kentigern

Another from Whitstable<div></div>

Here's one from Whitstable the other weekend<div></div>

I have one and am really pleased with it - the scale focussing is a joy and the results excellent. It goes very well with my IIIa.<div></div>

It's definitely an entrant for Pseud's Corner I'd say. That goes for anyone who uses "quotidian" when they mean "everyday".

Thanks for the thoughts - I've now bought some Tmax3200 and will enjoy experimenting.

Actually, on the club's website is a view of the interior, which is small and crowded as any good jazz club should be - though it's difficult to judge actual light levels. Clearly camera flashes will be inappropriate once the band is on. (see www.606club.co.uk)

I'm off to a friend's birthday party at the 606 Club (a long-established Chelsea

jazz club) in London this weekend and am planning on taking my M6ttl (0.58) plus

SF20 flash. I have a choice of 35mm 'cron, 50mm 'cron and 90mm Elmarit to take

with me.

 

I don't know what the lighting levels will be like inside but I'd rather use

available light and will be shooting b&w, though I'd like to be able to use the

flash appropriately.

 

I'd appreciate any thoughts on a) which of the three lenses to take (I guess not

the 90mm but as I have one...) b) film (I'm thinking HP5+ at 400asa) c) any

exposure techniques to get the best skin tones (eg use of green filters) and d)

flash tips - I've seen recommendations for under-flash exposing by several stops.

 

It's the sort of thing I've taken my digital P&S to many times over the years,

but with the M6 (and I'm still at the start of the learning curve to get the

hang of it) I'm a little less certain.

 

Thoughts appreciated.

"If you like them as much as I do, try some new Bessa lenses. . . despite of being um, new, they're a pleasure to use and are every bit as good as original LTMs."

 

I have - this is a 25mm Snapshot Skopar on the IIIa...<div></div>

Good points all, for which thanks. I guess I should do some more direct comparisons - ie same subject, same exposure, to more formally assess the differences: I really did like the IIIa from first picking them up, which was not the same as the M3 or M6 - both not as immediately accessible, which was not the reaction I was expecting.

 

Whilst winter can offer good photo ops here in the UK, I'm very much looking forward to the spring and summer to really get a hang of these. Whatever else, I'm really enjoying returning to mechanical cameras and B&W film after several electronic cameras (film & digital) over the years. Now to dig out my old Yashicamat TLR!

And one from the M3

Here's one from the M6 - both films HP5+ processed together in the same tank this morning (Ilfosol S 9 mins)<div></div>

I've got the Leica bug, and I've got it bad... Having bought an M3 off a

well-known internet auction site back in December, I have since bought a

selection of lenses, plus an M6ttl and just last week a very cheap (GBP ?75)

IIIa. I've taken several rolls of film (all B&W and home-developed) through each

and I am getting substantially better results from the IIIa than either the M3

or the M6. I really don't know why this should be - see below (I'm not claiming

any of these as great photos...) Any theories?<div></div>

Ah, but you don't have any Barnack Leicas mentioned - you could get a very nice collection together for the price of the MP alone and that would give you real a real difference (and even more Leicas!) Mind you, I have an M3, M6TTL(0.58) and a IIIa and do occaisionally seriously think about an a la carte MP, so I don't think you'd regret it.

You are kidding about the lack of snow in Norway aren't you? I was skiing in Geilo last week and have never seen so much (mind you I am from London). It was minus 20degC a lot of the time too - the Hardangar area was stunning. Unfortunately most of my M6 snow shots didn't really capture the magnificence I saw - how I wish I'd produce such a shot as yours...

Thanks for your responses - it's reassuring to know it's worth keeping the Minolta. I'll put more effort into improving my skills!

I have a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II which I've had for ages but have only

really recently started using. I'm scanning B&W predominantly. The results have

been OK but none really sparkle and I'm wondering if I'm seeing the limitations

of the now old scanner. I've bought Vuescan, which has made a pleasantly large

improvement.

 

The attached is an example of a recent scan.

 

I've been reading about the Epson v700/v750 and wondering whether I should get

one of those. Thoughts appreciated.

Borough Market by London Bridge / Southwark Cathedral is a great place for street photography, as well as fantastic food (plenty to sample and the best street food in town). From there you can walk along the south bank of the river past the Globe to Tate Modern, then over the bridge to St Paul's. Weather for this Saturday is meant to be OK - Sunday will be wet, so perhaps plan to reserve the galleries for then.

Oh, see if you can get hold of Chasing The Monsoon by Alexander Frater - a wonderful book about the joys and tribulations of being in India at this time.

If you're going to be in Northern India from March to September then stick to the hills - the plains will be unsufferable, first in the heat, then the monsoon: ie Delhi, Varanasi, Lucknow etc. Go to the hill stations - Darjeeling, Simla, Manali etc. Beautiful places and lots to photograph. It's years since I was there but as such places are geared towards local tourists there is the usual tourist infrastructure, including photo stores so you will be able to find film locally, though the ideas of the others above will ensure your supplies. Posting items back from India is reliable, if slow - it takes best part of a day to complete the paperwork. You'll have a tremendous time there.

Apologies, not a great image: my first upload attempt. Try this for a better view....

A few weeks ago I bought an old M3 and a newer Summicron 50mm. I wanted to get

back to film, especially home-developed black and white. The M3 was a bit of

challenge, especially as I'm really not used to manually estimating exposures,

but I'm prepared for a learning curve. I took it to Kenya in January, didn't use

it much (my D70 with telephoto was heavily used) but I did manage to get some

shots with it. Last week I developed the film (Rollei Retro 400, Ilfosol 1:9

8mins) and scanned the results (Minolta Dimage Scan Dual II). 35 out of 36

really didn't work - but I think this one does. If I can continue with the same

hit-rate I'll be delighted. I'm can definitely see what all the fuss about Leica

is now and I'm pleased to be here.

I think you have been more than patient and now it is time to start using some stronger tactics to get a response. I'm certainly no expert but in your shoes would talk to the Citizen's Advice Bureau who will have practical advice.

 

It would be useful for the rest of us to know who the repairman was - in case anyone has other experiences or can sort out any misunderstanding.

 

Good luck.

There's nothing inherent in the cameras that will produce wide variances in the quality of the photos they produce. They're all fine cameras and assuming you have decent lenses then they're all capable of producing good results.

 

Of course, whether they do or not is dependent on the user: if you don't like a camera or don't know how to use it properly then the results will show.

 

I wouldn't let concerns about the relative performance of them distract you: see if you can get to hold and fire off some dummy shots with each, then decide which you're more comfortable using.

My first SLR was an FE, which I eventually replaced by a F80 after about twenty years, the F80 had a shorter active use as it was in turn replaced by an D70 a couple of years ago.

 

The FE2 is a higher spec version of the FE which by now is feeling like a "classic" camera - ie quite old fashioned really. The F80 and D70 are have much more similar handling, so it depends what you are looking for and what you are familiar with. Both excellent, but different.

 

I've not used an F801 but IMHO I think that by now it would be the least attractive as it will have aged but not become a classic.

Thanks for your responses already. I should have mentioned that I'll be using black and white - either HP5 or Rollei 400asa. Oh, and no flash either.