First Roll: Leica M3; Summarit 5cm f/1.5; TMax400; Ilfosol 3

<p>Well, I took the plunge: Home developing.</p>

<p>Plus, this is the first roll off of the non-CLA-ed M3 that had been on the shelf who-knows-how-long.</p>

<p>I had a great time shooting the Leica. When I rewound the film, it sure seemed like I had gone far enough. So I opened up the back. And there's the film, not rewound. "Oh my," I quickly closed the back, and discovered you have to PULL UP on the rewind knob before it engages. "Well, there goes THAT roll of film," I figured. A guy at a camera shop confirmed I had probably messed up the whole roll.</p>

<p>Anyhow, I had to practice with all my new developing toys and chemistry. I had a roll of TriX 400 coming out of the Canon P, so I put both rolls through my 2 roll tank. 1) Ilfosol 3, 68 degrees, 5.5 - 6.0 minutes. 2) Ilforstop. 3) Ilford Rapid Fixer. </p>

<p>Now my instructions say "Rinse," and I'm quickly looking around the bathtub for some clear water to use for a rinse. I see my mason jar with clear fluid and throw that in there ... and it foams up. It's step #6, Wash Aid. Dangit! I hit the Wash before the Hypo Clearing Agent. So I quickly dump it, water wash it from the tub tap, use the Hypo (step 5), and brew up a Wash Aid (#6) on the fly.</p>

<p>So now I've both exposed the whole roll to broad daylight, and messed up the order of developing. Oh well!</p>

<p>The scanning was difficult to figure, but eventually I discovered VueScan which worked well with my Nikon Coolscan V ED with the SA-21 strip loader. Jeepers! These are looking pretty good! I think I got about 80% acceptable shots after all those mistakes! </p>

<p>Note that the Leica is in for service with Mr. Ye. The Summarit is living up to its reputation as having low contrast. But that is a useful "feature" sometimes.</p>

<p>So here they are. Family, friends and Fort Nisqually, WA. Plus, truly, my very first shot with my new Leica M3 was a Water Tower in Roy, WA, in honor of our esteemed JDM von Weinberg.</p>

<p>Enjoy!</p>

<p>Roy Water Tower</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13177494_10204837898422241_2616452313677169620_n.jpg?oh=269b4ae96f0ae299c7505f33887f14b2&oe=57D1DD1B" alt="" /></p>

<p>A Couple of Locals</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13247897_10204837897302213_3518531810338351736_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Chair of Shoes (increased contrast via software)</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q82/s960x960/13227400_10204837899142259_7618372271615460387_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Axes</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q84/s960x960/13246247_10204837900022281_510787131876926039_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Breadmaking</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13220499_10204837899182260_2172127114605869759_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Spinning</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13233064_10204837898622246_6000512151613274568_n.jpg?oh=ee3bab208205a36fad9726dbb130869e&oe=57D63CBD" alt="" /></p>

<p>I'm finally marrying this lady this summer</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q82/s960x960/13064554_10204837897502218_8953172539362475973_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>A Friend. There is a mistake in the developing here. In the top right there is some kind of stain or scum. If anyone can tell me how I made that mistake and how to avoid it in the future, I would appreciate it.</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13245413_10204837899422266_4681844739181318067_n.jpg?oh=d6cb8964c769cb7f42d17de11883ba55&oe=57A6093A" alt="" /></p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p> </p>

Super!! ! You took the plunge and you learned you have to really screw up to NOT get any results! Good

Lesson. If you read around a bit ...these days most folks are not bothering with Stop Bath, though I'm old

school and prudent and tend to use it. I only have have three steps so develop,stop, fix. I guess I soak the

film for a few minutes in room temp water and I usually mix my developer with room temp water too.

Distilled if I have it, but no game breaker. My water is OK and if you've let it sit a few days yours is

probably OK too.

I like the all you photos. The last portrait is nice and sharp. The baker and the Spinster ( pun intended) also

are very nice. I've opened the camera sooo many times. Ususally forgot there's film loaded and want to

load. I'm such an idiot!! As you see there is a price but ... C'est la View! . In doubt use a changing bag,

but here you were not in doubt!! HaHaa

What was the banjo picker picking? Looks like a homemade instrument!

<p>I like these photos - they have a lovely 'warmth' and texture to them, it's one of the things I like about B&W. And I have to say my favorite is of your intended soon-to-be (Congratualtions BTW).<br />Great to know that you managed to make some mistakes and STILL get some nice images from the roll. It gives me hope for when I try my havd a developing. How do you find the Development/Scanning workflow if you don't mind me asking) - is it pretty strightforward or is the scanning a pain (I'm thinking of buying one of those Nikon scanners).<br>

<br />Great Stuff!<br>

Stuart</p>

<p>The Summarit is indeed a low contrast lens: but contrast can be brought up while scanning or later, on the computer. I hope you have a hood as the lens is also prone to flare.</p>

<p>Chuck: The "banjo" in question is whatever hand-made instrument they could make that would be period-appropriate for 1855 or so. Fort Nisqually is a re-enactment of frontier life.</p>

<p>Stuart: The Nikon / SA-21 strip scanner / VueScan is really easy ... once you set it up the first time. Getting there takes some doing. But now, I slip in a clip of 5 shots, go do some chores, and come back and they're great. I tested multi-scan versus single scan, and I prefer single scan which also happens to be fastest. It's good enough that most shots require only cropping, which is how I like to have my "work-flow": cropping only. If I messed up something else, I hate cleaning up on the computer. Rarely I'll fiddle with contrast (one shot in the group above).</p>

<p>Mukul: These were taken without a lens hood or haze filter. I have in the interim acquired a lens hood and B&W UV Haze. So I'll have a more durable and less flarey future.</p>

<p>BTW: Here's the unit in question. I shoot it "neat" without the non-functioning light meter.</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/12984063_10204696935978268_7553219786459506717_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Brad, the hood is essential but not the filter.<br>

I've had the M3+Summarit combination. Was popular among press photographers in the 1950s, at least in India. Clean, un-damaged Summarits are uncommon, but yours seems to be in good shape.<br>

The uneven mark in one of your photos is from liquid which did not flow off.</p>

<p>Excellent images, <strong>Brad</strong>, you certainly have the "eye" for both spotting a photogenic situation and composing the shot. I've never shied away from post-processing, and if you want to be a purist you can limit your digital activities to effects you'd achieve when printing in the darkroom; contrast adjustment is certainly one of them, and "spotting" an image to remove dust and blemishes is another. Developing film becomes second nature after a while, though I still make silly mistakes. Incidentally, after my films are hung up following the final wash, they get very softly and gently wiped down in a sandwich of good quality, well-washed sponge cloth. This results in squeaky clean and shiny film, and in many, many years I've never scratched a film in the process. Nice work with the Summarit; as the others have noted, it's not a lens one comes across very often, these days, and <em>do</em> find a hood for it.</p>

Nice series, Brad. The soft contrast fits the mood.

<p>Lovely Brad. You certainly have a classic combination there...congrats!<br>

Your pics have a lovely warmth to them, with nice open shadows, which is a real advantage with these older lenses. You can "up" the contrast quite easily in the darkroom or with your post processing of choice.<br>

Like Mukul says, it's really hard to find these early Leitz lenses that are not scratched or very hazy...I'm officially jealous!<br>

Also great to see that you are processing your own, and as Rick says, it soon becomes second nature. Also good to get those mistakes out of the way early! Your mark on the film looks like a water drying mark. After treating in dilute photo flow (don't make it too strong) I wipe the film both sides with a Wettex brand sponge...speeds up drying and eliminates any water marks....make sure it's clean though!</p>

<p>I am honored, indeed.<br>

The world can scarcely have too many photographs of water towers. ;)<br>

My attentions are momentarily focused on some early digital collectibles, but one of these days we'll meet in Wetzlar.</p>

If you check on google you will find a few postings on sslightly

different techniques on agitation, washing and stop bath and

hypoclear (etc). Some throw in extra and longer wash cycles

even washing before wetting solution so I would not worry. Also

when to start and end timing. Having started recently I found

that variations in timing is my biggest pitfall. I can give you links to some of the more insight posts.

<p>Well, I took the plunge: Home developing.</p>

<p>Plus, this is the first roll off of the non-CLA-ed M3 that had been on the shelf who-knows-how-long.</p>

<p>I had a great time shooting the Leica. When I rewound the film, it sure seemed like I had gone far enough. So I opened up the back. And there's the film, not rewound. "Oh my," I quickly closed the back, and discovered you have to PULL UP on the rewind knob before it engages. "Well, there goes THAT roll of film," I figured. A guy at a camera shop confirmed I had probably messed up the whole roll.</p>

<p>Anyhow, I had to practice with all my new developing toys and chemistry. I had a roll of TriX 400 coming out of the Canon P, so I put both rolls through my 2 roll tank. 1) Ilfosol 3, 68 degrees, 5.5 - 6.0 minutes. 2) Ilforstop. 3) Ilford Rapid Fixer. </p>

<p>Now my instructions say "Rinse," and I'm quickly looking around the bathtub for some clear water to use for a rinse. I see my mason jar with clear fluid and throw that in there ... and it foams up. It's step #6, Wash Aid. Dangit! I hit the Wash before the Hypo Clearing Agent. So I quickly dump it, water wash it from the tub tap, use the Hypo (step 5), and brew up a Wash Aid (#6) on the fly.</p>

<p>So now I've both exposed the whole roll to broad daylight, and messed up the order of developing. Oh well!</p>

<p>The scanning was difficult to figure, but eventually I discovered VueScan which worked well with my Nikon Coolscan V ED with the SA-21 strip loader. Jeepers! These are looking pretty good! I think I got about 80% acceptable shots after all those mistakes! </p>

<p>Note that the Leica is in for service with Mr. Ye. The Summarit is living up to its reputation as having low contrast. But that is a useful "feature" sometimes.</p>

<p>So here they are. Family, friends and Fort Nisqually, WA. Plus, truly, my very first shot with my new Leica M3 was a Water Tower in Roy, WA, in honor of our esteemed JDM von Weinberg.</p>

<p>Enjoy!</p>

<p>Roy Water Tower</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13177494_10204837898422241_2616452313677169620_n.jpg?oh=269b4ae96f0ae299c7505f33887f14b2&oe=57D1DD1B" alt="" /></p>

<p>A Couple of Locals</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13247897_10204837897302213_3518531810338351736_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Chair of Shoes (increased contrast via software)</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q82/s960x960/13227400_10204837899142259_7618372271615460387_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Axes</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q84/s960x960/13246247_10204837900022281_510787131876926039_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Breadmaking</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13220499_10204837899182260_2172127114605869759_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Spinning</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13233064_10204837898622246_6000512151613274568_n.jpg?oh=ee3bab208205a36fad9726dbb130869e&oe=57D63CBD" alt="" /></p>

<p>I'm finally marrying this lady this summer</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q82/s960x960/13064554_10204837897502218_8953172539362475973_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>A Friend. There is a mistake in the developing here. In the top right there is some kind of stain or scum. If anyone can tell me how I made that mistake and how to avoid it in the future, I would appreciate it.</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13245413_10204837899422266_4681844739181318067_n.jpg?oh=d6cb8964c769cb7f42d17de11883ba55&oe=57A6093A" alt="" /></p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p> </p>

 

I cannot see the pics, why ?

my summarit 50 f 1,5

Prag, no title 35, leica m summarit 50 by Mauro Scacco, su Flickr

Olomuc, Czeck Rep, Religious passion, leica m summarit 50 by Mauro Scacco, su Flickr

<p>Well, I took the plunge: Home developing.</p>

<p>Plus, this is the first roll off of the non-CLA-ed M3 that had been on the shelf who-knows-how-long.</p>

<p>I had a great time shooting the Leica. When I rewound the film, it sure seemed like I had gone far enough. So I opened up the back. And there's the film, not rewound. "Oh my," I quickly closed the back, and discovered you have to PULL UP on the rewind knob before it engages. "Well, there goes THAT roll of film," I figured. A guy at a camera shop confirmed I had probably messed up the whole roll.</p>

<p>Anyhow, I had to practice with all my new developing toys and chemistry. I had a roll of TriX 400 coming out of the Canon P, so I put both rolls through my 2 roll tank. 1) Ilfosol 3, 68 degrees, 5.5 - 6.0 minutes. 2) Ilforstop. 3) Ilford Rapid Fixer. </p>

<p>Now my instructions say "Rinse," and I'm quickly looking around the bathtub for some clear water to use for a rinse. I see my mason jar with clear fluid and throw that in there ... and it foams up. It's step #6, Wash Aid. Dangit! I hit the Wash before the Hypo Clearing Agent. So I quickly dump it, water wash it from the tub tap, use the Hypo (step 5), and brew up a Wash Aid (#6) on the fly.</p>

<p>So now I've both exposed the whole roll to broad daylight, and messed up the order of developing. Oh well!</p>

<p>The scanning was difficult to figure, but eventually I discovered VueScan which worked well with my Nikon Coolscan V ED with the SA-21 strip loader. Jeepers! These are looking pretty good! I think I got about 80% acceptable shots after all those mistakes! </p>

<p>Note that the Leica is in for service with Mr. Ye. The Summarit is living up to its reputation as having low contrast. But that is a useful "feature" sometimes.</p>

<p>So here they are. Family, friends and Fort Nisqually, WA. Plus, truly, my very first shot with my new Leica M3 was a Water Tower in Roy, WA, in honor of our esteemed JDM von Weinberg.</p>

<p>Enjoy!</p>

<p>Roy Water Tower</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13177494_10204837898422241_2616452313677169620_n.jpg?oh=269b4ae96f0ae299c7505f33887f14b2&oe=57D1DD1B" alt="" /></p>

<p>A Couple of Locals</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13247897_10204837897302213_3518531810338351736_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Chair of Shoes (increased contrast via software)</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q82/s960x960/13227400_10204837899142259_7618372271615460387_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Axes</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q84/s960x960/13246247_10204837900022281_510787131876926039_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Breadmaking</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13220499_10204837899182260_2172127114605869759_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Spinning</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13233064_10204837898622246_6000512151613274568_n.jpg?oh=ee3bab208205a36fad9726dbb130869e&oe=57D63CBD" alt="" /></p>

<p>I'm finally marrying this lady this summer</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/q82/s960x960/13064554_10204837897502218_8953172539362475973_o.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>A Friend. There is a mistake in the developing here. In the top right there is some kind of stain or scum. If anyone can tell me how I made that mistake and how to avoid it in the future, I would appreciate it.</p>

<p><img src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13245413_10204837899422266_4681844739181318067_n.jpg?oh=d6cb8964c769cb7f42d17de11883ba55&oe=57A6093A" alt="" /></p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p> </p>

It may be my computer, but I can't get the images to open.

It's because they were linked from Facebook. Facebook changes their hyperlinks to images from time to time, probably when migrating data to other servers and such.

It's not a secure way of posting images. Better to upload here on PN or hotlink from your own website/image host.

 

I have two Summarits and a Xenon. They can be marvelous picture takers, but they really REALLY hate stray light.

And added to that the accumulated grime on the inner surfaces over the years, this has given these lenses a bad rap.

 

http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg154/albums/userpics/10001/PD180504.jpg

Leica IIIf with Summarit

Also note that this is a thread of 2016, and so even if the OP would have chosen to link from a more "steady" environment, he might have removed those photos in the meantime. It's simply the risk of responding to a thread that was dormant for a fair while.