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iván

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Posts posted by iván

    Any comments . . .?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    Thank for your comment, Roberto. It's unfortunate that I have traveled North too (I can't go any farther to the South, anyhow)without being able to stop in Méjico. It's a country with such a rich cultural content that it's certainly a pity to have been has close as Miami or South from New Orleans an still not have been able to get in the country. I'll have to wait until I'm rich enough as for paying long trips abroad out of my own pockets . . .

     

    Thanks, again, Roberto. Best regards

     

    -Iván

    simple

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    I for one completely agree with you on this, Feli.

     

    Since 90+ percent of the time I only use one of my two M3s and a 50mm Cron I began questioning the purpose of owning more gear than that but the decision of parting with them is hard to do. I'll continue playing with them from time to time but continue photographing on my usual minimalist approach. I usually carry not even a bag at all but just the M3 and a Gossen Pilot II in a pocket and an extra roll of XP2S or T Max 400 in another and wrap the camera and lens in a Domke Protective Wrap once shooting is over. The Wrap is an extremely useful accesory I think and this particular usage has revealed very helpful: it is very discrete, it is taken off much faster than an eveready case, it easily gets in a pocket while not in use and is protection enough for the camera in most usual situations in the streets as long as you don't go banging your Leica around and even under the rain as long as it is not a formal storm.

     

    Regards

     

    -Iván

    Any comments . . .?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    Thanks for your comments, friends.

     

    About framing: I usually compose full frame so that (obviously) seldom make any cropping save the slight border slices necessary to render straight clean edges after printing.

     

    I also agree that the contrast is a bit higher than necessary. This image comes directly from a hand made print after one single test strip, which I usually make in nearly 1.1/2 x 1.1/2 inch pieces of paper for what I think will be the most critical area of the whole print (usually 7 x 5 inch, i.e half a sheet of paper). Only that sometimes the area I selected wouldn't give good results over the whole print, of course. Maybe this is the case . . . I have the print here and the blacks look nice but perhaps too much of the photo went directly into full black. On the oter hand, the print shows some more detail in the whites than my monitor does, specially in the shell and the algae near the crab on the left side.

     

    Light was measured with a hand held Gossen Scout II meter and the measurement was taken on the area I thought was the better option for a highly contrasted situation: very low sun at late afternoon by the sea. Of course, the Scout II "sees" closely as a 90mm lens so that spot measurement is out of the question with it . . .

     

    M3, 50mm Cron, T-Max400 in Kodak developper, Ilford semi-mat paper in Xtol. Schneider enlarging lens.

     

    Thanks again for your interest and supporting comments.

     

    Best regards !

     

    -Iván

    More Pics

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    Tito:

     

    OK, but only if you promise not to start one more of those long meaningless and angry discussions we have seen here so many times . . . Excuse the asking, please. Though it could certainly not to be your intention, so many wars here have been born from innocent questions like yours.

     

    My personal assumption (may I remark "assumption") is that the so called "Leica style" is an expression that comes from the old times when Leica cameras were some of the very few available ones that would allow you to photograph people without being noticed or without noticeably disturbing the subject, given their rather small size and fast handling as compared with most other gear available at the moment. As a comsequence, today (and in some context, like this site, perhaps)the term generally means spontaneous, quick picture taking aimed to record fleeting moments and expressions. Of course, H C-B's photography is generally considered the non plus ultra in this "style".

    It is very obvious that the same result can be obtained today with mostly any modern camera, though . . . and far more easily. In fact, if you try to do <a href="http://www.photo.net/photo/558119&size=lg">this kind of photography</a> with a M3 or older Leica and a simple 50mm Cron you will readily notice what I say . . . but I guess you already know about that.

     

    Best regards, Tito.

     

    -Iván

    New York snap

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    Hi, Andrew:

     

    This one and the Panda are my favourites. The others have a weaker composition. Maybe because they have been taken "on the go". . . and there is where the Leica M3 viewfinder shines. Once you get used to it, composition is almost automatic and few or now cropping is needed most of the time, even in spontaneous situations . . .

     

    Regards, Andrew. Keep posting.

     

    -Iván<div>003tPr-9868584.jpg.375fc4b118c1ffd302f22263d859ae65.jpg</div>

    Leica R4 controls

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    Hi, Laurie:

     

    Concerning the modes: this camera can work on Manual "m", Aperture Priority "A" and Program "P" and will measure in spot (the circle in "A" and "m" modes) or centre weighted (in "A-no circle" and "P" modes).

     

    The "T" mode is the classical one: the shutter opens up with the first press of the trigger button and stays open until the second press.

     

    The little circular dial on the body next to the lens IS a self timer. There is a little arrow on it. Just turn the dial in the direction of the arrow and touch the shutter button, don't press it all the way down but only until you begin feeling some resistance. A red light on the front of the prism will begin blinking for some seconds and will stay on for the last few seconds of the self timer period.

     

    Though all the awful stories about this camera I really like it. Only complain: you can't see the speed scale on the RHS of the VF on low light.

     

    Enjoy it . . . though it's no M3 :-]

     

    -Iván<div>003tMl-9866984.jpg.1598f40879bacda3340cd51d26f4ccc3.jpg</div>

    Good Bokeh.

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    Hi, Alex:

     

    It's funny that the best portrait I remember I have taken was made with a K1000 too. God knows where it is at the moment but I hadn't thought of posting it either because it's a non-Leica photo (?!) BUT though it's the best I remember and a good photo on its own right yours is way better, of course.

     

    But I'll never sell my K1000 with SMC Pentax 55mm f1.8 I love this lens.

     

    Congratulations and keep posting !

     

    BTW: bokeh . . .?

     

    Iván

    LEICA BEGINNER QUESTIONS, WHICH MODEL?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    Hi, Ike:

     

    If you want a light meter aboard your camera, read no further.

     

    If you don't care using a hand held meter or no meter at all, possibly the M3 is the best Leica you can get.

     

    The M3 exists in basically two versions: DS which needs two short strokes to pass the next film frame, and SS with a single stroke needed. I own one of each kind and there is no difference in what photos are concerned. However, be aware that there is no way to repare the clutch of a DS other than converting it to SS, which though possible is not exactly inexpensive as several users have reported here. Anyhow, my SS is a well well used one born in 1954 and continues working fine.

     

    "As for a beginning lens, I recommend a late model 50mm Summicron f/2.0. With a Leica, you will find that the 50mm focal length is very useful. . . you will either become a Leica zealot or you will find that you are not a rangefinder person". I agree.

     

    Regards and good luck, Ike.

    -Iván

    Photo.net Leica portfolio at 40 images

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    My favourites: Anna w/ clock, Pear on Table, Christiane against house. Same order. Good photos !

     

    Though interesting the dolls are lacking something that I'm not really able to identify. They look naïve in their class, IMHO. Maybe a different lens . . . say a 90mm. Excuse if I can't be more specific, Patrick.

     

    Thanks for sharing and best regards

     

    -Iván

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