Rally car scrutineering with a Leica

<p>Last Friday (Jan 30th) a mutual shutterbug and car fanatic and I drove down to Reims for the start of the Monte Carlo Historic Rally 2015. <br /><br />We photographed the cars at the EXPO building where the cars were being scrutinized before their departure. <br />For the occasion I carried a Kiev-88 loaded with Superpan 200 and a Leica IIIc loaded with Rollei RPX 100. <br /><br /><img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10955668_789758571072502_4659627095949890080_n.jpg?oh=2ef8d31d30f0681d7f49c09fcd2828ab&oe=556E6AB0&__gda__=1431848410_1c57a3f103617f9c4a9e4f9b0900dfd3" alt="" width="800" height="500" /><br /><br /><br />The results from the Kiev were rather poor. The Superpan 200 really doesn't like being developed in Rodinal or being exposed to Tungsten lighting...or both. The negatives came out really thin and the scans were really too dark to my liking. (R09 1+50 for 17 minutes)</p>

<p>1. Kiev-88 with Mir-26B 45mm f/3.5<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150115.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" /><br>

<br />The Rollei RPX 100 on the other hand performed really well combined with the pre-war uncoated CZJ 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar, modified to LTM by Brian Sweeney. (RO9 1+50 for 18 minutes) Most images were exposed at 1/30th and between f/2-f/2.8<br />...of course my choice of composition leaves a lot to be desired ;) <br>

2. Leica IIIc with CZJ 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150121.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="480" /></p>

<p>3.<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150123.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="500" /></p>

<p>4.<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150124.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="500" /></p>

<p>5.<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150126.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="800" /></p>

<p>6.<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150127.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="500" /></p>

<p>7.<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150130.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="500" /></p>

<p>8.<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150131.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="500" /></p>

<p>9.<br>

<img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150136.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="500" /><br>

<br />After the scrutineering, we went to the center of Reims to watch the cars depart. Unfortunately it was too dark by that time.<br /><br /><br /></p>

<p>Nice shots and a good workout for both cameras. #7 brought back memories of the Saab of that vintage I bought in 1967...a great car.</p>

<p>But the city centre of Reims after dark is still really nice! Lots of excellent restaurants, and they've got this local beverage which isn't all that bad either ;-)<br>

Maybe it's my screen on this PC, but that first photo looks perfectly fine to me, not too dark at all? Those classic Escorts make a pretty good statement on how nice a normal family car can really look.... surely modern cars are technically and environmentally way ahead, but for pure esthetic pleasure, this series of classics pleases a whole lot more.</p>

<p>Nice. Great cars and interesting cameras. Who could ask for more?</p>

<p>Thanks for sharing with us. </p>

<p>Agree with Wouter. Nothing wrong with the first photo. In fact, quality markedly better owing to larger format.</p>

<p>Excellent. I used a Mark 1 Escort for work during the 1970's. They used to drive really well.</p>

<p>Revealing my ignorance - what is the interesting looking camera to the right of the picture?</p>

<p>Wouter, oh yes, we're planning a return trip ;) <br /><br />That first photo by the Kiev was one of the few that did turn out okay, probably because it was taken outside away from the TL lighting.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.flibweb.nl/flibweb/cpg143/albums/userpics/10001/MC150104.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="800" /></p>

<p>What is camera #3 in the gear picture? - My honest envy for your trip!</p>

<p>Interesting collection of vehicles, nicely photographed. Did you get to use the Signet? They're a camera that interests me. Thanks, <strong>Rick</strong>.</p>

<p>Nice selection of cars and cameras Rick. It's a shame that the shots from the Kiev didn't come out better, although that last one you posted doesn't look too bad on my screen. I always liked the look of all those rally lights on the front of a car. If I ever hit the lottery I'll get myself an old Mini or something and stick a bunch of lights on the front.</p>

<p>The Kodak Signet 40! Nice little camera for a Kodak. A low cost, US made, rangefinder with a<br>

bakelight body that certainly filled the bill for those family vacation snapshots and is capable<br>

of some serious work also.</p>

<p>Wonderful photos of some of the classic sports cars and I'll bet a fun trip.</p>

<p>Yes, I too envy your trip...what a fabulous collection of rally cars...really love the Alpine Renaults...and the 105 Alfa.<br>

Shame the Kiev didn't work out too well, but the shots on my monitor look fine. I used to drive in rallies here locally back in the late sixties, a Datsun 1600SSS was my ride...couldn't afford an Alfa!</p>

Nice shots. I always enjoy looking at classic cars. The RPX 100 does indeed do well in Rodinal.

<p>Thanks Rick for the wonderful images, and the trip down memory lane. Like others I'm envious of your outing. The Saab image in particular as I had a 1968 V4. The structural integrity of that car saved my life in a bad accident.</p>

<p>Great series. Thanks.</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies everyone, <br /><br />The third camera is a Signet 40 I've recently CLA'd (twice). The shutter was sticky and it required two teardowns to get all the surplus oil out of it. There's a test roll in it, but I didn't take it with me to Reims. <br />The lens is an Ektanon. I wish I had found one with an Ektar, but those are somewhat rare. <br /><br />My friend who dragged me along is more of a car nut than I am. That's not to say I don't appreciate them when I can get them in front of the camera.<br /><br /><br />No, to finish up that roll in my Leica IIIc that I took with me to the ICE convention in London.</p>

Rick.. Great Series.. Like Tony L. I just loved looking at those classic sports card.. I'm an Alfa guy too. I

though all the pics were excellent. The MGB Coupe looked super!

I have some great shots of races taken at Bridgehampton LI, NY from 1961 to 1962 taken by my brother with Signet 50.

Then It was handed down to me and I still use it sometimes. I would like to post some of the photos but I do not think it is

allowed since I was not the actual photographer even though it was a close relative who has no problem with that or the

fact that it is now my camera and still used.