Darkhorse
pointed and shot
Late last week I felt a certain voice, and I do believe it to be a voice of reason, compelling me to take the next step in my photographic journey. For too long I think I felt myself diluted by one photographic distraction after the other; various formats, technologies, films, chemicals, processes, cameras of varying automation. I've openly opined about various directions to go on this forum, but my initial enthusiasm for various things ultimately fades.
I told myself to stop, consider what I liked, what I felt most comfortable with, and to concentrate on simply improving my knowledge of exposure, lighting and composition. The vehicle I decided to go forward with was with a Leica. Specifically an M4-P, and a 50mm V3 Summicron.
I received the M4-P on Tuesday, and spent the next few days waiting for the lens and composing with the rangefinder and acquainting myself with the M.
On Friday afternoon I received the lens and today I was finally able to take some test shots.
It was a cloudy day here in Southern California, but that's OK. I decided to keep things inside, and thus I rated a roll of Arista Premium 400 at 1600.
I started, appropriately enough, at a local used camera and bike shop. Great place, lost of old gear, and a very knowledgeable staff. I brought my Leica and that attracted an older gentleman who it seems just hangs out there. He told me a lot about Leicas, and I asked to take a few photos of him - something I've been shy to do with people, but something I've realized I need to get over.
Of course, I have some of my usual photos here - with pics of my cat Chloe and my wife Kelly.
What I like about the Leica is the ease of composing. I've been using OMs and it's difficult to compose with them because their viewfinders are so big, and I'm a glasses wearer. The M4P's viewfinder is the right size for me, but seeing the 50mm framelines in the context of the surrounding environment was very refreshing. Then there's the build, the silent shutter, and all the other things you'd expect of an M.
I'm struck by one thing though: In the past, when I've seen the first roll from a new camera, I've said to myself, "I LOVE THIS CAMERA" and subsequently lost interest. After my first roll from this camera it almost seems as if the camera is saying to me, "You've barely just begun."
I told myself to stop, consider what I liked, what I felt most comfortable with, and to concentrate on simply improving my knowledge of exposure, lighting and composition. The vehicle I decided to go forward with was with a Leica. Specifically an M4-P, and a 50mm V3 Summicron.
I received the M4-P on Tuesday, and spent the next few days waiting for the lens and composing with the rangefinder and acquainting myself with the M.
On Friday afternoon I received the lens and today I was finally able to take some test shots.
It was a cloudy day here in Southern California, but that's OK. I decided to keep things inside, and thus I rated a roll of Arista Premium 400 at 1600.
I started, appropriately enough, at a local used camera and bike shop. Great place, lost of old gear, and a very knowledgeable staff. I brought my Leica and that attracted an older gentleman who it seems just hangs out there. He told me a lot about Leicas, and I asked to take a few photos of him - something I've been shy to do with people, but something I've realized I need to get over.
Of course, I have some of my usual photos here - with pics of my cat Chloe and my wife Kelly.
What I like about the Leica is the ease of composing. I've been using OMs and it's difficult to compose with them because their viewfinders are so big, and I'm a glasses wearer. The M4P's viewfinder is the right size for me, but seeing the 50mm framelines in the context of the surrounding environment was very refreshing. Then there's the build, the silent shutter, and all the other things you'd expect of an M.
I'm struck by one thing though: In the past, when I've seen the first roll from a new camera, I've said to myself, "I LOVE THIS CAMERA" and subsequently lost interest. After my first roll from this camera it almost seems as if the camera is saying to me, "You've barely just begun."
