Leica LTM Shooting my grandfather's Barnack

[taffy]

My grandfather was an avid photographer. He had photo albums of all his grandkids and had many cameras. His family used to import Leica cameras & Lenses, Agfa film, and several chemicals from Germany after WW2 though their family drug store in Manila, previously owned by a German fellow.

His Leica IIIc with a Leitz Xenon 50/1.5 was passed on to me. Both the camera and lens date back to the mid-1930s and are in good shape after a CLA 5 years ago. After being away from home for 2.5 years, I brought it to family gatherings to shoot my cousins (his grandkids) and their children. These were shot with Kodak Proimage 100.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Nice portraits with very recognisable rendering of the Xenon. 🙂

 

[raydm6]

Beautiful portrait images and camera backstory. I hope you hang on to your grandfather's camera and pass it on.

 

[taffy]

Beautiful portrait images and camera backstory. I hope you hang on to your grandfather's camera and pass it on.

Hi raydm6 I do plan to keep this and pass it on to the next generation. It is not easy to shoot but nice to know I have an heirloom piece with me that works well today 🙂

 

[neal3k]

That's a great story and great shots. If you keep shooting the Barnack, it will get easier and more fun, I think. I've shot over 50 rolls in my Barnacks this year and they are my favorite cameras to use.

 

[rumbliegeos]

Those are wonderful images. I think taking photos with "family cameras" can be a very rewarding practice.

 

[bcostin]

These are beautiful!

 

[raid]

I agree with what has been posted above.
1. Your images are beautiful.
2. Congratulations on your camera and lens being from your family.

 

[raid]

I have always wanted a Xenon 501.5!

 

[Keith Fleming]

To make shooting with the camera easier for both you and future generations, I recommend buying a used auxiliary viewfinder for 50 mm lenses. There are several kinds, some by Leitz and some by other companies such as Voigtlander, Nikon and Canon. Take your time buying. Other members here may give more detailed advice on which one.

And your photos taken with the IIIC are excellent both photographically and as being instant family heirlooms. Please keep photographing!

Keith

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Beautiful Portraits- and wonderful to see a family heirloom put to such great use.

The Xenon 5cm F1.5 is much better than what you read about it. Often the optics get covered with internal haze, same as the Summarit. Once cleaned- give the results you are getting.

I've used mine on the M9, and the M Monochrom with a yellow filter- have gotten very good results.

The Tiffen 611 retaining ring allows series VI filters to be used. This made finding filters much easier. The Summarit and Xenon use a hard-to-find 41mm filter size.

 

[jsrockit]

Great look to the images and a fun RFF friendly story.

 

[Miles.]

Lovely portraits.

Happy shooting!

 

[taffy]

a few more photos from another roll. Sonnar Brian the lens does have a lot to offer given it's age. I think stopped down you have decent sharpness and some 3D qualities. I bet if I shot this lens more in open spaces and in daylight, I'll get pleasing results. As for shooting a Barack, I think I have some work to do with framing and the suggestion of Keith Fleming to get and external VF might help in that regard.

mom and her grandkids

2nd and 4th generation