Calzone
Gear Whore #1
At the January Meet-Up we had a very big turn out. With all the people that was coming and going it was impossible to get a count, but I will say perhaps 30 RFF members overall. Some guy that just happened to be wearing a Leica that was just walking by got dragged in. LOL.
We ocuppied a couple of tables so we were not all together. We experiance no problems with the staff or management and everything was cool. In fact they were rather tolerant.
We didn't try to move tables together or anything that would have provoked an intervention. What was great fun when some of our neighbors (young girls) crashed our party. Our only concern was that a drunk girl use the camera strap when she insisted on taking a picture of us with my M6.
Our big group was really segmented into several smaller groups. It was unfortunate that I didn't get to meet everone. Rumor had it that Helen Hill had stopped by, but I didn't get a chance to meet her. I was rather absorbed and captivated by 6-7 guys that shared my table.
I was also both impressed and inspired by other members in the most humble way. Then I had the biggest GAS attack ever.
Damaso said, "It is obscene, the amount of gear just laying on the tables."
I expect a lot of fun and laughs. If fifty RFFers show up though anything is possible. Could happen. Oh well.
Cal
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
REMINDER: Bring your M-body camera and win a Leica collectable for the first annual Leica Beauty Pagent. Carl has a very brassed in M2 with a Leica winder (mucho mojo); I have a Wetzlar M6 with a engraved Ti top-plate (a prototype that pre-dates the production Ti version M6 by five years). If Scott was able to make it his M9 would be a contender for my top three picks I have seen at previous Meet-Ups. The prize is a 1997 issue of Leica Fotographia International that features the M6. Contestants are limited to Leica M-Bodies. Who will win the honor and the trophy of having the coolest Leica. Inquiring Leica-nerds what to know. Every attendee gets a vote. Since I got hoodwinked into promoting this event, I nominate Barrett as the impartial judge, since I am a contender/contestant.
SMUT: Found the issue of Fotographia International with three other issues on Second Ave. almost under the 59th Street Bridge with some other photography books. The three other issues were given away as previous door prizes, but the M6 issue is the coolest. Damaso said, "The photography (photographs in the magizine) are retro and very dated."
TRAVEL DOOR PRIZE: For the RFFer who travels the furthest distance, an unopened sealed box of 100 feet of ILFORD Pan F that was laying in my refrigerator for 4-5 years that is long expired. Need a reminder to shoot more; want to annoy the wife or girlfriend; want to hoard stuff because we are in an economic downturn.... come on down. What ever happened to those RFFers from the Tri-state area coming down to see HCB at MOMA? What about that dude from California. Anyone from Europe? Don't be shy, I'm not.
BARRETT'S DOOR PRIZE: Barrett is giving away a signed print.
DISCLAIMER: Not responsible for any major GAS attack(s). Be aware that generally NY Meet-Ups are gearfeasts. Looks like my new Rollieflex 3.5F "Whiteface" is still at Harry Fleenor's getting overhauled along with a new Maxwell screen. (This aquistion was due to ANDREDOSSANTOS at the famous January Meet-Up) Any German camera is always welcomed regardless of format. Would love to see/feel a Linhof 220. Anyone got one?
So who's going to make it this Sunday. PLease give us a shout on this thread. I'll be there at 1:00. Expect to laugh a lot and meet some very hard core shooters that are into gear.
Calzone AKA Cal
SMUT: Found the issue of Fotographia International with three other issues on Second Ave. almost under the 59th Street Bridge with some other photography books. The three other issues were given away as previous door prizes, but the M6 issue is the coolest. Damaso said, "The photography (photographs in the magizine) are retro and very dated."
TRAVEL DOOR PRIZE: For the RFFer who travels the furthest distance, an unopened sealed box of 100 feet of ILFORD Pan F that was laying in my refrigerator for 4-5 years that is long expired. Need a reminder to shoot more; want to annoy the wife or girlfriend; want to hoard stuff because we are in an economic downturn.... come on down. What ever happened to those RFFers from the Tri-state area coming down to see HCB at MOMA? What about that dude from California. Anyone from Europe? Don't be shy, I'm not.
BARRETT'S DOOR PRIZE: Barrett is giving away a signed print.
DISCLAIMER: Not responsible for any major GAS attack(s). Be aware that generally NY Meet-Ups are gearfeasts. Looks like my new Rollieflex 3.5F "Whiteface" is still at Harry Fleenor's getting overhauled along with a new Maxwell screen. (This aquistion was due to ANDREDOSSANTOS at the famous January Meet-Up) Any German camera is always welcomed regardless of format. Would love to see/feel a Linhof 220. Anyone got one?
So who's going to make it this Sunday. PLease give us a shout on this thread. I'll be there at 1:00. Expect to laugh a lot and meet some very hard core shooters that are into gear.
Calzone AKA Cal
I'll be there, but only with an average M4 w/ Voigtlander lens and a Leica X1.
snausages
Well-known
Crap, out of town again. Have fun guys.
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
I'll be flying in to NY to visit some friends over the weekend. I'll try to find my way to the meet-up.
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
Damaso
Photojournalist
Should be fun...
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
Represent the Bay Area well my friend! Have fun in NYC, love that place
Kent
thanks Kent, I'll see if I win the "furthest traveled" attendee.
my thoughts exactly, I was thinking of stopping by in the morning to check out the HCB exhibit.
robklurfield
eclipse
can't make it, but went to see the HCB today. the exhibit is amazing, though far too crowded on a weekend to enjoy properly. bought the book, too. quite wonderful. you must go (and probably more than once if possible).
have a good time on Sunday. hope to see you all in May.
The Marina Abramovic installation is quite a trip, too. A guard reminded me to take my camera bag off my shoulder so I wouldn't accidentally wallop the two nude guys as I walked past them. A long-time MOMA member/patron was permanently banned from the museum for groping one of the naked performance artists a week or two ago.
have a good time on Sunday. hope to see you all in May.
The Marina Abramovic installation is quite a trip, too. A guard reminded me to take my camera bag off my shoulder so I wouldn't accidentally wallop the two nude guys as I walked past them. A long-time MOMA member/patron was permanently banned from the museum for groping one of the naked performance artists a week or two ago.
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amateriat
We're all light!
Here Come de Judge...
Here Come de Judge...
Well, the dust from my Tiny Ateliér is still settling, but I've caught up with enough stuff to mention a few things about tomorrow, or at least my notorious role therein:
- The print I'm offering as a door prize will be a signed and unmounted "tri-tone" archival inkjet print. Subject remains to be a surprise, but it is one of the images in my Gallery here (link in my sig below).
- The Judging of the Ms: Criteria will be wild-card, based on a mix of physical integrity (not to be conflated with "minty-ness"), age/vintage, accessorization, and, maybe, a really good story related to the camera and owner. (Cal, you'll be my wingman on this one, right?)
- This little "pageant" is, indeed, for Leica M-cameras only: no LTMs or "alternative" M's (yeah, including my Hexars) are eligible. Pleading, cajoling or bribery will get you nowhere, although if you offer to buy me a round, I'll kindly recommend Cal's counsel to you.
- There is no Thing # 4.
Be There. Aloha.
- Barrett
Here Come de Judge...
Well, the dust from my Tiny Ateliér is still settling, but I've caught up with enough stuff to mention a few things about tomorrow, or at least my notorious role therein:
- The print I'm offering as a door prize will be a signed and unmounted "tri-tone" archival inkjet print. Subject remains to be a surprise, but it is one of the images in my Gallery here (link in my sig below).
- The Judging of the Ms: Criteria will be wild-card, based on a mix of physical integrity (not to be conflated with "minty-ness"), age/vintage, accessorization, and, maybe, a really good story related to the camera and owner. (Cal, you'll be my wingman on this one, right?)
- This little "pageant" is, indeed, for Leica M-cameras only: no LTMs or "alternative" M's (yeah, including my Hexars) are eligible. Pleading, cajoling or bribery will get you nowhere, although if you offer to buy me a round, I'll kindly recommend Cal's counsel to you.
- There is no Thing # 4.
Be There. Aloha.
- Barrett
amateriat
We're all light!
They Came, they Saw...
They Came, they Saw...
...they had a pretty good time.
Thanks to. Cal, Damaso, Darren, Jeff, John, John (the other one), and Rachel (damn, I'm forgetting one or two people here, apologies!) for a grand ol' time at Lorelei today. Judging the Leica M Concours was a blast (with dueling M8s and M9s, oh my!). A fun time had by all. (Pics forthcoming, although I likely won't be quickest on the draw in putting some up here.)
- Barrett
They Came, they Saw...
...they had a pretty good time.
Thanks to. Cal, Damaso, Darren, Jeff, John, John (the other one), and Rachel (damn, I'm forgetting one or two people here, apologies!) for a grand ol' time at Lorelei today. Judging the Leica M Concours was a blast (with dueling M8s and M9s, oh my!). A fun time had by all. (Pics forthcoming, although I likely won't be quickest on the draw in putting some up here.)
- Barrett
Yes, a very good time today. I escaped without having a GAS attack.
Rachgoodtime
Member
It was great to meet you at Lorely today guys. I'm waiting for the May meet-up.
Thanks. I already put some pics on Flickr and I will try to download the pictures on Rff tomorrow.
Thanks very much for the picture Barrett.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8997597@N05/sets/72157623931771730/
Thanks. I already put some pics on Flickr and I will try to download the pictures on Rff tomorrow.
Thanks very much for the picture Barrett.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8997597@N05/sets/72157623931771730/
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Great to meet you too. So "stealth" Rach... I didn't even see you making these photos. Great story about your M8!
Great story about your M8!
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robklurfield
eclipse
nice shots. so much nice gear, so many big smiles. now I feel awful about having missed this one. oh, well. next time.
Damaso
Photojournalist
Well, that was a fun time!
Calzone
Gear Whore #1
I dedicate this post to Robklurfied because he is a funny guy, and I imagine how his quips would of added flavor and more laughter to our event.
Another small turnout, and another great time. One of the best moments for me is when Jeff gave me 6 rolls of 120 film. Thanks Jeff. This is not the first time that someone got a new M9 and I recieved a blow-out deal on film. Thanks Scott from the famous January Meet-Up.
I would also like to thank Barrett for his help and for MC'ing the first annual M-Body Beauty Pagent. He did a great job. I say, next year we should have another one and have Barrett MC again. Barrett was also generous and gave away two signed prints: one as a door prize; and another as a consulation prize to the runner up in the beauty pagent.
The first annual M-Body Beauty Pagent was full of surprises. While only eight people showed up, we had two M9's. The cameras were all lined up on the table, but my Leica IIIG was the first to be eliminated. "M-bodies only," Barrett said.
With two M9's present; Jeff's M9 was deemed the new one (Jeff established ownership only eleven days ago); and John's M9 was labled as the "Vintage" M9 (John has owned his for 4-5 months). If Scott had showed up there would have been an impressive total of three M9's laying on our table. In the process of elimination Jeff's M9 won by a Thumbs up grip and a 50 ASPH Lux.
John stated that he owns a Leica lens (a CV lens was mounted) and his 75 Lux was at Leica getting six-bit coded. I am partial to the 75 Lux because I own one, and this could of skewed the results in John's favor. Oh well. Some wise-ass that remained in the competition responded, "That's what they all say," to John's response. LOL. Brutal in a funny way.
But John still remained a dominant player, although his M9 was eliminated, because he had another big contender. John also brought a black M2 that had fresh paint from DAK and had a major-major overhaul and the quick-load upgrade. With new everything. this camera was like a brand new M2 from Leica. This stunning camera imediately crushed my Wetzlar Ti M6 prototype. I humbly conceeded that my M6 needed service and has a meter that drains a new battery in two days. As much as I love my M6 it stood in the shadows of John's M2.
Damaso's M6 TTL with a 0.85 VF, early TA Rapidwinder, Green TA Softie, and 50 Lux version 2 Pre-ASPH ultimately became the sole remaining competitor to John's M2. Barrett was ultimately the judge with the power of the final decision, but he weighed the contrast, pro's and cons of the two finalists openly and invited participation.
Damaso's M6 was considered a working pro PJ's first Leica that had traveled all over the world the past 5-6 years. Damaso had samples of his work as promotional items, a story of how TA rebuilt one rapidwinder he bought on E-bay, lent him another winder as a loaner in the meantime, and gave him a spare rapidwinder as a bonus when the repair was finished and shipped. All for free!!!
The only possible contender to John's Minty M2 ironically was Carls brassed out original black paint M2 with Leica winder that was not present. I mentioned to John before the competition that he needed to add a winder to complete the package, and in further judgement this was later held against him. "One demerit," I said.
And then Damaso began pimping his rig as a shooter.
Plastic still covered the engraving on John's M2 top-plate. "Remove the plastic," Damaso said, and everyone laughed. John was a great sport and laughed also, but he just couldn't remove the plastic, and I don't blame him.
We asked permission to remove the leather half case for closer examination and discovered plastic protective film on the base plate also as if it was just shipped from Leica.
The entertainment value was high with the right balance of serious and sillyness. Most of all we laughed hard. The adjoining table had a girl/ spectator for the pagent. Her vote was for the M3 because she had her father's. Honorable mention is Darren's M3 with a remarkably clean Collapsible 50 Cron (the cleanest I've ever seen). Darren was also the winner of the Door-Prize for the greatest distance traveled (California). He also already has a bulk loader.
I still have classes till the 22d of May on Saturdays. I say I perfer for the May Meet-Up to be a Sunday.
HCB at MOMA we were told is a mob scene on the weekends. We are planning on trying another get-together for during the week to see the show. Some for the second time.
Almost forgot: The winner for the First Annual M-Body Beauty Pagent is: Damaso's M6 TTL.
Kinda appropriate to the special 1997 issue of Leica Fotographia International that a M6 won.
Cal
Another small turnout, and another great time. One of the best moments for me is when Jeff gave me 6 rolls of 120 film. Thanks Jeff. This is not the first time that someone got a new M9 and I recieved a blow-out deal on film. Thanks Scott from the famous January Meet-Up.
I would also like to thank Barrett for his help and for MC'ing the first annual M-Body Beauty Pagent. He did a great job. I say, next year we should have another one and have Barrett MC again. Barrett was also generous and gave away two signed prints: one as a door prize; and another as a consulation prize to the runner up in the beauty pagent.
The first annual M-Body Beauty Pagent was full of surprises. While only eight people showed up, we had two M9's. The cameras were all lined up on the table, but my Leica IIIG was the first to be eliminated. "M-bodies only," Barrett said.
With two M9's present; Jeff's M9 was deemed the new one (Jeff established ownership only eleven days ago); and John's M9 was labled as the "Vintage" M9 (John has owned his for 4-5 months). If Scott had showed up there would have been an impressive total of three M9's laying on our table. In the process of elimination Jeff's M9 won by a Thumbs up grip and a 50 ASPH Lux.
John stated that he owns a Leica lens (a CV lens was mounted) and his 75 Lux was at Leica getting six-bit coded. I am partial to the 75 Lux because I own one, and this could of skewed the results in John's favor. Oh well. Some wise-ass that remained in the competition responded, "That's what they all say," to John's response. LOL. Brutal in a funny way.
But John still remained a dominant player, although his M9 was eliminated, because he had another big contender. John also brought a black M2 that had fresh paint from DAK and had a major-major overhaul and the quick-load upgrade. With new everything. this camera was like a brand new M2 from Leica. This stunning camera imediately crushed my Wetzlar Ti M6 prototype. I humbly conceeded that my M6 needed service and has a meter that drains a new battery in two days. As much as I love my M6 it stood in the shadows of John's M2.
Damaso's M6 TTL with a 0.85 VF, early TA Rapidwinder, Green TA Softie, and 50 Lux version 2 Pre-ASPH ultimately became the sole remaining competitor to John's M2. Barrett was ultimately the judge with the power of the final decision, but he weighed the contrast, pro's and cons of the two finalists openly and invited participation.
Damaso's M6 was considered a working pro PJ's first Leica that had traveled all over the world the past 5-6 years. Damaso had samples of his work as promotional items, a story of how TA rebuilt one rapidwinder he bought on E-bay, lent him another winder as a loaner in the meantime, and gave him a spare rapidwinder as a bonus when the repair was finished and shipped. All for free!!!
The only possible contender to John's Minty M2 ironically was Carls brassed out original black paint M2 with Leica winder that was not present. I mentioned to John before the competition that he needed to add a winder to complete the package, and in further judgement this was later held against him. "One demerit," I said.
And then Damaso began pimping his rig as a shooter.
Plastic still covered the engraving on John's M2 top-plate. "Remove the plastic," Damaso said, and everyone laughed. John was a great sport and laughed also, but he just couldn't remove the plastic, and I don't blame him.
We asked permission to remove the leather half case for closer examination and discovered plastic protective film on the base plate also as if it was just shipped from Leica.
The entertainment value was high with the right balance of serious and sillyness. Most of all we laughed hard. The adjoining table had a girl/ spectator for the pagent. Her vote was for the M3 because she had her father's. Honorable mention is Darren's M3 with a remarkably clean Collapsible 50 Cron (the cleanest I've ever seen). Darren was also the winner of the Door-Prize for the greatest distance traveled (California). He also already has a bulk loader.
I still have classes till the 22d of May on Saturdays. I say I perfer for the May Meet-Up to be a Sunday.
HCB at MOMA we were told is a mob scene on the weekends. We are planning on trying another get-together for during the week to see the show. Some for the second time.
Almost forgot: The winner for the First Annual M-Body Beauty Pagent is: Damaso's M6 TTL.
Kinda appropriate to the special 1997 issue of Leica Fotographia International that a M6 won.
Cal
Damn Calzone, what a write up!
kkdanamatt
Well-known
You mean: "Damn, Calzone, what a write up."
scottwallick
ambition ≥ skill
You're most welcome, Cal. It's a shame to let good film go bad (if so a thing can happened). I'm sorry I missed the meetup. I was off in Charleston looking busy for a few days.
I'm in for the next one, though.