Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/06/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I have to admit, now that I don't have a LTM, I feel like I _need_ one. Go figure! Especially since there is a rapidwinder on the way for the later models. Slobodan Dimitrov P2CON@aol.com wrote: > > Keep it up guys, (BD, Martin, Slobodon, Kyle, & the rest), if you are > successful in altering the mindset of those who would attempt photography > with an old, and obsolete camera system, then maybe the prices for these > wonderful cameras will come down to more reasonable levels. ;-) > > Seriously though, I think you are preaching to the choir. Those of us that > actually use the old screw-mount cameras seem to do just fine, and get a big > laugh out of your complaints. > My own experience with all-mechanical, meterless cameras spans some fifty > plus years starting with a little Retina folder that you had to focus using > the distance scale and then set little levers and dials for aperture and > shutter speed, and a manual cocking lever. Right now on my wall there are a > few prints from the Kodak slides that were taken with that camera in 1953. > Exposure was set using the guide on the film box. > The most "modern" camera in my stable is an EOS-10S from the mid-90's. I > haven't used it in the more than three years since rediscovering the joy of > using these gorgeous little mechanical marvels, the screw-mount Leica and > Canons. I will admit to being a bit of a gear head, and do use other cameras > for special needs where the rangefinders are less handy, (macro and tele use > with or without motordrive). > > Just this past Sunday there was a Concours de Elegance nearby showing classic > cars and motorcycles. It was total eye-candy for a casual photo outing. I > carried a Leica IIIf with a CV 15mm and a Jupiter 3, 50mm, exposing a couple > of rolls of 400 speed print film and one roll of Elite II, 100 speed. No > meter, and in bright sun to deep shade. I may have missed five exposures out > of the 100 shots. Most shots were super close with something in the finder > at 1 meter with the 15mm and around 5 - 10 meters with the 50mm for cars and > motorcycles parading up to the trophy stand. Talk about love of the great > things from yesteryear, these people spend fortunes and years of their spare > time on restoration of the best of the past. Cars and motorcycles from waaay > back looking like they just came out of the showroom. Ferraris, Aston > Martens, Corvettes, Thunderbirds, Lamborginis, Panteras, Porches, Arials, > Vincent, Triumph, Matchless, BMW, Harley Davidson, Pierce Arrow, and more. > > It would have been sacrilegious to photograph the show with and F5 or even > R8. The LTM cameras are easy to use and a delight to carry, and most > certainly a decent entry to the Leica family. If you buy one that works, it > will probably keep working, and if not they are actually easy to get into > good shape. > > Just my opinion of course, > Paul Connet > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html