Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/08/03

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Subject: RE: [Leica] The "Gee-Whiz" Lens
From: George Berger <gberger@his.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 12:36:18 -0400

>Hi George,
>
>I was yesterday in a French cathedral (Quimper, Bretagne). It's far
>less dark than most I have seen because a restauration is going on. In
>the most "sunny" places, I took some pictures at f/2, 1/15 to 1/4 s
>with a 400 ISO film. I would not be able to take any picture with an
>f/4 lens. Of course, the use of a tripod is not recommended (and often
>prohibited) and so is the use of a flash. If I were you, I would
>consider a Summilux for that type of shots.
 

Hi Jean - Claude

Thanks for the "Heads Up." Pat and I have had our experiences 
attempting to take pictures in French cathedrals. Back when we were 
younger ( fewer tremors) we could hand hold down to 1/15 with 
mediocre to passable results. In Chartres (1975), I was able to rest 
our M-4 on pillars and walls without the ever-present priests raising 
too much fuss.  We were able to get some wonderful shots of the Black 
Virgin using a Summicron 35 and a 50 at f 2.0 and counting while on 
Bulb.  Please don't ask how many exposures *didn't* turn out  Now 
that the windows have been cleaned, we have our hearts set on 
re-photographing as much of the interior as the guides will allow. 
Ditto Sainte-Chapelle.  We'll have to opt for high speed film and use 
a monopod where permitted., as we're stuck with our Summicrons.

Although we have both an early M-6 and an M-4, I'm still addicted to 
the M-4 and a good light meter <grin>.   Loose translation: my wife 
uses the M-6, and I can't get it away from her.

Best, George


George Berger
gberger@his.com