An e-mail this morning from Mr. Black of Yellowknife, Canada, reminded me of something I'm not aware off all the time: I have a great Leica site!
Mr. Black was so kind to let me know that the Leica History site had made him take up Leica photography again, using two R3 cameras and some of the longer tele lenses.
How cool is that? He also had some questions to a lens that I own too and which I was happy to answer.
Because we're one large Worldwide Leica Conspiracy, us Leica users ;-)
So I thought I would spread the word. Visit my leica.overgaard.dk website and read all about it.
[Photo: Mr. Stanley Kubrick with his Leica]
As a side note to those who think "Auch!, Leica is not for me," let me give you this advice: Film cameras are cheap these days and you can get the R4 or R3 Leica cameras for very little. Also, the above mentioned 400mm Telyt-R lens is a bargain these days, though you should opt for the 50mm F/2.0 which is one of the best 50mm's in the world.
That said, the Leicaflex SL or Leicaflex SL2 is the real suoer-nice Leica and can also be gotten for a reasonable amount. It's the real German Tank just can't be destroyed, and then it has the most sexy shutter sound in the universe (I used to say in the world but I've become more enlightened since then). But mainly, the Leicaflex SL has the feel of a Leica M(essucher", which is German for "Viewfinder"), yet it is a Leics R(eflex), which means it has a mirror inside (SLR=Single Lens Reflex) that allows you to WYSIWYG the picture (What You See Is Waht You Get; that's a computer-term).
My friend Chris would tell you to go for an M. If you're a girl, don't listen. The sex appeal of a woman carrying a 1970-1980 SLR-camera is atomic! Do't try to reason about it or explain. Just acknowledge the fact.
We're getting carried away here. I know. Thing is, that as soon as you get one Leica, you want more. So you might got for the Leica M as well. It's a truly nudist moment in photography. It's you and the camera only. The Leica M4 is without battery because it's basically a metal house with some screws inside, wrapped in nice leather. Made to control the amount of light that hits the film inside. Nothing else. The rest is up to you.
You can indulge in used Leica equipment here but the best deal is to find someone who died and left their family with a complete set. Or someone who bought a complete set of camera and lenses - and then the interest died. There's a lot of the latter ones due to digital photography. The main thing though, is, that a set is usually a better price than buying each camera house and lens separately
@Riccardo: The flex has the nicest feel and sound and I would say it will easily work a lifetime or two, the R3 is, I don't know, I sold one without ever using it (you have to turn it on and off and that simply doesn't work for me).
The pro's cant' think with manual focus anymore even their AF often gets it wrong. And the sloppy viewfinders the look into every day make them believe it would be hard or impossible to see clear enough to focus manually.
The viewfinders are really a degrade of photography because you get a tremendous kick out of seeing a crisp and crystal clear picture through the Leicaflex and R8/R9 viewfinders (or the Nikon F3HP). The Canon and Nikon viewfinders make it a distant event you're looking at. A degrade.
I like the wow and the kick I get from seeing the light, tones, colors and composition through a brilliant viewfinder. Whereas on a less great viewfinder it's just "well, this will do."
I love Leica Screwcameras and I am addicted to my M. But I admit tat the 'flex and R4's are tempting me since years. The R is a bit an underestimated system and rumors say the next R will be digital only... If I were a professional I'd find the R9+DRM concept very pleasing: Use film whenever you can, enjoy fine lenses.. but have a backup when you really need that digital thing and you have no choice. Of course, full-frame would rock even more...
Still, your post here made me spark the lust for an R again I find the sound and feel of the 'flex excellent, but like the sexy shape of R4-R7. Something of "timeless" and unique. The R3 is nice, but has some details I dislike.
mate ... i spent more time than i'll admit cruising 'round your leica site the other day. so very well done! i'll send a link to gandy in case he doesn't know about it!
@ Miss ATL: The entry-level digital Leica is definitely the D-Lux 3 that also won the 2007 award as best camera in its class. I have 6-7 friends around who use it and loves it. It's small (so you actually carry it with you which is the first step in photography [remember to have a camera when stuff happens], it's super wideangle 28mm which gives you some extra room to work with in small rooms indoor [where most photography happen], it has a great lens and a good resale value when you upgrade to the next digital).
Best entry in film Leica price/features considered would be the R4 because there is so many around an it's rumored to have faulty electronics that suddenly go awry. Some does, but the price considered, who cares, you just buy another one if you are unlucky (never met one who actually experienced this).
@RPolom: Leica marketed their 800mm Telyt-R lens in the 70ties in the US so that you would get a free VW beetle when you bought the lens. That lens you can buy on eBay from time to time these days, the price in the range of four new BMW wheels. Without the beetle though.
That’s great! So there might be hope for me just yet... I won’t have to sell my car to buy one. Just wait patiently for those church bazars in Spring... they always get the good stuff : )
@ Josh: The above was meant for you. But it might apply to both yours and Rodolfio ;-)
@ Rodolfio: Death and apathy is how I got most of my good stuff: People who felt the film age was over or they simply had bought equipment available, then realized not even that made them able to snap a decent photo - then gave up on it all and sold it to me for nothing. It's a cruel fact, but if a thing seem worthless and a total mistake to you, you will sell the complete set - let's get it out of here! for a price accordingly.
@ sarchi: You can only change the focusing screens on some of the R models (I think from R3 or R4 and onward to R9). Leica don't have HP prisms as for example Nikon does for people wearing eyeglass. And the you can buy correction lenses for Leica cameras to use for eyesight adjustment or enlargement. The Leicaflex, Leicaflex SL and Leicaflex SL2 as well as the R8 and R9 is known for their extremely bright viewfinders, by the way.
It has been, i confess, long overdue. But i have been procrastinating this simple task of leaving you a comment for weeks. I've been busy and only comment when commented. I do admire your work and your blogs are quite the read. congratulations on a wonderful page. And. xoxoxox :)
I just wanted to say hello and compliment you on your gallery. You've got a really great selection of pictures here, I really like your natural style and your use of light. Lots and lots of interesting stuff to read too! I reckon I'm going to be a regular reader. Take it slow... Mark
Heeeeey... You're another one on here who I see has fanagled a way around (what I thought was the max) of 16 "Top Friends." How'd you manage that one, if you don't mind me asking? Whatever the case, very best of regards to you...CCx
Thanks for the comment on my first post- nice to know I'm not alone in my technological woes! Love your photography- really beautiful shots you've got here.
thnak you. I'm just collecting all the art i see in San Francisco... check out the new slideshow on TINGLETANGLE and WEMARNY sections on the nav bar menu of http://ozcillator.com. peace, franz
Hello Thorsten. I've been doing a lot of uber-diving, and I must say that yours stands out as one of my top five blogs. It's so diverse and interesting! Keep up the good work! All the best, Stewart
Hi Thorsten, Thanks for the great idea for a blog posting on how a designer comes to dress a star at the Oscars. I will have to write it! Continue to check my blog, I'm going to continue to add great stuff in the next few weeks. xoNick
I found it annoying, the D-Lux 3, that you can't get a good grip at it. That you use the screen as viewfinder is kind of OK. But the light from the screen, as well as the red AF light at night does not make it a stealth camera like a traditional quiet Leica M.
The pro's cant' think with manual focus anymore even their AF often gets it wrong. And the sloppy viewfinders the look into every day make them believe it would be hard or impossible to see clear enough to focus manually.
The viewfinders are really a degrade of photography because you get a tremendous kick out of seeing a crisp and crystal clear picture through the Leicaflex and R8/R9 viewfinders (or the Nikon F3HP). The Canon and Nikon viewfinders make it a distant event you're looking at. A degrade.
I like the wow and the kick I get from seeing the light, tones, colors and composition through a brilliant viewfinder. Whereas on a less great viewfinder it's just "well, this will do."