Slow Food Leica Photography

[mfogiel]

After considering this for some time, I have put together a Leica slow shooting B&W rig. The scope, is to take pictures mainly on a tripod with good resolution, but low contrast lenses on slow film and develop in a good acutance and great tonality developer. I have opted for the following:

Leica M4 - no need for internal metering, as this will not be a street shooting camera
Leica/Schneider SA 21/3.4
CV Ultron 28/1.9
Leica Summaron 35/2.8
Leica Summicron 50/2
Leica Elmarit 90/2.8 v1
Gossen Digisix lightmeter, for its compactness and light weight
Zeiss 21 and 28 VF's, as these are truly spectacular
A&A strap, strong and very light weight
Arca Swiss Leica tripod plate
Gitzo Basalt lightweight tripod

I am interested to know your comments on the lens choice, and above all, the suggestions relative to the film/developer combo of preference for this type of photography.

Thanks

Marek

 

[maddoc]

Since I have already commented on your photo at flickr ... Here my two cents.

From my experience, the 21/3.4 and a 90mm (I use the Summicron-M) work very well with slow speed film and a tripod, especially for landscape. I use mostly ACROS100 for this purpose and Rodinal, both easily available for me. On the other hand, the M4 with the 35mm Summaron and or 50 DR Summicron are also very well suited for street photography or documentary photography. ... so is the Super-Angulon-M. 😉

 

[Trius]

I completely agree with Gabor, though I am not familiar with the Summaron.

Another option is Efke 25 in Pyrocat HD. That might be a killer combination, and a departure from the look you get with your TX work.

 

[Austerby]

With that set-up I'd be looking to experiment with some of the specialist high-resolution slow films available from Adox, Rollei or Spur.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Cool idea and great kit.
I like the use of Acros for longer exposures, it has virtually no reciprocity for somewhere around two minutes, you might like Ilford PanF+ as well.

I soup the stuff in Xtol, readily available with good sharpness.

I have used a Pyro developer for both films with really good results, see below: