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Using the
GF1 like a Rangefinder with a Nikon 50mm f1.4 Manual Lens
Taking an
Example Shot - using my Menu
C2 (C2-1) Settings - - - - - Steps:-
-
Switch on the camera
-
Make sure that the Drive Mode Lever (in front
of the Top Control Dial) is set to single image shot.
-
Turn top dial to
C2 (This is my CONTROL set-up
for Aperture Priority, Dynamic Colour and a Manual Lens)
-
The Exposure Meter is already set-up for 'Full
Multiple Metering Area' (you can use the Fn Button on the back of
the camera to change this if desired) This example shot will use
'Full Multiple Metering Area'
-
The focus is decided by the Nikon Lens (The
Focus Ring on the Barrel)
-
Using the LCD (or better
DMW-LVF1E
'External Live' Viewfinder) - check your image's scene
-
Turn Nikon Lens aperture ring to desired
aperture setting (it does not register in LCD/Viewfinder or EXIF
File). The exposure meter works correctly and will change the
shutter settings and shutter readouts as you change the aperture
using the ring on the lens barrel.
-
Check your
shutter speed (LCD/Viewfinder) against your choice of aperture
setting (the exposure meter will select the shutter speed for you)
-
As per your aperture choice and DESIRED
shutter speed - Set ISO Choice (Using ISO button on back of camera)
-
Taking the Final Picture (2 x Examples) - Use
the LCD/Viewfinder again on the image scene:-
Frame the desired section of the scene
(e.g. a persons head) - manually focus the Nikon lens using the
focus ring on the lens barrel (rock the focus ring until you gain
the optimum focus point). If you require a greater focus
magnification - press the *
Control Wheel on the back of the camera and fine tune using the
focus ring on the lens barrel. Another roll/turn to the right of the
Control Wheel will further (once only) the magnification -
now half press
and hold the shutter button to *
lock exposure - the magnification will cease
and allow you to re-frame the overall picture (if required). Press
the shutter button completely down to take the shot
OR
Frame the scene and change the exposure
setting ---- turn/roll the Control Wheel on the back of the
camera (do not press the Control Wheel) to change the
* exposure compensation.
Frame the scene again and press the *
AF/AE Button on the back of the camera which will
LOCK
the desired exposure setting. Now with the exposure chosen and
locked you have the freedom to focus on any specific area. Manually
focus the Nikon lens using the focus ring on the lens barrel (rock
the focus ring until you gain the optimum focus point). If you
require a greater focus magnification - press the Control Wheel on
the back of the camera and fine tune using the focus ring on the
lens barrel. Another roll/turn to the right of the Control Wheel
will increase the magnification -
now
half press the shutter button and the magnification will cease and
allow you to re-frame the overall picture (if required) -
press the shutter button completely down to take the shot.
-
NOTE: The Menu System for
C2
Mode has highlights turned on - so in play back image mode it is
very easy to see any blown highlights in an image as they 'blink'
black - you can then fine tune the exposure and use AF/AE lock again
to take another picture (or move to full manual mode)
-
C2 Mode Warnings:
*
The Control Wheel with a manual lens, changes its mode of operation - it
is by default in exposure compensation mode. You must be careful when
you press it because if you 'miss the press' you may roll it and change
the exposure compensation.
*
If you have re-positioned the scene whilst holding down the shutter
button beforehand - the exposure will be locked and may be the wrong
exposure for the final overall scene. If this is the case you can
use the second option - Frame the scene and change the exposure
setting.
*
With
C2 Mode any change of exposure compensation will
always remain until you change it again or the camera is switched
off, powers itself down or you switch away from Control
C2 on the
Dial and back again.
*
When using the AF/AE Exposure Lock, the
exposure will
remain locked until the AF/AE Button is again (toggled) pressed or
the camera is switched off, powers itself down or you switch away
from Control
C2 on the
Top Dial and back again).
I
initially experienced an
Infinity
Focus Malfunction
with the
Nikon 50mm f1.4 AI-s Lens but finally after many tests, I tracked down
the causes.
-
The Nikon 50mm Lens with the Voigtlander
Adapter and the GF1 Camera at aperture f1.4
does not reach infinity focus at the hard stop on the lens barrel -
it is actually an almost 'immeasurable distance' just before the
hard stop and when placed in the hard stop position the lens is
'very slightly' out of focus. This does not occur with the other
aperture settings as the 'depth of field' increases whereby the hard
stop is at infinity focus.
-
When using a B+W '2 stop' graduated (screw
circular) 52mm filter on the naked lens - the lens is thrown
seriously out of focus in the final captured image. This is even
after 'manually focusing' the lens/graduated filter and reaching a
fine focus using the 'magnification function' of the camera and the
LCD - a heavy tripod was also used.
I have
checked with my GF1 supplier who has confirmed the 'same error' when
using an ND Filter on the GF1 with his own manual lenses. My B+W 2
stop gray grad filter on the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 Lens does not
produce any focus problems in the captured image (at any distance).
If
there is any Golden Rule - it is to always
'manually focus' the lens - even with shots that are thought to be an
infinity hard stop setting.
If you have enjoyed this
article - please donate to my Charity of Choice - The Sick Kids
Richard
Lawrence
Scotland
United Kingdom |