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[PFM]

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Haven't been around here for a while.  But then, it's been kind of slow on the photography end too.  I think the frustration from getting the 28mm-R repaired (with a six month turn-around) kind of took the joy out of it for a while.  Then I got busy with all sorts of things I'd left on the back burner for too long.  So I'm working my way back to doing something photography wise at least once a week, as long as the weather cooperates.

 

That said, I've also been expanding my Leica holdings from just the R7 kit.  I purchased a film CL with the 40/90 lens combo, then got some Voigtlander wide-angles to go with it.  It's a great little camera, but that's also the rub.  I kept wishing for something bigger to hold on to, and started to research the M line of bodies.  Then one day I found myself in Robert's Camera (Indianapolis, IN), perusing the Used Photo Pro section of the store.  They had an M4 on the shelf, and I gave it a good once over.  I'd held an M3 a few years ago, and this M4 felt just as good in the hand, so I knew I was on the right track.  I was also considering a Zeiss Ikon ZM, but was a little skittish about the electronics.  I mean, they only made two models, and since they went out of production so long ago, getting repairs was going to be problematic.

 

So it came down to what viewfinder did I prefer.  I checked with multiple sources, and even though some folks might think it is too cluttered, I went with the M4-P (in black chrome) since those very same lines can be used to keep the horizon straight, something I have an issue with even on my SLR's.  And to be able to use 28 to 135mm lenses without an external finder sealed the deal.

 

I got the camera body from Igor Camera, and a Winder M4-2 from another seller who had some NOS ones lying around.  Unfortunately, the other seller forgot to check all the boxes he had, and the one I got just happened to be missing the battery chamber, so I'm waiting on that to arrive in a couple of days.  The camera looks great with the Summicron-C 40 sitting on it, and it's already been pre-dinged, so I won't feel bad first blemish I put on it, though I'm not a rough handler when it comes to cameras.

 

Now I just have to get some Tri-X in it, and start shooting.

 

PF

[philipus]

Good to see you posting here, PF. Welcome back. I'm agree with you regarding the 28 and 135 framelines. I have that in my TTL and don't find the viewfinder cluttered at all. Btw I saw your wideangle tests on Flickr which have made me lust for one of those wide Voigtländers. They seem awfully capable.

 

I hope the battery chamber arrives quickly so you can get out shooting. And once you have some pix please consider sharing them in the I like film thread, which essentially is a long-running illustrated friendly conversation on film.

 

br

Philip

 

 

 

Haven't been around here for a while.  But then, it's been kind of slow on the photography end too.  I think the frustration from getting the 28mm-R repaired (with a six month turn-around) kind of took the joy out of it for a while.  Then I got busy with all sorts of things I'd left on the back burner for too long.  So I'm working my way back to doing something photography wise at least once a week, as long as the weather cooperates.

 

That said, I've also been expanding my Leica holdings from just the R7 kit.  I purchased a film CL with the 40/90 lens combo, then got some Voigtlander wide-angles to go with it.  It's a great little camera, but that's also the rub.  I kept wishing for something bigger to hold on to, and started to research the M line of bodies.  Then one day I found myself in Robert's Camera (Indianapolis, IN), perusing the Used Photo Pro section of the store.  They had an M4 on the shelf, and I gave it a good once over.  I'd held an M3 a few years ago, and this M4 felt just as good in the hand, so I knew I was on the right track.  I was also considering a Zeiss Ikon ZM, but was a little skittish about the electronics.  I mean, they only made two models, and since they went out of production so long ago, getting repairs was going to be problematic.

 

So it came down to what viewfinder did I prefer.  I checked with multiple sources, and even though some folks might think it is too cluttered, I went with the M4-P (in black chrome) since those very same lines can be used to keep the horizon straight, something I have an issue with even on my SLR's.  And to be able to use 28 to 135mm lenses without an external finder sealed the deal.

 

I got the camera body from Igor Camera, and a Winder M4-2 from another seller who had some NOS ones lying around.  Unfortunately, the other seller forgot to check all the boxes he had, and the one I got just happened to be missing the battery chamber, so I'm waiting on that to arrive in a couple of days.  The camera looks great with the Summicron-C 40 sitting on it, and it's already been pre-dinged, so I won't feel bad first blemish I put on it, though I'm not a rough handler when it comes to cameras.

 

Now I just have to get some Tri-X in it, and start shooting.

 

PF

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[PFM]

Good to see you posting here, PF. Welcome back. I'm agree with you regarding the 28 and 135 framelines. I have that in my TTL and don't find the viewfinder cluttered at all. Btw I saw your wideangle tests on Flickr which have made me lust for one of those wide Voigtländers. They seem awfully capable.

 

I hope the battery chamber arrives quickly so you can get out shooting. And once you have some pix please consider sharing them in the I like film thread, which essentially is a long-running illustrated friendly conversation on film.

 

br

Philip

Thanks, Philip.  I'm looking to run a roll the regular way before using the winder, but would like to test it before actually putting film in it first.  The chamber is supposed to show up tomorrow according to the tracking. 

 

The wide angles are a blast!

 

PF

[PFM]

The battery chamber arrived yesterday, and kind of startled me with the noise and shudder it makes.  I think it will be relegated to the collection shelf.  Looks like I'll be getting a Drive M after all. 

 

But on a brighter note, I was able to bang off a 24 exposure roll of Tri-X today testing with the 40mm and 90mm that came with the CL while trying to get some photos of the gas pipeline being run through the area.  The edge of the path comes within 100 yards of a house in the village of Newport, VA.  The whole village is within the blast zone if it ever goes up in flames.  As I was photographing the town center, the pipeline workers came blasting through at quitting time in their work trucks, and monster pick-ups.

 

PF

[sblitz]

Get the M4 and be done with it!!!! :-) No battery and it is only missing the 75mm frame lines. It is a mechanical masterpiece, last one made to those tight specs and you will never think twice about using it in whatever weather and if it drops, just pick it up and keep shooting. The sound of the shutter is poetry! :-)

[PFM]

Get the M4 and be done with it!!!! :-) No battery and it is only missing the 75mm frame lines. It is a mechanical masterpiece, last one made to those tight specs and you will never think twice about using it in whatever weather and if it drops, just pick it up and keep shooting. The sound of the shutter is poetry! :-)

 

I was referring to the sound made by the Winder M4-2 attached to the M4-P, not the sound of the M4-P shutter in general.  The only thing that takes batteries in that combination is the winder.  But you will be happy to know I solved the issue by getting a Rapidwinder, which arrived today.  No "Whoomp!", no batteries.

 

PF