How to use your Camera to shot good Pictures/Photo (Film plane index; Battery check; Rearsight features; Film memo holder)

Film plane index

This is usually found on a camera top plate. The index shows the exact location of the film within the camera and thus enables accurate measurements and calculations to be made. It is most useful for close-up work when you may want to measure bellows extension or extension tubes to help you work out magnification and exposure. Close-ups are difficult to focus with a non-reflex camera because the focus cannot be checked through the viewfinder. Instead the distance from the subject to the film must be measured accurately. Some cameras which do not have a film plane index have a serial number engraved on the top plate. The top of the figures often corresponds to the location of the film plane inside the camera.

Battery check

With so many modern cameras depending on electronics, battery power is vital. It is a good idea to test batteries from time to time, especially since silver oxide and manganese alkaline types last for so long and then suddenly give up. Use the battery check button before each main picture session, but do not be tempted to overdo the testing or you may drain the batteries prematurely.

If you don’t have a checking facility, most manufacturers recommend that camera batteries are replaced after a year of normal use. If you are in doubt about battery condition, replace them. Never store equipment for more than about one month with batteries inserted—they may leak and corrode the inside of the equipment.

Rearsight features

Many viewfinder rearsights are fitted with grooves or a screw-in collar to accept accessories such as a right-angle finder. They also accept eyepiece correction lenses which help the spectacle wearer.

Spectacles can be a nuisance and prevent the photographer from getting his eye close to the finder and therefore from seeing the entire screen from corner to corner, including exposure information. The back of the viewfinder can also scratch spectacle lenses. Fitting a dioptric correction attachment to the rearsight, which exactly matches your spectacle prescription, is a possible solution. They are available from some camera manufacturers to suit a range of long- and short-sighted vision, but can also be made by an optician if special correction is necessary. Some SLR cameras have a limited range of correction built in to the rearsight.

Many automatic metering cameras have a small shutter which can be moved over the inside of the viewfinder eyepiece by operating a lever. The shutter prevents light from entering through the eyepiece and affecting the exposures. This is more likely to happen when the camera is mounted on a tripod or being used on delayed action when the photographer’s eye is not there to shade the eyepiece. The meter cell inside the camera responds to this extra light and it may result in under-exposure. If your camel doesn’t have an internal eyepiece blind you can probably buy an external cover which clips into the viewfinder rearsight grooves (if provided). An alternative is to make your own blind from opaque card or tape.

Spectacle wearers can overcome the problem of light entering the eyepiece because of the distance between eye and viewfinder being greater than for non-spectacle wearers by buying a rubber eye-cup. The cup screws or clips on to the rearsight, and although it won’t eliminate light entering from behind the camera, it will reduce it and in addition makes use much more comfortable.

Film memo holder

A simple way of reminding yourself what type of film is loaded in your camera is to slip the end of the film carton into a special size frame which is provided on the back of many cameras. Forgetful people without film memo holders could quite easily tape the carton end to the back of the camera or slip it into the ever-ready case. Some cameras have an adjustable dial which you can set to remind you whether you have loaded black and white or colour film, and whether it is balanced for daylight or tungsten light.

There are many different exposure controls which may be included on your camera apart from shutter speed and aperture selectors. Here you are shown exactly how to use them.

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