[Leica] New to Group

[don.dory at gmail.com (Don Dory)]

Fred,
Good to have you on the list.  Congratulations on choosing Don Goldberg to
repair your LTM; he is probably the best choice in North America.

As to the best B&W film, my first choice would be T400CN a C41 choice.  You
do not do your own processing and a C41 film gives you great latitude and
processing that will in all probability by correct.  If you want a
traditional B&W film then I would consult your lab and see what the have
good luck with.  This will take more than a casual conversation as most labs
will tell you they can do all.  The reality is that some films will do
better in the developer they use.  So, a deep conversation on what developer
they use and how it handles common film types.  In reality, Tri-X will be
one of the top choices as will HP5.

What would I tell you?  I find Fuji Neopan 400 and 1600 to be wonderful
general purpose films but I develop them myself and so can pick the
developer that makes the film do best.

Don
don.dory@gmail.com

On 2/5/07, Fred Holzapfel <fkh1950@frontiernet.net> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
>
>
> I've been lurking around on the fringes since before Christmas.  I had not
> put my old 35mm gear to use in quite some time.  Watching the work all you
> folks keep sharing, especially the 2006 annual, (which resides in a
> prominent spot in my living room) inspired me to work back into the old
> hobby.
>
>
>
> I'm a 57 year old, life long Minnesota resident.  My Leica background
> consists of a IIIC/50 mm Summar 2/50mm lens that my father took over seas
> during WWII and gave to me in High School.  Many rolls of B & W went
> through
> the camera as I submitted pictures for three years of year books as well
> as
> the weekly school newspaper.  In 1968, summer after graduation I picked up
> a
> used IIIf with red dial and an electronic flash.  I used it the next three
> years until dropping out of college and entering into the work force.
> Used
> them both off and on for a few years and finally put them on the shelf
> since
> time needed to go else where.  Just before Christmas they both went to DAG
> for CLA.  I got the estimate today.  I can't believe how reasonable it is
> and even more so that equipment this old can be repaired, cleaned and made
> fully functional again.  Both were stiff and the IIIf shutter would not
> fire.  From all I hear I expect to find them working better than they did
> in
> 1968.
>
>
>
> My questions are probably too simple and straight forward, but I'll enjoy
> your comments and look forward to advice and critical advice as I start to
> shoot and post to with you.
>
>
>
> What is the suggested B & W film of choice today for general
> photography?  I
> use to use Tri-X and develop with D-76 or Rodenal (I think).  Today, I'll
> just take it to the local Lab, not a Kodak kiosk or drug store.  We have a
> number of excellent labs in the Twin Cities that will develop, print and
> put
> the photos on DVD/CD.   Any thoughts you will advise about lab work and
> /or
> DVD VS CD for the developed photos?
>
>
>
> Lastly, my wife presented me with a V-Lux 3, Digital this week as a
> birthday
> present.  What advice would you give to starting this move into digital
> photography?  Any suggested first steps, besides, just take pictures?
>
>
>
> Thanks.  I'm looking forward to getting the old stuff back and learning
> the
> new media tools.
>
>
>
> Fred Holzapfel
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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