New York NYC March Meet-Up

[SuperUJ]

John,

Thanks for the heads up. BTW I now could use that DMR you sold.

Cal

That's a heck of a set up! I had it with a 80mm Lux with stunning results. Focusing with it wide open took some practicing, though.

How about pairing your R lens with a M Typ 240? It is a much lighter outfit that may not be something you are after.

John

 

[Calzone]

That's a heck of a set up! I had it with a 80mm Lux with stunning results. Focusing with it wide open took some practicing, though.

How about pairing your R lens with a M Typ 240? It is a much lighter outfit that may not be something you are after.

John

John,

I bought the 50 "E60" to use on a Nikon DSLR specifically. In a pinch I could just rent a D3 or D4 to blast away with if we get in the tent this fall. Meanwhile I have an excuse to get a SL2-MOT, SL2 for parts/insurance, and a R8 to maybe get a DMR as an art camera.

I'm really liking printing, and it takes me back to the days of art school where I just played and made images. Back in the day I spent entire weekends developing and printing. Shooting color becones, but that also means getting another 3880 to print color. In the past 3 months I've made about 225 prints, and out of the 225 more than 50 are 13x19. At this point they are just proofs for slightly larger exhibition prints.

In the end a Nikon DF is all I basically need. I need a SLR for the fashion gig and likely in the future for Maggie's blog.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

I'm still loving the Df... but I use G lenses. Cal, if you'd like to borrow it for a day / weekend, you are welcome to do so. It's a black one since the silver looks cheap.

 

[SuperUJ]

Cal,

The 50mm (E60) could be one of the grail 50mm lenses out there. How do you fit it to Nikon? Converted it with Leitax? Once converted, how do you fit it back to R8? Just wondered!

GEAR ALERT! I finally tracked down a Cron 35mm black paint at about the same price that you paid for yours. Now, my LHSA M6 set is complete, at last.

John

 

[Range-rover]

Love seeing the mod with the teenage engineering avatar have his (her?) ears perk up when Linn is mentioned

I thought the Linn Drum guys and the Linn hi fi guys were related- guess it's just people named Linn having good ears

We do just love those Linn's

 

[JeffNYC]

Christian,

Much respect for the Swiss. They are a clever people, but I wouldn't want to fight them.

History has shown them Swiss to be clever people, and with simple weapons (pikes), and great tactics, they defeated many a champion Knights in armour.

BTW More of my Monochrom shots of "Maggie" and her interview will be coming out in the May issue of Marie Claire" magizine (Spanish edition). This Friday I have a gig shooting some designer's Pop Up store in SoHo. Never thought I would become a fashion photographer, but a great ground swell somehow has caught me.

Cal

The Fashion Bug 🙂

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

The 50mm (E60) could be one of the grail 50mm lenses out there. How do you fit it to Nikon? Converted it with Leitax? Once converted, how do you fit it back to R8? Just wondered!

GEAR ALERT! I finally tracked down a Cron 35mm black paint at about the same price that you paid for yours. Now, my LHSA M6 set is complete, at last.

John

John,

The 50 "E60" I think is just more than a great lens. The images I see shot wide open remind me of my 50 Lux-M ASPH as far as sharpness, but the bokeh and OOF reminds me of Tung's F1.0 Noctilux. Imagine that combination in one lens.

Even though Leica discontinued the "R" series, Leitax makes mounts to convert Leica "R" glass to fit Nikon, Canon and Pentax, but you loose auto aperture and have to work around that. The Leica glass is so good that many people deal with this handicap anyway.

I retrofited my 50 "E60" to 3-Cam to work on my SL2-MOT using a Leica 3-Cam Macro Adapter I bought at B&H for $49.99, and in that configuration I can still use it on my R8, but without the ROM metadata. Converting back to ROM is simply removing the first cam and replacing the original ROM "R" mount with the chip.

Converting to other mounts using a Leitax adapter involves removing 6 screwss that secure the rear flange, removing the two sloped cams and replacing the rear flange with the new Leitax mount. No permanent modifications are done. Like I said, "A Swiss Army Lens."

Congrates on the black paint 35 Cron. Even though I own a 35 Lux ASPH Pre-FLE, I like the rendering on the Cron more. While the 35 Lux is sharper in the center, the Cron has better corners, and what tips it for me is the Cron has mucho midrange, while the Lux is kinda high contrast. For me the Cron is a better lens.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I would like to Bump and Pump Villanova's Solo exhibition: Without Words; 10 April 6-9; Little field; 622 Degraw Street; Brooklyn.

I checked my calender and will attend the opening.

SMUT: Also know that our friend Andre just got back from London. He had a show there and so far he has sold 6 of his shots of the Bronx. The exhibit still is hanging so there may be even more sales. Congrates to Andre.

Anyways I figure I would mention this because Andre is too modest and humble, and most of all he is not a loudmouth like me. LOL.

Cal

 

[SuperUJ]

I retrofited my 50 "E60" to 3-Cam to work on my SL2-MOT using a Leica 3-Cam Macro Adapter I bought at B&H for $49.99, and in that configuration I can still use it on my R8, but without the ROM metadata. Converting back to ROM is simply removing the first cam and replacing the original ROM "R" mount with the chip.

Wow, Cal, you have it all mapped out already.

You nailed it on the 35 Summicron-M. If I have to pick one lens that represents what Leica is all about, this is it. The corner to corner sharpness, size, build, bokeh, color rendering, pop, etc. Thus, don't mind to have another one in my line-up. As for the 35 Lux, my ASPH (pre-FLE) gives me about 1% images with significant flare issue, which is still better than the pre-ASPH ... but its bigger. Just wondered if any one knows the FLE is better on flare.

John

 

[jsrockit]

SMUT: Also know that our friend Andre just got back from London. He had a show there and so far he has sold 6 of his shots of the Bronx. The exhibit still is hanging so there may be even more sales. Congrates to Andre.

Wow, that's great. He had mentioned it when we went to the bronx last month, but I had forgottwen about it. Glad to hear he sold some.

 

[Villanova]

I would like to Bump and Pump Villanova's Solo exhibition: Without Words; 10 April 6-9; Little field; 622 Degraw Street; Brooklyn. I checked my calender and will attend the opening.

Thanks, Cal

I'll be there on Sunday to bug you all in person as well.

Congrats, Andre! That's great news about your exhibit and the sales.

 

[Calzone]

Wow, Cal, you have it all mapped out already.

You nailed it on the 35 Summicron-M. If I have to pick one lens that represents what Leica is all about, this is it. The corner to corner sharpness, size, build, bokeh, color rendering, pop, etc. Thus, don't mind to have another one in my line-up. As for the 35 Lux, my ASPH (pre-FLE) gives me about 1% images with significant flare issue, which is still better than the pre-ASPH ... but its bigger. Just wondered if any one knows the FLE is better on flare.

John

John,

The guy to ask is your twin (Tung) the other guy with half the Leica catalog. I think he has the FLE.

My black paint 35 Cron ASPH looks kinda evil on my black paint MP. Now I can't yell or make fun of you anymore for selling your first BP Cron.

Cal

 

[JuJu]

Cal,

You are now into R lenses? I had a 50 Lux-R E60 for a while, which I paid $900 brand new and sold for $4000 to fund my Noctilux ($3800). I still miss the E60, just can't resist the profit margin... Also, take a good look at 35mm Cron-R, a great all-arounder and as sharp as Cron ASPH (at least to my eyes).

John, (my twin, according to Cal)

I haven't noticed any flares in FLE photos. It's my most used 35mm lens nowadays.
By the way, I would sell you my BP 35 Cron ASPH if I knew you were looking for one...

Tung

 

[JuJu]

Big congrats to Andre, I always love his works.

 

[jsrockit]

Understand that even though Sabastion Salgado most recently used a Pentax 645 for his "Genesis" body of work, as a Leica shooter he mostly used a Leica SL2.

Where did you hear that Cal?

BTW the SL2 is definately a "Monster" camera. No accessories needed. I like it because it is so basic, 1975 retro technology with a match needle metering, and of course a build quality that makes my F3P seem wimpy. "Brutal," I say.

Looks really cool. Seems like a no-brainer for you.

 

[andredossantos]

Hey thanks for the kind words, everyone.

Ill try to make it over to the next meet-up so I can have a beer (or several) with you guys.

 

[SuperUJ]

John, (my twin, according to Cal)

I haven't noticed any flares in FLE photos. It's my most used 35mm lens nowadays.
By the way, I would sell you my BP 35 Cron ASPH if I knew you were looking for one...

Tung

It's been a while, bro Tung 😀. How have you been? My GAS for a BP 35 Cron ASPH did not come back until Cal showed me his during the beauty contest a coupla months ago. Thanks for the confirmation for the FLE. I am not sure my bank nor my wife likes the answer, though.

John

 

[SuperUJ]

SMUT: Also know that our friend Andre just got back from London. He had a show there and so far he has sold 6 of his shots of the Bronx. The exhibit still is hanging so there may be even more sales. Congrates to Andre.
Cal

Great stuff. Congrates, Andre!

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

You are now into R lenses? I had a 50 Lux-R E60 for a while, which I paid $900 brand new and sold for $4000 to fund my Noctilux ($3800). I still miss the E60, just can't resist the profit margin... Also, take a good look at 35mm Cron-R, a great all-arounder and as sharp as Cron ASPH (at least to my eyes).

John, (my twin, according to Cal)

I haven't noticed any flares in FLE photos. It's my most used 35mm lens nowadays.
By the way, I would sell you my BP 35 Cron ASPH if I knew you were looking for one...

Tung

Tung,

I paid $4K for my "E60" but today that is a good price.

BTW together you and John kinda have the entire Leica catalog covered. My nitch are monster cameras, odd balls, and freaks.

Friday is expected delivery of my black R8. I perfer the R8 over the R9 mainly because the R8 weighs 100 grams more. The R8 actually has a steel fram that was updated to aluminum in the R9. Also for further weight savings they tried to lighten the R9 further by changing the top plate to magnesium, where the R8 has a zinc top plate.

The advances for flash of the R9 are kinda moot for me, and a huge turn off is the third frame counter on the top plate between the shutter dial and film advance. How many frame counters does one need?

They don't make German cameras like they use to. LOL.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Where did you hear that Cal?



Looks really cool. Seems like a no-brainer for you.

John,

I don't remember my source about SS and the SL2, but I know he used a Pentax 645 for about half the body of work for the Genesis exhibition.

The unused SL2-MOT has a wonderful VF'er. I never saw a SLR that could make a 28 wide angle snap a focus. I should know because I used B&H as a free lens rental to check out a 28/28 Super Augulon that had perspective control. The dirt in the VF'er really bothers me, but after service it should be like a brand new camera. The donor SL2 is just the opposite. This camera was used in many a street fight as a weapon by all the dents and teeth marks. Kinda like the story "Beauty And The Beast."

The SL2 definately has style points.

Cal