Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
I love cameras with character.. that M2 sure has character!!
markinlondon
Elmar user
Nice black M2, Noel, but what's that thing on the front of it 
?
?Xmas
Veteran
Mark
Normally I (only) use a 35mm lux or J12. The J12s only problem is its aperature is not as easy to use - no click stops, needs acuity, shifts F number by 'itself'.
Smaller then f8 or 5.6 it is real difficult to tell the difference without heavy tripod, slow slow film, and witches brew, normally use FP4 or Delta 100. More difficult to use filters with the lux, the only real problem I notice is distorsion - the J12 worse. My enlarger is FSU suitcase so what do (can) you expect leica glow? My technique (is so poor it) frequently means I have to pull a 10x8" from centre of neg.
The lux is in nice (like new) condition and I can only afford to replace the J12, if the front element needs a clean, trash it.
Sorry j12 did not not mean to say that Kaybbbbbeerd fault.
Noel
Normally I (only) use a 35mm lux or J12. The J12s only problem is its aperature is not as easy to use - no click stops, needs acuity, shifts F number by 'itself'.
Smaller then f8 or 5.6 it is real difficult to tell the difference without heavy tripod, slow slow film, and witches brew, normally use FP4 or Delta 100. More difficult to use filters with the lux, the only real problem I notice is distorsion - the J12 worse. My enlarger is FSU suitcase so what do (can) you expect leica glow? My technique (is so poor it) frequently means I have to pull a 10x8" from centre of neg.
The lux is in nice (like new) condition and I can only afford to replace the J12, if the front element needs a clean, trash it.
Sorry j12 did not not mean to say that Kaybbbbbeerd fault.
Noel
Kim Coxon
Moderator
It is a very nice black M2. I was casting envious glances a couple of weekends ago!
Kim
Kim
markinlondon said:
markinlondon
Elmar user
Only kidding again, Noel. I'm amazed you can get 10x8 from the centre with a Soviet briefcase enlarger. I'd offer you an Axomat head, but you'd have to get a column for it as I bought it for spares. I'm sure the J12 is fine, it is after all a prewar Biogon at heart, isn't it?
Xmas
Veteran
Mark
I was not offended, I'm not a good photog, and use a very austere technique.
The Biogon clone uses low refractive index glass but is a late 'multi coated' style. It was factory blackened rather well so holds up contra jour as well as the lux which has 2 more stops of glass, handicap. My other j12 (contax) are more subject to flare.
The lux is characteristic in extreme lighting but not as bad as results Ive seen posted here, I think mine is post the worst but not necessarily as good as the very late ones it is about '71.
I think the enlarger has a Cooke triplet (rather then a Tessar) and if you centre the area you need with the lens axis then the off axis abberations are less apparent - there are on axis things that dont go away and the Tessar is only a little better. I'm not saying that the 10x8" are like contacts either, just most of my shots are too far away and I need to pull. I should use 5cm perhaps.
Kim
If you had have asked you could have tried a film in the Zorki, IIIC or M2, Although the gadget bag was small I had five lenses, e.g. the above J12 and a 35mm lux (they were all compact symmetrical types,) sorry I thought you were jaded by kit.
The early M2 finders are different from M3 or later Ms no clutter/distraction and easy to use for 28mm if you dont mind the frame lines not being there... they are like late M3 finders.
Noel
I was not offended, I'm not a good photog, and use a very austere technique.
The Biogon clone uses low refractive index glass but is a late 'multi coated' style. It was factory blackened rather well so holds up contra jour as well as the lux which has 2 more stops of glass, handicap. My other j12 (contax) are more subject to flare.
The lux is characteristic in extreme lighting but not as bad as results Ive seen posted here, I think mine is post the worst but not necessarily as good as the very late ones it is about '71.
I think the enlarger has a Cooke triplet (rather then a Tessar) and if you centre the area you need with the lens axis then the off axis abberations are less apparent - there are on axis things that dont go away and the Tessar is only a little better. I'm not saying that the 10x8" are like contacts either, just most of my shots are too far away and I need to pull. I should use 5cm perhaps.
Kim
If you had have asked you could have tried a film in the Zorki, IIIC or M2, Although the gadget bag was small I had five lenses, e.g. the above J12 and a 35mm lux (they were all compact symmetrical types,) sorry I thought you were jaded by kit.
The early M2 finders are different from M3 or later Ms no clutter/distraction and easy to use for 28mm if you dont mind the frame lines not being there... they are like late M3 finders.
Noel
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jesse1dog
Light Catcher
I'm feeling a bit out of sorts.
The Ic went off to CRR this morning and I miss it already!!
Will report back when it is returned.
The Ic went off to CRR this morning and I miss it already!!
Will report back when it is returned.
oscroft
Veteran
Hmm, the prices in their price guide are extremely attractive. One of the things that's so far stopped me thinking of going for a Leica is the thought of having to pay huge amounts of money for a service. But at those prices, I might have to think again. Thanks for passing on the info.
markinlondon
Elmar user
oscroft said:
I had a slightly strange conversation with someone at th local camera club's exhibition a couple of weeks back. He asked why I used an "expensive" camera like the M2 I was carrying. My reply was that it cost no more than an entry-level DSLR with the advantages that: 1. I wouldn't want to "upgrade" in a year or two; and 2. It could be fixed if it went wrong. £175 every 10 years or so sounds like a very good deal.
Xmas
Veteran
Mark
If you use a M or LTM it should last 25 years or so, the lube is ok, it is the ribbon that snaps...
Noel
If you use a M or LTM it should last 25 years or so, the lube is ok, it is the ribbon that snaps...
Noel
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Its Back
Its Back
I sent my Ic to CRR in Luton on Wednesday 8th November and this morning Thursday 16th its back. Now that is a fast turnaround.
The camera needed 2 new curtains which Peter fitted without any fuss - his brief had been to do what was needed. The front curtain had two tiny holes, and in his opinion the back curtain had 6 months life in it. So he got on and replaced them both.
The camera is now very sweet - the winder is so much easier, and the shutter sounds very different. Is this how it sounded 'out of the box' 55 years ago? I'm pleased. Peter also replaced a spring that had the wrong contour - to him an obvious 'repair' some time back. However he didn't think the camera had really been touched in all its life until now.
Cost? £85 for the CLA and £40 for the curtains. Of course if he had been dealing with a IIIc the basic CLA would have been £135. I accept the costs. I couldn't do the CLA myself and Peter has been doing them for over 30 years so he has 'some experience'. I don't expect to have to have the camera seen to again in my lifetime so this is really an investment.
So praise for CRR. And the bill came with the return of the camera - no payment up front first. I will deal with Peter again.
Its Back
I sent my Ic to CRR in Luton on Wednesday 8th November and this morning Thursday 16th its back. Now that is a fast turnaround.
The camera needed 2 new curtains which Peter fitted without any fuss - his brief had been to do what was needed. The front curtain had two tiny holes, and in his opinion the back curtain had 6 months life in it. So he got on and replaced them both.
The camera is now very sweet - the winder is so much easier, and the shutter sounds very different. Is this how it sounded 'out of the box' 55 years ago? I'm pleased. Peter also replaced a spring that had the wrong contour - to him an obvious 'repair' some time back. However he didn't think the camera had really been touched in all its life until now.
Cost? £85 for the CLA and £40 for the curtains. Of course if he had been dealing with a IIIc the basic CLA would have been £135. I accept the costs. I couldn't do the CLA myself and Peter has been doing them for over 30 years so he has 'some experience'. I don't expect to have to have the camera seen to again in my lifetime so this is really an investment.
So praise for CRR. And the bill came with the return of the camera - no payment up front first. I will deal with Peter again.
Ash
Selflessly Self-involved
I received an email from him last night or the night before, after waiting a few weeks. Of course, for CLA and new rangefinder pieces comes to £157 for the IIIc, so I'm not sure I'll afford it in the near future!!
Jesse1dog, you'll have to get some photo's taken and post them in your gallery now!
Jesse1dog, you'll have to get some photo's taken and post them in your gallery now!