Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/27

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica for Las Vegas Night
From: "Joe Codispoti" <joecodi@thegrid.net>
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 09:04:30 -0800

The last time I visited Las Vegas was for the PMA convention. I carried a
Contax G2 with 21, 28, and 45.

I did not need to make any exposure compensation (and bracketed only
slightly) because I picked the most opportune time of dusk for the photos,
that is I waited for the lights to be brighter than the darkening sky but
not late enough to have a great contrast ratio, then metered the less
glaring part of the lights and exposed according to that reading. In
reviewing the results (slides), I am very pleased that "night" is not really
black, there is a distinct outline of the buildings against it.
I have to say however that the Contax G has a metering system that in my
opinion is unbelievably accurate even in adverse conditions. I have not
tried it with the M6 as I use it only for static subjects.

Lately I have been experimenting with "zone" placement. With a spot meter I
measure the highlight, in this case the brightness in which I want detail",
then decide how may stops darker I want it and expose accordingly. This
system works beautifully for sunsets. I don't aim the meter directly at the
sun but just to either side where there is an interesting area that I want
to feature.

Joseph


> On 26-12-1999 13:00 SML wrote:
>
> >
> > I am planning to go to Vegas tomorrow.  It is my first time to be at
night
> >like Vegas and wonder how I take good pictures of the night life there.
Any
> >advice will be appreciated.
> >
> >1. Leica M or R
> >2. What range of focal length (wide angle or normal)?
> >3. Do I need a flash or is it bright enough to do without it or do I need
> >tripod?
> >4. Any tip for taking pictures there?
>
> David: