The New Cruelty

[BUTLER]

What the Hell, I'm going to try it. I'm taking Mike Johnston's advice* (though I've heard folks advocate this exercise elsewhere) and embarking on what I like to call

THE NEW CRUELTY: One camera. One lens. One film stock. For one year.

Here's my set-up:

CAMERA: Leica M6 TTL LHSA
LENS: Summilux-M 35, pre-ASPH
FILM: Kodak Tri-X 400
START DATE: August 6, 2010

Anyone else want to give this a try?

If you do want to participate, post your set-up and start date. Post your results/feedback here. Post any comments re other exercises/experiments used to refine technique/process (or that are just fun to try).

All right. Awesome!

*Reference: http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2009/05/a-leica-year.html

 

[dof]

I think that setup could only be counted as cruelty if the body is one of the .85 viewfinder M6 TTL's!

🙂

As much as I enjoy this kind of simplicity, my modest photographic work requires more than one lens be used. All the best with your shooting. I'll be curious to hear how this goes for you.

 

[dogberryjr]

I think that setup could only be counted as cruelty if the body is one of the .85 viewfinder M6 TTL's!

🙂

Huh? Why?

 

[dof]

Huh? Why?

The .85 viewfinder is not a good match for a 35mm lens. Otherwise, it seems like a beautiful rig to me.

Best,

 

[finguanzo]

Ive been doing this for about a year now, for different reasons though, Its all I have, m6 ttl and 35 summicron-pre asph.. Not cruel to me, although I guess when you have a taste of different things, its hard to be monogamous..

 

[ebolton]

Huh? Why?

Cause everything else is out for CLA?

 

[35mmdelux]

The .85 viewfinder is not a good match for a 35mm lens. Otherwise, it seems like a beautiful rig to me.

Best,

Also, the M6TTL .85 is renown for its VF flare propensity.

 

[chris00nj]

I may go with one camera and one lens for an outing or a short trip, but a year seems a bit much.

 

[dogberryjr]

The .85 viewfinder is not a good match for a 35mm lens. Otherwise, it seems like a beautiful rig to me.

Best,

Oh. Duh, 35. I'm obviously not paying attention tonight. Carry on.

 

[DNG]

I thought about doing this...but the film cost would be too much right now, the way I like to shoot. If, I did this, I'd use my Zeiss C-Sonnar 50mm on a m43 camera..... Yes, a fov of a 100mm lens, Why not? It really is a great match for the G1.... I have yet to put in on my M5 and finish off the film in it now. Because I have 6 rolls still waiting for a trip to BlueMoon. :bang:

Just mulling this idea around.....

 

[35mmdelux]

After seeing what Renzsu recently posted here from a trip to NYC (& his Flickr file) shot with a single M (M6 I think) and a CV Nokton 35/1.2, I am very tempted to limit myself to a single M and both my 35 Summicron v4 and Nokton 35/1.2. ...

We'll see.... 😎

Not a bad way to go with these lenses. You would get the most of them, which is what they were built for.

 

[fixbones]

A few RFFers have embarked on such a project....Hats off!!

Me, can't bear the thought of not using my other gears for a a year........

 

[xhrl]

I think that setup could only be counted as cruelty if the body is one of the .85 viewfinder......

I am only a rf noobie but I have read some experienced and talented rf shooters here write about their preference for using a 35mm focal length with a higher magnification vf. Thomasw and others have stated it is the best way to compose if one does so with both eyes, using the off-camera eye to determine the status of stuff coming in/going out of the frame. Does this not make sense?

 

[semilog]

^-- that's how I roll. 0.85x + 35 FL is my preferred setup. It's impossible if you shoot with glasses on, though.

 

[back alley]

i'm only going to eat bacon and eggs (scrambled eggs, crispy bacon) for a year...

 

[semilog]

i'm only going to eat bacon and eggs (scrambled eggs, crispy bacon) for a year...

Sonnets. Haikus. Ragas. Weston's contact prints. The rules of tennis that constrain Roger Federer's play. The flexible but very real rules of serious alpinism.

Yeah. Limitations are bad, m'kay?

 

[thomasw_]

.....I have read some.... their preference for using a 35mm focal length with a higher magnification vf. Thomasw and others have stated it is the best way to compose if one does so with both eyes, using the off-camera eye to determine the status of stuff coming in/going out of the frame. Does this not make sense?

It makes perfect sense if you shoot w/o spectacles. You will focus more accurately with a higher mag vf and you will get more "around the frameline info" from your free eye than from inside the vf. It just involves practice and developing the technique over time. I find it is really handy to use the higher mag vf in low light to get a more accurate focus. Ironically the 35mm lines in the M2 -- which is for me the ultimate vf for the 35mm FL -- give one about the same "outside the frame" info as a .85x vf. So for me I have long preferred my 35s framed in rather tight lines in the vf, using my free eye to gauge the composition outside the frame.

^-- that's how I roll. 0.85x + 35 FL is my preferred setup......

Keep it rolling ;p I do like a 35 on my mp 0,85x in low light especially 🙂

 

[sojournerphoto]

i'm only going to eat bacon and eggs (scrambled eggs, crispy bacon) for a year...

Good plan. But only organic eggs and free range bacon I hope. The Leica of bacon and eggs?

 

[back alley]

Sonnets. Haikus. Ragas. Weston's contact prints. The rules of tennis that constrain Roger Federer's play. The flexible but very real rules of serious alpinism.

Yeah. Limitations are bad, m'kay?

to each his own.

i believe we are all allowed our choices.
my mind cannot fathom CHOOSING to limit myself to that system.
now, if all my gear but one body and one lens were stolen, then i imagine i would be overjoyed to have that one body and one lens left to shoot with and i likely would work tirelessly to achieve some greater level of photographic zen.
but i would not choose that path for myself.

 

[Kolame]

Hope, you like it. Hope, you’re concerned about what you do. I think, it’s not easy, but I also think, you made up your mind already... 😉

I’m actually thinking about doing the same (since yesterday), but I’m not really sure by now... (I’d take a 40mm and a Bessa 3M, maybe...)