wakemanla@sanfan.DEC (03/08/85)
Re: Shutter priority vs. Aperture Priority ... Excuse my flame but ... I have been reading much of late about peoples preferences of shutter/aperture priority systems. I dont think that it makes any difference. If you have a shutter priority system, with a little practice you can learn to control the aperture (Depth of field). If you have a aperture priority system the same holds true for the shutter (stop action). This premise assumes that the camera informs the photographer about the exposure information it is useing. I dont think I would buy one that didnt. My only problem is with automatic cameras in that they use a look up table to determine shutter speed and aperture with out allowing control over either one. I have also been reading a lot about categories of photographers. I myself feel that there are 3 classes: Casual - These take snapshots of the family and vacation. Journalistic - The fast shooters, able to shoot a single roll of film during a single period of football. Fashion and most portrait photographers fall into this class. Artistic - The Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunninghams, Josef Karshes and Avedons of this world. These are the photographers who try to control all aspects of the image that will be presented to the viewer. These classifications are not clear cut as I might of made them sound and I dont want anyone to take offense by as to my classifications. All of these classifications have there place. I find myself changing classifications depending on the situation. Each type of photographer has a different need in camera. The Casual photographer only needs the simple box camera, these are just memories. It is unfortunate that it is the casual photgrapher in many cases that buys the camera with all the goodies on it. I knew an owner of a photogra[hy store who told me about a customer who bought a Nikon-F (this was quite a few years ago, at that time this camera was the Rolls Royce of cameras) and then had my friend set it up for him. He set the camera to f/16 at a 60th, focused it to hyper-focal distance and told the guy to use Ektachrome 64, shoot in broad daylight with the sun at his back etc. What a waste. The Journalistic photographer just needs a good camera, even a "manual". Lighting conditions are not changing drasticaly for this photographer so a single light reading will do him fine for the evening. A light meter in the camera is definitely convienent for this person. The Artistic photographer on the other hand is the type that uses Hassleblads and view cameras and is usually attempting to control the final image to a great degree. His primary concern is being able to control the camera. Thnk you for letting me get that out of my system. Keep shooting! Larry Wakeman Digital - San Francisco "f/64 forever"