The Leicas used by Vivian Maier

[charlesholland]

Flickr

Flickr

Untitled by helenhill_HH, on Flickr


Lem's photo of Moi... hats off to a great photo that makes me laugh and to a dear friend by helenhill_HH, on Flickr


'Leica Myself' Book... page 28...Moi,Moi by helenhill_HH, on Flickr


Erwitt & I by helenhill_HH, on Flickr


Louis Mendes Double Exposes HH by helenhill_HH, on Flickr

Hi Helen,
I was looking at Your photographs on flickr. Real beauty! Classical pictures are placed in the context of this time. I really enjoy looking at them!
I saw Elliott Erwitt and Joseph Koudelka some years ago in Arles at the fotofestival. Both had impressive talks. Especially Koudelka's way of becoming what he is now was good to hear.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It is always nice to see Vivian and Helen!

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Since the picture is square and the angle is low, one possibility is Rollei with self-timer on a stable object (I don't think she ever used a tripod?).

Kirk

Oh yes she did, and she had also the original Rolleiflex flash,
so we know she liked using accessories. Here she is with - what I believe her second - Rolleiflex, the 3.5 EV-MVX on tripod:
using the flash:

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I missed this thread the first time around. Never saw the Maier Leica selfies before!

 

[jbhthescots]

Spookily, neither Vivian and Helen have ever been seen in the same room together. Just saying....

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I'd love to see what you could come up with using a Rollei, Helen. I think it would work for you well, looking at your shots. 🙂

 

[leicapixie]

Vivian Maier was a genius with the Rollei.
me not so, even having used Medium Format for years,
in Fashion, Portraits, Model shots, Publicity and Advertising!
I am so darn slow.
I doubt Helen would be happy.
Fact: Rollei least used of my cameras.
Highest ratio of really good images!
Rats! . Go figger.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I'd love to see what you could come up with using a Rollei, Helen. I think it would work for you well, looking at your shots. 🙂

Seconded! That is a great idea.

 

[mfogiel]

BTW, is this does not look like a Leica, is she holding a Robot camera?

http://www.vivianmaier.com/gallery/self-portraits-color/#slide-22

 

[sevo]

BTW, is this does not look like a Leica, is she holding a Robot camera?

http://www.vivianmaier.com/gallery/self-portraits-color/#slide-22

Yup, that is either a Robot II or a Robot Star, with long wind (extended spring housing). Plus a Contaflex on another self-portrait (with the pram in the foreground). She obviously must have been quite successful professionally, as she could afford a expensive taste for cameras.

 

[Range-rover]

No rolleiflex only because I have a plustek scanner, now the 8200 series
which I Adore and I do Love 35mm
Hence The rollei would require another scanner

What do You think Ron, would it suit Me ?

You would look great using a Rolleiflex, besides what's another scanner.🙂

 

[Richard G]

For years I used an ever ready case on an M2 and also an M4, but for thirty years I've left them behind as too tedious. When I got my Rolleiflex I took it out of its case and it's never been back. I am very surprised to see Vivian Maier and imogen Cunningham putting up with the major encumbrance of the Rolleiflex case, with its flap hanging down..... Do people use the cases still?

Meanwhile, I do love that shiny new leather strap on the Leica III. It's shininess seems quite anomalous, for the era, and on a Leica as we've come to know them. And what lenses were on those cameras?

 

[Range-rover]

Nope don't use cases anymore as well, that's why they called
them "The Never Ready Case".

 

[fireblade]

Haha how Funny....
We Share the Love of Street Life, Barnacks and the same Birthday 1st of Feb

She has come back into your body 😀

 

[fireblade]

Who took this picture? That is not a self portrait, at least not with that Leica camera, it has no self timer and her hands are nowhere near the shutter release. Also the camera orientation doesn't match the framing of the shot. I don't remember seeing any VM pictures where she self-portrait'd with a tripod and a Rollei, that wasn't thru a mirror. Where did this picture come from?
Best,
-Tim

She punk'd us all, well, except me...the guy who took the pic put his Leica around her neck and she had him take her pic with her Rollei 🙂
..................anyhow, i'm sticking to that 😀

 

[Luddite Frank]

Very interesting photos in the link...

I find it intriguing from the beauty-shop selfie, dated 1978, Ms. Maier was using a 40+ year-old black Leica II, in spite of also owning a more recent Leica III...

The shot using the back-side of the rear-view mirror on the car (using the Contaflex) is really cool too...

Very creative photographer.

🙂

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

Very interesting photos in the link...

I find it intriguing from the beauty-shop selfie, dated 1978, Ms. Maier was using a 40+ year-old black Leica II, in spite of also owning a more recent Leica III...

The shot using the back-side of the rear-view mirror on the car (using the Contaflex) is really cool too...

Very creative photographer.

🙂

I think that is a Contaflex IV. It is definitely a unit focus model and the lens grips look like the early spacing (different models had the grips at different places "around the clock"). The two sides of the front cover look different—which they would, if it was a IV with the meter cover open. Can't be definitive given the lack of detail though. It might also be a Contaflex III.

 

[Contarama]

Date of the photo might provide a clue with regard to the Contaflex???

 

[Luddite Frank]

The car appears to be a '57 or '58 Cadillac...