bideford Posted January 22, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 22, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Finally, I am here. Digital M currently at Solms for pixel remap. Thought I would dig out my old Pentax SLR and revisit film. Even bought a nice 50mm 1.7 lens for the price of a pizza - the old zoom I used to have was awful (wish I realized that 11 years ago!). Big mistake. Don't get me wrong - going back to film SLR was quite an unexpected joy - despite: The lack of variable iso - and having to stick to a fixed asa for the duration of the roll. Very basic light meter. Mirror slap! But, (and this is hard for me to completely understand) - why do I actually like manually winding on the film after each frame? Weird that one because I clearly remember the satisfaction years go of using an auto wind camera for the first time! Also, why do I now appreciate the need to choose carefully when to shoot due to the limited 36 exposure format vs the ever expanding memory card? So why is this a big mistake? Because I am now the proud owner of an M2. Film. No light meter. 63 years old camera. But: No mirror slap. Familiar to handle and use (I'll take a rangefinder over a split prism any day) - sorry Pentax! I can use my existing M mount lenses. Even worse, I have even dug out my old Paterson.... I have clearly rejoined the darkside.... (Obviously my visit will only be temporary when I get my first film back and all the frames are out of focus and over/under exposed!). James 17 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 Hi bideford, Take a look here Took me a while but..... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
madNbad Posted January 23, 2014 Share #2 Posted January 23, 2014 Should you need to send the M2 to Solms you know it will only be one trip. Welcome back. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted January 23, 2014 Share #3 Posted January 23, 2014 I have clearly rejoined the darkside.... Seems to me like you've come back into the light Film is photography. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aesop Posted January 23, 2014 Share #4 Posted January 23, 2014 Seems to me like you've come back into the light Film is photography. ...+1. Stop. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 23, 2014 Share #5 Posted January 23, 2014 It's a bit like when you listen to a favourite LP on the turntable through a decent hifi, compared to your ipod and earphones, or making a pot of tea with leaves, not bags, and drinking from china cups, served with the shortbread you've just baked. More hassle yes, but so much more enjoyable 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthWater Posted January 23, 2014 Share #6 Posted January 23, 2014 (Obviously my visit will only be temporary when I get my first film back and all the frames are out of focus and over/under exposed!). James After picking up my old Nikon FE and I got that horrid first roll back... I was hooked! It made me realize how poorly I was judging light with digital and is what eventually led me to my M6. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bideford Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted January 23, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Before someone points out my appalling maths (or shall I blame it on a typo) I should have said a 54 year old camera.......(1960 vintage). Can anyone tell me how long it will take before I stop trying to turn it off? James Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted January 23, 2014 Share #8 Posted January 23, 2014 Just slide an SD card into the accessory shoe, it'll make the transition easier... 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted January 23, 2014 Share #9 Posted January 23, 2014 Should you need to send the M2 to Solms you know it will only be one trip. Welcome back. Unlike my less than three year old M7 that has just returned from its second warranty trip to Solms complete with new fault... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted January 23, 2014 Share #10 Posted January 23, 2014 Unlike my less than three year old M7 that has just returned from its second warranty trip to Solms complete with new fault... You folks have any kind of 'lemon law' to use in situations like yours? Two trips in less than three years and still broken is indefensible. Leica makes great products and charges a lot for them. Hold their feet to the fire. s-a Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted January 23, 2014 Share #11 Posted January 23, 2014 same story, M4, added an M6 so i can have B&W and color with me at the same time ....... welcome to the light (still have my M9, seeing a bit less use these days). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smb Posted January 23, 2014 Share #12 Posted January 23, 2014 I you need a meter download an app on your smartphone (if you have one). I agree there is something really nice about manually advancing the film after each photograph. Maybe, it is because it makes you stop and think about what your are doing. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr. B Posted January 25, 2014 Share #13 Posted January 25, 2014 To really learn how to read light don't even use a meter. Make a note of your exposures then look at your negatives to see what worked and what didn't. After time your results will become more consistent especially if you use the same type of film. I prefer TriX. Mr. B Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted January 26, 2014 Share #14 Posted January 26, 2014 To really learn how to read light don't even use a meter. Make a note of your exposures then look at your negatives to see what worked and what didn't. After time your results will become more consistent especially if you use the same type of film. I prefer TriX.Mr. B Just how did it back in the 1960s when most cameras had no meter. You do develop an eye for exposure, especially when you stay with one type of film. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalArts 99 Posted January 26, 2014 Share #15 Posted January 26, 2014 There's really nothing inherently 'wrong' with digital, it's just a different kind of tool. I differentiate it as 'film photography' versus 'electronic photography.' I use both myself but simply prefer the aesthetics of film, and also the use of mechanical film cameras over computerized electronic cameras in general. However if I were a commercial photographer, I would no doubt embrace digital as the most viable tool in respect to profitability. But I personally don't hold a lot of credence with the notion of 'slowing down' just because one is using film. However that's just a personal thing. I don't like to chimp nor do I photograph in any rampant fashion when using digital. My technique of 'slow and contemplated' is really the same with both types of tools. Anyway, here's another 'slowing down' perspective (and from a 2002 Pulitzer Prize winning photographer while at the NY Times Vincent Laforet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) about the differences he finds with using film versus digital: "There’s no "delete" button in film… no way to erase your mistakes… no "do over" button. Your masterpieces and more often than not their very opposites are a matter of record for all to see the moment you press that shutter. And that makes you take things a bit more seriously. If forces you to study the craft, as repeating mistakes is literally: expensive. Digital technology has somehow slightly cheapened the value of an image… hasn’t it? The marvel of technology has a bad tendency to lead to a bit of laziness, impatience, and a reticence to do "work for" something… generally speaking. And let’s not get started on what it’s done to our attention spans! I think rats on crack have greater attention spans than many of us do today, and that’s scary to say the least. It affects the length of what we write (how many of you made it this far?) how we converse with one another (texting vs calling,) and how we shoot and edit our film/tv shows etc. And generally (I’m sorry to say) not for the better." In a fast moving world… We could all do with a roll of 36 exposures 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bideford Posted January 29, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted January 29, 2014 First roll processed commercially and negatives scanned by me on a Plustek 8100 (far better than the commercial scans). 23 reasonable ones out of 36. Occasional use of external light meter (more to sense check) and basic pp in Lightroom. Will develop next roll at home. Leica M2 - a set on Flickr James 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted January 29, 2014 Share #17 Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Kinda fun, isn't it? There is still a certain magic to analog photography, the uncertainty of was the exposure right and the unveiling of the negative. Nothing against the immediate response of digital images, especially as the sensors get better and better but it can't compare to the "Oh, crap!" or "Oh, wow!" of a strip of film. Edited January 29, 2014 by madNbad Spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted January 29, 2014 Share #18 Posted January 29, 2014 Film is cool. Full stop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colmac Posted January 29, 2014 Share #19 Posted January 29, 2014 James, What a revealing experience and another confirmation that less is more! In a world driven by consumption and excessive overindulgence combined with short lived products it can be quite soothing, no satisfying, to pick up a camera that feels like one, handles like one, sounds like one and takes great photos with Leitz glass. Check the thread ‘love my M2’ for my new companion, top materials, a striking design and built to last. BTW I’ve nothing against digital, use it myself when instant replay is required, just can’t get my head around someone taking over 1000 snaps a day…. Regards, Col Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamey Posted January 29, 2014 Share #20 Posted January 29, 2014 Welcome back to reality, however I must admit I use both mediums. Whenever I see something that I want it's film first, then if time permits I will then pull out my Canon digital and take a few happy snaps, view them immediately then move on. When I get my slides processed and those captured images are in my possession then I know I have something to cherish, Unlike an Electronic image, it's only for the record, easy come easy go. Just me, I love my slide film. Ken. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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