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Zig · Nov 11, 2011, 02:47

Pretty good for the real world when we finally get out into it though? Big Grin

You also reminded me of one remarkable thing: at the time I put it down to better technique, but no chance: the huge freedom that came about with no mirror-slap and the enabling of "better" ISO/speeds.When I got to the Pentax, its weight had to accompanied unless in strong light with the first Mr Manfrotto. This acted in the same way as concrete footings on a field-grade howitzer: the first time I heard the Pentax shutter-button and mirror combo, I thought I'd broken it, such was the detonation and successive tremor.

Toad · Nov 11, 2011, 20:39

The "wide" Fuji is interesting as well, but suddenly the tradeoff against size that seemed reasonable with the GA645zi isn't so clear...and its no where near as sexy.

Seriously, you can't expect better than 1/15 sec - that's pretty damn good. I was planning to do a thread on my homemade string monopod where I touted 1/6 sec as possible (if you breathe like a sniper). You seem to be able to achieve that and still have that gloriously big negative at the end. The distortion is reasonably pronounced, but how often will you really take photos of brick walls straight on anyway - leave that concern for the pixel peepers. I am green with envy.

matthew · Nov 11, 2011, 22:19

Zig, I have no complaints about the ZI â just a few things to keep in mind. This was always intended to be the medium format camera that I can use without a tripod, and will be great for exactly the kinds of photography that I wouldn't want a tripod for in the first place.

And while I've never heard the Pentax MF cameras fire, I can imagine the experience. The Hasselblad's not exactly subtle, but my Big Fuji makes it sound like a polite cough. I took the GX680 to the local zoo, where the Orangutans are about as bored and jaded as any primate can possibly be. They've seen it all and been photographed with everything, and with absolutely no privacy they typically sit with their backs to the nearest people. The Big Fuji made such an unusual racket that one of them would actually turn around to look. I managed to get a decent photo out of it, but haven't been able to go back since then.

Robert, I was originally looking at the original GA645 model, which are the cheapest (and oldest) ones with an f/4 40mm-equivalent prime. At that point I had convinced myself that it had an unconventionally charming appearance, while the zoom-lensed ZI was on the ugly side. The non-ZI GA645 models really are a very different camera, and I've never quite understood how that made sense. The newer zoom-lensed camera fixes some issues, like the AF sensors being moved to a much better spot, but put the LCD that's needed to set exposure compensation and iso to the film door, where it's connected by a ribbon cable that can fail over time. So I'm not really convinced that there are any bad choices here.

I hope you do write about the string monopod, as I was thinking about rigging one up for myself. Managing a 1/6 shutter speed is a huge improvement, even with excellent technique. I was also thinking about being able to recommend it to some of the broke students that I see who are interested in starting out in video recording, but I just don't know enough about what works and what doesn't to be able to give good advice.

Toad Wrote:The distortion is reasonably pronounced, but how often will you really take photos of brick walls straight on anywayâ¦.

Toad · Nov 12, 2011, 11:57

I stand corrected.

Zig · Nov 14, 2011, 10:48

I reckon any bit of chunky-ish rope can be fashioned into a wrappable lanyard; slap a carabiner on it to look well- 'ard, and you'll generate so much testosterone that women will grow a moustache just by being downwind of your, er, rig...

:|

Toad · Nov 14, 2011, 12:27

Zig Wrote:I reckon any bit of chunky-ish rope can be fashioned into a wrappable lanyard; slap a carabiner on it to look well- 'ard, and you'll generate so much testosterone that women will grow a moustache just by being downwind of your, er, rig... :|

I was thinking about responding to this with some witticism about how people say the size of the string isn't that important, but like most "users", I've found that to be a gentle fiction... Big Grin

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