Self portraits with the M

How do folks do self protraits with the M (sans timer, sans AF). Any tips?

Do you have exceptionally long arms?

With a wide angle lens and held at arms length pointing the camera at yourself can produce funky self portraits.

The best way is to shoot yourself in a mirror with the camera. That

way people know that you are totally a Leica-phile at heart :)

 

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Alfie

Leica M models up to the M4-P include a self-timer. For laer

models, 20 foot long pneumatic cable release works well or you

can obtain a wind up mechanical self timer accessory.

I get my wife to shoot all my self portraits!

turn around by 180° and measure the distance and light on the back of

your outstretched hand. it is a bit tricky to set the camera with

only one hand, but if you use your left hand it works with some

training. turn around again and take the picture. don't forget to

smile!

I did this for years, (but nobody liked to have a look at the

results):

 

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Stand in front of a mirror with a LEICA M, measure the distance

between you and the mirrorframe. Before you expose, double the

distancesetting on your lens.

 

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Don´t ask me why, but this way you at least achive a portrait in

focus.

 

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Best wishes

Sorry to nitpick - Leica models after the M4 do not have a self

timer. KG - why not just focus on the reflection (ie the face) in

the mirror?

Doesn't Lee Friedlander do a lot of self portrait work with just a

cable release? Maybe you should check his books out.

 

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ken

First, find a Kodak Auto Release Timer. It is a small timer built to

attach to the end of a cable release. Then, using that attached to a

short cable release, you're there!

 

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You wind the timer up, attach it to the release, and the release to

your camera. Compose the pic, release the timer and step forward.

This combo is easily packed [doesn't take up any significant room].

You can find those timers on eBay or at flea markets for about $10.

Just what you need. Good luck.

Many stores carry an accessory clockwork self timer for $15 or so. It

screws into the cable release thread on the shutter release. Works

fine with most cameras, including Leica.

 

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All you have to look out for is that the protruding release from the

gizmo is not too long. It is easily filed off if so. Perhaps the

length can be adjusted with a screw collar ( I vaguely recall that it

can). I've misplaced mine for the moment, of course, as with all

small camera gizmos I rarely use after buying.

I find the arm's length method a little limiting- but it works. And the mirror

would fine, but it *is* a mirror image. And I find the self timer (I have a screw

on timer) makes me nervous- I'll see how this last roll came out. A spouse

would work too, but hard to keep in a camera bag. ;-)

 

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So I think I'll try to grab a 20' bulb release. I think having some control over

the shutter release is important. Thanks all, so far.

Giles, this works only with the LEICA R or other reflexes IMO.

 

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Got to try this out again, perhaps the focuspoint (with the M) was

the mirrorframe which would be more logic. I´am afraid now the

doublething was a mess up ... Sorry.

 

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If you use a 35 mm lens on your M focus the camera on the frame of

the mirror, move it away from yout face (to your breast or on the

side of your head) aim and shoot several times. And there is it: YOU

and your LEICA, if you aimed right.

 

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Thats the way Self portaits WITH THE M could have been meant.

 

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If this is not precise enough for you get your tripod and build it up

in front of the mirror. Tried pointing the camera at me with 28 and

35 mm lenses (not at the same time of course) for this purpose and

it didn´t work.

 

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If you need a perfect setup choose your Winder M and the matching M4-

2, M4-P or M6, put it on a tripod and do not forget the cablerelease.

Sit at your desk and focus the camera on the chair before, f 2.8 or 4

should supply enough DOF for this trial. And if you are not a single

there is probably somebody around to set the correct distance. If you

release the camera personally, you could still call the photo a

selfprtrait.

 

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Best wishes

Anyone here use LOMO ?

use your arm hold camera infrount of U

have closest focus

with 35 , 28 mm or Wider lens

say chese !!!!!

 

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you'll have funny pics! Lomo style

An alternative method!

 

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Put the M (or any camera) on a tripod and set the focus for where you

are going to be and set the exposure time to "B". Put up a flash on

the camera or somewhere else and turn off the lights in the room.

Trigger the shutter on the camera and lock it open with a cable

release. Then step back (don't trip over anything!) and release the

flash, either with a chord to a flash meter or to an empty camera. Go

back to the camera and unlock the cable release. Voila, a self-

portrait.

<i>Put the M (or any camera) on a tripod and set the focus for where

you are going to be and set the exposure time to "B". Put up a flash on

the camera... </i>

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This is fun to do- you can also have your subject hold a penlight and

draw something in the air, stop, then you hit the flash. You can point

the flash in any direction. Makes for a very neat image- a 'drawing'

in light done by your subject. There is a famous portrait of Picasso,

I forgot by whom, of him having quickly sketched a bull using a small

flashlight of some kind.

To determine distance in self portrait situation, stand or sit

in situs, and focus on the tripod. Then put the camera back on tripod

trip the timer, and back to your spot quickly to let camera take the

picture.

Hi, Tse-Sun !

 

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Good question !

 

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<a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/295036">Here</a>

is an optional way . . .

 

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Regards.

 

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-Iván