First Leica

[anoldsock]

I just purchased my first Leica. I picked up the IIIc from the local camera store, and I'm pretty stoked about it. I keep hearing abou tthe VC light meters, but those things are so expensive. I'm thinking of just going for it, but it's a tought bullet to bite. Can't wait to test out the camera, so I'm thinking of picking up a hand held. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Other than that, I can't wait to get out there this weekend and start shooting.

[gjlynx]

Welcome to the forum. The IIIc is a great way to enjoy the Leica world.
What store in Houston did you buy it at? Metering does not have to be
expensive. I just use an inexpensive digital point/shoot camera as my
meter. After taking a few readings I can just guess (estimate) pretty well
for that particular environment.

[Paul C. Perkins, MD]

Congrats! Gossen Luna Pilot is a good meter. What lens is on the IIIc?

Paul

[anoldsock]

I actually picked up the camera at Houston Camera Exchange. I walked in not expecting to find anything, but they had some decent equipment...well, decent equipment as far as i know. =)

[anoldsock]

Paul, I have the Summitar 50mm. I hear it doesn't provide too much contrast. I'll be testing it out this weekend, so we'll see how it goes.

[Paul C. Perkins, MD]

Great lens!

[Luddite Frank]

Well, many guys don't bother with a meter at all and use the "Sunny - f /16 rule"...

It goes something like this: on a bright sunny day, set the lens opening to f / 16, and the shutter to the inverse of the ASA / ISO rating of the film you're shooting

For example, if you're shooting ASA 200, then you set the camera for f/ 16 @ 1/200.

Then you can adjust the lens opening / shutter speed accordingly for "cloudy-bright", "overcast", "open shade", "heavy-shade", etc.


I've gotten reasonable results this way. Might take a couple rolls to get the feel of it. (Stay with one film / ASA until you master it ! )


If you want a meter (and that's okay too ! ), you're probably best-off looking for a CdS meter such as a Gossen Luna -Pro, Luna-Six, Luna-Pilot; these are great meters, and are very sensitive to low light levels.

Most pre-1965 meters are selenium cell (no batteries), and many times the cel gets weak or goes dead entirely, so don't pay a lot for one of these.

The better selenium meters are the Weston Master IV or V, and the later Seikonic meters. I also have a couple of GE PR-1 meters, which are early 1950's ( black bakelite with a big silver knob) that work pretty well. If you get one of these, try to find one that has the ivory-plastic "incident light" attachment with it.

Avoid the really early Westons that are rectangular black boxes, with the meter scale placed to the right of the exposure calculator dial: many times the cell is dead, plus, the film speed rating is in the earlier Weston index (pre-1947; needs to do conversion to modern ASA), and tops-out at around 100 or 200; it's great for a display, but not too practical as a user.

I have been using a Gossen Luna-Six exclusively for several months now, and my only complaint is that it is a little bulky.


Good Luck !

Luddite Frank

[George S.]

Congratulations on your purchase and happy shooting! That's how it starts, and sooner or later you'll need an M body, then a second,...and so it goes!

Frank gave you good advice, but for me, I still like to have the meter to take an initial reading and then I can usually mentally adjust from there as the day goes on, with maybe another reading or two if the daylight goes to crap.

I could sell you a like new silver VC Meter, to match your IIIC, with the box and instructions for $100. I wanted a black one to match my M4-P so now I have two, the black and silver. Kinda silly to keep both.

[anoldsock]

Thanks everyone for the support. I appreciate everyone welcoming a newbie like me to into the Leica club.

I'm on a budget, and understand the Sunny 16 rule, but I'm a little uncomfortable with it and would like to use a light meter as a reference point. I took George up on his offer, and picked up his light meter. Hopefully I won't have to depend on it for too long.

It seems like I've been spending so much money on cameras lately that it makes me want to throw up.

[cjm]

That's great you got a hand held light meter. I had a VC meter on my IIIa and it tended to slow me up to the point that I was missing photos. I think taking a reading in a particular situation and then putting the meter back into a pocket is preferable.

Even better, master the Sunny 16 rule. For me at least, the experience is always more enjoyable when shooting without a meter.

Enjoy your Leica!