New York February NYC Meet-Up

[Particular]

I'm sure you'll get a kick out of the Zerostat, just don't take it through customs. Also remember not to use windex on acrylic, because it doesn't like ammonia.

 

[Calzone]

I'm sure you'll get a kick out of the Zerostat, just don't take it through customs. Also remember not to use windex on acrylic, because it doesn't like ammonia.

Christian,

Thanks for the tips.

Thank's for the nuclear option. LOL.

Lots of physics going on in my print studio. LOL. I was thinking is that with all the plates of acrylic holding charge I could build a Vandergraph Accelerator in my studio and build yet another physics lab.

Baby-Dog's fur is not like rabbit fur on my old Main Coon Cat "Willy" who had the perfect fur to generate millions of volts. In the winter I could generate enough static to discharge on Willy's nose that I generated sparks. Rabbit fur and Willy's fluffy fur had a lot of air gaps, while my vicious Baby-Dog has a flat coat.

Cal

 

[Particular]

The Zerostat works quite well on hair or fur as well. Hair stylists and pet stylists should really own them.

 

[Calzone]

Looking forward to seeing a Salvatore Ferragamo show as part of NYC Fashion Week Friday night. This means that somehow I got "inside the tent" as they say.

Interesting to note that Maggie now has 25K followers, and now there are all these solicitations by big brands and famous names that have to remain un-named at this point. At this level things get crazier. One solicitor is someone everyone knows and is liked to a billionaire with a capitol "B." Funny thing is Maggie has been turning away the PR representative several times, and the last time Maggie basically told them that she is too busy because its Fashion Week in NYC, but she will have some time after Fashion Week is over.

Anyways there is a misunderstanding, and it seems that the billionaire thinks we are rich like her because they initially were interested in our home as a backdrop for an ultra luxury campaign, when basically we just rent. LOL. Then they wanted to know if possibly we had a winter home in Florida. More or less because Maggie's style in fashion is the high end we got mistaken for jet-setters. LOL.

Interesting to note that Maggie recently posted about the ups and downs that come from fur-net-tic activity like putting together a fashion show and Fashion Week causing mixed feelings of elation and a let down that could be confused as depression. Anyways there was a spin on behalf of some readers that Maggie got depressed and her herd of followers posed many comments expressing their concern from yesterday's post which included a photo that might suggest that she is unhappy. Anyways a post script will be added to the post to undo any misunderstanding.

All I can say is that oddly all these challenges of the fashion world with it's quick pace presents a non stop series of fleeting moments to try and capture eloquently. Not easy to do. Also these challenges are creating some crazy ideas for street shooting.

I discovered that I can easily use the largest dedicated flash that I bought for my Pentax 67II as a slave with my new Nikon SB-910 (also the most powerful dedicated flash). So I already have key and fill lighting capability for shooting at night. I kinda remembered that I have this machinist's magnetic block that is amazingly strong that features a switch that firmly locks the block solid. Anyways this is part of the spoils of downsizing a major aerospace company.

My idea is to use the magnetic block so I could use any street sign as a pedestal to mount my fill flash, so I effectively can create a kill zone with a key light/flash as my master. Basically my idea is to set up a street as my studio first for shooting Maggie, but I see potential for my own work also. I like the idea because it is kinda crazy. LOL. Know that the magnetic base features a 1/4-20 thread like a tripod and that I already own a Leica tabletop tripod head. All I need is a hot shoe base that accepts a standard 1/4-20 goes in-A.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Also these challenges are creating some crazy ideas for street shooting.

I discovered that I can easily use the largest dedicated flash that I bought for my Pentax 67II as a slave with my new Nikon SB-910 (also the most powerful dedicated flash). So I already have key and fill lighting capability for shooting at night. I kinda remembered that I have this machinist's magnetic block that is amazingly strong that features a switch that firmly locks the block solid. Anyways this is part of the spoils of downsizing a major aerospace company.

My idea is to use the magnetic block so I could use any street sign as a pedestal to mount my fill flash, so I effectively can create a kill zone with a key light/flash as my master. Basically my idea is to set up a street as my studio first for shooting Maggie, but I see potential for my own work also.

Check out Philip-Lorca diCorcia's work Cal... he's done stuff like this.

 

[Calzone]

Check out Philip-Lorca diCorcia's work Cal... he's done stuff like this.

John,

Thanks for the reference. That SB-910 is some of the fest money I spent. Basically the D3X becomes a fully intergrated camera like a point and shoot. The TTL is kinda flawless.

Not sure I like images converted to B&W though because the Monochrom is the best.

The two prints I made have been gloss overcoated, and they look way different than my Monochrom. Not sure if this is CCD vs CMOS or just because of being converted from a color sensor. Could also be that I'm spoiled and have gotten use to the look from Leica glass, but maybe not because I love retro glass on the Monochrom almost equally well.

Anyways like in fashion my photography is going all over the place. Something I feel is evolving...

Cal

 

[Particular]

Cal,
When you get into the celebrity zone things get weird. Fans live in a parallel universe.
I follow one A-list celeb on Instagram, because we went to college together. He mostly posts random stuff. He happens to be married to a much bigger star. On each post he gets like 50 comments saying "please post pictures with your lovely wife". She isn't on Instagram, so he is the next best thing, but they aren't actually interested in him.

 

[Calzone]

Cal,
When you get into the celebrity zone things get weird. Fans live in a parallel universe.
I follow one A-list celeb on Instagram, because we went to college together. He mostly posts random stuff. He happens to be married to a much bigger star. On each post he gets like 50 comments saying "please post pictures with your lovely wife". She isn't on Instagram, so he is the next best thing, but they aren't actually interested in him.

Christian,

Because of data-mining and few luxury item purchases: Louie Vutton, Rolex, Cartier, Panerai, and Cartier again somehow I got "A" listed and somehow I got mistaken as a rich jerk. LOL.

First off I get a membership to the "Hudson Society" which is an organization for socialites to socialize. I still get these invites to meet celebraties, heads of state, former Defense Ministers, and events held at the Russian Tea Room where I could find a date with a woman who might "keep" me.

Next is I get a free subscription to "Forbes" because I am in the investor class that might buy a private Island or country that is advertised in Forbes.

Then within a year I get four invitations to meet with Mayor Bloomberg of which I had to meet in person at least once, and the other three times I snubbed him. LOL. Basically the shortest Billionaire I ever met. I dressed for my meeting wearing a Hawian print shirt like I was a surfer because it was the summer, and also because I wanted to stand out from all the men wearing suits. Anyways I have a picture of me shaking Mayor Bloomberg's hand on the porch of Gracie Mansion wearing my surfing clothes. LOL.

Last year "Maggie" was recognized by German tourists. "You are the Accidental Icon," they said. At this point I'm just Maggie's personal assistant/photographer that humbly has become her entourage. LOL. Really amazing how widely known she is and has become.

BTW life and things are becoming weirder by the moment. It seems crazier things are somehow happening.

Cal

 

[Range-rover]

John,

Thanks for the reference. That SB-910 is some of the fest money I spent. Basically the D3X becomes a fully intergrated camera like a point and shoot. The TTL is kinda flawless.

Not sure I like images converted to B&W though because the Monochrom is the best.

The two prints I made have been gloss overcoated, and they look way different than my Monochrom. Not sure if this is CCD vs CMOS or just because of being converted from a color sensor. Could also be that I'm spoiled and have gotten use to the look from Leica glass, but maybe not because I love retro glass on the Monochrom almost equally well.

Anyways like in fashion my photography is going all over the place. Something I feel is evolving...

Cal

Could be the difference between the CCD and CMOS Sensor, there's some
debate that people like the results in color like flesh tones and other areas.

 

[jszokoli]

Cal,

Was looking for a mount like that and discovered just the right search term at B&H;

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=cold+shoe&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Joe

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

Was looking for a mount like that and discovered just the right search term at B&H;

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=cold+shoe&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Joe

Joe,

Thanks for the help. You know me: I'm a lazy slacker. My choice is the $24.95 Pro Media Gear Cold Slave Adapter.

I was looking in a MSC catalog at my magnetic 2 inch cube magnetic block, and it seems that I downsized a high dollar item that is priced north of $300.00. Of course taxpayer money paid for this and it was part of Reganomics and the trickle down economy. I have had this little magnetic block for over two decades, and I kept it because it is a novelty, without ever using it. Probably would of lost it if it were not magnetically locked to the side of a rollaway toolbox. LOL. If I clamp the block on a vertical ferris surface I likely could use it as a hand hold to perform a pullup if I was strong enough with one arm and that would be holding 150 pounds.

I imagine set up with a Leica ball head it would be a really nice weapon like a mace from medevil times.

BTW I'm in love with my Ti IBIS. I reverted back to 61.5 gear inches which is closer to the optimum 63 gear inches you mentioned. The 70.5 was a very-very fast hammer gear for out of the saddle brutality.

I've been building out my steel IBIS Mountain Trials as a somewhat of a heavy pickup truck build for abuse, trials like tricks, and mountain bike single speed with 48 gear inches. Everything is kinda bombproof and extra heavy duty with no real concern to be lightweight. So far though it weighs 22 1/2 punds and all I need is a chain so even though extra heavy duty it will weigh in at 23 pounds. Let's set how good I get practicing trials manuvers and rock hopping this summer.

Cal

 

[mervynyan]

I sent in Monochrom and lenses to Leica NJ in December. They don't have the sensor replacement in stock until at least April. I ma Leicaless at the moment-🙁

 

[Calzone]

GAS attack. I found a BEOON selling for no money. I waited a day to think about it, but for $195.00 complete and boxed it is a no brainer. For those that don't have Leica codes memorized the BEOON is a Leica copy stand.

So I finally am breaking down and doing something I thought I would never do: scanning. I refuse to call it scanning because in fact my intent is to make digital copies of negatives via photography using a camera instead of a scanner.

I guess I will find out how clever or stubborn I am. I did some copy work in college as an artist assistant. Basically I was taking a picture of a picture.

I would like to avoid using my D3X because I don't need a color sensor to complicate things even though I own a 55/2.8 Macro and extension tubes, and I surely don't want a sensor with an anti-alias filter to soften my image capture.

Instead I will try and tether my Monochrom into my own form of live view if I can and hopefully intergrate my 27 inch EIZO into my system. Plan "B" is a version 3 Visoflex, and Plan "C" is buy a M-246 which has higher dynamic range and more MP than my Monochrom.

For a light source I have a GePe cold light box. I also have a 90 Macro Elmar I could use with a bellows, or even better yet the Leica Macro Adapter, but understand that I have the version 1 90 Macro Elmar and the new Macro Adapter is built for an improved version 2 90 Macro Elmar. Hopefully I can figure out a way to focus tethering my camera which would be ideal.

Even if I only print 12x12 and 12x18 it is OK because it is for editing and proofing. If I have a killer negative I want to print big I guess I'll pay to get a drum scan.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I sent in Monochrom and lenses to Leica NJ in December. They don't have the sensor replacement in stock until at least April. I ma Leicaless at the moment-🙁

Mervyn,

Thanks for the heads up. So far whatever corrosion I might have does not seem to show up in my files other than some spots in the sky that could be easily removed. Not much more than some sensor dirt.

I think I will wait until April then to send mine in. BTW even though I like the M-246 the original Monochrom is a camera I can't live without. For me the MM has the mid-range that so much is like larger formats, even though the M-246 has the MM beat in the shadows and highlights. Basically I need and require both cameras.

Buying the Monochrom is some of the best money I ever spent.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

GEAR ALERT: The BEOON will be shipping Tuesday with a chrome 65/3.5 Elmar, Elmar focus mount, metal Leica front cap, and a 14127 Leica "R" adapter.

I need to secure a 14167 Leica "R" adapter to get the meter on my SL2-MOT intergrated and working or figure out how to mod the 14127 to "null" the meter with an extra cam.

Anyways a chrome Elmar Visoflex lens on my black SL2-MOT should look rather evil, and I expect that retro chromed brass German overbuild. Definately a strange lens, an odd focal length, and just my hill billy from Brooklyn style. So basically I'm venturing into the crazy world of Visoflex on retro R cameras.

Cal

 

[Particular]

Cal, I recently got the legs that go with my BOOWU set, which is the precursor to the BEOON. I thought all along that you needed a visoflex for your monochrome. A visoflex III, or a visoflex II with turret finder should both work fine. Once you have one of those, I expect you to complete the set with a 400mm novoflex pistol grip lens for your next catwalk gig.

 

[Calzone]

Cal, I recently got the legs that go with my BOOWU set, which is the precursor to the BEOON. I thought all along that you needed a visoflex for your monochrome. A visoflex III, or a visoflex II with turret finder should both work fine. Once you have one of those, I expect you to complete the set with a 400mm novoflex pistol grip lens for your next catwalk gig.

Christian,

Or I could buy a M-246 by selling some gear and use my 90 Macro Elmar to make digital copies of my 120 negatives.

With the arctic blast over the weekend we set up a for a studio shot for Maggie's blog. Beagle-Face has a new knichname: Ham-Dog. Due to a bad case of seperation anxiety my dog takes exception whenever we are not paying attention to him. While shooting he jumped into shots and was highly disruptive. Anywys I did get some cute shots of him getting in the way and being a "Ham-Dog."

For some shots and a video of the fashion show go to the link: http://www.fordham.edu/site/index.php and click "read story." This was put together by Fordham's PR.

Cal

 

[NY_Dan]

I hope to come and say hi. 🙂

 

[Calzone]

I hope to come and say hi. 🙂

Dan,

It will be good to see you.

Today I expect delivery of the Leica BEOON copy stand. Not really sure what to expect except that it is "boxed" and complete. The accessories are kinda vital.

BABY-DOG UPDATE: It seems that because of attachment and a bad case of seperation anxiety that Ham-Dog is becoming more protective of me, and on the street he now lunges, barks, and has these aggressive fits. Funny thing is when I mention this to Maggie, she says that he displays none of this behavior with her. Basically I have an attack dog. Earlier in the week a girl walking he Pit Bull waited for me and my vicious dog to pass keeping her distance.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I hope to come and say hi. 🙂

Come by Dan. It would be good to see you.