monochrome and see what I can come up with using an ancient piece like that.
RtR
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