my leica experiment

[pearcie]

Hi All

I have just got back my first two films from my leica experiment.
Thanks to Flat Twin of these forums I now own a M4-P.

I had been using a zorki 4k as a trial to see if RFs were for me, but I had to try a leica.

Due to simple economics (I can't afford an M9) I have a month to choose digital - olympus E1 and a few lenses or go with film and leica.

I already love the smaller form factor, carrying the leica everywhere.
Having to focus, decide aperture and shutter speed is very liberating and the sunny 16 rule is my new best friend 🙂
The anxious wait until my processed film returns is all part of the experiment and so far I love it.

some photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pearciecouk/sets/72157624942380843/

thanks
gary

 

[Ducky]

I already love the smaller form factor, carrying the leica everywhere.
Having to focus, decide aperture and shutter speed is very liberating and the sunny 16 rule is my new best friend 🙂
I agree, it touches on tradition and feels good to have control. But when you get a roll wrong because you accidently turned the aperture to 2 and did not notice, you will enjoy the true excitement of film.🙂

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Way to go, Gary!

Just make sure to use a fairly tolerant type of film. Whenever I shoot any of my meterless Leicas, I use print film (B&W or color). For slides, it's a metered body.

But I agree with Ducky: when you use sunny 16 you're creating images the traditional way... so to speak. Does it count if I meter when in doubt?

Take care and welcome to the RF world! 🙂

 

[MCTuomey]

gary, welcome.

as an aside, glad to hear that you're the new owner (i had made an offer to *flat twin* myself).

you'll get no end of debate regarding metered vs meterless leica M use, most of it based on personal style and habit. and i think most folks would say that any operational leica M can produce good exposures, provided the photographer applies judgment. the more capable the judgment, the better the photo.

 

[dave lackey]

Gary, nice job! What film was that?

BTW, I am finding more and more people fascinated by film cameras and traditional bamboo fly rods. What is the connection there? It has to do with the equipment for sure but other things like buying a Leica film camera or a custom split bamboo flyrod provides a wonderful experience that is not possible with the current high-tech digital cameras and graphite rods. Not only that, but Leicas and bamboo rods will last indefinitely while the high-tech gadgets are disposable.

Enjoy film while you can and maybe, just maybe, help save a part of our culture from the trash dump.😛 Yeah, I am on a mission.

 

[MCTuomey]

it is an interesting wrinkle, dave. i sure can't explain it. i still have a couple cane fly rods and a 30 yr-old film M, despite using carbon fiber and digi gear much more frequently. cane rods and old film Ms, they're just too fun, i guess.

 

[dave lackey]

Ha, ha,

Mike, that is the truth! When I had to sell my carbon fiber Trek bicycle and even though I enjoyed the lightweight bike, I was always scared of crashing it and everyday I longed for a proper bicycle with steel frame.

I am just now entering a new phase of my life where I not only appreciate the older rangefinder cameras, bamboo rods and quality-built motorcars, but I literally cannot afford the newer technology to use a short time and then toss away.

Sounds to me like Gary is on the right track!

 

[pearcie]

my leica experiment

Hi All

Thanks for your kind comments and thoughts on my little experiment.
The photos were taken on Ilford HP5 + XP2 for the B&W and Fuji Superia 400 for the colour shots.

I am still using the sunny 16s for day shots but have bought an old minolta autometer for those tricky indoor and night shots I aim to take. I will guess exposure first though and see how far out I was!

I probably will swear quietly when I mess up the exposure settings, leave the lens cap on or cock up loading the film - still, the joys old technology.

I don't fish but if I did would undoubtedly use cane 😀

Sign me up for your mission Dave

thanks again
gary

 

[pearcie]

my leica experiment

Well surprise, surprise it hasn't taken a month to decided - I just love shooting with my leica.
This means bye bye digital, at least until I can afford an M9 😀
Although I have to say, I may just stay with film!
Here are some more photos that I've added to my flickr page if anyones interested:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pearciecouk/sets/72157624942380843/

gary

www.pearcie.co.uk

 

[robert blu]

Good choice Gary and many good photos. I specially like the CNV00036 - Version 2 on your flickr place.
robert

 

[Pirate]

Or when you are metering everything at 100 ISO because you forgot that you have 25 ISO film in there.....

But when you get a roll wrong because you accidently turned the aperture to 2 and did not notice, you will enjoy the true excitement of film.🙂

 

[nome_alice]

great choice gary. very sensible. but even down the road if you decide to get rid of the M4-P and go digital i doubt very much that you'll have lost any money in the process. Leica's seem to have a knack of appreciating 🙂