My first foray into rangefinder photography

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #1 13-04-2012, 09:26 PM

Just a few of my first images taken with a new Leica M8 rangefinder camera and combination of Leica Summicron-C 40mm f/2 and Voigtlander 15mm f/4.5 Heliar lenses. The Summicron-C was made back in around 1977. The Voigtlander is fairly modern. Lots of grunge and grain. Yummm

I took and used my other newie, an older Leica M4-P film camera dating from 1984, but haven't developed said film yet. I'm setting up to do this at home as it is far cheaper and faster than relying on labs.

What a refreshing couple of days of photography. Humayun and I went into the Rocks and Circular Quay area in downtown Sydney last Saturday. He took his new Mamiya RZ67 medium format and lugged it around for the day. We had a ball. Sunday we were off to our favourite northern beach for some more fun with all three new cameras.

Just a few "street" shots, where the aim of the game is to snap "life" as it happens - grunge and all. You don't have time to stand there and compose shots like you normally would. You see a situation and you snap it. The key is to stop-down your aperture to f/11 or f/16 and pre-set your focus to capture objects at or near that preset distance - or as they walk in to or out of frame. Rangefinder focus is completely manual - as are all other aspects of the camera. I used an external Sekonic L-208 light meter rather than the one built in to the M8 to give quick and dirty readings for both cameras. The M4-P film version is completely and utterly manual - no electronics whatsoever. It really forces you to work the cameras.

Great fun - and all due to a certain New Zealander on this forum who shall remain nameless...... Gary. LOL

1) "C'mon luv..."
2) "Playing with Crayons"
3) "Well, in my day...."
4) "Museum in a Box"
5) "Sails in the Sun"

Then - on Sunday - a couple of shots of the incredible sand you get on this beach. Again shot with the M8 and Voigtlander 15mm. This lens is unbelievable. Sharpest thing I've seen to the corners - and absolutely non-critical in focus. Set to "around" 2 metres and shoot anything from 30cm to 10 metres away in perfect focus. Brilliant.

6) "Grand Canyon"
7) "Crossed Paths"
8) "Footprints on Mars"

sheeny (Al) · #2 13-04-2012, 09:52 PM

Lovely Chris. I haven't shot street photography in years... I miss the simplicity of preset focus and exposure and just capture the moment. I think I enjoyed photography more with my old OM-1. I do take a lot more pictures now though! Such is the nature of digital.

Thanks for posting. Looks like a wonderful setup.

Al.

Octane (Humayun) · #3 13-04-2012, 10:02 PM

That was definitely a lot of fun. Ignoring the fact I was lugging around 4-5 kilos in my hand the whole day and a big bag with extras hanging over the other shoulder.

I was amazed at the number of people who came up and said "nice camera" and one gorgeous Norwegian blonde who came up and had a chat and let me take some portraits of her.

Chris, the intricacies in the sand left by the receding waves is mindblowing. I really love the textures in the last image the most.

Beautiful conversions.

See you tomorrow for some more fun!

H

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #4 13-04-2012, 10:04 PM

Thanks Al

Do you still have the OM-1? It's a great camera for street too - in that it's a lot smaller than today's large DSLRs and humungous lenses. I seem to remember that it also had no battery - which is why it was popular for bulb-astrophotography. Is this right?

These are my two:

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #5 13-04-2012, 10:06 PM

Thanks Humayun - can't wait!

RickS (Rick) · #6 13-04-2012, 10:22 PM

Nice images, Chris! I especially like the beach shots.

I used to have an OM-2n. It definitely had batteries and it used to eat them very quickly. I suspect it had an electrical fault from new but nobody seemed able to fix it.

Cheers,
Rick.

sheeny (Al) · #7 13-04-2012, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

Thanks Al

Do you still have the OM-1? It's a great camera for street too - in that it's a lot smaller than today's large DSLRs and humungous lenses. I seem to remember that it also had no battery - which is why it was popular for bulb-astrophotography. Is this right?

These are my two:

Yeah, I've still got a couple of OM-1s... and a good complement of OM lenses. Not sure if the light meters are any good any more though. I seem to remember it was very difficult to get batteries for the light meter. I had one converted to take a different battery. But for astro, they were ideal. No need to switch the light meter on, no power required, mirror lock, compact and light weight...

Al.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #8 13-04-2012, 10:33 PM

Ah... That's right.... The battery wasn't required to hold the shutter open at all. Much like the Nikon F's of the day, which I also have and would like to bring out again soon. Film is back baby!!! You sould come on a street day when you're in town next.

Thanks too Rick

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #9 13-04-2012, 11:22 PM

And there's that leggy blonde again.....

A great set of images Chris.
Looking forward to seeing what you two manage to capture tomorrow.

Deeno · #10 14-04-2012, 01:13 PM

Really nice.
They seem to have an ageless quality.

The sand shots are very cool!

Rick Petrie · #11 14-04-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

I was amazed at the number of people who came up and said "nice camera" and one gorgeous Norwegian blonde who came up and had a chat and let me take some portraits of her.

H

Oh yeah, we believe you???

Now show us the proof.

Great shots Chris.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #12 14-04-2012, 03:44 PM

Thanks Nettie, Dean, Rick

mbaddah (Mo) · #13 14-04-2012, 04:15 PM

Cracker pics Chris! I absolutely love the Leica M-series... hope to have an M9 one day

Such beautiful quality.

gregbradley · #14 14-04-2012, 04:23 PM

Fabulous Chris. I particularly like the Opera House shot.

I recognise that pub with the Bikie on the corner. I have worked on that building.

Greg.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #15 14-04-2012, 05:23 PM

Thanks Moh. Yeah, an M9 would be nice. The M8 was exxy enough! LOL I'm waiting for an announcement on the M10 which is reputedly launching on May the 10th... "M-10". Can't wait to see the price..... Holy heck! LOL !! I'm reckoning on the equivalent to three 5D Mark-III's or thereabouts. A work expense.

Hardly. Be nice though...

Thanks too Greg. Angular architecture is a specialty for the 15mm lens. Works very well on these buildings. I took one of the Aust National Library in Canberra which is a corker. Will post.