Nathan King
Established
It has been one year since I first put my eye up to an old Kodak Retina IIIc and realized what I had been missing. I joined Rangefinderforum.com and purchased a Leica M6 with a 50mm Elmar-M lens very shortly after my discovery. Choosing to keep everything simple, my kit for the last year consisted of only a Leica M6, 50mm Elmar-M lens, and a yellow filter. I had been using a Mamiya RZ67 with a set of three lenses, so having only a small camera slung over my shoulder with one choice of focal length took some getting accustomed to. My back immediately thanked me, and I immediately noticed that I was taking more photographs because I always had the camera with me. Looking back at a year's worth of contact sheets, it is clear that I still have much to learn, but I can't help but smile looking at all of the memories I captured! I have dry mounted, matted, and framed fiber prints on my wall to prove it! 
The 50mm focal length works very well in my suburban environment; however, it quickly felt slightly awkward in larger cities with congested sidewalks and narrow blocks. After a day or two I was able to work around this issue with a bit of creativity, and I attained some interesting compositions that I never would have thought to make without being forced to look at things from a different perspective. Last week I decided to purchase a 35mm V4 Summicron because I found f/2.8 to be a bit slow and 50mm a little long in some instances. I honestly don’t see myself needing a third lens for the type of photography I am interested in. Hopefully this body and two lenses will give me many more years of enjoyment.
The 50mm focal length works very well in my suburban environment; however, it quickly felt slightly awkward in larger cities with congested sidewalks and narrow blocks. After a day or two I was able to work around this issue with a bit of creativity, and I attained some interesting compositions that I never would have thought to make without being forced to look at things from a different perspective. Last week I decided to purchase a 35mm V4 Summicron because I found f/2.8 to be a bit slow and 50mm a little long in some instances. I honestly don’t see myself needing a third lens for the type of photography I am interested in. Hopefully this body and two lenses will give me many more years of enjoyment.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Respect to you and pleasure to me!
No smart phone talks, no digital b/w, just something classic here!
No smart phone talks, no digital b/w, just something classic here!
bence8810
Well-known
Well done and thanks for sharing.
I can totally relate to you - I've been shooting for 14 months now and have one body one lens (M3 + 50f2 summitar)
I will stick to this for another while without confusing myself with choices. It's just simple to have one setup - as that's the one you always reach for to take.
Keep up the good work!
Ben
I can totally relate to you - I've been shooting for 14 months now and have one body one lens (M3 + 50f2 summitar)
I will stick to this for another while without confusing myself with choices. It's just simple to have one setup - as that's the one you always reach for to take.
Keep up the good work!
Ben
Last edited:
farlymac
PF McFarland
I'd say you're doing okay with it. Splendid photos.
PF
PF
raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
very inspiring.
antonynorthcutt
Newbie
I have a very similar story, I used to shoot Nikon, owned a ton of lenses, carried them everywhere, spent more time changing my lens than pointing it at the subjects. But then I sold it all and bought a Sony A7, things changed quite drastically. I still had all my Nikon lenses as I thought I could use them with the A7, they didn't quite match the new fancy Sony sensor, so they all got sold too. I bought the 35mm Zeiss lens and that was it for a year.
I loved loved loved the freedom of just using one camera, one lens. But something was missing, or rather something was too much.
The A7 + Zeiss lens was too sharp, digital was slowly losing me. It was then that I sold the A7 and jumped to a Leica M8. Sold instantly. Rangefinders are just the best experience for me, they just feel right. But I still had one more step to go.
I'd found the camera I wanted to use for the rest of my life, now I needed the image. I figured that I needed to try some film, so yes you guessed it, I sold the M8, bought an M2, and shortly afterwards an M6 both coupled with a glorious 35mm lens ..... complete happiness has been found !!
I loved loved loved the freedom of just using one camera, one lens. But something was missing, or rather something was too much.
The A7 + Zeiss lens was too sharp, digital was slowly losing me. It was then that I sold the A7 and jumped to a Leica M8. Sold instantly. Rangefinders are just the best experience for me, they just feel right. But I still had one more step to go.
I'd found the camera I wanted to use for the rest of my life, now I needed the image. I figured that I needed to try some film, so yes you guessed it, I sold the M8, bought an M2, and shortly afterwards an M6 both coupled with a glorious 35mm lens ..... complete happiness has been found !!
GWT
Established
Nathan, thanks for sharing your experience, is there any where online where more of your images can be seen?
It has been one year since I first put my eye up to an old Kodak Retina IIIc and realized what I had been missing. I joined Rangefinderforum.com and purchased a Leica M6 with a 50mm Elmar-M lens very shortly after my discovery. Choosing to keep everything simple, my kit for the last year consisted of only a Leica M6, 50mm Elmar-M lens, and a yellow filter. I had been using a Mamiya RZ67 with a set of three lenses, so having only a small camera slung over my shoulder with one choice of focal length took some getting accustomed to. My back immediately thanked me, and I immediately noticed that I was taking more photographs because I always had the camera with me. Looking back at a year's worth of contact sheets, it is clear that I still have much to learn, but I can't help but smile looking at all of the memories I captured! I have dry mounted, matted, and framed fiber prints on my wall to prove it!
The 50mm focal length works very well in my suburban environment; however, it quickly felt slightly awkward in larger cities with congested sidewalks and narrow blocks. After a day or two I was able to work around this issue with a bit of creativity, and I attained some interesting compositions that I never would have thought to make without being forced to look at things from a different perspective. Last week I decided to purchase a 35mm V4 Summicron because I found f/2.8 to be a bit slow and 50mm a little long in some instances. I honestly don’t see myself needing a third lens for the type of photography I am interested in. Hopefully this body and two lenses will give me many more years of enjoyment.
Nathan King
Established
I do have a small website at www.cookedpixel.com. Remember I only claimed to be a photographer, not necessarily a good one.
John E Earley
Tuol Sleng S21-0174
I do have a small website at www.cookedpixel.com. Remember I only claimed to be a photographer, not necessarily a good one.
Very nice work.
Paul Jenkin
Well-known
I've tinkered and toyed with rangefinder shooting over the past 5 years or so - having come from a uniquely SLR (35mm and 120) background going back to 1973/4. I love the fact that you've persevered with your self-imposed one body, one lens set up and I'm sure it'll pay dividends; your photos certainly seem testament to this.
I used to have an M6 and various lenses but always leaned towards the 35mm angle of view. My only rangefinder these days is a Fuji GW690iii as it has a 3:2 aspect ratio but 120 quality. The fixed 95mm f3.5 lens is roughly equivalent to 35mm-50mm angle of view (as far as I can gather) and it's not too heavy, depite being quite large. The only drawback is that I only get 8 shots on a roll - so I'm getting quite picky over what I point it at.
I was considering looking at buying an M2 and 35mm lens of some description but I already have an Olympus OM2n and 35mm/f2 - so there seems little point doubling up - just foir the sake of having a rangefinder quivalent.
Anyway, sincere "well done" and keep posting.....
I used to have an M6 and various lenses but always leaned towards the 35mm angle of view. My only rangefinder these days is a Fuji GW690iii as it has a 3:2 aspect ratio but 120 quality. The fixed 95mm f3.5 lens is roughly equivalent to 35mm-50mm angle of view (as far as I can gather) and it's not too heavy, depite being quite large. The only drawback is that I only get 8 shots on a roll - so I'm getting quite picky over what I point it at.
I was considering looking at buying an M2 and 35mm lens of some description but I already have an Olympus OM2n and 35mm/f2 - so there seems little point doubling up - just foir the sake of having a rangefinder quivalent.
Anyway, sincere "well done" and keep posting.....
varchs
Well-known
I am one switcher as well!
I am into ZI ZM + Biogon 35f2 for almost a couple of years now!
And I feel relieved and happy!
Enjoying taking pictures!
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts!
I am into ZI ZM + Biogon 35f2 for almost a couple of years now!
And I feel relieved and happy!
Enjoying taking pictures!
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts!
leicapixie
Well-known
I like your photographs and your blog.
Keep the fire going of happy enthusiasm !
A simple camera, a normal lens is all anyone needs..
The Leica is a simple camera, the complexity is how it's managed.
I almost only use a 50mm Collapsible Summicron on my M3.
Been together since 1967..
Professional work had me move most assignments to a SLR system.
My personal work almost always the M3.
Film is fun.
Look forward to more postings.
Keep the fire going of happy enthusiasm !
A simple camera, a normal lens is all anyone needs..
The Leica is a simple camera, the complexity is how it's managed.
I almost only use a 50mm Collapsible Summicron on my M3.
Been together since 1967..
Professional work had me move most assignments to a SLR system.
My personal work almost always the M3.
Film is fun.
Look forward to more postings.
noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
Over the last 20+ years, I have shot with Nikon MF and AF, Hasselblad 500 series, Mamiya 7II and Hasselblad XPAN.
All the above are gone now; only my XPAN, Rollei 35SE, Nikonos V remain - along with my Leica M4-P and M-P 240. The M-P 240 accounts or 90% of my photographing these days, although I chide myself for not using my other rangefinders more. Gotta work on that.
At the end of the day, I have no interest in returning to SLR or 120/220 cameras. Rangefinders fit my style of shooting like a hand in a glove.
All the above are gone now; only my XPAN, Rollei 35SE, Nikonos V remain - along with my Leica M4-P and M-P 240. The M-P 240 accounts or 90% of my photographing these days, although I chide myself for not using my other rangefinders more. Gotta work on that.
At the end of the day, I have no interest in returning to SLR or 120/220 cameras. Rangefinders fit my style of shooting like a hand in a glove.
Archiver
Veteran
Sadly, Nathan King's flickr page has gone, and his website no longer exists, apart from snippets captured by the Wayback Machine.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150703071012/http://www.cookedpixel.com/?page_id=11
https://web.archive.org/web/20150703071012/http://www.cookedpixel.com/?page_id=11
Out to Lunch
Ventor
??? Weird revival of pics that do not feature any longer. It's not he took them a lifetime ago...2015!