The Leica Manual

[Dogman]

Bill, in which edition(s) of The Leica Manual did you have articles?

I ask because Amazon and other sources of used books don't really give any information on the contents other than edition and/or date of publication.

Thanks

 

[Graham Line]

In the 15th edition, the one with the silver dust jacket and an M5 on the front, Pierce wrote
'Developing and Printing,'
'Available-Light Photography,'
'Artificial Light,'
'Getting the Most out of Black -and-White Film'

There is also a color portfolio by Ernst Haas, a Zone System piece by Ansel Adams, a couple of pieces by Norman Goldberg, one by Arthur Rothstein and a history piece by Jacob Deschin, and several others.

Don't know about the other editions.

 

[sirius]

Leica manual

Leica manual

I bought this book and it is excellent. There was a lot of useful information about photography in general. Ironically, since Leica is the famed natural light camera, I learned a lot about flash photography from the book. It's a collection of chapters each written by different people, but there is a lot of Bill Pierce in here---you can even see him in his dark room.

So, expect to find lots of fascinating photos of Leica gear, many well-done photos, and a lot of tips on shooting the Leica way. That's what I pulled out of reading it.

cheers

 

[sirius]

Oh, Bill made this wonderful comment about low-light shooting and timing. He said there was often a pause before something significant happened and it was often the best time to snap the photo. I should look for a real quote for you, but this was really helpful for me.

Bill, anything to add to that?

 

[Bill Pierce]

Bill, in which edition(s) of The Leica Manual did you have articles?

I ask because Amazon and other sources of used books don't really give any information on the contents other than edition and/or date of publication.

Thanks

As you can see, other folks have answered the question. I think the book is an interesting trip down memory lane, but photography has changed a lot since then. Not too many folks using macro lenses on rangefinder cameras with reflex housings. I think if you see it on the dollar shelves of a used bookstore, go for it. Outside of that......

Bill

 

[Bill Pierce]

Oh, Bill made this wonderful comment about low-light shooting and timing. He said there was often a pause before something significant happened and it was often the best time to snap the photo. I should look for a real quote for you, but this was really helpful for me.

Bill, anything to add to that?

I said something like that because when films were slow you often shot available light at very slow shutter speeds with your camera on a tripod or any available support. I used to sometimes actually shoot at bulb, keeping the shutter open as long as I could until I thought the subject was going to move. With today's film speeds and good high speed lenses that's not often necessary.

I have used bulb to photograph night bombings in the Middle East and car bombs in Northern Ireland - sort of a poor man's open flash. But that's not the same thing.

 

[etrigan63]

Will they ever revise it again to cover digital Leicas as well? I would be keen on getting a copy of that.

 

[Dogman]

Thanks. I just ordered it through Amazon. In case anyone else is interested, some copies are available for $0.44.

One of the best things about getting older is that the recordings and books you meant to buy in your youth are now a lot cheaper.

 

[sirius]

Hi Bill,

What would some of your photos look like when you shot with bulb? Would you mind posting a few examples if it's not too difficult to find?

Ian

 

[Bill Pierce]

Ian - I'm about to head into Los Angeles for the day. I'll see if I can find some early bulb or open flash shots tonight.

 

[Bill Pierce]

Hi Bill,

What would some of your photos look like when you shot with bulb? Would you mind posting a few examples if it's not too difficult to find?

Ian

Ian -

It looks like I've been saddled with a fairly heavy work schedule and digging out some relatively ancient and essentially unfiled negs is not going to happen for awhile. Remember, Tri-X didn't show up until the mid 50's. Before that it was Super XX at 100. And, at that time, you were much more likely to be using a Rolleiflex (or a Ciroflex, Zeiss Ikon or Kodak Reflex II), a medium format camera with a relatively slow lens. The 4x5 Graphic, Graflex and Bush Pressman were still widely used and Super Panchro Press, Sports Type, was the fast film. I was shooting in high school with a Kodak Reflex II and a Speed Graphic. Prayer, bulb and souping in a mix of half Dektol, half DK60a wasn't that uncommon.

Bill

 

[waltere]

Yes, very cheap on Amazon! Just ordered one to go with my M4, which is coming on Monday!