[Leica] Introducing a Newbie (Yours truly)

[ISILVERMN@aol.com]

Hi All:

Although I am new to LUG, I am not new to Leica photography.  November will 
be 30 years since I purchased my first, an M-4 with 35mm Summicron, and 
shortly after added a 90mm Tele-Elmarit.  That has become my standard kit, 
and it has served me extremely well ever since.  I am impressing as ever by 
the picture quality (esp. negatives and transparencies, which are all but 
3-dimensional), as well as the structural integrity of the camera.  The only 
part I ever replaced was the MR-4 meter (twice), and now I keep a Luna-Pro F 
as backup.

Several years ago I had the mis-opportunity to drop the 35mm lens on a rock 
in a rain forest, and did a quick field repair (the lead bayonet prong was 
bent) using duct tape and a Swiss Army Knife (two ESSENTIALS for the field).  
Returning home and having the lens examined by a repair center, I was told 
there was no other damage and it could continue to be used as is.  As it has 
- - reliably - for the 6 years since.

Other equipment: When I absolutely need an SLR, I have a manual Minolta SRT 
with a 300mm Tele and a 55mm Macro.  More than does the job for the road 
races and air shows I use it at.  Long lens-fast moving target - pure 
resolution becomes secondary to capturing the image.  Also a Rollei 35.  A 
brick, but the ultimate take anywhere camera.

My wife, who thought I was carrying around too much equipment at my 
advanced(?) age, surprised me last month on my 50th birthday with a Minilux 
Zoom and CF flash.  A bit hesitant at first to try P&S, after the first 2 
rolls of film I'm quite impressed.  Pictures are sharp and contrasty, 
exposure is dead on, and the fill-in flash works beautifully in back-lit 
situations.  Build quality appears as good as anything on the market today, 
although IMHO nothing approaches the European quality of the 60s/70s.

A couple of questions to start:

(1) Does anyone know a source of 35mm orthochromatic film?  Or how to 
simulate it?

(2) Can someone recommend a source in the Los Angeles area for CLA on the M-4 
and an MR-4 meter repair.

Regards,

Ira Silverman