RE: Fuji G617 focusing screens, ND filter usage, etc., questions

["M. Denis Hill" <denis@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

In my experience, the center filter becomes optional when:

a) The subject does not contain large areas of even tones extending into the
corners (e.g., sky), or
b) The lens is stopped down to f22 or beyond, or
c) A combination of "a" and "b."

I've heard one prominent IAPP member claim that she never uses a center
filter on a Fuji, just stops way down.

IMO, it is preferable to get the image as right as possible in the camera.

BTW, stacking a standard filter behind the center filter (in my case, a
Heliopan) caused severe vignetting at nominal apertures.

The correct way to frame an image with the G617 is to line things up so you
see the level in the notch at the bottom of the viewfinder frame. In my
experience, I often found this gave accurate framing on the vertical axis,
but I usually got extra image on the horizontal axis. Although I never used
one with the G617 I owned, I think a ground glass would be a very useful
accessory unless you want to frame with fudge factor.

As I recall, using a cable release on the lens did not tell the winding
mechanism an exposure had been made.

The Fuji is a real workhorse. Enjoy it! And don't forget that it takes
vertical pictures, too.

M. Denis Hill
Area 360 Communications
http://www.area360.com
360.678.8351

Have you visited the discussion forums at http://www.colorfulcoupeville.com?

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roman Gill [mailto:rgill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2000 4:33 PM
> To: Panorama-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Fuji G617 focusing screens, ND filter usage, etc., questions
>
>
> I recently acquired an excellent condition Fuji G617 camera and
> am also a new member of this list server. Being new to panaromic
> photography and this cameras, I'm hoping some more experienced
> users of this camera can answer the following questions for me:
>
> Apparently, it's tricky framing photos with the G617 (due to the
> rangefinder design, I suppose). While the newer GX model offers
> an optional focusing screen, I've heard some people use a
> focusing screen/ground glass to frame images more precisely with
> G model. Have you found this to be an issue? If so, have you come
> up with a workable solution on framing the picture more accurately?
>
> From your experience, should one use the centre ND filter all the
> time with this camera or only under specific lighting conditions?
> If the latter, what would those be?
>
> Does digital image manipulation in Photoshop negate the need for
> the centre ND filter?
>
> Are there any other tips you can share with me to make my
> experience with this camera more enjoyable?
>
> FYI, I'll be using the camera mostly for landscapes. The camera
> will sit on bogen tripod and an Arca Swiss B1 ballhead.
>
> Thanks,
> Roman