Sandokan Posted November 8, 2006 Share #1 Posted November 8, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I just wanted to write down my experience of my week at my niece's wedding taking photos. I shot 10 rolls in 8 days - would have been 12 rolls if I knew the writings below. I wanted to take photos of the family, the event, the atmosphere and of India in general. In the end, I had to concentrate on only one thing - snapshots of the family won out. There was so much to do and so little time that I couldnt take photos of India and the event without missing out on the chance to be with the family. Prioritise and concentrate. Always - ALWAYS check the film is winding on properly! . The first 37 shots were all blank. Then I started checking the film was winding on the spool. I lost a few more shots during the week when even though the film wound around the reel, it didnt catch and it was only by noticeing that the rewind knob did not turn that I knew something was wrong. I used a handheld meter taking incident readings because there was so much white around (clothes, tent, walls) that with the 35mm lens I wasnt sure how much compensation to do. As I was using manual setting of the aperture and shutter speed - I ignored the arrows on the M7. So, in other words - I ended up taking photos with the lens cap on . Getting nagged about buying a "proper" camera with digital display so that they can immediately see the results. This almost stopped after they saw the printed photos - and they even liked the B&W shots considering them classic. They still think I should get a really good camera like a Canon or Nikon . When there are several people who want to see the photos - put them in one of those plastic sleeved albums. And dont let people take single photos out. In fact damn the cost and print double shots of everything and let them fight over who gets which one of the spare shots. About 20% of the photos have disappeared already. In poor light I found it easier to focus on people's ears or shoulders (the women were wearing glitzy patterned dresses and this made it difficult to focus). And then I found that their eyes were out of focus when using f2. In fact I found it best to guess the focus first and then fine tune to get it right. When there are lots of people in front of you - I found that the light paths from the rangefinder windows were blocked separetely and it became difficult to see. I also had the infamous flare when there was a strong light to the side. Always check the settings on the back of the LCD display of the flash gun. I had managed to change mine to be firing at EV-2/3 - I still have no idea what that means, so you should always read the instruction manuals .... exactly what I didnt want to do and the reason why I bought a Leica . So next time I will simply get really fast film. And finally - keep your developed negatives in your hand baggage. Also, if you get photo CDs made - dont lose them! I did and now I am really annoyed! In this one week, I became much faster at focusing and getting the exposure set before I put the camera to the eye. I also started to look around the frame. I also started to use my feet instead of a zoon lens. I still am not "quick" at firing the shutter when everything suddenly "comes right" and missed a few good shots. Also, you cant help it when as you take the shot, a brat suddenly jumps up between you and the bride as a tear falls from her eye, shouting "take a photo of me uncle, take a photo of me!" and all you can say is "I just did". Thanks for reading and I hope you have some tips to give me (which I can learn the easy way). . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 8, 2006 Posted November 8, 2006 Hi Sandokan, Take a look here Some tips I learnt the hard way. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Peyton Hoge Posted November 9, 2006 Share #2 Posted November 9, 2006 Is this a joke????? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted November 9, 2006 Share #3 Posted November 9, 2006 Is this a joke????? I speculate that it is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrewer Posted November 9, 2006 Share #4 Posted November 9, 2006 No joke. Ravi has been around here for awhile. Something I learned: always double check you've rewound before lifting the bottom plate off. I've done it more than once (unfortunately!). Thanks. Allan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share #5 Posted November 9, 2006 No not a joke. sorry you think it is. These are the "first" shots I have taken with a rangefinder - just a test roll before I went. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted November 9, 2006 Share #6 Posted November 9, 2006 I've done it at least twice, way back when (Nikon FM2's) Once in college I shot an entire roll for an article - film never caught. And once for a press release. Luckily, I shot at least 5 other rolls the second time and it wasn't an issue. I almost always check my rewind crank now, just in case. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
moikle Posted November 9, 2006 Share #7 Posted November 9, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I felt for Ravindar. I've done all of those things and been told to get a "proper" camera. Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted November 9, 2006 Author Share #8 Posted November 9, 2006 Funny thing is - it has never happened with the R9... Maybe room for improvement with the M10-film? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted November 9, 2006 Share #9 Posted November 9, 2006 Ravi "...never happened with the R9,,," . I guess I'm dummer than you then. When changing a film, in one hell of a rush, I've got to own up to opening the back before rewinding the film. (What surprised me was how few frames got fogged - the film very effectively screens itself on the take-up spool.) Doh! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Maio Posted November 10, 2006 Share #10 Posted November 10, 2006 Ravi, I enjoyed reading your experiences and remember that I, too had a few bumps in the road I first got my M7. When you get to your 100th roll, you'll chuckle at this - as I did - except the part about the brat. It's one of the many reasons I gave up on wedding photography:o Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted November 11, 2006 Author Share #11 Posted November 11, 2006 Hi John and John, I have opened up the camera before winding back the film and forgotten I had a film in there and opened it up. And you are right - you only lose a few shots... And on Friday I had problems loading up Kodak BW400CN film into an M6 - two rolls did not wind on. A Chrome Elite film did wind after the second load - I think I need lessons on this... Maybe I should get the DMR or M8 soon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikau Posted November 11, 2006 Share #12 Posted November 11, 2006 I've done all those all those things over the years - it was easier in the M4 days because there were no blinking lights to suggest a problem. Even after years of using an M4 I put a film through with the lens cap on! Another thing I did (only once) was not properly securing the bottom plate and it fell off mid-roll! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwilliamsphotography Posted November 11, 2006 Share #13 Posted November 11, 2006 In my business, if you make a mistake, you're out of business. You can't go back for a reshoot when shooting a wedding. The comments aren't from your family members giving you a hard time, it's from a bitterly disappointed Bride who didn't get the shot of her dad walking her down the asile. This makes you very, very focused. You set routines and stick to them. Here are a few tips of things that work for me when under pressure: Loading film in a M: sacrifice a roll and practice over and over until you can almost do it blindfolded by touch. I've had to load film in sideline light so low you could barely see the camera. Note when practicing what it feels like when the film has caught. Get the feel of how far to pull out the leader to catch in the sprockets. You'll get to know when it isn't caught while advancing to #1. I don't ever put the base plate down, but instead tuck it under my arm ... I often have to reload while running ahead of the B&G. Focusing: Get into the habit of returning the focus ring to infinity after each series of shots. This will help eliminate "hunting" back and forth because you always turn the focus ring the same direction. Also note that focus ring travel from infinity is a shorter throw to achieve focus for most normal subject distances = Faster ! ALWAYS anticipate what may be next and check the film counter. I frequently change film before a roll is finished so I am prepared for the next set of shots. A few blank frames are nothing compared to missing an important moment. Can't help you with opening the camera before re-winding. Everyone has done that. The good thing is you usually only do it once : -) Be alert ... you never know when the shot will reveal itself to you ... M7, 35/1.4, Tri-X Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/8786-some-tips-i-learnt-the-hard-way/?do=findComment&comment=91028'>More sharing options...
M'Ate Posted November 12, 2006 Share #14 Posted November 12, 2006 I'd add: use 1 film stock for the whole wedding - 400 iso will get you the whole way. If you change film stock, you'll inevitably end the wedding with your meter on the wrong setting one day. 400 iso, f1.4 @ 1/15th takes some matching with a digital camera. set your meter, on the MP, and fix in place with a small piece of gaffer tape. This will cut any chance of the meter being inadvertantly moved. never, ever go for 38 shots on the roll. To get there it's likely your film isn't winding and you've just missed a couple more. Seriously, look for a convenient film change from 30 onwards. If it's the end of the ceremony and your holding time, prepare for the next phase by changing film. Doing this you can completely avoid interferring with the proceedings by runnng out of film f4 minimum for group shots. leave space around the frame to avoid chopping wanted detail, like a foot. The film will enlarge for 95% of all album shots without any noticable deterioration. metering is secondary to focus and composition. Latitude will pull you through. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Maio Posted November 12, 2006 Share #15 Posted November 12, 2006 Hi John and John, Maybe I should get the DMR or M8 soon DMR perhaps, but I'd wait and see on the M8. By the way, I still sometimes fail to completely close the back flap on the M7 before I put the bottom plate back on. I must tell you that with the M8, you'll get a warning if the bottom plate isn't on right -- one of the advantages of digital computers I suppose Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic vic Posted November 12, 2006 Share #16 Posted November 12, 2006 ha ha ha ha ravi.... ravi.. when i started to photograph with rangefinder camera it happened to me a few times that i have left the lens cup on the lens... the photos were amazing... unfortunatly, people couldnot understand the concept :-)))))))))))))))) once it also happened to me that i finished the roll and told myself i will be back home and rewind there..... well,, the next morning i had shotings, so i just opened the camera talking to art director nicely about what we gonna do etc... she suddenly remarked... "hey, u have film in the camera".... oh dear... it was a very important roll of some concept i was developing for nude photography and the model worked very hard... it was hp5 film from that night and in the moring it was exposwed to sun for almost a minute... needless to say that those concept shots from previous night were gone... fortunatly... i could reshot that concept, and maybe te reshot turned even better cause the model (a friend of mine who is not pro model) was in more comfort with the camera and the poses and expressions. but ya, as marc says... when u do work full of responsibility u should be very focused... it comes with experience man... have no worries about it..... just one thing i never repeat again... i never ever keep the finished film unrewind and in the camera.. it goes off the camera imidiatly after i finish the roll, not even a second of laziness now :-)))))))))))))) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted November 12, 2006 Share #17 Posted November 12, 2006 ...... I never do weddings except once I actually did my own wedding gave a M4 ( all set up) to various friends at intervals to take photos... great stuff but not recommended people ask I say no,, don't have the temperament Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted November 13, 2006 Share #18 Posted November 13, 2006 Shooting weddings you must adopt the attitude that "if anything can go wrong - it will" and be prepared accordingly. I found weddings a great training ground for shooting stage, drama and concert work. The demands are similar and the tolerances for mistakes and timing are equally demanding. All of the above really teach you how to handle an M camera, under all conditions, including total darkness. Practice, practice, practice, ....... ! Cheers, Erl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share #19 Posted November 13, 2006 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Hi, With 2 video guys and 3 still photographers - I had no pressure (especially as they chose a spot full of shadows falling across the couple for the formal photos). I fully opened up the camera back flaps - and found the sprogs to load the film onto - DOH! Now I know what I did wrong. @fotografz: I love the tip about always setting to infinity - that will solve one of the problems I had of hunting back and forth. @M'Ate: I will stick to one film speed and keep the film label so I know it is colour of B&W. One photo was of the bride's beautiful red dress - but at least the fabric still looks good in B&W. f4 is also a good tip for the groups and I guess to also get them into the same plane of focus. @Vic - I look forward to seeing your concepts of nudes, but luckily I am so impatient I always have wound my film back (and fully so that the canister has to be opened up) and got it developed ASAP. @stnami & erl: I have no intention of doing a wedding - not even of my worst enemy. This one ended up being just family snapshots - and that was a full time job remembering to get everyone over the 6 days at each function. @John: Let us wait for the bonuses before I buy anything else. Thanks to you all for the tips - that is the fun of learning (and I hope to learn from your mistakes and not only mine) Anyway, I have most of the negatives scanned now and so will start to post them once I get back to the Mac at the weekend. . Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Hi, With 2 video guys and 3 still photographers - I had no pressure (especially as they chose a spot full of shadows falling across the couple for the formal photos). I fully opened up the camera back flaps - and found the sprogs to load the film onto - DOH! Now I know what I did wrong. @fotografz: I love the tip about always setting to infinity - that will solve one of the problems I had of hunting back and forth. @M'Ate: I will stick to one film speed and keep the film label so I know it is colour of B&W. One photo was of the bride's beautiful red dress - but at least the fabric still looks good in B&W. f4 is also a good tip for the groups and I guess to also get them into the same plane of focus. @Vic - I look forward to seeing your concepts of nudes, but luckily I am so impatient I always have wound my film back (and fully so that the canister has to be opened up) and got it developed ASAP. @stnami & erl: I have no intention of doing a wedding - not even of my worst enemy. This one ended up being just family snapshots - and that was a full time job remembering to get everyone over the 6 days at each function. @John: Let us wait for the bonuses before I buy anything else. Thanks to you all for the tips - that is the fun of learning (and I hope to learn from your mistakes and not only mine) Anyway, I have most of the negatives scanned now and so will start to post them once I get back to the Mac at the weekend. . ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/8786-some-tips-i-learnt-the-hard-way/?do=findComment&comment=92825'>More sharing options...
frc Posted November 21, 2006 Share #20 Posted November 21, 2006 Close to a thousant rolls on the MP, sometimes 4, 5, 6 a day, only slightly distracted and this happens. Yes, stupid, I know. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/8786-some-tips-i-learnt-the-hard-way/?do=findComment&comment=100209'>More sharing options...
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