Istanbul with a Rangefinder

[JHenry]

Hi All,

Traveled to Istanbul in April for a few days of walking around, seeing the sights and taking lots and lots of photos. It was a complete rangefinder trip, with the M9, M7 and a Mamiya 7ii.

What an incredible city for photography and exploring. People were wonderful, and the city had a wonderful mix of East and West in it. Five days was not enough.

Wanted to share a few photos, and welcome any/all comments and criticism. There are more photos on my website, as well as a post trip report on Istanbul here, and my thoughts on what did and didn't work for the entire trip, which also included Greece and Italy (photos to come).

Now I just need more time to finish processing the photos, before the next trip in two months.

Cheers,

Jeff

P.S. Hope I've downsized the photos enough so as not to cause people problems...still learning how to post photos.

Ferry Crossing, Leica M9, CV 35mm f/1.2 Nokton, ISO 400

Hagia Sophia, Leica M9, VC 15mm, ISO 1250

The New Mosque ( Yeni Camii), Leica M9, ZM 25mm, ISO 400

Blue Mosque Ceiling, Mamiya 7ii and 65mm, Portra 400

Suleymaniye Mosque, Mamiya 7ii and 150mm, Portra 400

Chora Church, Mamiya 7ii and 65mm, Portra 400

Roman Cistern, Leica M9, ZM 25mm

Ferry Crossing II, Leica M9, CV 75mm f/1.8, ISO 160

 

[paapoopa]

very beautiful pictures, makes me misses istanbul more now..

 

[dufffader]

Nice pictures. I find it tough to be able to frame symmetric patterns with a rangefinder like what you did with the M7ii.
Turkey is one of my favorite place to shoot b&w film.

 

[papasnap]

wonderful photos! and interesting to read your comments about taking photos in turkey etc. I'll be heading to istanbul myself later this year, in large part to work on getting better at my photos (will primarily be using M7 + 35 1.2 nokton + provia 400x). I can't wait!

 

[dreilly]

Turkey is a wonderful country and Istanbul a completely beguiling city. I've been there three times and I would keep going back and back again. Love the food, architecture, crumbling architecture, sharp-dressed people, vibrance of street life, the water that looks like it's always restless and about to burst its banks...some people get all misty and magical about Paris, well, for me that's Istanbul. My favorites of your images are the first and last, both nicely caught moments.

For those yet to go, I highly recommend getting out of the central touristy area...travel up the Golden Horn on the ferry and get out at some random stop or cross over to the Asian side on one of the big ferries. Just go someplace random where you're not expected to be. Turkish people are in general (and especially in places where there are not a million tourists) amazingly welcoming.

I know, I used lots of adjectives there. I'm not usually like that. But about this I guess I am. Thanks for sharing those!

 

[JHenry]

Thanks for the kind comments.

For duffader: it really was trial and error when framing the ceilings, as I had to put the camera lens-up on the floor and hit the self timer button. Would usually try a few times with the M9 first and review the results, but still took several frames with the M7ii and only maybe one of 4 was "good."

Pappasnap: Istanbul is a great place, and I'm confident you'll love it. Take a ND filter (or 3) as the sun was much brighter/harsher than I anticipated.

Cheers,

Jeff

 

[Waterman100]

Enjoyed your "Post Trip Report: Lessons Learned". I am expecting a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia and some of your tips apply. Thanks for sharing.

 

[shadowfox]

Man, those pictures are just soooo good.