hello everybody, newbie lens question

[tree]

Hello forum folks,

I guess this post will serve as a bit of an introduction for me as it is my first. I hope that is ok if I put it here.

Yesterday my friend gave to me as a gift a Mamiya DSX 1000 he spotted at a thrift store. It is such a cool camera. I am however completely new to shooting a film camera. I've been googling like mad learning everything I can about this craft and about the camera I have been gifted. I found PeterW's thread about his own DSX 1000 and it and the links it contained have been immensely helpful to me.

I bought some film today and have been practicing taking pics, using the light meter and focusing the lens etc.

The camera came with 2 lenses incase anyone is interested. One which is in very good condition as far as I can tell, a "Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1:35/35" and a "Computron Auto 1:28 f=135mm" of which one of the rings is a bit loose and the focus movement sometimes hits a rough spot (also the glass seems to have some small scratches as it does not have a case or a lens cap).

If you have any info or comments on those lenses I would be interested to hear them.

Anyhow, I have been thinking about buying another lens to use with this camera, and your thread on fast lenses was quite enlightening. I understand how that is an issue after using my camera today.

I was wondering if a 55mm f1.8 lens is a very fast lens to use for general purpose photography, and if it would be an all around good lens to use. I am guessing it is faster than the 35mm one I have right now.

Also I was wondering what the f rating means exactly in terms of the function of the lens. I saw the thread about this but I found it confusing.. though I admit I didn't try my hardest to understand (I am a bit sleepy right now ;D). Could someone break it down for a newbie?

Anyhow I feel quite lucky to have stumbled across this forum of "SLR masters" so quickly. Thanks for having me here and for any input you have.

[kiev4a]

Tree:

The 35mm lens is a great lens for starting out. It covers an area just slightly wider than a "normal" 50mm lens. The F on the lens stands for "F stops" on your 35mm lens it sound like to f stps probably are from 3.5 to probably 16 or maybe 22. The lower the number--3.5 the more light is allowed to strike the film. In the shade or indoors (depending on the film speed) you might want the lens oped all the way to 3.5 to get a photo. On a bright sunny day you might need to change the setting to 11 or 16 to allow less light in so the film will not be overexposed. Alto the smaller the F stop opening (F11 F16, etc) the more dept of field you lens has--things all the way from close to the camera to far away can be in focus. At F3.5 often only the object that you actually focus on will be completly sharp.
The other factor in mating a picture is shutter speed. Faster shutter speeds like 1/250 sec and above fill freeze motion in photos. Slower speeds can blurr a fast moving object (sometimes a good thing to show action.
Four factors control pictures
1. Film speed (ISO)
2. F stops (aperture)
3. Shutter speed
4. Focus

There are people here that can explain all this much better than I can.

[bobm]

Hello tree.

I think you've explained things very well Wayne.

Care of our very own Ron Herron - DSX1000 manual:
herron.50megs.com/manuals3.htm

Again, care of the fine Mr Herron - 'How to....':
herron.50megs.com/how%20to.htm

[Randy]

Welcome to the Camera Collector Tree. You'll find loads of information here, and welcome to the camera hobby!

[herron]

Welcome, tree!

If it's working properly, you're going to love your new Mamiya! If you are shopping for other lenses, try looking for Mamiya lenses (the ones that were made for your camera will have an SX designation on the front lens ring). You can find the variety of lenses that were specific to your camera here.

The other lenses you mention will work and probably give you good results, but I have always been a fan of Mamiya optics. The threaded Mamiya lenses are readily available, so you should be able to find a 50mm (or 55mm) f/1.4 for it, which is quite fast.

Wayne covered the basics well, so I won't repeat any of that, and I thank Bob for the plug...glad to know someone finds my web site useful! There is a Mamiya MSX & DSX-specific page.

Welcome to the Camera Collector, and the thoroughly enjoyable film photography hobby!

[bobm]

I thank Bob for the plug...glad to know someone finds my web site useful!

Actually Ron, when I got my Mamiya 4B, I had to wait several years until your site appeared before I could properly ID the camera and get some information on it.

AFAIK your site remains the primary resource for Mamiya on the web.