Just bought a Leica CM. Need tips!

[carlosecpf]

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Hi guys,

 

I just bought a Leica CM today and I hope to get it delivered by friday! I am really excited for getting back to film. I currently own a Digilux 2, Digilux 3 and a D-lux 4. When I played a little with the Leica CM last week I was instantly hooked with it design and ergonomics, not to mention the bright f/2.4 lens.

 

Last time I shot film was about 15 years ago and I am sure that film options and quality changed a lot since then. So I would like to get your suggestions on top quality films. Also, it would be great to know a good place where I can develop those films in NYC. I am looking to get mainly high-def JPEGs out of developing, but I am not familiar with developer can offer this to me or I should scan the prints later on.

 

Any help or tip is very welcomed!

 

Carlos

[carlosecpf]

No one here shooting film and wanting to she a light?

Come on! I really appreciate ANY input!

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[thetooth]

i am a fan of fuji chrome film provia and velvia . kodak for black and white tmax and tri-x . your better of trying a couple different films/manufactures and seeing what works best for you .

 

that's the fun of it .

[MPJMP]

Congratulations! I had the minilux (predecessor to the CM) for many years and it was such a great camera. The CM is an improvement in every way, but still with the same great Summarit lens.

 

For black and white, if you aren't interested in doing your own developing (and I'm assuming you aren't), then Ilford XP2 Super is a great alternative that can be developed at any lab.

 

Color negative - Fuji Pro 400H and Kodak Ektar 100.

 

E-6: Fuji Provia 100F and Velvia 50.

[masjah]

I've got a CM (having sold on a previous Minilux). I use Reala or Superia Xtra 400 for colour, and the Kodak chromogenic for b/w (BW400CN I think it is, essentially for convenience, but with derated ISO). These days I put Reala in my R9 for tripod use, Superia 400 in my R8 with a zoom for convenient holiday travel use, and BW400CN in my CM.

 

But there's no substitute for trying different emulsions yourself, and seeing what you prefer.

[Xmas]

Please see last post...

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/114732-tri-x-x400-1600-question.html

 

Nothing has really changed in 15 years...

 

Noel

[rubenkok]

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Hi Carlos,

I have had the Minilux, it is sold now. I normally use b&w film.

- Kodak Tri-X, TMax 100 and TMax 400,

- Ilford HP5, FP4 and Delta 400

- Agfa APX 400 and APX 100

Developers I use are

- Rodinal

- Ilford, Ilfosol 3

- Amaloco AM74

And scan my films myself

Hope this is some help.

Kind regards

Ruben

[carlosecpf]

Hi Guys,

 

Thank you very much for your input here. It was really valuable to me as a newbie.

I just bought 4 film rolls:

 

Kodak Professional BW400cn

Ektar 100

Fujifilm Reala 100

Kodak Portra 400VC

 

As soon I get them developed, I will post the results here.

 

Thanks again!

Carlos

[bill]

Carlos, if your CM comes without a manual, let me know - I have one sitting here gathering dust that you can have with my blessing.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[carlosecpf]

Guys, unfortunately my Leica CM is not coming anymore...

 

I bought it from keh.com 2 days ago, proceed with the payment, received a confirmation email from them and today I received a "refund" notification. Apparently they did not have the camera in stock, even though it was featured in the website and they sent me a purchase confirmation email...

 

To make it worse, because of their confirmation email I also bought a Leica leather case for the CM and some rolls of film. I am not mad because of the money I spent on these things, but for the anticipation feeling I created to start shooting film with the Leica CM...

 

I won't do business with Keh.com again... really frustrating. Their representative said on the phone that their website is not reliable and next time I should call them in advance... So what is the point of having a eCommerce website?!?

 

Now I am back to ebay... Hopefully I will find one in good condition at an affordable price.

Edited February 5, 2010 by carlosecpf

[garygsandhu]

I bought my cm from keh a few months ago.

[leicapages]

The CM and Minilux cameras are great. I am using them mainly with Fujicolor Reala 100 and Superia 200.

But lately I have also had good experiences with Kodak Portra 160VC and the new Ektar 100 in rollfilm on my Rolleiflex 6008 AF. These films could be considered if you want more punch in color rendition.

[carlosecpf]

Pascal,

 

Thanks for your inputs!

I friend of mine who shoots with a M6 is insisting for me exchange the Portra 160 VC that I bought for a Porta 160 NC. I will try the VC version first to see if I like it. As another poster mentioned here, that's the fun part!

[leicapages]

The Kodak Portra 160 NC gives a more natural, and thus "flatter" color rendition than its VC counterpart. I was not too impressed with the Portra 400 NC (liked the VC version much better) but have not tried the 100 NC version though I take it that it will resemble the 400 version in color rendition.

I basically prefer Fuji Reala 100 if natural color rendition with very high sharpness is wanted, and the Portra 160 VC if more punch is needed. But also the Fuji Superia 200 and 400 are to be considered if you need more punch than the Reala 100.

Indeed, you have to try them out and see what suits your style best. Usually I take both 100 and 400 films from one single company on a given trip as they are most compatible one with the other. Mixing brands of films on the same trip does lead to major differences between films, which can easily be seen.

So, very often it is this combination:

- Fuji Reala 100 and Fuji NPH 400 (all this with the most neutral colors)

- Fuji Superia 200 and Superia 400 (for more punch)

- Kodak Portra 160 VC and 400 VC (for more punch)

 

Happy shooting,

Pascal

[carlosecpf]

Hi Guys,

 

 

Thank you so much for your replies.

Simon, a very kind member of this forum, sold me his Leica CM. I cannot thank him enough. The camera is in very good conditions and I am already using it!

 

This are some results of my first B&W roll (Ilford FP4+) with it:

 

Filme 4 - Ilford FP4 Plus Leica CM

 

Thanks again for all your support!

[brucek]

This are some results of my first B&W roll (Ilford FP4+) with it:

 

I _really_ like your third image, the doorknob. Well seen!

 

Bruce

[k_g_wolf ✝]

>> Carlos

 

Great shots and thx for sharing ! Considering the CM it is a new camera for you

these results are gorgeous. Keep going and present more of these

fine photographs.

 

But do not blame KEH too much. When they offered your the CM they

were fooled by their computer - I would think - who told them they have one

somewhere. Shit happens. Ken Hansen is a long long time

LEICA dealer of great reputation. Don´t hesitate to try him again one day.

 

The computer thing is the reason why you, perhaps, returned to film from digital.

Digitalization of business organisation is the reason for millions of mistakes.

Don´t take the mistake which happened to you too serious, enjoy your new camera.

But beware, LEICAS - even the tiny ones - are addictive. I wouldn´t mind to

bet, within a year or so you have an MP, an M7 or an M8 ...

 

 

 

Best

GEORG

Edited February 25, 2010 by k_g_wolf

[carlosecpf]

Thanks Bruce!

It is a unlikely subject but I liked the light and shadow and thought it would be redered nicely by the Ilford FP4

[carlosecpf]

Thanks for your encouraging words Georg!

I hope I can get lucky again and take other good shots! The CM is lots of fun.

 

I know I've been harsh on KEH. I posted it right after hanging up with their representative and I was furious. Computers can fail, people can fail... it's normal. I have bought lots of stuff from KEH and never had a problem before this. However, I am still perplexed with what the representative told me over the phone: "Our website is not reliable for sales. If you want to make sure we have the item on stock you should call us." I believe if one cannot sell goods reliably online, one should either warn this in the homepage with big letters or take the website down and only sell goods over the phone. I prefer to believe this representative gave me a wrong information.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[ducttape]

I've got a CM (having sold on a previous Minilux).the Kodak chromogenic for b/w (BW400CN I think it is, essentially for convenience, but with derated ISO).

 

1) What is 'derated'?

 

2) I like the doorknob shot a lot too. Nice contrast and composition

 

I recently sold my M8 and bought a demo MP and I'm trying too to get back in the film swing of things, and enjoying every moment. One of the best parts is trying to explain to people that no, you CAN'T see the pictures until I develop them.