AboutMalcolm Dickinson Expertise Questions about 35mm and medium format cameras, questions about developing B&W film; and questions about making B&W prints.
Experience I've been an avid photographer since 1981 and took a lot of B&W photography classes in college. I've done a lot of medium format work and have always developed & printed my own pictures.
Publications I had several photos published in college magazines and one photograph included in a juried exhibition.
Expert: Malcolm Dickinson Date: 8/27/2004 Subject: Shutter speeds for medium formats
Question I have just bought a beginner, bottom of the line, medium format camera to see how I like it.
I am completely clueless about the whole thing, and I would like to know what shutter speeds, and apertures to use in which situation.
I do alot of portraits with tungsten lights, and also alot of outdoor portraits.
The picture taking lens is f75mm/f3.5, 3 or 4 elements. Aperture range is f3.5-f22.
Shutter: 1-1/300 sec., plus B
Can you help me? Thanks, Michelle
Answer Hi Michelle,
Sounds like you need a light meter. In your previous photography experience (which I assume was with a 35mm camera), hopefully you have becme experienced at using a light meter to determine the correct shutter speed and aperture.
On your 35mm camera, your light meter may have been built in; but on your medium format camera, you will have to use a separate light meter. There are two options.
1. you can buy a hand-held light meter, and learn how to use it
2. you can use a light meter that is built in to a 35mm camera.
You will find that at a given amount of light, you have several choices that will allow the same amount of light to reach the film. For instance, on a bright day outside you might have a choice between 1/60 sec at f/16, 1/125 sec at f/8, or 1/250 sec at f/5.6 .
In order to choose between these options, you need to be familiar with the effects of shutter speed and aperture. Shutter speed affects the sharpness of the picture, how steady you need to hold the camera, and how still your subject needs to stay. Aperture affects the depth of field of the picture. If you are not well versed in these things, any good book on photography will help you understand.
I hope this helps. Good luck with your light meter. You will find that if you carefully use a light meter, you will get good pictures almost every time.
Also - you may want to get a "gray card" at a photo store. These are helpful if you are taking a posed portrait. You have the subject hold the gray card, and point your light meter at the card instead of at the person. That way your meter reading is not affected by the color of the person's clothes.
