First roll w/ Leica M3 (dial-up warning)

Rich Silfver · 07-02-2004

Got my first - and so far only - roll that I've put through my new-old Leica M3 back from the lab today.

I had taken the camera down to the San Francisco Gay Pride parade last weekend to try it out as a 'walking around camera' to snap photos with.

I'm pretty pleased with the Summicron 50/2.0 lens as it turned out to be quite sharp and contrasty. Unfortunately many of the photos were taken in the shade so many photo appeared somewhat flat.

The film was Fuji Neopan 400 (because that was the only 400-speed b&w film at the store).

The camera is once again a pleasure to handle - I just have to practise my focusing accuracy and speed a bit.

Here are six photos from that roll:

#1

Rich Silfver · 07-02-2004

Rich Silfver · 07-02-2004

Rich Silfver · 07-02-2004

Rich Silfver · 07-02-2004

Rich Silfver · 07-02-2004

back alley · 07-02-2004

love the yawning dog shot!

seems like you have a pretty nice walking around rig and that it will work out well for ya.

the prints look good & scans also - did the lab print & scan? (if so, i need a better lab)

happy for you richard.

joe

Rich Silfver · 07-02-2004

Hi Joe and thanks.

Actually I scanned them myself back home on my Epson 3200 flatbed scanner. One of these days I'll get myself a dedicated film scanner as it kinda sucks - but hey it was pretty cheap.

I think the rig will work quite well for me for walk-around shots like these. Only problem is..now I'm eyeing 90mm lenses as well

back alley · 07-02-2004

jeez, they look good to me.
i assume that you scanned the negs and not prints?

i know i need to start learning about this stuff more so i can do my own negs and prints in the darkroom again, but i seem to have so little real desire to do so.

joe

back alley · 07-02-2004

btw, it was only a matter of time before you would want more lenses.
take a look at 75s also. i think i may like it more than 90.

jjoe

Rich Silfver · 07-02-2004

Joe, thanks - but my 4 year old 200 dollar film scanner does a better job than the new Epson 3200. I guess a dedicated film scanner will almost always beat a flatbed scanner (yeah, yeah - epson is coming out with a new one now that is supposed to be great...but anyway....).

Yeah I scan negatives, can't even remember the last time I had time and ability to go to the local darkroom and print...but will actually go there this weekend for the first time in ages.

I like 75's as well but a) no frameline in the M3 for it and b) the Leica one is very expensive and c) 75 is too close to 50 for me personally and I really like the extra perspective compression that the 90 gives.

(Btw - great Avatar! ;-))

Kris · 07-02-2004

You made me green with envy Richard! Nice camera & nice shots. I wish I could afford a Leica. Oh but then it's pointless for me to own a Leica. Compared to the work of those people I marked interesting in my portfolio, even Kodak disposable camera is way too good for me. *sigh* *grumble* *cry*

Ish · 07-03-2004

Great stuff! I'll go 50 shopping tomorrow, and will hopefully put my first roll through my Leica as well. I harbor no illusions about my first roll being of this quality, though.

Looking forward to seeing more of your shots!

Todd.Hanz · 07-03-2004

These are great street shots, did you say it was a Gay pride parade or a reenactment of the movie "Road Warrior", some of these guys look rough!
I agree with your assesment of flatbed vs. dedicated film scanner, I need one too. It's just that every time I have the money to get one another camera shows up instead! Go figure.

Todd

taffer · 07-03-2004

I told you it was the Leica who needed you Richard ! I agree with Todd, after #6 I was expecting another photo featuring Mad Max

There are some great shots there and it's only your first roll... my god...

Hmm... btw, as a humble and poor student I'm pretty satisfied with my flatbed 3170 which is in fact a stripped down 3200, and see few reasons to go for something more powerful. Just now, simply my scanning knowledge is not enough to find the limits of the 3170.

A lot is in the software also, which scanning software are you using Richard ?

Rich Silfver · 07-03-2004

Kris yeah right - your photos are great and you know it

Love the 'streetperformer' and 'playtime' for instance.

rover · 07-03-2004

Great people, a great day to photograph I am sure. It is that edge that makes them (the photographs) really interesting.

Rich Silfver · 07-03-2004

Jo, I use hamrick's vuescan. Used it for years and like it a lot. Not without flaws but I never really liked the user interface in Silversoft.

taffer · 07-03-2004

Hmmm... then I think you may have already found the limits of the 3200, too bad birthdays are only once a year, or you could use the second one as an excuse to get the film scanner ;-)

Rich Silfver · 07-03-2004

Yeah...there's no way I can sneak one of those into the house without 'she-who-has-to-be-obeyed' noticing...

GeneW · 07-03-2004

Nice going, Richard! Great inauguration for the M3.

My second lens for my CL was a 90mm. Like you I find 75mm too close to 50mm. I opted for the CV 90mm APO-Lanthar. It's a very crisp lens at a very reasonable price, if you don't mind using a non-Leica lens.

Looking forward to more of your M3 work!

Gene

Rich Silfver · 07-03-2004

Gene, thanks. I am leaning towards the 'cron 90/2.0 - and want to get one from '64-'65 so that the body and lenses are all from the same era. Will see what I can find

Brian Sweeney · 07-03-2004

The Summicron 90 F2 chrome would be a great choice; It is still on my want list. I have kept the 85mm f2 LTM Nikkor off of the M3. Currently, I use an old uncoated Elmar 9cm F4 with an adapter; lens and adapter under $75. It gives great results, but I feel the need for speed.

jdos2 · 07-05-2004

I am looking for another 85mm Nikkor- I really liked the look of that lens. It didn't work overwell on my Hexar RF, though, so I got rid of it when I sold the camera.

Sadly, I've bought a Leica, so I'd like that durn thing back. Ah, well... The circle of insanity^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H photography continues.