Re: [Leica] First week of shooting with my new R7 - HELP!

[Jim Brick <jim@brick.org>]

Hi Pascal,

Before the R8, the R7 was the quietest R camera. A big improvement over the
R4, R5, and R6. Much of my R work is for large prints. 11x14 to 20x24. I
have found that unless I do everything, and that means EVERYTHING, I loose
a little somewhere. Everything means slow film (Velvia, APX 25, etc),
tripod, mirror lock-up, monopod under extra long lenses, weights, etc. So
I'm really not an R camera hand hold expert, other than I know what you
cannot normally do with the result of hand holding an R camera. Even with
my M camera, I hand hold it like I'm shooting a gun, that is, breath
control, muscle control, you know... the whole works. And I have some
really sharp hand held M photographs taken at relatively slow shutter
speeds. But again, regardless of the equipment, one has to follow all of
the rules to get the very best results. And there is indeed a difference
between acceptable results, and the very best results.

Of course, there are exceptions to all rules. Outside with good light and
no polarizer (-2 stops) you can get a shutter speed that will work hand
held. And your use of the minitripod obviously works as well.

Jim

At 06:50 PM 8/29/98 +0200, Pascal wrote:
>
>Jim:
>
>I have used my R8 with attached motor-winder plus a variety of lenses 
>like the Elmarit 19/2.8, Summilux 80/1.4 and also the Vario-Apo-Elmarit 
>70-180/2.8 handheld without too many problems. And I am almost always 
>using 100 ASA (Fuji Reala, Provia) or 50 ASA (Velvia) films. Of course, 
>with the 70-180 you need good light to be able to work handheld, but it 
>works.
>I have also used the same combo mounted on the Leica minitripod with 
>ballhead for night shots with mirror lock-up: it works like a charm.
>Of course, your hands get easily tired with such a weight and volume, so 
>you should only take up the camera at eye level when really needed.
>
>Pascal
>