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ishik_tuna

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Posts posted by ishik_tuna

    Leica Webcam!!

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    I've been experimenting with webcams for the kids...who want to keep in touch

    with there pals. They want video as well as audio, but the webcams out there

    just leave something to be desired....

     

    enter the Leica Webcam!!

     

    using a handy bit of software (BtInstaller.exe, freeware, just Google it), and a

    cheapo TV capture card (ATI TV Wonder VE, less than $20.00) which has a

    component video in port, you can enable Windows to use any digital camera (or

    camcorder) with A/V output (such as my Digilux 2), as a video source! Viola, the

    Leica Webcam.

     

    While some of you may scoff at this, it represents a way to recycle old digital

    camera bodies as rather high res-webcams. The image is vastly superior to

    standard webcams, you get auto focus and autoexposure, and of course...superb

    Leica optics!

     

    Just think, when the M9 comes out, you can use your M8 as the first webcam with

    interchangable lenses.

    Which film scanner??

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    i have a coolscan 5000, and am thrilled with it. highly recommended.

     

    you should be aware, that more than the scanner is involved in going "digital".

     

    you should have a reasonable processor (2.8 ghz pentium or greater..even a dual core would be useful with adobe photoshop).

     

    you want .5-1 gig of memory

     

    your gonna need LOTS of hard drive storage and a DVD burner...to get the optmal image out of these scanners, your going to end up using the maximal scan resolution, which will generate rather enormous files (140 meg files with my scanner for color). These scans eat up hard drive space like crazy. get some 320 gig or 500 gig drives. also, your gonna want to back up your hard drive images on DVD. store these in a dry, dark place for maximal safety (read about dvd media and longevity!).

     

    finally, your going to want a program like photoshop (not the stripped down version)to process your digital images.

     

    finally to catalogue, store, retrieve and display your images, your going to want something like picasa ( a free download from google that i really like).

     

    finally, if you want to show your friends your images.....you may end up wanting to get a large HDTV or projector system so you can show them off! you probably will want a large lcd monitor for your computer as well....

     

    yep...it's like owning a sailboat...or a Leica! you've only just begun to spend your money!!

    Stopping deveoper oxidising.

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    i used to mix all my chemicals (in the way back time when i did my own processing) in these collapsible containers with a spigot on them, the containers were housed in a cardboard box (sounds like the empty wine box eh?), and they came in different sizes (i think i used the 5 gallon size), i believe these where called Carboy containers, and were relatively inexpensive. of course the disadvantage of getting these, is that there is no wine to drink up first.

    opinions of d-lux 2??

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    i have one. I also have two Leicaflex SL's

     

    it is extremely quiet (usually, nobody has any idea you've taken a picture, even from just a few feet away)

     

    with good light (outdoors, daylight), the camera can produce stunning images.

     

    in low light (interior shots away from windows), i'm getting "point and shoot" quality images, nice, but not what this camera really shines at. This camera craves light for it to really show its stuff.

     

    the camera is definitely designed with the "old school" approach to photography in mind. you can use it in "auto" mode, or you can selective change the camera to work as auto focus, auto aperture, or auto shutter..merely by moving the focus ring, shutter dial, or f-stop ring.

     

    i don't really shoot in RAW mode because the camera takes forever to cycle through storing the image, and allow you to take the next picture. really only practical to use in high res JPEG (in my opinion)

     

    crappy little electronic viewfinder is just about useless.

     

    gorgeous huge LCD panel in back.

     

    i usually use auto focus because of this. checking images for exposure and composition are really easy because of the LCD (you always know you've got what yu want).

     

    stick in a big SD card, and you can get about 250 high res jpeg images per gig card.

     

    built in flash will be blocked by the lens shade if you use it close up and with the zoom at wide angle.

     

    has a pleasing fit/finish (vastly superior to comparably priced canons/nikons slrs)

     

    i'm glad i have it (my picture taking both digital and film has increased since i got it dramatically), but i honestly don't know if i would buy it again.

     

    low light utility is sub-optimal.

    in bright light, this camera is amazing.

    old school controls are unique...

     

    i would wonder about trying out the newer image stabilized Lumix (panisonic) cameras with the leica 12x zoom. again, it has low light problems.

    Security Issues with an M system...

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    i believe your leica has been tested in a "hostile urban enviroment" and proved itself a useful self-defense tool. Many years ago, i recall reading an article in the leica magazine that was about the son of errol flynn, who was a photographer. As best as i remember, he was taking photos in a area of "urban unrest" and some locals began to accost him. holding on to the strap, he bashed one of his assailants in the head with his M, and was able to resume taking photographs. Apparently the only damage done was to the assailant.

     

    i am not recommending using the M as a weapon, merely pointing out that it has been used in this manner...successfully.

    Leicaflex SL and 50mm summicron

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    i have two leicaflex sl's

     

    they are built like tanks....heavy and rugged.

     

    i purchased on leicaflex in the early 1070's....recently had DAG CLA it due to a slight build up of fungus in the prism (inspite of meticulous storage and care)

     

    they second leicaflex i purchase on ebay in "excellent" condition.....it appeared to have been literally never used.....however the prism was utterly fouled with fungus....again, a trip to DAG for a CLA and prism change...

     

    CLA's with a prism change will run about $300....

     

    the light meter can be adjusted to accept currently available batteries....

     

    current SLR's (digital and film) generally feel like plastic toys comapred to the feel of the leicaflex....

    FM10 for high school class

    in Nikon

    Posted

    i got my son a used Nikon FG with a 1.8 50mm lens, the seals and bumper strip were refurbished, and the whole deal was about $120 (ebay. he got the camera in 11th grade for an intro photography course.

     

    he loves it. it looks cool, it takes very nice pictures, and i dare say he can sell it for the same amount as we paid for it, should he burn out on photography.

     

    beware one very simple "feature". if the battery for the light meter wears out, the shutter will not advance and shoot...unless the battery is replaced. i assume there is a way to override this, but i haven't figured it out. when it happened, my son thought the camera ws broken.

     

    actually, he really likes it so far, and if he really gets hooked on film, i'll eventually give him one of my leicas...

    Leica cult

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    it's about owning and using the best of something.

     

    it's about overbuilt equipment that your grandchildren will be able to use (if they still make film by then)

     

    it's about something that's engineered so well, that it just feels good to use.

     

    it's about the best optics in the world.

     

    in the end it's about amazing photographs you might never have taken without a Leica.

    Whose is the longest continously owned Leica on Photo.Net?

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    i bought my first leica (leicaflex sl) when i was in starting high school..1970.

     

    i saved every penny for years (i really don't know how i got the idea that i wanted a leica at that age...i just knew i did), and against the advice of my parents, bought the camera. my dad was berating me for buying a camera that only Kings, Presidents, and Astronauts used....he thought i was nuts, in way over my head...he was right of course..but so was i.

     

    i still have the camera, the lenses, it all works great, and now i'm contemplating giving the camera to my daughter who is going to take a photography course when she starts her sophmore year at Yale....

    Leica gone nuts! (price increase yuck!)

    in Leica and Rangefinders

    Posted

    modern manufacturing practices involve doing market research to determine what the consumer wants, and at what price point the consumer will purchase the item.

     

    note, the price is determined prior to manufacturing the item.

     

    then the design engineers are tasked with creating the product and determining a way to manufactured it at less than the pre-determined price point.

     

    this is the essence of modern manufacturing and marketing....

     

    this is how Canon is devouring market share...

    determine what the market wants, what it is willing to pay, and fill in the blanks...

     

    don't get wrong..i love my Leicas, but the Canon's are looking irresistible, and the digital solutions Leica is coming up with are very pricey, and not cutting edge in performance by the time they are released.

     

    They need to a way to create a "cheap" digital body [by leica standards] that accepts Leica glass, and keep upgrading the digital back every year. At least you could keep your lenses and swap out backs as the need arose.

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