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:bang: :bang: he is lost...
joe
back alley
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oh, and by the way, i just wanted to point out that i once owned a brand spankin' new in the box leica m4p complete with 50mm summicron lens.
...and sold it...
joe:bang:
...and sold it...
joe:bang:
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
Oh Joe, not at all...I'm behaving perfectly normal. For the last hour I've been sitting on the couch stroking the camera as I lovingly muttered precious....preeecious.....my precioussss..
Oh...got to go... She needs me...
Oh...got to go... She needs me...
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you got me - i can't stop laughing!!
joe
joe
LOL, congratulations, Richard! That looks like a lovely M3, very very clean. You mention flash sockets or plugs a couple times, but I don't see the white plastic protective covers for them in the pics. Are the sockets modified to the new PC style, or remain the older "classic" Leica type? I have never used the flash connections on my M2, so the old covers remain in place.
There sure are lots of lens choices out there, and I agree with your preference for the Leica experience with lenses as well. After all, Leica is famous for lens quality!
I would like a type 1 "rigid" 'cron, but there's that cute little 50/2.5 Skopar flirting with me! Is it a cheap tramp or a return of the qualities of the great Summar?
There sure are lots of lens choices out there, and I agree with your preference for the Leica experience with lenses as well. After all, Leica is famous for lens quality!
I would like a type 1 "rigid" 'cron, but there's that cute little 50/2.5 Skopar flirting with me! Is it a cheap tramp or a return of the qualities of the great Summar?
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
I got two white plugs that fit in the holes in the back - and there is also a metal piece that seems like it would fit in one of the holes as well, I wonder what that one is for.
Maybe I need an M3 manual.
Maybe I need an M3 manual.
Here is a Downloadable M3 Manual in PDF format, not just a raw scan. The author did a lot of work on this! It is the later edition of the manual which includes use of the DOF lines in the later model viewfinder.
Free Download Leica M3 Manual in PDF format
Free Download Leica M3 Manual in PDF format
I do not understand this Leica snob thing. Just because the M3 has the best viewfinder ever created in the course of history it does not prevent me from using the Nikons, Canon 7, Kiev, Contax,Vitessa, Hi-Matic, Canonet, Yashica GT, .... And of course the Polaroid that goes PPPhhhfffttt and there it is.
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Oldprof
Guest
So Richard has become a self-described "Leica artiste" and M3 fondler?
What a flip-flopper!
On June 12. 2004 he posted the follwing snippet in photo.net's Leica Forum:
"... I find the vast majority of photos taken using Leica cameras to be lacking in quality - meaning unsharp, poor contrast, blown out highlights, grainy - and did I mention unsharp and poor contrast ..."
P.S. If you don't believe me go to:
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008WR3
What a flip-flopper!
On June 12. 2004 he posted the follwing snippet in photo.net's Leica Forum:
"... I find the vast majority of photos taken using Leica cameras to be lacking in quality - meaning unsharp, poor contrast, blown out highlights, grainy - and did I mention unsharp and poor contrast ..."
P.S. If you don't believe me go to:
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008WR3
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He was called a wanker and a moron in that thread, but overall I think it went quite well.
I think the real reason some Leica photographs are not up to legendary quality is because people like me buy Leica cameras.
I think the real reason some Leica photographs are not up to legendary quality is because people like me buy Leica cameras.
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jdos2
Well-known
Awful lot of emotion expended on that particular brand of camera. The word "Leica" seems to bring out the nuts of the photography world, like having one instantly makes one a better photographer. I LOVE people that call themselves "unbiased" and "scientific" telling me "how I am going to feel" picking up a particular brand of camera (read the Puts Konica/Leica review)
Simply put, cameras are little boxes of dark with (usually) a lens on the front and (usually) something to change exposure. That's it. The more expensive ones typically have better options for reliability and repeatability, but again, that's it.
If anyone wants better pictures and have been using amateur format, I say "to heck with it," and recommend a cheap MF folder, which will immediately make better looking pictures unless something is terribly wrong with it.
Yes, I've a Leica M3. It's nice. The negatives don't look NEARLY as nice as the ones off of my Mamiya Universal. It's also not as easy to load. It's quieter, and with the standard lens I'm using on each, the Leica has a single stop advantage (f/2.0 vs. f/2.8). The Leica can be quieter and is a heck of a lot less conspicuous, but again, the negative area is much smaller, and I'd rather worry about "contrast" instead of "micro-contrast."
How about folks full on in the Leica Camp that insist on calling the Contax G1/2 a "Point & Shoot" with the hopes that they'll piss someone off?
For me, it's a hobby, not a religion.
Simply put, cameras are little boxes of dark with (usually) a lens on the front and (usually) something to change exposure. That's it. The more expensive ones typically have better options for reliability and repeatability, but again, that's it.
If anyone wants better pictures and have been using amateur format, I say "to heck with it," and recommend a cheap MF folder, which will immediately make better looking pictures unless something is terribly wrong with it.
Yes, I've a Leica M3. It's nice. The negatives don't look NEARLY as nice as the ones off of my Mamiya Universal. It's also not as easy to load. It's quieter, and with the standard lens I'm using on each, the Leica has a single stop advantage (f/2.0 vs. f/2.8). The Leica can be quieter and is a heck of a lot less conspicuous, but again, the negative area is much smaller, and I'd rather worry about "contrast" instead of "micro-contrast."
How about folks full on in the Leica Camp that insist on calling the Contax G1/2 a "Point & Shoot" with the hopes that they'll piss someone off?
For me, it's a hobby, not a religion.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Heck, it's a nice camera, it's expensive, and the likes of it were used by shooters like HCB and Garry Winogrand. So, in my theory, we buy and revere this toys because they make us fell that some day, we might be able to possibly snap a really, really, but really good shot.
Better than those poor souls who carry around their little Canonets or Contax G bodies. Ha!
(Of course, this is all in good, clean fun! )
Oh! I'm glad the issue about Canadian and German lenses was finally settled. And we know all too well that there are those who hunt and search for Leica M bottom plates with the words "Zu" and "Auf" engraved on them, allegedly because they're "better" than their plain, non-engraved successors.
Congratulations again, Richard! I'm sure your emotional and professional integrities will withstand the shock of holding a precious instrument in your hands.
Mine are calling me again...
Better than those poor souls who carry around their little Canonets or Contax G bodies. Ha!
(Of course, this is all in good, clean fun!
)Oh! I'm glad the issue about Canadian and German lenses was finally settled. And we know all too well that there are those who hunt and search for Leica M bottom plates with the words "Zu" and "Auf" engraved on them, allegedly because they're "better" than their plain, non-engraved successors.
Congratulations again, Richard! I'm sure your emotional and professional integrities will withstand the shock of holding a precious instrument in your hands.
Mine are calling me again...
Richard,
You are lucky to have the original white caps for the Flash Contacts. The Little metal piece adapts the non-standard socket to PC. I keep mine in the case, but have never used it.
I have found that Caps for Fiber Optic connectors, type FC, work very well as replacement caps. I use them in my M3. Of course I work in an optics lab, so they are very plentiful and are cheap from optical supply companies. We always have a bunch left over when the cables are actually used. Amazing that the Fiber Optic industry copied the Leica M3 flash cover, isn't it?
Was the manual useful? The only non-intuitive item on the M3 has got to be the DOF indicators in the finder, which appeared on the higher SN cameras only. The camera in the manual is featured with the Type I Rigid Summicron, and use of the DR is also covered. I would not rule the latter out.
BTW, if anyone did look at the massive 4MB scan, it was shot at F4. 1024x670 images do not do these cameras justice. One time I got frustrated enough just to send 5x7 prints through the mail rather than post an image to answer a query on the quality of a lens. Let me know...
You are lucky to have the original white caps for the Flash Contacts. The Little metal piece adapts the non-standard socket to PC. I keep mine in the case, but have never used it.
I have found that Caps for Fiber Optic connectors, type FC, work very well as replacement caps. I use them in my M3. Of course I work in an optics lab, so they are very plentiful and are cheap from optical supply companies. We always have a bunch left over when the cables are actually used. Amazing that the Fiber Optic industry copied the Leica M3 flash cover, isn't it?
Was the manual useful? The only non-intuitive item on the M3 has got to be the DOF indicators in the finder, which appeared on the higher SN cameras only. The camera in the manual is featured with the Type I Rigid Summicron, and use of the DR is also covered. I would not rule the latter out.
BTW, if anyone did look at the massive 4MB scan, it was shot at F4. 1024x670 images do not do these cameras justice. One time I got frustrated enough just to send 5x7 prints through the mail rather than post an image to answer a query on the quality of a lens. Let me know...
taffer
void
Those manuals are great Brian, thanks for sharing.
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
I have never been able to stand by any statement or pereception for more than about a week on average
But Oldprof you're absolutely right the VAST majority of photos I've seen posted on photo.net in the Leica forum I would consider technically inadequate. HOWEVER that thread led to quite a number of private email correspondances with 4-5 members of that forum that ended up showing me some great sites with some wonderful examples of Leica photos.
So far I have the camera body..still got to figure out what lens I want.
Oh and when it comes to being called a moron and a wanker I've been called way worse by much better people
Looking forward to putting 'precious' to work in a few weeks though!
But Oldprof you're absolutely right the VAST majority of photos I've seen posted on photo.net in the Leica forum I would consider technically inadequate. HOWEVER that thread led to quite a number of private email correspondances with 4-5 members of that forum that ended up showing me some great sites with some wonderful examples of Leica photos.
So far I have the camera body..still got to figure out what lens I want.
Oh and when it comes to being called a moron and a wanker I've been called way worse by much better people
Looking forward to putting 'precious' to work in a few weeks though!
Huck Finn
Well-known
RF -
In your search for lenses, a good reference is the "Leica Pocket Book." The 7th edition is the most recent (Oct, 2002). It is published by Hove Collectors Books. It provides a description & the performance characteristics of every Leica lens ever made.
Enjoy the camera. Good luck with your lens selection.
Huck
In your search for lenses, a good reference is the "Leica Pocket Book." The 7th edition is the most recent (Oct, 2002). It is published by Hove Collectors Books. It provides a description & the performance characteristics of every Leica lens ever made.
Enjoy the camera. Good luck with your lens selection.
Huck
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Oldprof
Guest
rsilfverberg said:
All in good fun Richard.
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Peter
Guest
HelenB said:
HAHAHAHAHA! That's a good one!
P
Peter A
Guest
Congratulations - looks like a nice example. Given a choice between a 50 Cron and 90 cron or Elmarit - I'd start with a 50. Depending on your shooting style /preferences I'd look at the 75 Summilux - at 1.4 it is very fast and has beautiful rendition qualities, though many consider it a difficult lens to shoot with wide open. Don't feel it a necessity to buy teh newest formulations of any lens either - some of teh older lense deliver that Leica look and a smoother blend from in to out of focus. Check out a quality Summarit with adaptor @F1.5 you get speed and old fashioned lovely look.
I second the Summarit; I think the M-Mount version goes for even less than the LTM version. They are also a bit later in manufacture. I have several pictures posted in the gallery with each. At F4, the Summarit is quite sharp. Wide-open it is soft; but it produces a unique quality that I refer to as a "pleasing photograph". I like to think that the designer shot pictures of his middle-aged wife wide-open in existing light and of all of the places they visited outdoors at F8.
My M-Mount Summarit Lens ran $125 and then I had Essex CLA it and repair the bent filter ring for $90. I bought a Summarit-to-Series VI adapter for $5 to solve the hard-to-find 41mm thread problem.
Summarit-M Example
My M-Mount Summarit Lens ran $125 and then I had Essex CLA it and repair the bent filter ring for $90. I bought a Summarit-to-Series VI adapter for $5 to solve the hard-to-find 41mm thread problem.
Summarit-M Example
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