RE: [Leica] Nice Leica job

["Mueller, Rob" <rob.mueller@eds.com>]

I saw Gary at U of Mich about 15 years ago. his playing and stage presence
was so staggering. He truly changed how I approached playing and practising
the bass. I believe that the bass (an Amati) was a gift from the widow of
the famed conductor and solo bassist, Serge Koussevitsky. It was the
sweetest music I had ever envisioned. 

as far as the 90 asph goes...i've had one for about two months. Either my
eyes or my inexperience with the lens I have trouble focusing in lower light
situations. Lower light meaning about dusk in a room with a southern
exposure. I also have the same trouble with focusing on dark hair. Lots of
work arounds, just an observation.

Rob Mueller
Studies in Black and White
www.studiesinblackandwhite.com 
rob@studiesinblackandwhite.com





- -----Original Message-----
From: Alex Brattell [mailto:alex@zetetic.co.uk]
Sent: Friday, December 03, 1999 5:34 AM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: RE: [Leica] Nice Leica job


>
>I do envy your time spent with the great virtuoso bassist Gary Karr. what a
>treat for you. 
>
>Rob Mueller

Thanks Rob, it was definitely a treat. It's inspiring to be around people
who are expert at what they do, especially for the way that people who have
talent and have worked hard to develop it can make what they do seem
effortless and easy. Another example might be Bjorn Bjorg playing tennis!
Relaxed and focussed. I photographed a brochure for a company of antique
restorers a few years ago and had a similar feeling about watching the
master craftsmen there at work.

Gary Karr plays a double bass made in 1611, unfortunately he didn't bring
that one along - he used a beautiful instrument with a  one-piece back built
in 1995. He was relaxed, friendly, gooned around a bit, played fluently (a
piece that was written for him to play in the late '80's, I suppose he
should be good at it!).

A couple of things to add to my earlier post concerning equipment; The
90/2.8 became useless far too quickly in fading light - it's the first time
I've really absolutely needed an extra stop on it, so I find myself wanting
the 90/2apoasph - but it is so much money for an extra stop when I can fall
back on the 50mm. However I have a feeling that the next time I find myself
with more money than sense, I'll do it anyway!

Also, I notice that working with the Leica at wide apertures when focussing
is critical I am often too slow to recompose after having sorted out the
part of the scene I want in focus in the rangefinder patch. The result is
sometimes dull and unintended compositions with the area of sharp focus too
central in the frame. Practice practice.

Alex




____________________________________________

                         alex@zetetic.co.uk
    http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~abrattell/

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