-snip
I would imagine that multi-spot metering would not be in the "beginner's"
section of the C-3040 manual ;-)
Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com
Did not really intend a criticism of digital format or that
particular camera, just the difficulties of the all auto everything
camera with control accessible only through 15 or 20 non-intuitive
miniature screens to make a setting. There were many decades of
development for the manual film camera resulted in a wonder of ease
of use. The OM-1 was a superb refinement of that design. The ability
to automate exposure resulted in some not so great designs and
frequently lessened control by the photographer. Maitani apparently
really thought hard about the ergonomics of taking pictures. There
were already cameras out that were more automatic than the OM4T, but
he managed to incorporate spot metering and aperture priority
exposure into a system that allowed the photographer more control
over the image, simply. Electronically controlled cameras have lots
of potential, but I don't think that the menu control paradigm with
an up/down button and an enter button lifted from a desktop computer
is the answer. I think that is the reason for the longing for a
digital back. It is not just to preserve a lens collection and a
camera. It is the fear of the all auto wonderbrick that goes with the
digital camera.
I have a Sony digital that was touted by CR for the clarity of its
menus and it is ridiculous to use. My Contax T3 is just barely
tolerable even with its superb images. The separate focus lock button
just saves it from being useless. Unfortunately these new cameras
are also being merchandised like cars or computers with featuritis to
people who are not really photographers - witness the Minolta that
automatically focuses on human shapes. Remember camera reviews of a
couple of decades ago as they pointed out the controls that all
cameras had and how they talked about how easily they were used?
Ergonomics and systems sold cameras then. Not any more.
From what you have said I look forward to handling an E-10 sometime
since it sounds like an exception to most of the digital and film
auto cameras I have handled so far.
Sorry for the rant.
--
Winsor Crosby
Long Beach, California
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