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My New Leica O Adventure!


glenjazz

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Hello all. This is a really enjoyable and informative forum.

 

I just want to share my excitement about using the Leica O Prototype 2 camera I recently purchased.

After 25 years away from b+w film shooting, and MANY years immersed in the digital realm, I elected to jump back into film...way back.

I'm finding that using a camera which requires so much thoughtfulness (frame, set focus, set exposure, REMOVE lense cap, frame again!, shoot, REPLACE lense cap, etc.) helps me to SEE what it is that I want to photograph, and THINK of how best to do it with the one 50mm lense.

I was a bit wary at first, of using such an archaic machine, but I'm glad I took the plunge! I've actually gotten so much into the habit of taking the lense cap on and off this camera, that when I use my CV R3M, I do the same thing! Whoa!

 

Anyway, for ME, this is a wonderfully refreshing experience. I am just waiting for some good stainless steel reels to come in and I'll be processing and printing b+w film again. The adventure begins!

Glen

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Ravi - Light out here in AZ is NOT a problem. I've got 4 rolls of HP5 that I have no idea why I bought (I'll get one,I'm sure). Even HP4 125 ISO is being shot at 1/500 f12 most of the time with this camera, a good thing though, given that there's a lot of broad flat country and I can use all the d.o.f. I get. I will try a slower speed when I get more comfortable with the whole process.

 

James - Sorry about my use of lense for lens, I'll try to "loose" my use of it!

Thanks, Glen

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If you like to work that hard, I suggest you try a 4x5 view camera. The type of thought process is much the same.

 

With some training, you can apply the same training and thought to all your photography.

Dr Paul Wolf did it decades back and he was famous for his perfect compositions.

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Hi Tobey.

Having photography training and experience going back to the early '70s, I'm aware of the process similarities to large format photography. What I don't care for is the size and weight of the 4x5 equipment. I used a 4x5 in a studio for years. The thoughts of lugging it and a tripod and all the accessories around on my hikes here in the high desert of AZ doesn't tempt me at all! (Yes, I know about and admire all those great photographers who carried more! Bless 'em!)

Besides that, my enlarger will only accommodate 6x6 negs max, and I'm okay with that. The heaviest I'll ever go equipment-wise will probably be a 500CM Hassy, Bronica or Kowa Six. Maybe a TLR Rollei.

Right now, 35mm is great. Got my Leica O, Luna-Pro and Weston 853 meters, Bessa R3M with 50 f2.0 Heliar, CV 35 f2.5 Skopar, and 75 f2.5 Heliar. No flash, don't care. Happy snaps are taken with a Konica-Minolta Dimage Z5 5MP (ONLY 5MP!!). When I go out to shoot, I usually take either the Leica and a meter, or the Bessa and one lens (not a lense!). I like the limitations as they force me to look and SEE, and move to compose the photo. Good exercise for now. Maybe later I'll schlep more stuff.

 

Hello again, James and thanks for correcting my spelling error. I'll use spell-check more frequently! My intentions are to produce 8x10 to 11x14 b+w prints. If I like them well enough, I'll offer them for sale in my art studio along with my acrylic paintings. Scanning and uploading any of this stuff is the last thing I'm interested in. Although I may try to post some results here for critical review.

This is a great forum, lots of info, and very courteous, enjoyable user input!

Thanks all.

Glen

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Glen,

 

Welcome to the '0' series owners club.

I really like mine also - though must admit it's not seen much use of late, so I must change that soon. In the past I used it as a travel camera because of it small size and great lens.

 

There is only one camera I've found that's more difficult to use : the Hasselblad flexbody.

 

Tripod only use:

Cock body

Attach lens ( making sure it was pre-cocked also )

Attach ground glass

Attach RMFx angle viewer

Attach cable release

Focus

Tilt/shift

Insert compensation slide ( 1 of 3 from left or right based on how much raise/lower )

Frame

Remove ground glass

Attach back

Half fire shutter

Remove dark slide from back

Take the photo

Insert dark slide

Wind on

Re-cock body+lens

(then go back to start or half fire shutter step )

 

 

Donald.

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