haim_toeg

I am on an ongoing project of documenting my life and the various

stages my life has taken--the variety of locations I lived in and

activities I engage in.

Last Saturday I bought a M4-2, black in mint condition with MR meter,

both recently serviced, with boxes and all, for the equivalent of

$1000.

Make it a rangefinder FE2 with Leica lenses--1/4000 top shutter speed

displayed in the finder, aperture priority, self timer, zoom finder.

If indeed Leica would produce such a body I would buy one as well.

SLR lenses need contact to the body as their aperture remains open

for viewing and closes for exposure. RF lenses are always stopped

down.

Agfa Isola (6x6, 80mm 1:6.3) hand me down from my father, Regula 35mm

fixed lens, Praktica something or another, Olympus OM-10, Nikon FE2,

Nikon F3, Bronica ETRS, Nikon F90, Leica CL, Mamiya RZ67, Mamiya 7II,

XPAN, Leica M6.

In the Leica catalogue Salgado endorses the R6.2 body, not a word

about rangefinders.

I use the Leica grip and I like it very much. I find it feels better

and gives me a positive grip. I have big hands, though.

You may want to try in Europe. Leica stuff is cheaper here than in

the US.

I own three Leica bodies and never knew there is a seal. Can anybody

tell me where it is?

Claudio,

<p>

You make excellent photos with your current system. However, if you

want to change, buy a used Leica, M4-P or M6 and a used lens or two.

If you do not like them, you can always sell them and make almost as

much as you spent. Leica equipment retains its value very well. If

you buy in Holland (that's where I assume you are) and sell on eBay

you may even be able to make a little money...

I use Manfrotto 058 with a 029 head (that's 3051 legs with 3047 head)

for my Gandolffi. I do not think it is overkill, it is a very solid

and well made legset, takes your mind away from tripod stability and

into photography.

Gandolfi are still active. Just recently I bought an ex-demo camera

from them. Got it at a very good price and the condition was

excellent. Edward Hill, as noted earlier, is the person behind the

company, dealing with him is pleasant and efficient.

David,

<p>

I think you may need to get a beginner's book on black and white

photography and darkroom processes. You can go to photo.net for an

excellent list of books as well as other online resources. Black and

white darkroom work is simple as it has very few steps but complex due

to the number of variable parameters involved (type of film,

exposure, dilution, temprature, timing, agitation and more). Getting

a good base in the way of theoretical information and a good practical

coverage will take you a long way from frustration towards

accomplishment. Also, you could look at a local basic b&w photography

class in a community college or something similar.

You are not mentioning in which part of the Netherlands you will be

staying and whether or not you speak Dutch. Eventhough most Dutch

people speak very good English, work tends to be conducted in Dutch.

<p>

The Netherlands are located very close to many of the artistic centres

in Europe and you can travel by car or train to most locations in

Europe. Paris is 500km from Amsterdam, London is about the same and

Berlin is about 700km. Amsterdam, and other Dutch cities have some

very good museums and galleries, but the exhibits may vary and not

include much photography when you are there. Take a look at

http://www.expatica.com to see what's happenning in The Netherlands

and to get a perspective on what life here is like.

This forum is by far one of the best internet forums I have ever

encountered on any subject. Knowledgeable people, no attitude and not

much unrelated stuff.

Mapplethorpe's portrait of Donald Sutherland, not sure about the

format, though.

I always liked Manfrotto, I use a Manfrotto 058 with Arca Swiss B

something ball head with an Inka 4x5 camera, it is very stable, rock

solid and confidence inspiring--allowing me to feel secure about

tilting the camera down to quite absurd angles.

I shoot landscape in black and white only for the artistic and

technical challenge.

<p>

The main point for me is to see how I can convey what I think and feel

through a photograph. Also, no beating the to the sense of

accomplishment once I have made a well composed, framed and exposed

negative.