Leica LTM Anyone actually using the slow shutter speeds?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
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Graybeard

Longtime IIIf User
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I usually shoot with a Leica IIIf, largely because it is the one I'm accustomed to using and it has a fast lens (a Nikkor f2) on it. With 400ASA film in the camera, it has been a very long time since I ever needed the slow speed dial on the camera.

My shooting with Leicas in general has been hand-held. If I ever had the ability to reliably hold the camera steady at slow speeds, I've lost that ability with age. On the rare ocassions that I've shot at low speeds, it was because I had a f2.8 or f3.5 on the camera I was using that day; I braced myself against a wall or sat down on the floor to minimize camera shake, scarcely unobtrusive street photography.

I'm finding it simpler just to have a Jupiter-8 f2 available on the camera (or in my pocket). That is what I've taken to doing with my IIf and can't say I've missed the low speeds.

Your comment?
 
I use 1/60 (or 1/50) for most shots. I consider that slow. I occasionally drop below that, but usually with me or the camera sat/leant on something
 
I do use them, generally on a tabletop or on a tripod. I have a few candlelight shots, including one with an Elmar 50. I get reasonable results at 1/25 handheld, but I find focusing is difficult when it's that dark.
 
I use the slower speeds (below 1/30th) a lot when shooting nighttime shots. I can generally get good results hand held as slow as 1/10th with my IIIc and IIIf but usually shoot with a monopod in those situations..
If you don't use them it's a good idea to exercise the slower speed once or twice a month to keep them working properly..
 
Occasionally I resort to "the little wheel." (aka, the slow speed adj. on my L.IIIs) Recently actually, since I use ISO200 often, and sometimes indoors, I've been practicing/experimenting to shoot at 1/20 or under.
 
Have been known to go down to a 1/4 of a second from time to time. Mostly due to SLOW WA lens (f4 sucks at times). I put the camera on a chair back or table, compose as best I can and then with my best snipers finger, exhale and release.

B2 (;->
 
I like shooting slow film (Pan F or FP4) with my iiig, so I resort to the slow speeds occasionally, but will usually prop the camera on a wall, table or chair for stability.
 
My normal speed is 1/50 or 1/125 depending on the season. Good fraction of my shots were done at 1/10 or 1/25, moreso than at 1/250 and above. To put winter light conditions here into perspective, on my trip home I *have* to use 1/25 @ f/1.5 with film at EI 800.
 
I tried some slow shutter speeds indoors at a resturant. It its rather dark in there most of the time and I use a "slow Elmar" so you know my shutter speeds are going to be very slow. Unless I brace the camera somehow or put it on my table top tripod it is going to be very iffy about getting a good shot. I just need to invest in a faster lense, one that is collapsable. I forgot to say that I mostly use ASA400 speed film. I have not tried 800, 1600, or even 3200 yet.
 
Mummie mummie that drunk is holding on to a lamp post.
No he is not that is a m4-2 he is holding with a 35mm lux, he is a low (light) street photog.

Noel

P.S. below 1/8 the subjects move too much unless they are buildings, or posing
 
varjag said:
My normal speed is 1/50 or 1/125 depending on the season. Good fraction of my shots were done at 1/10 or 1/25, moreso than at 1/250 and above. To put winter light conditions here into perspective, on my trip home I *have* to use 1/25 @ f/1.5 with film at EI 800.
Click to expand...

I believe that I understand things now.

Barnack put the little dial on the front of the camera for those living north of the Artic circle.

There must be a Canadian or two who fall into this category ...
 
I too have a grey beard, haven't been nearer the Arctic Circle than Bergen, but use the slow speeds a good deal. No option when doing available light work with 100 film. Still getting used to the IIIc, which tends to give me shake at speeds at which I was fairly reliable with an M3 and still am OK with SLRs. With my digicam, of course, I am a trembling catastrophe: except when I use the eye-level finder, when I am generally not in focus and have only the most ghostly idea of what I am photographing.
 
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