HCB and his camera

[Erik van Straten]

Nice image Erik!

I have early Leica camera gas at the moment and am on the hunt for a nice specimen.

Thank you, a Leica 1a is not difficult to find, but finding one with a lens in good condition is difficult. Lenses can be cleaned however, but it is impossible to remove scratches.You'll need a longbase rangefinder too (FODIS).

Erik.

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 fixed) leica 1a 1928

 

[raydm6]

Does anybody have any thoughts on my Post #38 above? Specifically:

If I understand correctly, the VIDOM provides an upside-down image *only* when the camera is held on the vertical and if the rear knob is not turned. Horizontal usage only provides a reversed (and not upside-down) image. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Out to Lunch]

You'll find a detailed description of the VIDOM here: https://opinionateddesigner.com/2015/01/03/leica-early-accessories-1/

 

[Erik van Straten]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 fixed) leica 1a (1930)

Erik.

 

[Coldkennels]

Does anybody have any thoughts on my Post #38 above? Specifically:

I had to dig my VIDOM out to confirm - it's been a while since I last played with it - but the eyepiece twists through 90º to correct the view when the camera is held in a portrait orientation. Without twisting it, the view is upside-down when the camera is held vertically.

But if you twist the eyepiece 90º and keep the camera horizontal, you've now got an upside-down view with a landscape format. Not my idea of a good time personally, but hey - whatever works for you. Or HCB, I guess.

Incidentally, that rotating eyepiece is stiff as all hell on mine. I assume it could probably be corrected with a proper strip-down and clean but it's nowhere near the top of my priority list; the damn thing makes me sick as a dog every time I try to use it.

 

[Erik van Straten]

It is much better to use a SBOOI instead of a VIDOM.

Erik.

 

[raydm6]

I had to dig my VIDOM out to confirm - it's been a while since I last played with it - but the eyepiece twists through 90º to correct the view when the camera is held in a portrait orientation. Without twisting it, the view is upside-down when the camera is held vertically.

But if you twist the eyepiece 90º and keep the camera horizontal, you've now got an upside-down view with a landscape format. Not my idea of a good time personally, but hey - whatever works for you. Or HCB, I guess.

Incidentally, that rotating eyepiece is stiff as all hell on mine. I assume it could probably be corrected with a proper strip-down and clean but it's nowhere near the top of my priority list; the damn thing makes me sick as a dog every time I try to use it.

Thanks for confirming! i would imagine you would have to acclimate to the initial disorientation.

It is much better to use a SBOOI instead of a VIDOM.

Erik.

Totally agree. I have several on my IIIf's but am thinking of a future II or III black/nickel rig with a black/nickel VIDOM to have some fun with 🙂

 

[Coldkennels]

Thanks for confirming! i would imagine you would have to acclimate to the initial disorientation.

I honestly thought it wouldn't be so bad. Before I found rangefinders I used TLRs more-or-less exclusively, so the reversed image in a WLF was second nature to me - but for some reason, putting a reversed image in an eye level finder is a one-way-ticket to motion sickness for me, even without the upside-down view option. I've never had such a strong reaction to anything like that before.

It's a bit of a shame, because I like the VIDOM aesthetically. It's an interesting design, and I find it more pleasing to look at than the VIOOH. I just can't physically look through it without feeling ill!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Totally agree. I have several on my IIIf's but am thinking of a future II or III black/nickel rig with a black/nickel VIDOM to have some fun with 🙂

I have a SBOOI in black paint for almost thirty years now. I've never seen another one like it. The chrome ones are as good to look through, but not so nice to look at.

Erik.

 

[Range-rover]

Great video, thanks for sharing

 

[boojum]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 fixed) leica 1a

Classic. It is the finger on the button and not the button. Q. E. D.

 

[Dogman]

I know this guy is good, but how do you smoke a pipe and shoot at the same time?

Heh-heh. It's not that hard. You keep one in your mouth and one at your eye. Just don't mix 'em up.

As an aside, when I quit doing newspaper photography I kept a couple of my old Nikon F2 cameras. I quit smoking in 1991. Both those Nikons smelled like pipe tobacco for years after that. Maybe they still do...haven't checked them lately.

 

[Robbie Bedell]

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5 fixed) leica 1a

Erik, Thank you for posting this photograph. I have been amazed by it for many years. The thing about it is that you can see HCB's image reflected in the glass of the window just above the man's derby hat. You have to look very carefully. You can see that HCB took the photo while holding the camara at 90-degree angle from his face. You can see the lens of the camera, his hand cradling the camera body, his hair and shoulder and what looks like a camera bag strap hanging from his shoulder. Once you see it you will always see it when you look at the photograph.

 

[Erik van Straten]

He took the picture with a "WINTU" on his Leica 1a. The atmosphere in the picture is very parisian. That atmosphere still reigns in Paris. Perhaps that's why the photo appeals to the imagination so much, even today. The picture was taken in 1932.

This was shot a few days ago in Amsterdam with the same type of camera and lens. The photo has a real Amsterdam atmosphere.

gelatin silver print (elmar 50mm f3.5) leica 1a

Erik.