Re: [photo-3d] Top and think

["Dr. George A. Themelis" <drt-3d@xxxxxxx>]

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I invented all these arguments about 
how good manual cameras are for you and your brain.
But since I got my S1 I have not used it in anything other
than program mode (note: program sets both aperture
and shutter speed).  

Focusing is a different issue.  Stereo puts different
requirements in focusing and current auto focusing systems
do not work well with stereo.  But there are situations
where autofocusing is a blessing in stereo too.

I think it was 4 years ago when I was given an RBT S1
to test and review for Stereo World.  After I was
done, I was not convinced that this camera was NOT worth
the money asked.  My Realist is fine, I said.  All I
need is a sharper Realist, that's it.  I spent the next
two years looking for a sharper Realist (or a stereo camera
for that mater).  A few Ektar Realists and Belplascas
later, I was still looking.

There were two particular shots that stood out.  One
was a display of a store, indoors (shopping mall)
which I photographed with the S1 hand held.  It
came sharp and saturated.  Attempts to do this with
the Realist ended up in overexposed and not
sufficiently sharp pictures.

The other was the "hay ride".  I was in a bouncing
platform between shade and sun.  I saw my daughter
and two of her friends putting hay in her head (hair).
Lifted the S1 and recorded one of my most beloved
family snapshots.  Next year I tried to do this with
my Realist.  It was impossible. Now, this is action
shot!  I shoot a lot of family pictures.  Kids and
pets do not want to cooperate with too much
thinking and fiddling with the camera.

So I broke down and got the S1 two years later.
Have been happy ever since.

Your arguments about how good manual cameras
are because they make you think, are nice.  But
if you are like me and you like hand-held
spontaneous shots (OK, call them snapshots,
I don't care) then you will be happier with a 
camera that takes care of the exposure in a
reliable manner.

George Themelis