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next1

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Hello everyone, I have to introduce myself: I just got bitten by the Leica bug and I developed a reaction... My bank account is shrinking! Is that normal? Years ago I played with film (Tmax) on an old Nikon FE2 and a Fed4 that I inherited from my father. It was fun but I missed this "organic" experience that I get now with my "new" old M3. I found this forum and here I am with a question: I have in my bag a Summicron 50/2 and a 35/2... No bug eyes on my 35... it was an impulse buy! Now what? Do I have to get an M2? Do I need to put a viewfinder to focus correctly?
My Nikon D3 with a 14-24 is a monster. Is convenient but what do I do with a B/W film in 2009; I'm in SF and I have no idea where to process B/W film and scan it in NorCal... Any way, probably I don't make any sense but I just wanted to introduce myself and tell you that I learned a lot from you guys!
 
Welcome, next1!

The shrinking bank account: been there. And: I shoot a Kyoei Acall 35mm on an M3, and just use the whole visible field in the viewfinder. Works pretty decent, once you get accustomed to it.

Look for the Rodinal 1:100 stand development thread, using Rodinal 1:100 is so simple even I can do it. Get yourself a cheap scanner for 35mm and you're in business.

Enjoy RFF!
 
CLE-RF said:
Welcome, next1!

The shrinking bank account: been there. And: I shoot a Kyoei Acall 35mm on an M3, and just use the whole visible field in the viewfinder. Works pretty decent, once you get accustomed to it.

Look for the Rodinal 1:100 stand development thread, using Rodinal 1:100 is so simple even I can do it. Get yourself a cheap scanner for 35mm and you're in business.

Enjoy RFF!
Click to expand...

So, if I use the whole field I should be OK? I sent my M3 to Sherry K. for a CLA but I'll check with my 35/2 when I get it back...
See, that's the problem; more equipment. I want to just be able to drop off the films, have them process and scanned... Thank you for the warm welcome!
 
next1 said:
So, if I use the whole field I should be OK? I sent my M3 to Sherry K. for a CLA but I'll check with my 35/2 when I get it back...
See, that's the problem; more equipment. I want to just be able to drop off the films, have them process and scanned... Thank you for the warm welcome!
Click to expand...

Start by calling the camera/photography stores with in 5-10 miles of you to see what scanning service they offer. Make sure you ask what size in pixels the scanner are, example 4500x3000 or 4800x3600.
 
Well, scanning is a bit of a drag, but hi-res scans might get costly. The consumer-grade scans usually suck, too little resolution, badly color-corrected, if at all.

Look for a Minolta Scan Dual IV, install exactly as in the manual (or suffer a score of weird quirks), and you should be fine. Nikon scanners are better, but more expensive, not sure on Canon and other brands you have over there.
 
While I have not used them yet, I will in the future. Check here:

http://www.northcoastphoto.com/

I would do a search and a walk to see who is near or a short ride away from you. From what I remember about SF, it's like NYC, you just need to know where to look and you can find it.


Your 35 will focus fine. If you want to add an external viewfinder you might look at the CV metal ones, in many peoples opinion they are the best ever made. I had both the Leica as well as the CV and CV wins hands down. Using an external finder is a pain some times, but I got used to it (I used a Bessa T for many years).

Should you buy an M2, only you know this. Do you need it, no. Add a great finder for $150 USD and you are set. Will it be easier to shoot, yeah, perhaps. Alot depends upon how and what you shoot. If you shoot with two lenses, say a 35 and either a 50 or 90, then a M2 / M3 rocks. No switching lenses, just grab a different camera.

Another crazy option is to sell the 35 and stick with the M3/50 combo for six months of shooting then think about where to go next.

B2 (;->
 
BillBingham2 said:
While I have not used them yet, I will in the future. Check here:

http://www.northcoastphoto.com/

I would do a search and a walk to see who is near or a short ride away from you. From what I remember about SF, it's like NYC, you just need to know where to look and you can find it.


Your 35 will focus fine. If you want to add an external viewfinder you might look at the CV metal ones, in many peoples opinion they are the best ever made. I had both the Leica as well as the CV and CV wins hands down. Using an external finder is a pain some times, but I got used to it (I used a Bessa T for many years).

Should you buy an M2, only you know this. Do you need it, no. Add a great finder for $150 USD and you are set. Will it be easier to shoot, yeah, perhaps. Alot depends upon how and what you shoot. If you shoot with two lenses, say a 35 and either a 50 or 90, then a M2 / M3 rocks. No switching lenses, just grab a different camera.

Another crazy option is to sell the 35 and stick with the M3/50 combo for six months of shooting then think about where to go next.

B2 (;->
Click to expand...

Thank you B2!
 
Welcome, next1.

In case you're interested, there's a fairly active bunch of us around the SF Bay Area. We occasionally get together for what we affectionately refer to as "beer and gear" gatherings to either simply drink and talk gear, to visit a photo showing at a museum (e.g., SF MOMA) or to participate in a group shooting session (you should see 6-10 of us wandering the streets of San Francisco each of us doing our own version of street photography). If you're interested, just watch the SF Bay Area forum on this site for postings about gatherings.

As for your M3, 50 & 35, welcome to the world of Leica and rangefinders. The M3 and the 50 is great combination. And the 35, unless it needs bugeyes or goggles to focus, is perfectly useable on the M3. As someone already said, just use the whole viewfinder or buy an external viewfinder if you must (a cheap alternative is a former soviet union "fsu" finder for a Jupiter 12 "J-12" which you can find on ebay). But remember that framing with a rangefinder is an inexact science anyway so don't get too hung up on perfect framing.

As for film developing and scanning, an easy solution is to shoot color film and simply drop your film off at a 1-hour place like Walgreens. Ask for develop and CD only (that way you aren't paying for prints). Won't be the best scans but for proofing and for web posting it's more than sufficient. Sure makes it fast and easy.

Again, welcome and post any other questions you have as there's an unbelievable wealth of knowledge, information and help on this forum. Oh, and be sure to post some shots when you get them.

-Randy
 
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