Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/04/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ladies & Gentlemen of the LUG: I realize you LUGNUTS lead an extremely busy life, however I thought there might have been a few intelligent responses for those of us who wished to learn how you might cover an assignment through your choice of Leica equipment and film. In turn it might have enlightened some of us who consider shooting pictures is still a learning thing until the day we die. There are many amateur shooters in here who might have benefitted from your past experience or suggestions for the future. Therefore I'll explain my choice of equipment, film and why: As you know the hypothetical assignment was shooting a "day in the life of a group of seniors". Simple enough as there are a number of them in here or it seems there are. :) 1/ Camera, M6 and 50mm f.1, Noctilux. WHY: The camera is the least distracting and has built in metering. The lens allows shooting from the ideal light to the most atrocious that would be encountered in the course of the day. And in the event one needed a slightly wider angle, one could make do by backing-up or a closer exposure, move in closer. But for a general one purpose lens for this type of assignment, this is the ultimate for documentary projects. (although I would agree there are occaisions when a 35mm f 1.4 Summilux would be more appropriate!) it would be my second choice if need be. FILM: KODAK T-max 3200. This is on the assumption the majority of the shooting is indoors, as probably would be the case with a seniors group. It allows to make full use of ultimate film speed combined with the world's fastest available lens. I would process the film myself to ensure maximum quality of negatives and exposures. Besides, "people are illustarted more powerfully in B&W than colour!" Think about it in these terms: "To shoot people in colour is to photograph their clothes. But shoot them in B&W reveals their souls!" Now that wasn't too difficult was it? So what happened to all you experienced folks out there who always appear to have all the right answers for everything Leica and picture taking? ted Victoria, Canada http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant