Gems & Hidden Histories on Route 66

Having grown up in Santa Monica at the other end of Route 66, it has always interested me. My travels have been by Interstate though as that's just how I fly. Thanks Ike, I love 'em as much as most people hate 'em.
 
My working days used to take me to Kingman , Arizona occasionally. The motel we stayed in was like a small Route 66 museum with a lot of memorabilia in the lobby. Also, there was a fantastic Mexican restaurant downtown that had one of those tin plate ceilings that looked original, straight out of the 1880s. I've wanted to go back (on my schedule) and do just what you're doing Tim. I am really enjoying your series because I can remember pre-McDonalds restaurants and pre-Holiday Inn roadside inns, just like the ones in your videos. Well done.
 
A year ago I did a Route 66 road trip and when I got to Tucumcari I was so enamoured I stayed for a week shooting some 50 sheets of LF film. I just need to scan them.
 
Am riding Route 66 on my Harley starting 15 May (starting in Milwaukee with a visit to the HD museum the day before). I have been over parts of it in New Mexico and Oklahoma while living in El Paso. Am doing it with a friend from Hawaii and we will take 15 days or so.

So, which camera-choices are Leica M film or digital, a Rollie, or Fuji X100F. Am giving serious thought to just the 3f which was made in the year I was born. And great photos by the way.
 
Rayt, I can see how you'd want to spend a week in Tucumcari. Was there for the first time in 2006, back in the tail end of the heyday for the Palomino and Buckaroo, both gone now. But the Blue Swallow, TeePee Curios, and Del's Restaurant would keep me happy for quite a while.

KtmRider, what Harley are you riding? Never took a Harley down the Mother Road, but used to ride my Sporty from Chicago to Sturgis every year. I've used a Leica M6 TTL, M3-DS, M3-SS, and Digital M-E on the Mother Road, but one of my favorites was an old IIIf I used to own. Took it on a few "66" trips. Fun little camera, and packs small. Make sure you pad it very well in your saddlebag or you'll just have a pile of pieces when you get to your destination. A Harley will vibrate a camera apart in a very short amount of time. Sounds like a fun trip. Something I've thought about a few times is riding out (Chicago to LA) and then having the bike shipped back. It's 2448 miles one way, and you'll probably want to do a a bunch of side trips, so an out and back on the bike would be well over 5000 miles. Something to consider.

Best,
-Tim
 
I only had a large format camera with me and b/w film because my goal was architecture. I wish I had also brought a small digital camera with a wide to medium tele zoom. The phone was more than good enough. Here's one with the iPhone:
IMG_4398 by ray tai, on Flickr
 
I will be riding a 2020 Road King, my first Harley. We have 19 days for the ride and then I am headed to Maui for three weeks leaving the bike in LA. After Maui, I return to LA and ride the bike back to STL. I think I will go up the coast and back across I70. Then back to Alaska for the summer. If the US/Canada border is open, I may take the GSA to Alaska. I also have a BMW GSA and Kawasaki Versys 650 but for Route 66 I think American iron is more appropriate.

I just spent five months in Alaska and the only camera which gave me problems in the cold was the digital M. Temps to minus 10 degrees F did not bother the film M (have used them in even colder conditions). I am still figuring out photo gear and am leaning toward a M4 with 35/90 lenses or 3f and X100F.
 
Thank You Michael.

Ktmrider, the M4 would be a good choice, as long as it's been serviced, they're built like tanks. When you talk about the 3f, you are talking about a Leica IIIf, or am I misunderstanding you? If so, what LTM lenses do you have for it? Those BWM GSA's are sweet. Too tall for me, but I love those hard saddlebags, really protect the photo gear.

Best,
-Tim
 
I just finished episodes 1-4 and really enjoyed them. I'm going to be sending the link to a number of friends and family.

I'm looking forward to more.
 
Thanks Vince. Isn't that El Rancho fantastic. I like to image all the movie stars who stayed there in the 1940's & 1950's, in it's heyday. Love the way it's lit up at night.

Best,
-Tim
 
I purchased the 3f last August from Classic Connections. It is my first LTM Leica and the main reason I purchased it was due to it being manufactured in 1952, the year of my birth. It is fun but will never replace the M2 or M4.

The only lens I have for it is the first version of the collapsible 50 Summicron. The lens was CLA'ed by DAG according to Sam at Classic Connection. The lens is a bit large for a LTM body but don't really feel motivated to add more screw mount lenses.

The M2 or M4 with the 35/90 combo is my favorite travel kit. And have twenty rolls of Ektar 100 on order. But the FujiX100F and Leica 3f would make a great combination as well. The results from the X100 keep blowing me out of the water. If past experience is any guide, I won't make a final decision until the night before.
 
Timmyjoe said:
Thanks Vince. Isn't that El Rancho fantastic. I like to image all the movie stars who stayed there in the 1940's & 1950's, in it's heyday. Love the way it's lit up at night.

Best,
-Tim
Click to expand...

Yeah it's a neat place - I've stayed there once (in Katharine Hepburn's room!) and enjoyed it. I hope to be back out there later this year.
 
ktmrider said:
I purchased the 3f last August from Classic Connections. It is my first LTM Leica and the main reason I purchased it was due to it being manufactured in 1952, the year of my birth. It is fun but will never replace the M2 or M4.

The only lens I have for it is the first version of the collapsible 50 Summicron. The lens was CLA'ed by DAG according to Sam at Classic Connection. The lens is a bit large for a LTM body but don't really feel motivated to add more screw mount lenses.

The M2 or M4 with the 35/90 combo is my favorite travel kit. And have twenty rolls of Ektar 100 on order. But the FujiX100F and Leica 3f would make a great combination as well. The results from the X100 keep blowing me out of the water. If past experience is any guide, I won't make a final decision until the night before.
Click to expand...

Ha!!! I know those "night before" decisions. If I may, last time on the Mother Road I shot some of the new Ektachrome E100, had it processed at Dwayne's in Kansas (actually sent it from the road), and was very happy with the vividness of the results. Colors were gorgeous. Just a thought. And the time I took a IIIf on "66" it also had the collapsible Summicron (that Don had serviced) and I was quite happy with the results. I don't own that camera or lens anymore, but that's the cam/lens pictured in my avatar.

Best,
-Tim
 
Brilliant and so cool.... watched 1st video

so sad to know and see so much of a World disappearing
we are lucky to have YOU and your Vision of Life and the road
 
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