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From: kenw@lcuxc.UUCP (K Wolman)
Newsgroups: net.rec.photo
Subject: Re: Manual/Aperture/Program: Old vs. New Minolta
Message-ID: <274@lcuxc.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 25-Feb-85 08:28:39 EST
Article-I.D.: lcuxc.274
Posted: Mon Feb 25 08:28:39 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 27-Feb-85 08:12:10 EST
References: <1917@sdcc6.UUCP>, <162@rtech.ARPA>
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway, NJ
Lines: 31

If you find yourself using your old Olympus OM-1 more than you
expected despite a new OM-4 ("How Can You Tell When You Become
A SERIOUS Photographer"????), you are not alone.  I used my
first 35 mm camera, a Minolta SRT-201, under any and all circumstances,
and got results which corresponded exactly to my abilities as a 
photographer.  I later purchased an X-700, Minolta's (previously)
top-of-the-line camera, which has both aperture priority and
a program.  As it turns out, I find myself using the fully manual
SRT for its convenience, especially in high-contrast lighting
situations where the programmed camera can be easily fooled.
Granted, the program is a great device if you grab-shoot; I 
regularly do my Gary Winogrand imitation by setting the camera on
"P", the lens on minimum aperture, setting an approximate prefocus,
and strolling through indoor shopping malls hip-shooting (FANTASY:
one day I'll catch a robbery in progress and win a Pulitzer).  But
indoor mall lighting is average light; it's generally consistent.
the X-700's centerweight meter cannot handle high-contrast.  Using
the AE lock on the camera is cumbersome; you have to extend your
fingers every which way to hold the lock down while going for the
shutter release.  The SRT enables me to bracket effortlessly (just
ignore the match-needles) or do a reading of my hand to establish
the correct exposure.  With the X-700, if you read the shadows,
you either have to use that damned AE lock or put the camera on
manual.  As for batteries, it seems to be a reasonably considerate
power-gobbler.
-- 
Ken Wolman
Bell Communications Research @ Livingston
lcuxc!kenw

"Maybe, and that's final!"