canon ae-1 dof preview
JFritz
My AE-1 is a great work horse; however, I find the depth-of-field (dof)
preview procedure difficult.
In manual mode, is it really necessary to "reset" the lens after
previewing (by relasing the stop-down slide and rotating the aperture
ring first to the smallest number and then to the largest) before taking
my shot???
Have any AE-1 users found the dof preview worthwhile, and if so under
what circumstances?
I would appreciate tips on its optimum use, particularly with regard to
manual photography!
Thanks,
Jill Fritz
jfr...@interstice.com
Marc James Small
In article <3210D1...@interstice.com>, jfr...@interstice.com says...
>
>My AE-1 is a great work horse; however, I find the depth-of-field (dof)
>preview procedure difficult.
>
>In manual mode, is it really necessary to "reset" the lens after
>previewing (by relasing the stop-down slide and rotating the aperture
>ring first to the smallest number and then to the largest) before taking
>my shot???
>
>Have any AE-1 users found the dof preview worthwhile, and if so under
>what circumstances?
Gads, but we're getting lazy! I used an AE-1 and AE-1P for more than a
decade -- never thought to question the procedure. Yes, you have to do it
if you want the automatic stop-down to work. Believe me, there are a lot
of cameras out there with a procedures a lot more complicated than this!
Marc
--
msm...@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315
Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!
Ron Walton
JFritz <jfr...@interstice.com> wrote in article
<3210D1...@interstice.com>...
: My AE-1 is a great work horse; however, I find the depth-of-field
(dof)
: preview procedure difficult.
:
: In manual mode, is it really necessary to "reset" the lens after
: previewing (by relasing the stop-down slide and rotating the
aperture
: ring first to the smallest number and then to the largest) before
taking
: my shot???
:
: Have any AE-1 users found the dof preview worthwhile, and if so
under
: what circumstances?
:
For close up and macro use it to see what is in focus.
Ron
: I would appreciate tips on its optimum use, particularly with
:
:
John Fryatt
> >preview procedure difficult.
> >
> >In manual mode, is it really necessary to "reset" the lens after
> >previewing (by relasing the stop-down slide and rotating the aperture
> >ring first to the smallest number and then to the largest) before taking
> >my shot???
> >
> >Have any AE-1 users found the dof preview worthwhile, and if so under
> >what circumstances?
>
> decade -- never thought to question the procedure. Yes, you have to do it
> if you want the automatic stop-down to work. Believe me, there are a lot
> of cameras out there with a procedures a lot more complicated than this!
>
I've never heard of this. Is this specific to the AE-1? I've had several Canon cameras, including the T-90 and
F-1 I have now, and I've never followed this aperture ring twirling procedure. In fact, I just checked it out
with the T-90 and this procedure is not needed.
--
John Fryatt Compuserve: 100013,710
London, UK Internet : j...@dircon.co.uk
http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~jrf/intro.html
JFritz
This info is directly out of my owners manual (Note: I'm the one that
posted the original message). I don't know about others with this
camera, but on mine the slider (it's not actually a button) is
cumbersome and does not like to lock in place. Then there is the
additional procedure for "resetting the lens", according to the manual;
however, it is unclear if this is necessary for manual mode. (Note
there is a different procedure for non-FD lenses). The instructions for
FD lenses read as follows:
1. Make sure the film has been advanced.
2. Press the shutter button halfway to find out to which number the
meter needle points in the viewfinder.
3. Then press in the AE lock pin and turn the aperture ring to that
number.
4. Push in the stop down slide until it locks. Now, just by looking at
your subject through the viewfinder, you can see the range of sharp
focus.
5. After checking the depth of field, unlock the stop-down slide. Now
turn the aperture ring to the smallest number. Then turn it to the
largest number, press the AE lock pin and return the aperture ring to
"A" [automatic exposure].
6. Now you can take your shot.
Obviously this procedure is geared toward point and shoot [automatic
exposure].
This is why I was asking specifically for tips on its optimum manual
use. I cannot afford a newer camera and would like to hone in on
achieving the focus I desire with the camera I have (without the
continued delay and extensive recordkeeping of developing and analyzing
rolls and rolls of film as I have been doing for the dubious benefit of
more accurate quessing when I'm in the field). Otherwise, I am very
close to achieving the quality I am aiming for in my photographs.
What are other serious landscape/outdoor photographers doing for dof
preview with this camera (or has everyone upgraded or chosen something
else?)???
Desperate for experienced advice,
Jill Fritz
jfr...@interstice.com