Took My First Leica For Its First Walkabout
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Austerby
Well-known
Tom is quite right - I started off with an M3 and collapsable summicron a few years ago and at the peak had five Leicas and about thirty lenses of all types.
I've since cooled a little and have recently been busy decluttering my camera and lens collection. The Leica that I've kept is my original M3 as it's still the one that holds the magic for me. The summicron is being cleaned at the moment and I'm looking forward to having it back.
Don't be in too much of a hurry to try lots of gear, though I've not lost any money by doing so.
Bingley
Veteran
Hey! Those are nice, particularly for a first outing. The second one in particular has nice tonality, and they're all quite sharp. I started developing film at the end of last December, and I would have been delighted w/ results like these on my first attempt (I was using and am still using a different developer... first Diafine, and now Rodinal). I'd say that M3/coll. summicron/Tri-X/Xtol combo you've got going there has considerable promise in your hands!
hermannhkg
Member
Congratulation, very nice first roll,
Beware though, the Elmar is your first sign of snow balling!
Regards,
Hermann
Beware though, the Elmar is your first sign of snow balling!
Regards,
Hermann
ncd_photo
Nikon Fanatic
Nicely Done!
My favourite comment when out with the M2 was - "how do you turn it on?"
My favourite comment when out with the M2 was - "how do you turn it on?"
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Bill - you have been warned. Soon you will be scouring the ads for that M2 and the 35!!!!!
With the Elmar you will need a hood of some kind. You can either try to find a "normal" hood (big and bulky) or do what I tend to do with them - find an extension tube (10-15mm deep) and screw that into the thread. The diameter of the lens would stay the same and it is less obtrusive. I have also used Leica 39mm filters (the old color conversion ones that were cheap at one time) - buy a stack of them - pop the filter glass out and put 4-5 of them on the lens - just deep enough to avoid indirect light flare. I you are one of those who use lens caps - it also means that you can stick the cap over the stacked filters!
With the Elmar you will need a hood of some kind. You can either try to find a "normal" hood (big and bulky) or do what I tend to do with them - find an extension tube (10-15mm deep) and screw that into the thread. The diameter of the lens would stay the same and it is less obtrusive. I have also used Leica 39mm filters (the old color conversion ones that were cheap at one time) - buy a stack of them - pop the filter glass out and put 4-5 of them on the lens - just deep enough to avoid indirect light flare. I you are one of those who use lens caps - it also means that you can stick the cap over the stacked filters!
wgerrard
Veteran
Tom, the Elmar was listed as coming with a hood, so I should be OK with that. I ordered a HeavyStar hood for the Summicron 50/2. I didn't notice any flaring when I had it out the other day, but that was under complete overcast.
I like your idea of using an extension tube, or a stack of empty filters rings.
I do use caps, mostly out of paranoia. The Summicron came with a metal Leica cap, but I may look around for a generic plastic cap. The Leica cap falls off when there's a filter on the lens, and sticks when there isn't.
The viewfinder propelled me to the M3 over the M2 or other models. I wanted something bigger after finding myself fighting the viewfinder in my R4M more than I'd like.
But, then, after I bought an big viewfinder M3 to use with my glasses, I go see my ophthalmologist this afternoon to see about the practicality of wearing contacts again.
I'm off on a short trip Friday to Albuquerque and Santa Fe (where chances for flare should abound). If the Elmar arrives by then and checks out, I may take the Leica with me, in lieu of the R4M or my OM-2N. The latter makes more sense, but I rationalize by noting that the Oly's lenses are a little bigger and heavier the Leica's'. 🙂
And, yes, you're right, a 35 would be really nice.
I like your idea of using an extension tube, or a stack of empty filters rings.
I do use caps, mostly out of paranoia. The Summicron came with a metal Leica cap, but I may look around for a generic plastic cap. The Leica cap falls off when there's a filter on the lens, and sticks when there isn't.
The viewfinder propelled me to the M3 over the M2 or other models. I wanted something bigger after finding myself fighting the viewfinder in my R4M more than I'd like.
But, then, after I bought an big viewfinder M3 to use with my glasses, I go see my ophthalmologist this afternoon to see about the practicality of wearing contacts again.
I'm off on a short trip Friday to Albuquerque and Santa Fe (where chances for flare should abound). If the Elmar arrives by then and checks out, I may take the Leica with me, in lieu of the R4M or my OM-2N. The latter makes more sense, but I rationalize by noting that the Oly's lenses are a little bigger and heavier the Leica's'. 🙂
And, yes, you're right, a 35 would be really nice.
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