SMOGGS
newbie
Reged: 10/07/2008
Posts: 1
|
|
hi all
im new to photogrophy and am unsure, when im trying to focus my AE1 with my fd70-150 on i dont understand the shaded target im seeing ? 
|
OneTen
'Two Breakfasts'
Reged: 23/06/2003
Posts: 2247
Loc: Hartland, Devon
|
|
Hi and welcome to the forum. The AE-1 has two focussing aids when you are looking through the viewfinder.
One is a split image rangefinder, this is the central circle where the image is split into two halves. Correct focus is achieved when the two halves match up, when out of focus th image is offset slightly in the upper and lower halves. With longer lenses this central area or one half can become darkened.
The other is a microprism ring. This is the circle outside the central circle and will appear clear when in focus and will look like lots of small triangles when the subject is out of focus.
Hope this helps.
--------------------
Richard .......... My Website - My Flickr
|
Garry McNamara
Snr Tutor/Bongo Banjo
Reged: 16/08/2006
Posts: 2063
|
|
I'm so glad you didn't say pixelated Richard! You'd be right of course.
Nice to hear someone asking for advice on a AE-1 and how to focus!
|
OneTen
'Two Breakfasts'
Reged: 23/06/2003
Posts: 2247
Loc: Hartland, Devon
|
|
If you need the manual for your AE-1, it's available here:
Manual Part I
Manual Part II
Sales Brochure
There's also a great resource here for FD lenses: Link
I have a soft spot for the AE-1, it was my first SLR. 
--------------------
Richard .......... My Website - My Flickr
|
El Sid
Going potty
Reged: 14/04/2003
Posts: 9160
Loc: Sussex-by-the-Sea
|
|
The FD70-150 has quite a small maximum aperture of f4.5 and it's this that causes the spilt image/microprism focus aid to darken. This is quite normal and pretty much guaranteed with any lens having a maximum aperture smaller than f2.8.
I often find that a slight change of eye/head angle can reduce the effect and make the split image part fairly usable.
--------------------
Nigel
Completely BSRIPN 
ElSid Gallery
A camera in the hand is better than one in the cupboard........
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
