First Leica, First Roll of Tri-X, and Thoughts

[mediumformula]

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I finished shooting my first roll on the IIIf today with the Summicron.  I'll send the film out soon to get developed with a bunch of other rolls.  Shooting without a light meter was really interesting and kind of fun.  I have no idea how they will turn out.  I was using Sunny 16 but under varying lighting conditions throughout the day, so I hope my guessing was close.  I was on Tri-x.  Shooting without a meter is a bit freeing.  It seems like an important skill to acquire.  I'll post some pics when I get them back.

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[farnz]

On 5/28/2020 at 10:39 PM, mediumformula said:

Does anyone else shoot an M and II/ III?

I shoot with a IIIg and an M3.  I traded my IIIf RD DT for the IIIg because the 'picture window' (by comparison) viewfinder had me at the first attempt.  I loved my IIIf though and I sometimes feel a GAS tug to find another one.

By now you probably will have discovered the joys of loading film into your IIIf and a full chapter of new cuss-words.  As you would imagine there are lots of helpful tips and hints in threads on the forum so I won't bore you with those.  I found another way to make loading easier by acquiring a Nicca Type-5 body that is identical to a IIIf except that it has a horizontally-opening back door.  On those days when I'm grumpy and can't be bothered cutting the film leader and fiddling with loading the IIIg then the Nicca comes along.

Pete. 

[mediumformula]

4 minutes ago, farnz said:

I shoot with a IIIg and an M3.  I traded my IIIf RD DT for the IIIg because the 'picture window' (by comparison) viewfinder had me at the first attempt.  I loved my IIIf though and I sometimes feel a GAS tug to find another one.

By now you probably will have discovered the joys of loading film into your IIIf and a full chapter of new cuss-words.  As you would imagine there are lots of helpful tips and hints in threads on the forum so I won't bore you with those.  I found another way to make loading easier by acquiring a Nicca Type-5 body that is identical to a IIIf except that it has a horizontally-opening back door.  On those days when I'm grumpy and can't be bothered cutting the film leader and fiddling with loading the IIIg then the Nicca comes along.

Pete. 

Hi Pete. I have never tried a IIIg, but I quite like the look through the IIIf viewfinder.  It's like looking back in time.  (part of me is now GASing for a IIIc).  I didn't have too much trouble loading the first roll after cutting the leader like I had seen in some videos.  But it is a bit of a process and I appreciate the quick load of the MP.

[david strachan]

Yes, i love using my IIIc(f conv) probably more than my M6. Just a great hand feel and works well.

Apropos loading...thought you used an ABLON Pete?  Is it still frustrating to load even when the leader is cut to shape?

I use the business card method (in fact clear peice of stiff plastic) but still takes time and jiggling to get film loaded properly.

...

[farnz]

6 hours ago, david strachan said:

Apropos loading...thought you used an ABLON Pete?

Hi David,

I use a 'Prince', which is a less expensive ABLON copy that works equally well, and it would be far more effective if I could only remember where the heck I've put it! 😆

Pete.

[Pyrogallol]

ABLONs cost silly money. There are cheaper ways of cutting the right leader. There have been other discussions on the forum about it.

[david strachan]

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41 minutes ago, Pyrogallol said:

ABLONs cost silly money. There are cheaper ways of cutting the right leader. There have been other discussions on the forum about it.

Yes, thanks Pyro.  I've followed all the threads on cutting leaders...some quite hilarious.

Just interested if using a trimmed leader gives guaranteed faultless loading and smoothe operation.

All best...

[farnz]

20 minutes ago, david strachan said:

Just interested if using a trimmed leader gives guaranteed faultless loading and smoothe operation.

Hi Dave,

My take would be: not 'guaranteed' loading but more reliable and less fiddling than without cutting the leader providing that the lens is removed and shutter held open so that the film can be massaged into place if it's in a rebellious mood or the bottom sprocket is feeling grumpy and uncooperative.

Pete.

[david strachan]

Thanks Pete.

All best...

[Pyrogallol]

Yes, even after years of practice I still find the film occasionally doesn’t hook up properly. I take up the slack with the rewind knob and watch for the film to turn it as I make the first wind, but sometimes it only jiggles about a fraction to give the impression that it is moving. It did that on my current film. I took it out and tried again, this time it turned the rewind knob fully indicating it had hooked up correctly.

Before refitting the bottom onto the camera you can just see the bottom sprocket wheel, I need to remember to check that the film is fully fitting over the sprocket teeth with the slack taken up before refitting the bottom, or as some of the old 1930’s literature calls it, the lid.

Edited May 31, 2020 by Pyrogallol

[mediumformula]

I got my first two rolls back that I shot on the Summicron collapsible.  I shot one roll with the IIIf and one with my MP with an adapter. First of all.  I really enjoy shooting with the IIIf.  I find shooting without a light meter to be freeing.  It was my first time doing it and I somehow managed to get all the shots more or less exposed properly including a few shots inside, a few lit mostly with candlelight (see below). I was shooting with Tri-x.  As I had mentioned this lens has some light haze inside of it.  I will probably send it out at some point to get a CLA but I'm happy to see that it is already performing well as is.  This is the model of lens HCB used in the latter half of his career!

 

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Edited June 7, 2020 by mediumformula

[mediumformula]

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[jmahto]

On 6/6/2020 at 9:16 PM, mediumformula said:

I got my first two rolls back that I shot on the Summicron collapsible.  I shot one roll with the IIIf and one with my MP with an adapter. First of all.  I really enjoy shooting with the IIIf.  I find shooting without a light meter to be freeing.  It was my first time doing it and I somehow managed to get all the shots more or less exposed properly including a few shots inside, a few lit mostly with candlelight (see below). I was shooting with Tri-x.  As I had mentioned this lens has some light haze inside of it.  I will probably send it out at some point to get a CLA but I'm happy to see that it is already performing well as is.  This is the model of lens HCB used in the latter half of his career!

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

 

Nice pics. That’s the joy of Tri-X. You can’t mess up.  I did have issues with loading first but now I have settled on business card/train ticket method and It works flawlessly. You just need to be careful first few frames to make sure film is moving  

I have M2 and IIIc(f) and I love the later more. Partly because of pocketability with my Red Scale 5cm Elmar. Good enough to shoot on Ektachrome.

There is something with Tri-X that I can’t shrug off. On the other hand, I shot cinestill 50D on M2 with my 50lux ASPH and the results are divine! 
 

This is the beauty of film cameras. Not stuck up like modern digital in a narrow look (unless you start taking LR/PS tutorials). 

Edited June 20, 2020 by jmahto

[mediumformula]

59 minutes ago, jmahto said:

Nice pics. That’s the joy of Tri-X. You can’t mess up.  I did have issues with loading first but now I have settled on business card/train ticket method and It works flawlessly. You just need to be careful first few frames to make sure film is moving  

I have M2 and IIIc(f) and I love the later more. Partly because of pocketability with my Red Scale 5cm Elmar. Good enough to shoot on Ektachrome.

There is something with Tri-X that I can’t shrug off. On the other hand, I shot cinestill 50D on M2 with my 50lux ASPH and the results are divine! 
 

This is the beauty of film cameras. Not stuck up like modern digital in a narrow look (unless you start taking LR/PS tutorials). 

I just ordered a 5cm Elmar for the pocketablity! I also recently painstakingly chiseled off the hard volcanite covering and put a natural leather cover on.  It feels much better in the hand with the leather cover, although I never want to repeat the tedious process of removing another plastic cover like that again.  

Big Question: Do some of the earlier III series cameras have a brass dioptor for the Range/Viewfinder windows?  The IIIf is black plastic.  From pics it looks like the IIIc might have a brass one.  Is this correct?  Would it fit a IIIf?  Anyone know where I can get a brass dioptor?  Anyone have one they want to hook me up with?  Thanks

[farnz]

6 hours ago, mediumformula said:

Anyone know where I can get a brass dioptor? 

Do you mean an ORAKO that improves the ghost image contrast in the rangefinder with a deep orange filter or do you mean one that actually alters the viewfinders optics?

Pete.

[mediumformula]

2 hours ago, farnz said:

Do you mean an ORAKO that improves the ghost image contrast in the rangefinder with a deep orange filter or do you mean one that actually alters the viewfinders optics?

Pete.

No, just the black diptic window that covers the rangefinder and viewfinder.  There is no glass in it.  It's screwed on to the exterior of the camera and you place your eye up to it to focus and frame.