How not to use a Leica

[Creagerj]

Somehow I developed the ability to instinctively remove the lens cap as I bring the camera to my eye. It is a habit I learned with SLR's, but it stuck. Of course now I'll mess up and forget when it is really important.

 

[Coldkennels]

Somehow I developed the ability to instinctively remove the lens cap as I bring the camera to my eye. It is a habit I learned with SLR's, but it stuck. Of course now I'll mess up and forget when it is really important.

I developed the same ability. Unfortunately I also developed the ability to keep the cap in my focusing hand and put the lens cap back on as soon as the shot has been taken.

More often than not, I'll look down at my camera and wonder whether I took the cap off at all. I have (on more than one occasion) ended up with two near-identical pictures on the same roll of film as a result. :bang:

 

[n5jrn]

More often than not, I'll look down at my camera and wonder whether I took the cap off at all. I have (on more than one occasion) ended up with two near-identical pictures on the same roll of film as a result.

Same here, though experience has taught me that almost always I did in fact remove the lens cap, so unless either I'm sure I forgot, or it's something where any risk of having forgot (no matter how small) is unacceptable, I typically err on the side of not reshooting.

Forgetting to uncollapse my Summitar happens quite a bit more often, to the point that I do err on the side of reshooting if I think I forgot.

 

[n5jrn]

Actually I seem to leave the lens cap in the bag when I mount it to the camera. May be sub-optimal for protecting my lenses but sod it.

Also suboptimal for protecting the shutter curtains and the film behind it.

 

[Thomas78]

...
More often than not, I'll look down at my camera and wonder whether I took the cap off at all. I have (on more than one occasion) ended up with two near-identical pictures on the same roll of film as a result. :bang:

I am also sometimes unsure if I took off the lens cap.
In this case I take a secound picture.
Almost always it shows that my worries were unnecessary. 🙂

But it is much better than the other way around.

Also suboptimal for protecting the shutter curtains and the film behind it.

Especial if you use a camera with a cloth focal plane shutter.
(Like a Leica.)

 

[luuca]

last year I did the same in Vienna, just for one shot, but it was enough.

A guy told me I had the cap on... it was very, very embarassing.
I said:" yeah, yeah, I know..."

a very sad moment for my self esteem.

 

[David Hughes]

It's great to see that us poor old gits, who are still using bright red milk carton tops for lens caps are being sensible...

Regards, David

PS In England the Govt. thought it was so important to remind people to take the lens caps off of their M's that they issued a postage stamp to remind people how to use them.

 

[Trius]

Actually, when you wear a Nikon strap a Leica refuses to work.

 

[Teuthida]

Typical nouveau riche Leica Poseur, right down to the gaudy gold "look at me!" watch on his wrist. Camera nice and new, with his uber expensive Nocti. The type of guy who eyes you lugging a beat up M2 and wants to buttonhole you with talk about how cool Leicas are. I run in the oposite direction as fast as I can on first glance, or, if I'm cornered, just plead complete ignorance about anything and everything Leica.

Theres a foolproof way to avoid this: leave your lens caps at home where they belong. In 40 years, I've never seen a working photographer with a lens cap.

 

[Brian Levy]

From time to time I too am cornered but just tell them it was a cheap buy and I sort of like it but still prefer my Vito or Rolleiflex T or Bronica. Usually get stares and the guy walks. I like my Leica but, it is just a tool.

 

[bowieknife]

I happen to own a '57 Zorki-4 with oblong shutter cloth holes burned by the sun, obviously the previous owner had the camera relaxing on a beach with the lens pointing to the sun during what must have been more than half an hour ...ha ha !
The simple method to avoid this if you don't like capping your lens: just turn the camera the other way ! and cover it with your towel or a T-shirt

 

[jsrockit]

Typical nouveau riche Leica Poseur, right down to the gaudy gold "look at me!" watch on his wrist. Camera nice and new, with his uber expensive Nocti.

Way to jusge someone based on very little information. I hope you don't make mistakes in life.

The type of guy who eyes you lugging a beat up M2 and wants to buttonhole you with talk about how cool Leicas are. I run in the oposite direction as fast as I can on first glance, or, if I'm cornered, just plead complete ignorance about anything and everything Leica.

Well, can't argue this... it happens. However, sometimes it is an attractive woman that comes to bother me.

Theres a foolproof way to avoid this: leave your lens caps at home where they belong. In 40 years, I've never seen a working photographer with a lens cap.

Well, those of us who use lens caps must be lesser individuals if the "pros" don't do it.