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Learning the Rangefinder


DRabbit

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Got my new "toys" tonight... the M8 arrived and 2 of my lenses... Zeiss 21 and 35 Biogons.

 

So I've figured out how it all works and focusing, while not so hard, isn't so easy either! I know it will take some practice to get good at it. Would love to hear some tips.

 

I was reading about "zone focusing" and hyperfocal distances too. I like the idea of utilizing the DOF scales on the lenses and I think I understand it, but I'd love if one of the more experienced photographers could share with me how you figure it all out.

 

Also... I've never worked with RAW before and did load Capture One onto my Mac. I may eventually buy Aperture but I have to chill on the spending for a while after my Leica purchase ;) -- The .jpgs from the cam seem pretty good though, which I was pleased about. Should I just stick with Capture One for now?

 

Anyway, here's my very first shot... it's not work of art and you'll have to cut me some slack on the subject matter (it was 10:30pm, raining out and the battery had just finished charging)... at least it's not my cat :p

 

withAdelethegrad.jpg

 

Amy

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Hi Amy, and congrats on making the purchase, I know you've thought about it long and hard. I've followed your decision process on DPReview and I also went through your galleries - very cool, lots of shots there I like a lot. I'm sure that very soon you'll be nailing the focus every shot, but the one you've posted here is pretty darn good anyway!

 

Now you need just two things:

 

* A CV15

* To enter challenge 7 at Leica Forum Challenge 7: Colour and Form Photo Gallery by Leica Forum Challenge at pbase.com

 

Welcome!

 

Tim

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Good luck with the M8. Don't expect to nail the focus every time, that doesn't even happen with AF cameras.

 

As to software, do you own Photoshop and if so what version? If CS2 then you are good to go. No need to buy Aperture or even Lghtroom. But I do suggext you upgrade it to CS3. The upgrade is the same cost whether you have version 7, CS or CS2 and it is well worth it.

 

Have fun and take many pictures.

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Thanks Tim... I bookmarked the challenge page and will definitely try to participate... I always liked joining in the Canon challenges.

 

Jono... LOL... yeah well, the Zeiss 50mm Planar should arrive sometime today, and I'm hoping my 486 filters. Colors are definitely a little bizarre when inside under light bulbs (and wouldn't ya know it, my daughter is all "goth" so synthetic black clothes are all to common - LOL). Thanks for the "well done" on my photo... I'm going to be carrying the camera around with me everywhere to practice :)

 

Ed... I'll keep that in mind about focusing... I also think it will be helpful if I can start to understand the whole zone focusing method too, and I love the idea of using hyperfocal distances when out shooting street type stuff.

 

I do have Photoshop CS2 and am updating it now...

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Amy, Congrats on the arrival of your new toys . . . um, err . . . tools!

 

I know you are a Mac user so I would suggest you download the 10.4.10 update (repair permissions before and after the install) and then download and try out th.e 30 day trial versions of both Apple Aperture and Adobe Lightroom.

 

As far as learning to shoot RF, there'll be a learning curve to be sure, but oh what fun you will have!:)

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