Biking around with the M6

2WK said:
I took most of these pictures from my bike this summer. Just wanted to know if any other leica users shoot from the steed?
I love it for covering area quickly, especially since some of these neighborhoods I would definitely not walk around with my m6 exposed.

http://togetherwekill90291.blogspot.com/2011/08/summer-days.html
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There are a lot of fun photos in there. It looks like you overdevelop - i this on purpose to get a higher than normal contrast?
 
Great stuff. I am usually in a car or on two feet while photographing, but maybe a bike would be the perfect compromise.
 
I do the same thing in London, tho I cycle somewhere, lock up, walk around for 15 mins before cycling off again :) great way of covering ground
 
Chris101 said:
There are a lot of fun photos in there. It looks like you overdevelop - i this on purpose to get a higher than normal contrast?
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Thanks! Although I don't think I'm over developing, but rather cranking the curves to much after I scan. My scans usually come out really blown out looking and I have to salvage with curves. Thanks for that comment though, I will try to be more aware of how much I am adjusting.
 
Possibly you're overexposing your shots then? Your exposure meter is reading under by a stop?

Does your scanning software allow you to adjust by a stop or two when you scan? I sometimes have to pull or push some of my shots by a stop or so on scanning, always adds a lot more detail than attempting to fix in the post alone :)
 
I think I am overexposing. :( I'm still getting used to the M6 meter. Usually I try to get a red dot int he meter, but sometimes when I'm biking and see a shot I almost shoot from the hip.

If the exposure meter is reading under a stop, wouldn't it be underexposing?
Hmm I need to get back into the manual. Maybe this is my problem lol.
 
If it's reading under the true value, it would tell you that less light is coming into the lens than there really is, overexposing.

What batteries are you using? Are they 1.5v or 1.55v? Not much difference, but it might nudge the scale?
 
I sometimes go out on my bicycle with my camera, using a Think Tank 'Change Up' waist bag to store the camera. The problem I find is that when I get on my bike I just want to keep pedalling and stopping to make a photograph breaks the rhythm!

A tip if you are scanning, aim for a fairly flat image, just get all the information the negative has and don't try for anything finished paying particular attention to the histogram and keeping highlights and shadows in check. Then use post processing for adjusting the levels.

Steve
 
Hey Chris, I'm using the 1/3 N 3V Lithium. I think I just might be metering off the wrong area. Thanks for the scan tip 250swb. Here's a tip for bike shooting... I never use a bag because for the time it would take to stop and dig the camera out I would miss the shot. Instead I just have it on a shortened strap, on my back or front. I usually have set the focus to about 10 - 20 feet or so and the aperture 8, 11 or 16 depending on the light to keep my shutter speed above 1/125. That way I can just shoot from the hip and hope I caught it. Most of my biking shots are like that. It's fun and exciting to see if I actually caught anything once I develop. Anyway, try shooting a roll like that next time you are on the bike!

Thanks for the compliments everyone.. Oh and Golem, yea I haven't been in yet either hahaha but I have heard some pretty seedy stories...esp about the lunch buffet!
 
I haven't dared take a Leica on the bike because (apparently) the RF adjustment can get knocked out by the vibrations. It's supposed to be Ok if you use a courier bag or something that suspends it from your body.

I have taken a Minox on the bike but this gives uneven frame spacing! The Minox sprockets have such shallow teeth that the film seems to come off them if the camera is shaken about between shots. I rarely get uneven frame spacing when just walking about with the camera.
 
Hi 2wk, Really like what you have shared with us. Truly captures the vibe of the often "unseen" part of LA. I personally like what others have considered the high contrast as for me it captures the harsh summer light that is southern California. In this case its really appropriate.
Very cool work.

Paul
 
Glad to see Billy in the basket on your bike to prove that you like moving sometimes while shooting. Me, too. No basket for me and I suspect that two of our three dogs would fight over whose turn it would be to ride if I had one, so I go solo... M8 here with a 28 Elmarit. Normally, I would be embarrassed to let anyone see how slow I was pedaling, but I'm going to excuse myself just this once since I managed to have the photo almost in-focus.
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2WK said:
Just wanted to know if any other leica users shoot from the steed?
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Not anymore since my bike got stolen while I was across the street taking pictures. Shooting from the bike may be safer.

I tend to keep the camera on a very short strap, so it sits high on my chest. That way it doesn't bounce too much or swing forward and hit the handlebars as I have done in the past.
 
Thanks Filmfan and Muser53, I appreciate it. Robklurfield, yes I do like moving and shooting. I only have the basket on for Billie, but when she isn't riding along It unclips off my bars.

Rogerzilla, I have never heard that about knocking my M6 out of calibration! I have already put hundreds of miles on my bike with my M6 and haven't noticed anything yet. I hope to assume that these Leicas are built tougher than that! Actually my leica hasn't been in a case one time since I got her. Always strapped to me....everyday.
 
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