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I would like to try medium format photography and would like to know how to sucessfully focus the older folding bellows type cameras. (They don't seem to have too much info on the lens re: depth of field, distance, etc.). This way I won't have to spend a lot to possibly find out that this type of photography is not for me. I will appreciate any feedback. Thank you Greg Hall

This is the PHILOSOPHY forum. You should try posting this in the Medium Format Forum.

greg The philosophy and technology of old folding camera is quite different from todays autofocus camera.

The old folding cameras such as the ones made by Goerz Berlin in the 20s and Zeiss Ikon or Kodak folders in 30s were all manual focus cameras. You have to learn how to judge the distance of object to camera all by yourself. And these cameras have no exposure meter either. every thing is manual.

The tradition of these classical folding bellow camera finds its continuation in one camera ---- Minox GT-E--- you pull out the cover just like you pull out a folder, and you estimate the distance then focus the lens manually, very much like folder camera.

The philosophy of these type of camera, from Goerz folder to Minox 35-- is that human is the key behind good photography, and keep the camera as simple as possible, so that the photographer can use more of his brain power.

Whether you like these kind of philosophy of simplicity, you have to find out for yourself.

For me, it is great fun

God endows human with a built in rangefinder, which which every one can measure distance as accurately as Leica M6. How to Make a Rangefinder on a Calling Card

The philosophy here is: use your own pair of eyes as an accurate rangefinder and excercise your natural capability to the max.

Art M.	Wojciech W.	kaan y.	James W.	Salvador María L.	Jan S.	G G.	andrew r.

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