MelanieC
Well-known
OK, so they're basically snapshots.
But I have learned a few things from this first roll of film.
Number one is that the rangefinder focusing mechanism actually works!
Number two is that the camera is functioning pretty well.
Number three is that this camera is way better at taking advantage of available light than I could have imagined.
In order, these are my brother and his fiancee (this one is terrible, I know, but it was the very first one on the roll), my dog staring, and my dog smiling. (P.S., I have no idea why the first one won't automatically come up.)
But I have learned a few things from this first roll of film.
Number one is that the rangefinder focusing mechanism actually works!
Number two is that the camera is functioning pretty well.
Number three is that this camera is way better at taking advantage of available light than I could have imagined.
In order, these are my brother and his fiancee (this one is terrible, I know, but it was the very first one on the roll), my dog staring, and my dog smiling. (P.S., I have no idea why the first one won't automatically come up.)
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robert blu
quiet photographer
I was waiting for your shots ! Brava ! go on. I like the first one, your dog seems to ask himself what happens now ? Will MelanieC makes me nice enough ? brva, ciao, post more.
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
great shots, Melanie.. I really like the third one.. it's got an interesting angle and your pup is showing some personality
here's an idea for you to experiment with.. the Thirds Rule.. instead of placing your subject dead center in the shot, put it in the left or right third.. that would open the shot up and 'lead the eye' across the photo
another idea is to try different angles.. you did that pretty well in the first dog shot.. getting down on the ground and giving us a dog's eye view.. you're definitely on the right track, tho.. keep it up!
here's an idea for you to experiment with.. the Thirds Rule.. instead of placing your subject dead center in the shot, put it in the left or right third.. that would open the shot up and 'lead the eye' across the photo
another idea is to try different angles.. you did that pretty well in the first dog shot.. getting down on the ground and giving us a dog's eye view.. you're definitely on the right track, tho.. keep it up!
taffer
void
Nice shots and nice dog ! 
The M3 is on very good hands, it seems. It's good that you mention how good it is on available light photography, don't be afraid of using the lens wide open and shooting in dim conditions when others go use flashes or turn their cameras down.
Keep them coming !
The M3 is on very good hands, it seems. It's good that you mention how good it is on available light photography, don't be afraid of using the lens wide open and shooting in dim conditions when others go use flashes or turn their cameras down.Keep them coming !
peter_n
Veteran
Melanie these are excellent for your first shots! Nice and contrasty which is what I personally like. Keep going you're doing great!!
Keep going you're doing great!!
Cute dog Melanie
Flyfisher Tom
Well-known
Melanie,
Very nice first shots, particularly the ones of your dog. The summicron bokeh is very nice, don't you think.
In case you haven't decided about a CLA for your M3, I'd heartily recommend sending it to DAG (Don Goldberg). He CLA'd my M2 and it came back literally like a new camera. Everything was smooth as butter. A bit more expensive, but he is THE expert on Leicas along with Sherry Krauter (no experience with her personally).
If the camera is of personal value to you (inherited from a family member), then I recommend sending it to someone who will bring it up to its full potential the first time. Getting things done right the first time is usually the most economical way in the long run.
You've made a great start, and welcome to the forum!
Very nice first shots, particularly the ones of your dog. The summicron bokeh is very nice, don't you think.
In case you haven't decided about a CLA for your M3, I'd heartily recommend sending it to DAG (Don Goldberg). He CLA'd my M2 and it came back literally like a new camera. Everything was smooth as butter. A bit more expensive, but he is THE expert on Leicas along with Sherry Krauter (no experience with her personally).
If the camera is of personal value to you (inherited from a family member), then I recommend sending it to someone who will bring it up to its full potential the first time. Getting things done right the first time is usually the most economical way in the long run.
You've made a great start, and welcome to the forum!
payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
I've spoken earlier about a hood and a CLA for camera and lens. I'll add that you need to watch angles. First doggie shot, camera way off horizontal. Second shot shows fore-shortening. Focus bang on in both, though aperture clearly not small. Say a "woof" to doggie from me, Melanie, but mind the front element of your lens doesn't get licked.
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
A good dog for b&w photography! Good scans too! What film is it?
wamjam
Well-known
great to know you're having fun and learning at the same time! yeah! what film did you use?
MelanieC
Well-known
Hi guys,
You are too kind.
I used Tri-X 400. Mostly because when I walked into the store and asked for black and white film, that's the one they handed to me. Would you recommend others? I scanned the prints using my cheapo Epson photo scanner (which cost something like $80). It has a holder for scanning negatives so I'll try that next time, as per Rich S's advice. For some reason the printer put the prints on color paper so I'll have to make sure that doesn't happen again either.
I don't really understand "bokeh," I must admit, but there must be tons of stuff out there about it on the Internet so I'll go searching. Can you explain what it is about these shots that demonstrates good bokeh? That'll help me understand.
I'm in the market for a hood, but it's a matter of finding one that I can afford. Don't have a birthday coming up anytime soon, so I can't put it on a list.
Thanks again!
-- M
You are too kind.
I used Tri-X 400. Mostly because when I walked into the store and asked for black and white film, that's the one they handed to me. Would you recommend others? I scanned the prints using my cheapo Epson photo scanner (which cost something like $80). It has a holder for scanning negatives so I'll try that next time, as per Rich S's advice. For some reason the printer put the prints on color paper so I'll have to make sure that doesn't happen again either.
I don't really understand "bokeh," I must admit, but there must be tons of stuff out there about it on the Internet so I'll go searching. Can you explain what it is about these shots that demonstrates good bokeh? That'll help me understand.
I'm in the market for a hood, but it's a matter of finding one that I can afford. Don't have a birthday coming up anytime soon, so I can't put it on a list.
Thanks again!
-- M
Hi Melanie, do you ebay?
The seller, Heavystar offers some nice hoods on ebay for a decent price.
Have a look at item #7562565901.
This hood will screw onto your lens just fine until you are ready to pony up for a Leitz hood.
The seller, Heavystar offers some nice hoods on ebay for a decent price.
Have a look at item #7562565901.
This hood will screw onto your lens just fine until you are ready to pony up for a Leitz hood.
doubs43
Well-known
MelanieC said:
"Bokeh" is nothing more than the quality of the out-of-focus areas. Is it pleasing? Does it add to the picture or take away? Highlights will often appear as a hexagon (six aperture blades) or a small circle (many aperture blades forming an almost perfect circle) or, in the case of a mirror lens, a hollow donut. The donut is almost universally disliked. The optical formula also has a bearing upon the "bokeh" and some lenses are awful while others are very nice. One Leica mount lens that seems to draw the ire of many is the Noctilux.
There was a long thread on bokeh just last week I believe and IMO it tried to overly complicate a rather simple concept: Does a particular lens give an OOF area that you like, dislike or find neutral?
Walker
MelanieC
Well-known
Have a look at item #7562565901.
Hey, that is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Something that I can use without being devastated if I lose it. Do you have one of these? Do you like it?
-- M
Hey, that is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Something that I can use without being devastated if I lose it. Do you have one of these? Do you like it?
-- M
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MelanieC
Well-known
OK, so from reading a little about bokeh, it sounds like what you want is a point of best focus and then a smooth gradation of out of focus as you move away from that point in all directions, sort of like a perfect peak falling away evenly on all sides.
Does that sound about right?
-- M
Does that sound about right?
-- M
JoeFriday
Agent Provacateur
I've got that same heavystar hood.. works very well and looks very smart on Kievs, Leicas, Contaxes (speaking from personal experience)
bokeh is something you have to sort of look for and become aware of.. most non-obsessive photogs don't even know there is such a thing.. but it's sort of a style or pattern that the lens produces as the image goes out of focus.. some lenses have a very soft, fuzzy bokeh.. others produce very unique patterns in the OOF lights and edges of objects.. it's all a matter of personal preference, altho certain lenses are highly prized specifically for the bokeh they produce
assuming you want to become a bokeh fanatic, just start studying photos with distinct OOF backgrounds.. you'll eventually figure out what you like or don't like.. or you could always ignore the concept of bokeh entirely and remain blissfully ignorant
bokeh is something you have to sort of look for and become aware of.. most non-obsessive photogs don't even know there is such a thing.. but it's sort of a style or pattern that the lens produces as the image goes out of focus.. some lenses have a very soft, fuzzy bokeh.. others produce very unique patterns in the OOF lights and edges of objects.. it's all a matter of personal preference, altho certain lenses are highly prized specifically for the bokeh they produce
assuming you want to become a bokeh fanatic, just start studying photos with distinct OOF backgrounds.. you'll eventually figure out what you like or don't like.. or you could always ignore the concept of bokeh entirely and remain blissfully ignorant
MelanieC said:
Yes and yes. The Heavystar hoods are really good, quite a few folks around here have them. I use the 40.5 version more than the 39mm version as I have hoods for my Summicrons, but they are very well made and most important, relatively affordable.
Biggles
My cup runneth amok.
MelanieC said:
Yes, ma'am, it does. Smooth is good, generally, where bokeh is concerned. An even fall-off of sharp focus makes for a far less distracting background .
