A return to film...

[ShivaYash]

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In the past 18 months my photography has turned a retrograde step, whether its for better or worse I am not sure, but I've learnt much, have much to learn, and am enjoying the process.

 

My first Leica was the infamous M3, it was purchased with borrowed funds whilst at university, circa 2002. I had met a German chap at the photographic society and he introduced me to rangefinders. I made contact with Malcom Taylor and an hour later was reading out my credit card details to him, a few days later the M3 and matching 50mm lens arrived. I liked it and shot a fair bit. But not having a meter was difficult for me.

 

A few months later I purchased the M6TTL from the now obsolete Jacobs Photo and Video on New Oxford Street. It was a good move and if I recall, I also picked up the Summicon 35mm and 50mm, this was well student loans were available to me and money did not matter! Leica kit was also priced well above the rest but not out of reach! I liked this camera and used it for a while. Digital was beginning to take shape and I was persuaded by its merits to give it a go. Enter the RD-1... purchased brand new, by way of a trade in. A lovely thing, I took it to India, had it swapped out twice due to rangefinder issues, but did take some memorable photographs. The computing technology did not match and I was disappointed ultimately with the build quality. I think the staff at Jacobs saw this and offered me a brand new Leica MP, a return to film. I shoot only a few rolls, I was young and felt the camera was almost too precious to use, many of the film labs I was using closing, I also lost access to the university dark room, free papers and chemicals. The MP was seldom used. I discovered the joys of the OM series, again introduced to me by my German friend. 

 

Around 2007/ 2008, with film developing becoming expensive (and the launch of the M8) I decided I wanted to give digital another go, things had moved on much since my last taste. I sold the MP, I felt liberated and with this money, purchased a new M8. I was in love. I got rid of virtually all my other kit, just keeping the 35f2. I fell out of love with photography as much, working got in the way and I was still shooting but not really for myself. iPhones became popular and the 28mm camera was OK for snaps. I got married and had children, I turned back to the M8... but I didn't have the software knowledge to really take advantage of my files, I was also lacking a little computing power. My second child was born in 2015 and I wanted full frame. I got a second hand M-E and began to enjoy my 35f2 again! This was the middle of last year. Since then I have spent far too much on cameras, getting the M6 whilst on a work trip in Australia and then another once back in London. And a few lens to boot, but I have learnt several important things, which I want to share with those still reading this.

 

1. I now appreciate the M8, more so that ever.

2. I have begun shooting film again and really enjoy the process, it has improved my digital photography but also made me realise:

3. The M8 gives me almost the same, not quite but almost, feeling of film, esp. with the 50f/1.4ASPH

4. I just got an MP again, after many years, more for curiosity and comparison with the M6s than anything else. Yes it is absolutely sublime, but very, very similar to my M6 experience BUT I think being in my mid to late 30s now, I appreciate it more.

5. Shooting film has only been possible because this medium is having a renaissance now, and with eBay, (the global market) purchasing cheap film a thing of possibility again. Cheaper and affordable processing too is now available via online shops.

6. A dedicate film scanner has also changed my workflow.

 

I'm not going to say one must shoot film to appreciate things, but I think it important to have the right kit, and kit that makes you want to go out and use it. My cameras are seldom in their bags, I shoot every day, whether this will last is anyone's guess but I really enjoy the process and the results. My photographer has advanced and like I started this piece, taken a retrograde step, which I am thankful for. I wish to downsize my collection a little but am in the lucky position of not needing too. Lens and film bodies made by Leica, we all know, are fairly easy to liquidate, so long as you ask a sensible price and aren't in a rush.

 

With the explosion of photography groups of social media, I really enjoy sharing my images with like minded people and am learning a lot, some re-learning, some new learning, but its a great hobby. I guess I am writing this more as an aide memoir for myself, but also think there may be a few tidbits of knowledge useful to others. 

 

Thanks for reading and happy shooting.

PS. Apologies for any typos, I've not properly proofed this but will do in due course.

[Roger Pellegrini]

I only shoot film (and only black and white) on my M6 and MP and develop it myself. However, I would like to start scanning the film to avoid the work of making contact sheets and am curious as to what type of film scanner you are using.

RP

[ShivaYash]

I only shoot film (and only black and white) on my M6 and MP and develop it myself. However, I would like to start scanning the film to avoid the work of making contact sheets and am curious as to what type of film scanner you are using.

RP

Pakon.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NB23]

"Infamous M3"? Maybe, but not on planet earth.

[wattsy]

A few months later I purchased the M6TTL from the now obsolete Jacobs Photo and Video on New Oxford Street. It was a good move and if I recall, I also picked up the Summicon 35mm and 50mm, this was well student loans were available to me and money did not matter! Leica kit was also priced well above the rest but not out of reach! I liked this camera and used it for a while. Digital was beginning to take shape and I was persuaded by its merits to give it a go. Enter the RD-1... purchased brand new, by way of a trade in.

 

 

Interesting. I bought an M6TTL from that branch of Jacobs around that time (2002/3) and also, slightly later in 2004 (was it really 12 years ago?!), bought an RD-1 from them too. I also found the latter ultimately unsatisfactory and went back to film Ms ( in my case M7). You are right that Leica prices in those days were 'top-end' but not an order of magnitude greater than mainstream products (my M6TTL was something like £1400, 35 Summicron was around £800 and an F1 Noctilux was £1850).