M6 + 50mm Summicron

[dphoto]

Hi,

I've just entered into the rangefinder world today when i picked up a secondhand M6 and new 50mm summicron. Hope this was a good choice.
I'm hoping to mainly do street work and portraits around London. I was just wondering what films you guys use and would recommend, both BW and colour. I'll be developing the BW but not the colour.

Thanks for any help

 

[back alley]

all purpose easy to use...hp5 for b&w.
hard to go wrong with tri-x.
c41 b&w xp2.

and welcome to the forum.

joe

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,
Good choice.
I mostly use trix. But any other film will do also.
For color i use fuji nph or reala.
Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

 

[Dogman]

M6 + 50mm Summicron

That's how I started with rangefinders*. Excellent choice. I've accumulated a lot more equipment but still rely on this combination more than any other camera/lens.

For B&W, I use HP5+ about 75% of the time but Tri-X is just as good. For the other 25% of my shooting, I use FP4+, Plus-X and Pan F+. Can't say that I've ever shot color in any of my rangefinders.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I used Fuji Neopan 400 a lot for a while, but I find with modern lenses the contrast can be overwhelming. For that reason, I'd recommend Tri-X or HP5.

As for colour film, I really like Fuji 400H for pictures of people. Sensia 400 is a cheap-and-cheerful alternative, but the skin tones aren't as nice. For 100asa, I like Fuji Reala.

 

[Doug]

Welcome to RFF, dphoto... Nice combination I think, capable of excellent results, and one you'll enjoy using. For street and urban portraits, film you'll develop yourself, then Ilford HP5 is hard to beat. Have fun!

 

[dphoto]

Thanks guys for your advice, I though HP5 might be one of the best options. Can't wait to get down to some of the London markets next weekend.
I'm just blown away with the build quality of the camera and lens. I own some nikon pro gear, but even this just doesn't compare! Leica truly are in a quality league of their own. (If not for price too.)
Looking forward to sharing some of my results.

Dave

 

[oscroft]

Congrats and welcome. I use an M6 with a 50 a lot (not a Summicron, but several other 50s), and it's a great combination.

B&W film? I agree with what others have said, and I really don't think you can go wrong starting with Tri-X or HP5. I prefer Tri-X, but they're both great - try both and decide for yourself.

 

[dphoto]

Hi guys,

this is going to sound like a really dumb question I know, but i don't want to break my new £1000 lens. I'm just wondering how exactly the lens hood extends? i can't seem to get mine to open out?

thanks for any help

Dave

 

[dphoto]

thanks, i thought it would b something simple like that, i just didn't want to pull it too hard. it was quite stiff.

 

[Marc-A.]

I used Fuji Neopan 400 a lot for a while, but I find with modern lenses the contrast can be overwhelming. For that reason, I'd recommend Tri-X or HP5.

First welcome to RFF and congrats on your new toys 🙂

Indeed TriX and HP5 are hard to beat. IMVHO, HP5 is also a bit to contrasty when used with modern lenses; that's why I would recommend TriX (though I prefer HP5 with my Summitar).


But with one or the other, you can't go wrong.
Besides, if you want to win a free TriX, don't forget to participate in the Magic Roll Contest 😉

Best,

Marc-A.

 

[payasam]

Since you're in England, dphoto, you might save money by doing what I did when I was there 30-35 years ago. I bought Ilford film in bulk and developed it in Microphen, which gives fine grain and a small speed increase.

 

[dphoto]

I'm currently in university and have access to a darkroom, All the materials are free, within reason. At the moment the main developer they use and stock is Ilfotec HC, is this one of the better developers or would you recommend something else?

Thanks for all the advice guys, I used to spend so time on an unnamed digital forum, they were not so welcoming!

Dave