Thou Shalt Accessorize?

[Roger Hicks]

Roger, I read ,recently, about a street photographer that finds if he makes a big deal of his presents on the street, he does in fact become unobtrusive/invisible. Maybe a big sign"MAN TAKING PICTURES" and a red M-2 is your best way to invisibility. Like hiding in plane sight.

From http://www.rogerandfrances.com/short/z short schrift archive.html, (scroll down a bit) where there's also a picture of me with a 4x5 on a tripod, a yellow safety vest, a stop sign, an exposure meter and a Leica...

‘Street’ photography fascinates many people. They look at the greats of the past - Cartier-Bresson, Doisneau, Brassai, Ronis, Petrussow and many more - and they dream of capturing the world around them today in the same way that their heroes captured their worlds in decades gone by.

Very often, though, they are too frightened to do so. They’re afraid that they will be attacked, or at least confronted, by their subjects. They feel guilty; they use words like ‘stealth’; they imagine (Heaven help us) that people will notice or care what sort of camera they are using.

So here’s another way to do street photography. Buy a big bellows camera, preferably at least 4x5 inch, and put it on a big tripod. Wear a yellow safety jacket. Look as if you have the right to be there. Festoon yourself with equipment, especially a big exposure meter. Then, shoot ‘test’ and 'reference' shots with your 35mm or digital camera…

 

[hexiplex]

Been wanting a softrelease for a while, I think I will go for a mini softie. Also been pondering the merits of grips, may get a second hand Leica grip just to try it out.... But the accessory I pine for is Tom A's rapidwinder, too bad that it would cost me the same ammount of money as an M2.

 

[Tom A]

Been wanting a softrelease for a while, I think I will go for a mini softie. Also been pondering the merits of grips, may get a second hand Leica grip just to try it out.... But the accessory I pine for is Tom A's rapidwinder, too bad that it would cost me the same ammount of money as an M2.

On the M2 I recommend the Classic Softie.A friend at Magnum claims that it works extremely well. You dont have to "pinpoint" the release - just 'stroke" the top or edge of the Softie. Faster and smoother.
As for M2 Rapidwinders - there are 15-16 housings left and that is the end of the M2 Rapidwinder. Probably 2011 will be the last year. I am keeping enough to supply all my M2's with it and a friend is picking up another 5-6 of them. It is not cheap, I agree, but considering that it is a handbuilt and tested item - not bad at all. You can probably find one used to on E-bay or RFf for less (though few of the IXMOO version show up). As long as I can supply new ones - used ones are going to be cheaper - but ones the run is over - who knows!

 

[deirdre]

Since you mention weird and wonderful....

I'm not sure how Rerisubotan translates into English, but this item from Artisan and Artist seems... different.

Comes in other colors, too, but I think you get the idea.

 

[maddoc]

It simply is the katakana version of "release-button"

 

[deirdre]

Aha, yes, that makes complete sense. I can often figure out the translations on rakuten, but they do occasionally escape me.

I was unaware until I found A&A's store there that they sold some interesting things, from pet carriers to Mac carriers to huge makeup cases. Also, purple camera bags and some of their regular bags in blue, red, or brown.

 

[pdexposures]

I've always wanted a 14404 and when I saw one pop up on eBay for a really good BIN price I had to buy it. Completely ridiculous and adds a lot of weight to the camera with another lens on there. So is it all that useful? Not really.

 

[dpt2014]

1) Match Technical Bip or Tom's mini softie
2) Adjustable neck/shoulder strap from Lance
3) MP-Winder from Photo Equip
4) ML-Grip from Photo Equip

 

[anjoca76]

External viewfinders I use, neck straps, and sometimes I like half-cases too.

I am considering picking up a Summitar soon, but there is no way in bloody hell I will ever stick one of those barn door hoods on it. Those must be the most hideous inventions ever!

 

[Travis L.]

Accessories on a Leica M are like mudflaps on a Ferrari. 😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

Accessories on a Leica M are like mudflaps on a Ferrari. 😀

As in, "arseholes never put mud-flaps on their cars."

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

External viewfinders I use, neck straps, and sometimes I like half-cases too.

I am considering picking up a Summitar soon, but there is no way in bloody hell I will ever stick one of those barn door hoods on it. Those must be the most hideous inventions ever!

What don't you like about 'em? Superb hood and (when folded) lens-cap.

Cheers,

R.

 

[anjoca76]

What don't you like about 'em? Superb hood and (when folded) lens-cap.

Cheers,

R.

I never said it wasn't functional. There are lots of things that are functional but that do not suit one's aesthetic tastes. Galoshes come to mind for me. Keep your feet dry? Sure. But then so does not stepping in puddles.

Fortunately I won't be denying someone else the use of such a superb hood. It's the least I can do!

 

[Roger Hicks]

I never said it wasn't functional. There are lots of things that are functional but that do not suit one's aesthetic tastes. Galoshes come to mind for me. Keep your feet dry? Sure. But then so does not stepping in puddles.

Fortunately I won't be denying someone else the use of such a superb hood. It's the least I can do!

Dear Andy,

Fair dinkum! I just can't see how it's unaesthetic. Rather like a Series Land Rover.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Travis L.]

Dear Andy,

Fair dinkum! I just can't see how it's unaesthetic. Rather like a Series Land Rover.

Cheers,

R.

Mudflaps look great on a Land Rover

 

[Iestrada]

Bling baby, bling!

Ok, actually what is functionally necessary without neglecting asthetics.

 

[Spicy]

thread needs more pictures.

also renamed to "LEICA: PIMPED"

 

[MISH]

what's not to love

 

[anjoca76]

what's not to love

It looks like your camera lost a bet.

 

[mdarnton]

I like Leicas because they're light and small. If someone can figure out good accessories that don't weight anything and take up no space, I'm in. For instance, yes, my M3s had quick-load sets in them. Rewind cranks pushed the size limit, but I had them too.

Soft releases didn't work well for me at all: since I carry a camera everywhere and am not always using it, I got lots of pictures of the inside of my elbow and even more of the inside of my shoulder bag..