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Thanks to my dad, I have a new-ish-to-me camera, a Zeiss Contaflex I, from the early 1950s. Getting the camera didn't automagically confer knowledge, alas, so I signed up for an intro to photography class at Cambridge Adult Ed. Last night was the first class, and I'm not particularly impressed. There are just 6 sessions, and the teacher seemed a bit disorganized. We have homework, but it doesn't involve taking pictures, but looking at others' photos, reading manuals, and thinking about what we like/don't like. With so few sessions, I'd assumed we'd start taking photos immediately, if only to get a sense for parameters.
Not surprisingly, my camera was by far the oldest equipment in class. I was hoping that the teacher would be able to help me get the camera open, at least. However, it was not to be, despite taking time after class to look at it. I felt a bit like an elephant, actually.
However, I did futz with the camera during class, and with what I'd figured out, Queue was able to figure out how to open it! Huzzah! I looked at the camera guts*, then threaded a roll of film (not nearly as easy as with the point-and-shoot. No surprise.), and took my first picture. It'll suck, I'm sure, but now that I know how to load the camera, I can go out and play with shutter speeds (the camera ranges from 1/500 to 1 second) and apertures (2.8 to 22).
Still to figure out: light intensity (there is no light meter on the camera). Why there's a dial with ASA/DIN numbers on it, if everything's manual (side note: the Contaflex IV manual has a table listing conversions to other systems I've not heard of, up to that fast film speed, 320.). If there's a counter somewhere so I know how many pictures I've taken.
*There's a little room in there. I'm suspecting the little fridge light men vacation in cameras.
Not surprisingly, my camera was by far the oldest equipment in class. I was hoping that the teacher would be able to help me get the camera open, at least. However, it was not to be, despite taking time after class to look at it. I felt a bit like an elephant, actually.
However, I did futz with the camera during class, and with what I'd figured out, Queue was able to figure out how to open it! Huzzah! I looked at the camera guts*, then threaded a roll of film (not nearly as easy as with the point-and-shoot. No surprise.), and took my first picture. It'll suck, I'm sure, but now that I know how to load the camera, I can go out and play with shutter speeds (the camera ranges from 1/500 to 1 second) and apertures (2.8 to 22).
Still to figure out: light intensity (there is no light meter on the camera). Why there's a dial with ASA/DIN numbers on it, if everything's manual (side note: the Contaflex IV manual has a table listing conversions to other systems I've not heard of, up to that fast film speed, 320.). If there's a counter somewhere so I know how many pictures I've taken.
*There's a little room in there. I'm suspecting the little fridge light men vacation in cameras.