jamesblatchford

Nikon D200, 50mm f/1.4, 1600

 

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16592629@N00/1067299804/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1008/1067299804_7321c90871.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Computer Time" /></a>

Should have added: Candlelight

Leica M7, TriX 400, Noctilux f/1.0 wide open

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16592629@N00/413277191/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/413277191_aa771a5d7a.jpg" width="396" height="500" alt="Noctilux, wide open; or, the $3000.00 (better make that $5000.00) portrait" /></a>

Personally,I think that it is quite possible to shoot rangefinder-style pictures (even portraits) with a DSLR. I really haven't had much interest in the M8, despite the fact that I have three Leica M bodies, and a large number of M lenses. I originally got a D200 to shoot kid's sports etc., but with its custom features, it can be set up to fuction like a rangefinder in terms of exposure and focus locking. Obviously, the view through the finder is different. My DSLR portraits look--to me--pretty much like my rangefinder portraits, the main limitation being my lack of skill in making the DSLR b&w conversions look quite like TriX. (I plan to get a D300). In the example below, an 80-210mm zoom lens was used (not what I ordinarily would use for a portrait, but the result was satisfactory, even with a shutter speed of only 1/60th of a sec. according to the EXIF data.<div></div>

Last try.<div></div>

Try again.<div></div>

The f/1.0 Noctilux is quite capable of taking photos by candlelight as advertised. I really bought it for the very shallow depth of field, but I'm not certain that the expense has been justified by the handful of good pictures I've taken with it.<div></div>

Photo by Kindergartener with $8.00 disposable camera<div></div>

I got my 50mm DR Summicron from a member of this forum. It is my favorite lens. Perhaps because of its sharpness/contrast characteristics, it produces images which look as though they could have been taken decades ago, and I really like this "classic" look. In reality, however, it is difficult for me to always tell the difference between photos I have taken with the DR Summicron and the current 50mm Summicron.

You switch between focusing ranges by pulling out the barrel of the lens and rotating it past the "stop," and then allowing it to retract. As I recall, you can only attach the "eyes" when it is set to the close focusing range. Close-range focusing with the eyes is perfect.

The example below is taken with the DR Summicron in its "normal" range.<div></div>

Leica M3, 50mm Summicron DR, TriX<div></div>

Leica M3, 50mm Summicron DR, TriX 400<div></div>

Leica M3, 50mm Summicron DR, TriX<div></div>

Forgive me in advance if this has been already dealt with here; I usually lurk

in the Leica Forum. I did, however, recently buy a D200 and have been taking

photos using its B&W mode. The pictures look a bit flat and lack some

contrast. The color photos are exceptional. If I "auto enhance" the B&W

photos with the provided PictureProject 1.6, they are always brightened and

dark toned enhanced (effectively adding contrast), and do appear improved.

What is the D200 really doing in B&W mode? Am I really going to have to take

the pictures in color and then convert them in Photoshop (which I have avoided

thus far) to get good B&W photos? I know that even in Photoshop there are many

ways to convert color to B&W. Are there any reasonable shortcuts, or should I

stick to TriX and my Leica M3 for B&W?

 

James Blatchford

Thanks for the above responses. I am reassured as to the rangefinder patch. It is quite possible that I never noticed this before. The serial number is 1,047,XXX as predicted. I have completely neglected the M3 over the last three months (although it remains my favorite camera, and the camera with which I have taken the best pictures), using my M7 and a new Nikon D200. I am over the latter, and it only took two months. 50, by the way, is rather young for Alzheimer's. Paul, I bet you wish you had the M3 back. Thanks again to all.

After not using my M3 for a couple of months, I noticed that the

Rangefinder patch has a distinctly yellow hue to it that I never

noticed before. Otherwise, it remains clear and bright. I would

imagine that this has something to do with the cement in the RF prism

system. Could this have happened in only a few months? Is this a

prelude to de-cementing? The camera has been stored normally, and

has not taken any abuse. It remains quite usable, but the mixture of

clear and yellow before the image is focused is somewhat annoying.

I know that Paul Hart deeply regrets selling me his M3 with a DR Summicron. This is now my favorite camera, which I use 90% of the time, reserving my M7 with current Summicron for color photos to please the family (10%).

I think that your pictures came out very well. In the first photo, I notice that all the band members are girls. Professor Harold Hill is there to organize a BOYS' band!

James Lagers "Leica: an Illustrated History" is in three volumes, each approx. 300 pages (Vol. I = cameras; Vol. II = lenses; Vol. III = accessories). They are beautifully printed and bound. They are available from Mr. Lager, who offers them to members of the Leica Historical Society of America @ $130.00 each volume. They are also available in a deluxe edition @ $200.00 each. I own the regular edition which is quite sumptuous. Mr. Lager's email address (which may be found on the LHSA website) is jlager@bellatlantic.net. He is very easy to correspond with.

Hi Andy:

 

Having picked up my Noctilux yesterday, the retail price is $2895.99. Add 109.99 for an E60 UV filter. There is also sales tax. The price recently increased approximately $200.00 secondary to exchange rate with regard to the Euro. I'm sure you could do better mail order, and avoid sales tax. I have tended to support my local photo shop which does my processing, and gives me a discount on 8x10 enlargements. Good luck!