An a-la-carte experience... Part 2, first pics

[andrew_davidhazy]

Since several of you had been asking about not only the new camera(s), but more importantly, the first

pictures taken with it, I thought I'd share some. This is a continuation of a thread I started a couple

weeks ago upon the arrival of the first of several alacarte MPs.

<p>

Original thread: <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00KKMZ"

target="newwindow">http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00KKMZ</a>

<p>

Anyway, my new MP black chrome body arrived just in time for a 4-5 day trip to Manchester, England.

This trip was primarily to satisfy a long time dream of mine to see Manchester United play live at Old

Trafford. But as it was, it turned into much more of a photographic expedition as well. For those that

care about football (soccer), I saw three games, one at League Two, Chester City, then Man Utd vs.

Bolton at Old Trafford, and then finally, Everton vs. Arsenal at Goodison Park. And in between those

games, I did a heck of a lot of aimless wandering around Chester, Liverpool, Manchester and all the

train travel in between.

<p>

Anyway, I packed very, very light as I didn't really want to mess with lugging bags around. I wanted to

be as mobile as possible. So, I brought a few changes of socks and underwear in a small knapsack, and

a small camera bag as well. This outfit was as follows:

<p>

- small National Geographic shoulder bag<br>

- <a href="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5782607-md.jpg">brand spanking new, custom MP

body</a><br>

- Summicron 35mm (v4, pre-asph)<br>

- Summilux 50mm (pre-asph)<br>

- Elmarit 90mm (v2, latest)<br>

- yellow filter<br>

- cleaning cloth<br>

- Provia 100 & 400 (10 rolls)<br>

- Tri-X 400 (8 rolls)<br>

- Neopan 1600 (2 rolls)<br>

<p>

The outfit worked out great, and was really no more and no less than I required. Although, expectedly,

the 90mm only got used a few times. I ended up shooting a total of 12 rolls of film split between b/w

and color. My only two complaints had nothing to do with photography. My shoes hurt, and I got pretty

darn cold a few times as a winter storm hit the area. Unfortunately, I didn't prepare the clothing quite

as well as I did the camera gear. Oh, and I failed to mention that I did in fact tuck a spare M3 body in

my backpack just in case the MP suffered some terrible fate. But, in the end, the M3 never saw the light

of day. Also of note, all films were hand checked by security, except in England. They insisted on

xraying them. No apparent harm done.

<p>

It was a great little trip. I had a lot of fun. It was reasonably easy. And the pictures weren't half bad. I'm

sure some of you will appreciate my over eagerness to take pictures with my new camera, that it hardly

mattered what it was of. So of course, there were many cliche views from the airplane and train. But

here, you can see for yourself:

<p>

<b><a href="http://www.davidhazy.org/andy/pictures/2007_england_flash"

target="newwindow">pictures from Andy's England football trip</b></a>

<p>

PS. the other two MPs are supposed to be here next week. I'm looking forward it.

[sw12dz]

Great pics, mate! Thank you for sharing.

[35mmdelux]

Groovy. thks much.

[olliesteiner]

I enjoyed viewing these. Thanks for posting them. My favorite 2 images are: the football fan

and the Chester Cathedral interior. The inside of Chester Cathedral looks like a great place

for dramatic b&w images. Did you take more at this location?

[pico]

Thank you for supporting Leica for those of us who make pictures.

[andrew_davidhazy]

Many of the people I met were so friendly and easy to engage. Say what you want about

football, but it certainly does help a great deal when you can participate in a common interest

with strangers. I'm not the most gregarious guy in the world, so these situations were

invaluable and made it quite easy to take their picture when compelled to do so.

 

The cathedral was great, though it was rather late in a long day of walking, exploring and

shooting. I did take others, but they weren't very inspired. A shame really, considering the

surroundings. This shot was on a roll of Neopan 1600.

[kentigern]

Tremendous! Really stimulating to see scenes that are everyday to me through a visitor's new perspective. I very much doubt I'd have taken any similar shots, I'd have missed them all. Much appreciated and I must spend a little time with my Leica the next time my local team are playing at home, rather than being there without it.

 

There's probably rather an interesting debate to be had on this forum about the difference between seeing what is on your doorstep compared to what one will travel across oceans to visit.

[andrew_davidhazy]

David... who is your local team? It would be fun to see some pics next time you do go.

 

I think this seeing / not seeing thing affects us all. Perhaps it has something to do with

getting jaded by our typical surrounds and then stepping outside our comfort zones. Kinda

liberates the your field of view a bit, gaining an almost child-like sense of wonder about all

the seemingly new things we're exploring. Even though, well, let's face, they're pretty much

the same things we have back home as well. Go figure.

[vivek iyer]

I like #11 (a train shot). Nicely done!

 

Glad you liked the game.

[jtk]

http://www.cyberpunkreview.com/movie/decade/pre-1980/la-jetee/

[kentigern]

Actually, my local team is Charlton Athletic (South-east London) - though being more a rugby boy than a soccer one, I don't go to the matches there. I do live quite close to The Valley so have the full match-day experience on the doorstep...plenty of character just waiting to be immortalised...

 

I see that Charlton are playing Wigan at home tomorrow, so if it isn't drizzly like it has been all day today I may well be prowling around with my M3, or should I use the M6... no, perhaps the IIIa would be right; now, which lens... (to be continued)

[andrew_davidhazy]

Either of those choices would be great--and would bring some much needed class to a

chalton/wigan match. They're both looking up from the wrong end of the table. But the M3

gets my vote. Good luck!

[richie chishty]

Andrew:

 

Nice photos! I especially like the nighttime photos. I am guessing they were taken with Neopan 1600, although the grain is nearly invisible in the scanned images.

[peter_n1664876959]

As a lad who was born and raised on the red side of Manchester, I did like your pics.  I hope you enjoyed the second goal made by Ronaldo and Rooney.  I've been marooned in Boston for 25+ years now but I was in Madrid a couple of years ago and got to watch Real play at the Bernabéu;  picture attached below.  A true cathedral of the game...<br>

<CENTER>

<img src="http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/3334/17177_23.jpg" width="760" height="507" border="0"></CENTER>

[stanley1]

Hey Andrew!

 

Great pictures!! Really fantastic.

 

I'm glad the new camera is treating you well and vice versa

[billsr]

Fabulous pictures, Andrew! Thanks so much for sharing with us. Best, Billy

[andrew_davidhazy]

Thanks for checking them out!

 

Yes, the night shots in Chester were with Neopan 1600 and Summilux 50.

 

Well done, Peter. I hope to make it to the Bernabéu one day too. And yea, the two R's are

brilliant. The future looks bright.

[robert_edge]

I really like photograph 21.

[paul hart]

Andrew: I enjoyed these shots of my local area - you have a good eye to go with the excellent

gear.

[stuart_richardson]

Nice photos Andrew. I am glad that you are out there making great photos with an a la carte

Leica. It helps break down the facile argument that only poseurs would consider these

cameras.

[Allen Herbert]

Thank you for supporting Leica for those of us who make pictures

 

Why is it important to support a brand of camera? Methinks if it is good it will support itself.

 

those of us who make pictures

 

One can only presume from that statement that some buy it as a fashion boutique piece of jewellery.<div></div>

[vivek iyer]

<i>Why is it important to support a brand of camera? Methinks if it is good it will support itself.</i>

<p>

Try making such a statement on the EOS forum, Allen.

<p>

Most who buy/support Leica have already migrated to elsewhere.

[Allen Herbert]

A Leica only a piece of gear. Sort of says it all really.

 

Must admit i have a special fondness for the all mechanical Leica and Leica lenses.

 

Canon forum, well, latest and the greatest stuff.........but they have the market which tells its own story.

 

You can take photos with any of them so what else matters?

[vivek iyer]

Yup, so go poison the threads there.

[andrew_davidhazy]

Forgive me if I'm a little naive here, or if I'm hijacking my own thread. But I just don't seem

to get this snobbery that exists... perhaps on both sides. Who are any of us to judge who

deserves and doesn't deserve something? It sounds more of a personal problem to me. As

for a Leica, be it a brand new alacarte variety or a vintage Barnack, personally, I just really

dig and get inspired by the quality, the workmanship, the mechanical purity, the novelty,

and the

history. The Leica brand stands for all of these things in a way that a Canon, Nikon or the

like can't... not that they are any less or more of a viable photographic instrument. It's a

personal choice and I don't really see how someone's skill as a photographer really has

much to do with it. In the same way that someone with a rather pedestrian palette can't

go out for a nice dinner every once in a while. Or why a losey driver can't appreciate a

Corvette. I think we should be secure enough in our own skin, our own

capabilities as a photographer or as a discerning collector of everything nice in this world.

Maybe collectors jack up prices, maybe they don't, but I hardly see the harm, for no other

reason helping to guarantee the availability of this gear for those of us who like using it

for many more generations to come. I for one like making pictures and have grown up

with it. My dad's been doing it for 50 years. Odd that I'd even say so, as I brissle at the

idea that I have to justify my intent to anyone on this forum. Or that any of you should feel

like you have to to me. I'd like to think I have something interesting to offer our visual

landscape, but really, it hardly matters. And c'mon, lets be honest, it's not likely anyway. I

simply like making pictures. And making pictures with an instrument as fine as a Leica MP

just makes making pictures all that much more fun. Am I missing something? ;)