f._william_baker

The rear doors on the M2, M3 and M4 all interchange. The only

difference is that on early M3's the film speed reminder will not

have as high an ASA speed as the later (M4) models. If collectable,

the wrong door would effect price. F. William Baker

Tiffen makes one that will hold thse sizes for about $15.00 US. It

has mesh pockets and is padded.

F. William Baker

Use the self timer with a wide angle like the 21mm on a mono-pod to

get over the head crowd shots, or over spiral stair cases or any

place where you might get a shot around the corner or over a ledge or

where ever. I always carry a M-4 or M-3 body for these purposes when

I'm shooting travel or stock. You'll be surprised at some of the

cool images that you can get this way. You gotta think outside of

the box sometimes. Good Luck....

The M4-P even in condition mentioned is not really a "hot item"

sought after by most serious collectors. This camera needs to be

used. I hope that you took it out of the closet every now and then

and exercised the shutter. If you want a collector's item try and

find a black paint M-4 from the late 60's vintage in "mint"

condition. You might have to take out a second mortgage if you find

one. Go burn some film....

B+W makes 60mm filters called E60. Same filter sizes as 75mm

Summilux. B&H has most colors in stock. I use the orange a lot on

my 75mm. Good Luck.

Greetings....A friend will be staying in Parague for 4 months. Dedicated B&W shooter. Before he can set up a darkroom in his flat, he is in need of a pro quality lab. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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F. William Baker

Atelier 5.6 Photography

Greetings, a friend (the lucky dog!) is renting an apartment in Prague for 4 months. He's a dedicated Leica and B&W shooter and before he can set up a darkroom in his flat he needs "pro quality" processing. Does anyone know of a pro lab in Prague? Mostly for B&W, but I might convince him to shoot some chrome as well. Thanks in advance for any info....

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F. William Baker

Atelier 5.6 Photography

Having been to Paris 12 times I always seem to take too much stuff.

I'll pack 3 M bodies (always 1 spare) and 15mm, 21mm, 28mm, 2-35mm,

50mm, and 75mm. 90% of my shots will be with the 35mm and 75mm. If

I'm doing specific stuff where I need wide, then I will plan and

take the 15mm and 21mm. Most of the time all but 35mm and 75mm will

sleep in my hotel room. I also always take my trusty Rollei 2.8 TLR

for B&W only. To me Paris is a B&W city for street shooting, but I

always seem to shoot a lot of chrome as well. While in Paris be sure

to visit the "Maison du Leica" on Blvd. Beaumarchais - Metro - Chemin

Vert. This is in the heart of the Paris photo district where there

are lots of great shops. Also, this is right across the street from

the Paris Harley-Davidson shop where you can buy a $30.00 T-Shirt

(ouch!!) to make your friends jealous. If you need E-6 processing

while in Paris, I have used the lab "Picto" with great results. If

you show them a business card that you are a pro they will either

knock off the 21% TVA or give you a 20% discount. It's near the

Bastille about 3 blocks. Good Luck and when in Paris, have a Ricard

for me.

Ditto on the Focotar. Also if you can find one, the 100mm/4.5 V-

Elmar made for the IIC. I got lucky and found one about 3 years ago

for only $100 US. Poor camera store guy didn't know what he had. But

as the old saying goes, "one man gathers what another man spills".

Besides on the enlarger, both lenses will knock your socks off on

bellows for table top or macro work. Good Luck.

Try Don Chatterton. He's on the web. Has good new, gray and used

Leica stuff. I've bought both Leica and Hasselblad from him. Good

Luck.

I have been using the Toyo for several years with good success. It's

enough magnification for almost any instance. Rubber coated on the

end that you place on the ground glass. I just scoot it around for

edge to edge or where ever I want to focus or de-focus. Great

investment at $40 US.......Good Luck

For Fujinon lenses try "The F Stops Here". They order directly from

Japan, they require 60% down with order. The price is based off the

yen vs dollar exchange rate. They have a currency converter scale on

their web site. If the dollar is strong against the yen you may get

a really good value. Good Luck...

Addendum to my last post...

Forgot to say that lenses were mounted to Leica bellows with

adaptors......désolé

Viso works fine for macro on M6. I use either the head of the old

90mm Summicron or the head of the old 135mm 2.8 Elmar. I also have

all the adaptors available from Leica for use of screwmount lenses.

I have also used my 100 V-Elmar enlarging lens.......very sharp!!

If you're doing table top or still life macro where speed is not

important, Viso works fine. Just remember to flip up the mirror to

meter!! Good Luck.....

When I shoot a wedding it's with 35 & 75 on M4-P & M6. Use Metz 40MZ-

2 for flash. Formals with Hasselbld and/or Rollei TLR. Use 2400

Speedotron and Force 10 for formals. Fuji NPH 400 and Agfa APX 400

with Leica. Fuji 100 and Agfa 100 for formals. Have used F5 with 17-

35, 28-70 and 80-200 but without assistant it's a little heavy for

an'ol' geezer like me. Shoot with what is the least you have to

carry and think about! Good Luck.....

Calumet sells a leica lens cap with a metal shim that is laser cut

for about $40-45 US. It's made by a small company in either Idaho or

Utah. I bought mine 2 years ago and have used it many times. The info

that comes with the cap says that it is approx. 30mm focal length.

The f-stop is 128. I mounted the M4-P on a tripod and I put my 28mm

f2.8 lens on and shot 3 frames at different f stop/shutter combos,

next I mounted the pinhole lens cap and bracketed for 2, 4, 6

seconds using f 128 as a starting point. I did this throughout the

entire 36 ex roll and had the lab process "do not cut or mount". On

the light box the framing is as close to exactly 28mm as anyone could

tell. Viewing the Leica lens vs. the Leica lens cap pinhole side by

side was interesting. Pinhole was sharp but not sharp if you know

what I mean. Maybe soft sharp is a better. Colors were slightly

muted. This is interesting and fun to play with and at 40 odd $'s

not a hugh investment. I've shot B&W, Chrome and Scala all with

interesting results. Next project is to get a pinhole lens board for

my Linhof Master. Good Luck!

I shoot paintings for several galleries for either catalogue

reproduction or large banner to hang outside of gallery (6'x12').

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Here's my setup: Linhof Master with Symar 210, 2400 Speedo with 2

heads, polorized light source and polorized lens. My primary film

is Agfachrome RSX II rated at ISO 80 given my meter and my lab.

Agfachrome gives the most neutral of colors and not that wet paint

look like other emulsions. Provia is OK but misses some of the

pastel colors. I also like Ektachrome 64 (this is about the film

from big yellow father that I will use) but it is really is

exoensive. Good luck......

Best filters for Leica would either B+W or Hoya. Rumour is that Hoya

make the Leica filters. Leica buys raw glass from Hoya and Schott

that they have made to their specs. You won't go wrong with either

Leica, Hoya or B+W.