I got to use my Linhof 4x5 with viewfinder and Pentax spot-meter out in the field for the first time. I found the viewfinder (which allows you to see the scene through various focal lengths) a great help for finding my compositions. I ended up using the 210mm Nikon lens for the most part and just set the viewfinder at 210mm and walked around looking for photographs. I loved using the Linhof and the Pentax spot-meter as well, this set up should work well in Cambodia/Thailand when I am making portraits for the "Peoples" project. I should be able to make the work flow, get good composed, focused and exposed negs quickly, which will allow me to give most of my attention to my subject, I can concentrate on bringing that special/telling moment out of them.
On Sunday used zone metering for the photos and ended up with some decent negatives. I hope to refine and improve on these negs and my zone technique in the future. I think using a spot-meter and zone system for the Asia portraits is the way to go, then I am ensured of getting proper exposures and printable negs.
