vics

My DR is the best lens I've ever owned, bar none! The black & white negs are so easy to print in any style I want. Recently I shot some Velvia at a bike race on an overcast day, and they were pure eye candy! I like the medium contrast. It gives me more options in the darkroom, and imparts a roundness to faces and other objects with depth. Beautiful! The Rigid is the same optical cell but without the close focusing goggles. Lighter, I think. Vic

Over on another site, someone put up a poll with this question: "What is the best camera Leica ever made?" M3 won hands down.

Vic

The collapsable Summicron is a fine lens, and I think can be had for that price.

VS

I REALLY like the picture of the girl! My son did a whole series of this kind of thing in art school, and the 16x20 prints still hang in my dining room. Very tricky thing to pull off. The out-of-focus-ness must be just right. Good work!

Vic

Yeah, same here. Couldn't see it.

VS

My M3 came with a collapsible 'cron. I used it until I finally started understanding the low contrast/high definition optical approach. At that point the lens started to produce some very fine images. But not being able to leave it alone, I bought a Dual Range, and I love it. It flares less and it offers higher contrast, but it's heavy and sometimes I miss the collapsible (it's on the camera now) so I'm constantly torn. I love them both! I coudn't say about any others, but being confused enough, I think I'll leave it at these two.

Vic

I have a CV 35mm brightline viewfinder which is outstanding, but I think it cost me about $125.00. I thought that was high, but I really do enjoy using the finder in spite of the distortion. I got it at CameraQuest.

Vic

Mitch, you are KILLING me with these Paris pictures! I'm at least a year away from my next trip over! Wonderful work and a great thread.Thanks!

Vic

My choice is the M3 and 50mm Summicron Dual Range (or Rigid) I only shoot B&W and that's a factor.

VS

Ditto the Print File sheets. Now the tricky part: WHICH Print File sheets? I finally settled on the ones that hold 7 strips of 5 frames each AND have the pocket for the contact sheet AND accommodate the file hanger spine (CP35-7 HB). This means I have to shoot either 24 exp rolls or shoot only 35 frames per roll of 36 exp, but the contacts are 8x10. Getting the right filing system going from the beginning is really a blessing! Enjoy the Leica!

Vic

Maybe try a Rigid? My DR is much contrastier (at least wide open) than the collapsible, and it's the same optical cell as the Rigid. I suppose the rigid is lighter than the DR.

I have a not mint Collapsible and a not mint Dual Range. I love them both, each for their individual qualities (like my kids!) Here's the Collapsible with Tri-x in full strength D-76.<div></div>

I liked the Hewes reels very much. They are regular SS reels except for the way the film attaches at the center. I couldn't describe it if I tried. Suffice to say that the film hooks at the sprocket holes rather than springing in at the end of the film. You might like that. I tried one and liked it so much I bought three more!

Fine photo there. C'mon and join us in the WET darkroom! You'll love the Zen of printing the pics yourself, and the prints will scan well on the flatbed. Just ask Ralph Gibson!

When you get the lens back on and get it into it's normal mode, you're going to just love the performance of this great old glass. There's a poll on RFF asking what is the best Summicron for black & white, and the DR wins handily! http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46964 It's my favorite for general photography. I do like the Collapsible for portraits, though.

Grab it by the two little handles and pull it AWAY from the front of the camera. It's a dual range lens, and after you get the "eyes" off, you'll need to pull out on the lens and rotate it back into it's normal focusing range. Be gentle and don't force anything. you'll see how it works as you go.

Great lens! Vic

I've been thinking about this stuff a lot myself. Since my older Summicrons are fairly low contrast, I think a medium yellow would work in sunshine and have the added plus of deepening sky tones and lightening foliage and smoothing skin tones. The boost in contrast wouldn't always be un-welcome, and when I go inside I can pick up a stop by removing the filter. I seem always to have the wrong film in the camera. I'm going to give it a try, anyway. Good luck!

I think it's a Contax IIa (fifties vintage) and either a Camera Leather re-cover or a Henry Shearer custom overhaul. I have a IIIa, it's just like this except with original leather and has a meter.

I can personally second the recommendation of the W-Nikkor 35/2.5. I use it on my IIIa with a Cosina Voigtlander viewfinder (from Stephen) and the results are very Summicron-like. Great lens!

Vic

Jack, Very nice picture! Which 'cron 50 version? Just curious because I've never tried any color with either of mine. I have the collapsible and the DR.

Vic

Granddaughter<div></div>

Congratulations, Ken! Every one of these that I read makes me lust more and more for a thread mount camera. I'm thinking of putting an Elmar 50/3.5 on my M3 just to get my feet wet. Enjoy that camera and post PICTURES!

Vic

BEAUTIFUL shot of you and your lovely wife! Sandbagging and saving the best for last! Man! This thread really has my going on this Barnack/Barek thing! Do any of you LTM shooters have any advice for me? All my leica knowledge is M3, and two 'corn 50s. I shoot 35mm with my Contax IIIa and w-Nikkor f2.5 35.

Great stuff Paul, and thanks for starting a great thread!

Vic

Didler, is your Elmar a modern version!

Vic

Absolutely wonderful! Reminds us all that the gear isn't the biggest expense, nor the film. It's the airfares that break the bank! The Elmar is really amazing. I've been reading up about it, and I think I might get one for my M3!

VS

I was thinking about this this morning on the way to work, and I decided that the only way I'd be able to get rid of all the extra gear would be to "chew my arm off!" I did it with guitars by giving most of them to my children, but neither of them wants a Rollei TLR or a Contax IIIa or any Nikon F gear! For some reason, they seem perfectly happy taking pictures with their digicams and their phones. Go figure!

Vic