New to forum and rangefinder cameras

[Junek]

I just joined this forum and am also new to rangefinder / manual cameras in general.

My boyfriend just recently gave me a Leica M3 camera with a 50mm lens and I think so far I've taken maybe two or three rolls of film with it.

Before this I used a digital Canon point and shoot camera - but didn't take too many photos.

Attached are some of the photos from these my first rolls for your comments and suggestions.

Thanks!
June K

 

[Carpe Diem]

Hi June, I'm Greg , I also have just got a new toy, a lieca m6 with 50mm cron, I too have just joined this site, do you feel more appreciative of the shots from your new camera, I certainly do .

 

[Junek]

It is certainly different using a manual camera like this..but it's also a lot of fun! 🙂

 

[rover]

Welcome June and Greg, you both have some nice kits. Thanks for sharing the photos June, the portraits are nice and I particularly like the third one.

 

[zeos 386sx]

"My boyfriend just recently gave me a Leica M3 camera with a 50mm lens..."

That's a really nice boyfriend! If you have a birthday coming up soon you might want to remind him about all of Leica's other wonderful lenses! 😛

 

[Doug]

Ditto what Rover said! 🙂

 

[former member]

Welcome to RFF. The M3 is one of the best cameras of all time, your boyfriend certainly shows good taste. Nice pictures with it as well, it looks like you are a natural with manual cameras.

 

[johne]

JuneK:
Welcome to the site. The picture in sepia to me illustrates the very essence of the Leica allure. [A bit more light on the face would have been a plus but what you have is excellent]. My compliments.
My regards,

Johne

 

[merciful]

Attached are some of the photos from these my first rolls for your comments and suggestions.

Welcome.

The first two are in bad light: overexposed distracting backgrounds and harsh light on faces rarely work. The third is a classic Leica-type shot.

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum June and your boyfriend sounds like an excellent bloke! 🙂

I like the third one too but I might like it even better if it had shallower depth of field. You know that you get a gallery here too right? Most members' "My Gallery" links to a gallery on the RFF, which currently (due to the continuing generosity of our Great Leader, Jorge) is unrestricted in size.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear June,

You are a lucky woman -- but I think your boyfriend is a lucky man to fall for such a talented photographer.

The first two shots are either UNDER-exposed at the shooting stage (hence the predominance of the over-exposed background against the under-exposed main subject) or simply badly printed/scanned. The third picture must be closer to what you envisioned. All are good to superb IF correctly exposed/printed (as only #3 is).

At the risk of shameless self-promotion take a look at www.rogerandfrances.com, especially the Photo School (most of which is free). My wife Frances took up photography because she grew tired of waiting for me to take pictures. Her first published picture was a book cover... Of the 50+ books under my name, around half are now co-written with Frances, and she is (deservedly) better known than I for darkroom expertise.

Incidentally, when I was about 20 (I'm 55 now) my girlfriend wanted a first-class camera. I pointed her at a Leica which is how I got hooked mysellf...

Cheers and good luck,

Roger W. Hicks

 

[Paula]

Hi June,

Great 3rd shot - may I ask, was it a posed shot? I suppose it only enters my mind because as a new Lecia user myself I must say I'm currently quite self conscious about using it to take shots of people unaware...which is strange I guess given the discreet nature of leica's. Still give me a few more rolls and I'm sure the confidence will grow.

Did others find that experience?

Paula

 

[Fred]

Welcome and keep posting more shots.

Exposure aside, it looks like the first two shots were taken with very wide apertures giving a narrow depth of field (sorry I'm waffling....again). Only the subject is in focus which I like, I think you've done a very good job with all three shots, number three is my preferred.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

June, can you tell me where I could get a boyfriend who would buy me an M3? I need one of those for my collection. The camera and the boy.

With that camera you're setting yourself up for wanting more and more Leica stuff. I'm guessing the 50mm that he got you is the Summicron? It's nice. Those photos are very good for a first time user. Awesome.

And welcome. The guys don't bite. And if they do I can always let you borrow my secret weapon: my Argus C3. It's very good for self defense. 😀

 

[cameramanic]

I want a Leica now.

Is this poetry ? writen by someone describing a M2 He is selling ,
Should I buy It? ( The controls are the sweetest and most silky of any Leica I have ever owned, and it makes an M6 feel like a Zorki! )

 

[Jungle Jim]

Welcome to the forum June! The M3 is a great camera and the folks here are friendly and very knowledgable.

 

[kiev4a]

"My boyfriend just recently gave me a Leica M3 camera with a 50mm lens..."

That's a really nice boyfriend! If you have a birthday coming up soon you might want to remind him about all of Leica's other wonderful lenses! 😛

My thoughts, too. If June's boyfriend gave her an M3 he must REALLY like her.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[f/stopblues]

Sounds more like June's boyfriend was seriously in the dog house.. what a good make-up present! ;-) Welcome to the forum from a fellow recently registered member.

Chris

 

[Skinny McGee]

Welcome June I recently bought an M3 i love it.. learning the exposures on a manual camera is something that we all have to learn. Especially me. Your shots look good ...keep using up that film.. get your galley up it is alot of fun.. We also have a monthly theme that is alot fun you can find it on the gallery page. Thanks for the photos
Skinny

 

[David Doler]

It's pretty cozy here. You'll like it.