IIIc - Three rolls, three weeks on

[bill]

Well,

It has been three weeks now since the IIIc moved into my life and started stealing film from my 'fridge, and I thought it was time to share with you some of what it has been up to, and what I have caught it pointing at.

The problem I had with the first roll, that of an unfocussed blob in the same place on each negative, has gone, helped on it's way by the judicious application of some canned air.

Loading has not been a problem, and I am trimming the leader by hand and eye - it's not that hard.

I have continued to use my FX--01 as an impromptu lightmeter, and have yet to lose a frame to an exposure error. My method of working is to take a reading when I set out, from a neutral tone, and then to transfer that to the IIIc. I vary by a stop or so either side as light conditions vary.

Handling is great; very tactile, and very sure, inspiring confidence. Focussing is getting easier, but I'm still slow, hunting a bit. I have an OKARO orange filter on the way from eBay (thanks to Michael Boylan for alerting me to it's existence) and will see if the improvement in contrast makes things easier. It's very discreet in use, and attracts little or no attention beyond the odd curious look.

Framing is still a bit hit and miss, because I'm still using the 35 Elmar it came with, so I am just framing loosely at the moment. The exception in the shots below is the cafe tables; I shot this as an exercise in DOF, with my VC 75mm, framing tightly. A 50 lies in the near future...

With the exception of the shot of the benches and children in Windsor which was taken on colour print, I've been using Kodak 400CN. Last weekend I bought up the last nine rolls in Camberley, from Boots, on a 3 for 2 offer - that should keep me going for a while. Developing and scanning is by my local Sainsburys, done in an hour, with a text to tell me it's ready, for under a tenner.

The shots you see here have all been treated the same way. Converted to b/w in photoshop, then adjusted for levels (not by much) and contrast. They are then tritoned. The Windsor (benches) shot is mildly cropped, and has had some noise added - it seemed to suit a slightly more gritty look.

I can honestly say that this is incredible fun. I haven't shot so much film in ages. I find myself looking - really looking - again. It's small enough to fit in a coat pocket and "big" enough to deliver the goods. Above all, it's therapeutic in a way that digital just isn't. I feel like a photographer again, instead of an ambling programmer. I've found myself "playing" with light and shade again, in a way that I just don't with digital - or indeed with colour stock.

Enough words. Here are the pictures.

IIIc Bar Centro.jpg

1. Guildford. You can tell when you are in Surrey when the pizza delivery is by stylish machines like this.


IIIc Guildford 3.jpg

2. Guildford. Abbots' Hospital - sheltered accommodation in the centre of town, dating back centuries


IIIc Guildford 4.jpg

3. Guildford. The University of Surrey is based in the town which explains this statue but does not excuse it


IIIc Guildford 6.jpg

4. Guildford. The courtyard of the Angel Hotel, an old coaching inn (the Portsmouth Road used to run along the High Street and the Angel was one of half a dozen inns.



IIIc Windsor 1.jpg

5. Windsor. We were all young once.

Regards,

Bill

[robsteve]

Great work Bill. Reminds some of us lusting after the latest and greatest camera, that a better camera will not make us better photographers. The same can be said about the latest and greatest lenses.

[christoph_d]

Hello Bill,

Nice to see you enjoying yourself, and nice to see your results. My personal favourite is
your picture of the courtyard, possibly due to the very nice use of the DOF. Wishing you
more fun, and more nice pictures,

Regards, C.

[andybarton]

Really like the chairs shot, Bill.

[thomasw_]

splendid work, bill! soon i hope to put up some of my IIIc captures... i admire your ability to compose

[christer]

very nice, very enjoyable.
thanks, chris

[earleygallery]

Hi Bill,

The shot of the benches is fantastic!

These cameras really are quite infectious. So many people think they are just for collectors! I can't believe that I left mine unused for so long (when my Summar lens fogging became worse). The VC 25mm gave it a new lease of life but I was really surprised when I finally got around to buying a 5cm Elmar for it, wish I'd done that years ago!

I've just not had a chance to shoot with the two 'new' Elmar 5cm's I've bought (a red scale and a 2.8), but I'm itching to now.

[bill]

Thank you very much for the kind comments, chaps. A 50mm Summitar arrived today, courtesy of eBay. I can't wait for the torrential rain to stop so that I can give it a try! Thomas, any tips would be welcome - it seems we now have the identical setup

Regards,

Bill

[square_one]

Well put Bill, this going after thoughful images with something old, efficient and simple - letting your heart take you and one camera and one lens away to your (accidental??)swooping bench shot which is SO un-ordinary!

Bruce

[stunsworth]

Originally Posted by bill

I can't wait for the torrential rain to stop so that I can give it a try!

Don't hold your breath, this must be the wetest drought on record!

Nice to see that you're having so much fun with the camera, a IIIC with a Summar was my introduction to the wacky world of Leica.The IIIC went years ago, but aomehow I couldn't part with the lens.

[bill]

Bruce, the benches shot was not accidental per se; It's the last of three I took. The "happy accident" was those great kids who ran into shot and focus at just the right time. To me, they make the shot.

Regards,

Bill