Calzone
Gear Whore #1
For those who missed this Meet-Up:
The gearfeast had several surprises which included all three versions of the 75 Lux; version 1, Canadian second version, and my German second version (V.3). Helen's V1 was a lot lighter and what I don't understand is why the heavier versions seem to have a $500.00 premium over the earlier/lighter versions. Is it about loosing hoods?
There were two Mamiya 6's and an example of the tree available lenses, and a total of four Rolleiflexes. Medium format was well represented.
In the gear war between Andre and I: Andre is looking for a Rollei 3.5F like mine, but Andre brought another trick camera: a Retina folding rangefinder with a Schneider 50/2.0 that makes my Leica IIIG seem huge. "That Andre is no good,"I tell you. BTW he showed me some very impressive shots from his trip to Cuba on his I-phone.
I originally brought my M6 rigged out with a TA Rapidwinder, TA Rapidgrip, TA Softee, and Leica 1.40x magnifier for Helen to check out. Equipt with a 75 Lux, everyone remarked about the ergonomics and balance.
I apologize that I did not spend more time with the second table, as the turnout was pretty good. I made it a point to spend some time, but unfortunately I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time. Around 15-16 people showed up.
Ju-Ju brought his Noctilux which was kinda minty. I had to try it on my rigged out M6. "BRUTAL," I say. I thought my Noctilust was calmed by being a 75 Lux owner. Call me a greedy American, but now I want one, but somehow I must win the lottery. In the meantime, I did my part to stimulate our sluggish/slumping economy by promoting the accesories that I had on my M6. LOL
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SAVE THE DATE (February 2011 Meet-Up): Barrett and I are already planning "The Second Annual M-Body Beauty Pagent." Since I own a "JUKI" commercial sewing machine and recently made a bag for my girlfriend from stain resistant heavy outdoor cotton/canvass, I figured I might make some custom camera bags. Barrett and I discussed making two versions: one for a single M-body and two lenses; and another for two M-body with either two or three lense capacity. The winner will have their choice of bag.
Barrett and I own the canvass and ballistic book bag- sachels made by Domke, and the bags under developement will be evolved/improved versions that are made as light and compact as possible. The winner of the beauty pagent will have their choice.
Earlier this year Barrett MCed the event. The competiion at the first anual pagent became very aggressive and we laughed a lot, but in the second anual pagent finalists will eventually be evaluated by the kit they assemble; either one body two lenses, or two bodies three lenses.
If Carl participates (a dead ringer) I will make him a bag, we will have to eliminate him from the competition, but he has to assemble a killer kit from his collection to brutalize us at the event.
Need a reason to hoard gear? Now you got one. ONLY SEVEN MONTHS TILL THE SECOND ANUAL M-BODY BEAUTY PAGENT.
Any suggestions/additions to the bags will be considered. Perhaps I will have a/some prototype(s) before the August Meet-Up. My design utilizes double bag construction with a minimal layer of padding sandwiched inbetween. I find the use of velcro objectionable and the use of padded inserts as not being the best solution in Domke bags because of the bulk and ergonomics. Ever want the perfect bag with the "Goldilock's fit?" Are you two lenses a long/short or a wide/normal; or which three lenses will you assemble?
Calzone
The gearfeast had several surprises which included all three versions of the 75 Lux; version 1, Canadian second version, and my German second version (V.3). Helen's V1 was a lot lighter and what I don't understand is why the heavier versions seem to have a $500.00 premium over the earlier/lighter versions. Is it about loosing hoods?
There were two Mamiya 6's and an example of the tree available lenses, and a total of four Rolleiflexes. Medium format was well represented.
In the gear war between Andre and I: Andre is looking for a Rollei 3.5F like mine, but Andre brought another trick camera: a Retina folding rangefinder with a Schneider 50/2.0 that makes my Leica IIIG seem huge. "That Andre is no good,"I tell you. BTW he showed me some very impressive shots from his trip to Cuba on his I-phone.
I originally brought my M6 rigged out with a TA Rapidwinder, TA Rapidgrip, TA Softee, and Leica 1.40x magnifier for Helen to check out. Equipt with a 75 Lux, everyone remarked about the ergonomics and balance.
I apologize that I did not spend more time with the second table, as the turnout was pretty good. I made it a point to spend some time, but unfortunately I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time. Around 15-16 people showed up.
Ju-Ju brought his Noctilux which was kinda minty. I had to try it on my rigged out M6. "BRUTAL," I say. I thought my Noctilust was calmed by being a 75 Lux owner. Call me a greedy American, but now I want one, but somehow I must win the lottery. In the meantime, I did my part to stimulate our sluggish/slumping economy by promoting the accesories that I had on my M6. LOL
*****************
*****************
SAVE THE DATE (February 2011 Meet-Up): Barrett and I are already planning "The Second Annual M-Body Beauty Pagent." Since I own a "JUKI" commercial sewing machine and recently made a bag for my girlfriend from stain resistant heavy outdoor cotton/canvass, I figured I might make some custom camera bags. Barrett and I discussed making two versions: one for a single M-body and two lenses; and another for two M-body with either two or three lense capacity. The winner will have their choice of bag.
Barrett and I own the canvass and ballistic book bag- sachels made by Domke, and the bags under developement will be evolved/improved versions that are made as light and compact as possible. The winner of the beauty pagent will have their choice.
Earlier this year Barrett MCed the event. The competiion at the first anual pagent became very aggressive and we laughed a lot, but in the second anual pagent finalists will eventually be evaluated by the kit they assemble; either one body two lenses, or two bodies three lenses.
If Carl participates (a dead ringer) I will make him a bag, we will have to eliminate him from the competition, but he has to assemble a killer kit from his collection to brutalize us at the event.
Need a reason to hoard gear? Now you got one. ONLY SEVEN MONTHS TILL THE SECOND ANUAL M-BODY BEAUTY PAGENT.
Any suggestions/additions to the bags will be considered. Perhaps I will have a/some prototype(s) before the August Meet-Up. My design utilizes double bag construction with a minimal layer of padding sandwiched inbetween. I find the use of velcro objectionable and the use of padded inserts as not being the best solution in Domke bags because of the bulk and ergonomics. Ever want the perfect bag with the "Goldilock's fit?" Are you two lenses a long/short or a wide/normal; or which three lenses will you assemble?
Calzone
andredossantos
Well-known
Cal...Nice recap.
You need to design a bag for a two Rollei kit. I would buy one for sure!
You need to design a bag for a two Rollei kit. I would buy one for sure!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
You missed seeing my white dress shirt. I'm taking another men's tailoring course in the fall at FIT. I know I will make a two camera MF bags. I know about 11 pounds is my limit for an all day carry.
Come to more Meet-Ups (you bum) and help me design the ultimate bag. No cheesy velcro inserts, no extra bulk, custom fitted for your rigs. Most of all come explore and shoot in my abandoned neighborhood (you bum).
Cal
andredossantos
Well-known
Cal: Im making it a priority to attend more meetups. Lets also figure out a time soon to go on a photo walk in abandoned queens neighborhoods. Ill email you once I can nail down a date.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Cool. John (JS Rockit) and I have been shooting every weekend all summer. Only exception was the Mermaid Parade and this past weekend because John had a class.
When we went out night shooting, John stood guard with my monopod when this suspicous dude got out of his van. I was setting up a shot and just a little later I almost got pancaked by a Fresh Direct truck by these railroad tracks.
Andre Dos Santos once said. "The uglier the better." A five minute walk from my house and you enter a no man's land, railyards and heavy industry.
Cal
JuJu
Well-known
Hey Cal, thanks for letting me try your Tom A's rapidwinder and 1.4X magnifier! A perfect solution for a left eye shooter with a fast 50 and 90 lenses.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
I tried to put up a shot from flickr
but could not on this Thread via link
so i posted under the 'M' Thread: 75 Summilux....
A PIX of Cal, Andre and ? someone whose Name I forgot...apologies
but could not on this Thread via link
so i posted under the 'M' Thread: 75 Summilux....
A PIX of Cal, Andre and ? someone whose Name I forgot...apologies
Last edited:
Damaso
Photojournalist
Fun was had by all, great turn out!
Every time I don't go... a lot of people show up... when I go, 5-6 people show up. or... 4 like last time. I wish I could have made it, but had a class with Joel Meyerowitz. He was using a Leica S2, so at least I got to see some crazy gear.
I wish I could have made it, but had a class with Joel Meyerowitz. He was using a Leica S2, so at least I got to see some crazy gear.
robklurfield
eclipse
darn, I always miss the gatherings with big turnouts.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Another time.
Dan came from Huntington BTW, another MF shooter with a Rolleiflex.
More MF gear is coming out to the Meet-Ups. We love all German cameras, and I still have a Linhof fetish. Everytime I'm at B&H I look at the 617S that they have that would be ideal for shooting Long Island City where I live.
Cal
scottwallick
ambition ≥ skill
We had a great turnout. Glad everyone who did made it out.
My camera sure made the rounds during the event. Who knows what lens or who took those photos I picked out to put online, but here they are:
Salvaged RFF Meetup photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottwallick/sets/72157624423700347/
PS: For some reason, this thread has imaging embedding disabled.
My camera sure made the rounds during the event. Who knows what lens or who took those photos I picked out to put online, but here they are:
Salvaged RFF Meetup photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottwallick/sets/72157624423700347/
PS: For some reason, this thread has imaging embedding disabled.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Dan's last name is Wagner. There's a lot of RFF'ers out on Long Island. Perhaps meet-up out there and take the train into Penn together.
Cal
amateriat
We're all light!
Sounds like my kind of territory. But then, I have a bit of a rep for living in the roughest parts of Gotham at the wrong time (Upper West Side in the 60s, South Bronx in the 70s, and so on). Rough n' ready, that's me, almost.
The get-together was big fun (again). High-five for everyone who came by! (My own pics of the day forthcoming.)
- Barrett
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
In the late seventies, I was a NYC cab driver, and I worked nights. I was in college and that summer was like combining the film "Taxi Driver" with the film "Death Wish' which came out a year later.
At that time, entire blocks in the Bronx were left to burn to the ground, and being a cab driver was more dangerious than being a cop. Around two thousand murders a year, over five a day, back then. Had a lot of fun back then, but today I shoot rangefinders. LOL.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
You should have had a rangefinder with you in the cab at all times.
Back then I was an angry self-destructive art student, but my camera was a Nikon F2. Took enough risk back then, but somehow I became a 52 year old man.
Wasn't until the recent credit crisis that I discovered there were rangefinders, and even more recently MF.
Back in those days a heavy F2 made a better weapon. Perhaps that is why I still own three Nikon F3's, two equipt with motordrives. The one equipt with a hand strap is a perfect blackjack, and I'm surprised the NYC police don't stop me, when I carry that rig especially on the subway. Oh the good old days.
Cal
andredossantos
Well-known
I have an aunt who was a cabbie back then. She claims she was one of the few female cabbies and even to this day there arent many. Anyway, she has so many stories of being robbed, stabbed, etc. She was so desensitized to being robbed she simply started refusing to hand over certain items like her watch and would lecture the muggers they should be happy simply getting the fare money!
Man, andre, that is both sad and cool at the same time.
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
Yes, back then there were very few women cab drivers, and believe it or not fewer Asian cab drivers. LOL.
I was fighting depression back then, and I just had to release a lot of anger. I was kinda psycho back then. I learned all about aggression and fighting. Was pretty good at it.
Killed two or three cabs that summer. Ever try to drive a cab back to the Brooklyn garage without any ball joints on the BQE two o'clock in the morning? The most helpless feeling is having a cab with a broken horn. Lots of funny stuff, but also a lot of tragity.
Being a cab driver was a defining time period, I was around 19-20. A lot of people were scared of me because I just didn't care. Never thought I would have a future. Learned to drive offensively very well BTW. Learned to channel my anger and I had a lot.
Cal