[Leica] Tales from the "0"

[bampolsk@csc.com]

Some of you LUGers may remember that a while back I wrote about my new
Leica 0.  I must have mentioned the white gloves that I used to handle it
at first, because some of you (justifiably) made me feel silly about that.
Well, I can report that the white lint-free gloves are a thing of the past
and I have run my first roll of film through it (Portra 400).  So, here are
my findings:

1.  Much about the camera is counter-intuitive.  For example, I did not
always remember to cover the lens before advancing the film, with
predictable results.  I also at times fully advanced the film when I needed
to align the dot and line to change the shutter speed.

2.  I don't always remember which shutter speed relates to the index number
on the shutter speed dial.  That's just a question of synapses flying off
(part of the aging process, dontcha know).

3.  There is something extremely odd about holding the camera 18" or so
from the body to use the military style viewfinder.  I even bought a Leitz
50mm finder (in beautiful condition, and extremely bright) to use with it.
However, the finder doesn't fit in the accesory shoe very tightly.  I'm
getting used to the 0's finder.  I'll use the finder with my IIIb.
Meantime, the military finder does take some getting used to.  A couple of
shots which I thought were centered very nicely, turned out to be way off
center.  That's just a question of getting adjusted.

4.  I normally advance the film immediately after shooting.  It's pretty
much a reflex action.  Not with the 0.  I need to remember not to advance
it until I'm ready to shoot, since I may want to change the shutter
speed(see #2).

5.  Because of the above, the camera is slow to use.  Not one for
snapshots.  I find that I plan each shot I take with it...  Or at least, I
should plan each shot.

6.  I didn't always remember to change the aperture setting on the lens and
had a few frames under/over exposed.  I think I'm spoiled by the M6 and M5
metering.

7.  I wish I could find a film trimming template of the soft that Leitz
used to make.  Actually, I saw one advertised recently, but didn't buy it.
Foolish me!

All this said, I also find the following:

8.  The Anastigmat lens is indeed a worthy Leica lens, being tack sharp
with beautiful contrast.  On my initial roll, many of the frames were blank
or ruined (see #1).  But, about half the roll had serviceable shots (I'll
do better with the next roll, already in the camera). As I said, the
serviceable shots were very sharp and beautifully contrasty.  I love the
lens.

9.  The camera itself is beautiful, and a joy to hold.  It has that
inimitable "Leica feel".  While it will never be an everyday camera, it is
unique in a number of ways.  I expect to enjoy using it for many years to
come.

So much for the display case...  I guess I was never much of a collector
anyway.

Regards,

Brian




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