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M8 - The "TEXAS Leica" ???

M'Ate

By M'Ate
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M'Ate

M'Ate

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Idle musings whilst we await availability/delivery/reports/reviews. 1st Nov is looking firm for the first off.

 

In a recent thread, Sean Reid suggested that the M8 is the "Texas Leica", which is great news because I once owned the excellent image producing grande daddy, the GW/GSW 690's and have due respect for the 670's. They were great field cameras and pretty unbeatable for landscape work. At that time, some 8 years ago, 35mm nor digital of the day could not wipe their feet.

 

Now taking Sean literally, and appreciate it may be wrong to do so, can we expect the M8 to replace traditional MF landscape film cameras, or will they forever lack the smooth tonality and detail ? I'm thinking scanned MF here guys.

 

Indeed, have you been a portrayer of landscapes in the past and now getting equal results from digital capture, or even the latest scanned 35mm films ? Have you abandoned MF and are you comfortable with that decision, or do you think something was lost in the transition? Are you dropping some standards as a slave to convenience, 'cos I might be? More active shooting and more frequent results to replace that once a year barnstormer.

 

Sean mate, you said all will be revealed with the M8 images and no attempt to undermine your intent, but what do you mean by TEXAS Leica ?

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M'Ate

M'Ate

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I'll be talking about just this idea in an article about the M8 that I hope to publish soon. So, if you can hang tight for awhile longer, we can discuss it at length.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

Sean,

Presume from your wording that you will be publishing this publically, as opposed to your subscription audience (no offence meant). Is that correct?

 

Otherwise, we'd be stifling a discussion we might not be participating in anyway. :)

 

Further the question is intended for Leica M with latest films and 'other' digital camera use V's MF, in anticipation of M8.

 

M'Ate

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sean_reid

sean_reid

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Sean' date='

Presume from your wording that you will be publishing this publically, as opposed to your subscription audience (no offence meant). Is that correct?

 

Otherwise, we'd be stifling a discussion we might not be participating in anyway. :)

 

Further the question is intended for Leica M with latest films and 'other' digital camera use V's MF, in anticipation of M8.

 

M'Ate[/quote']

 

The article will be published on my site but I can certainly discuss it here. As for the discussion of other film and digital cameras, I understand and am curious to see the responses you get.

 

Sean

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chrism

chrism

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I always assumed Texas Leica simply to mean a physically large rangefinder. My Bronica RF645 would count as one, for sure. I have never had as good results from it as I might, though, because I can only scan MF negs on a flatbed scanner (Epson 4870, with MF film holder) and it doesn't begin to compare with 35mm negs scanned either in the Minolta 5400 (quality) or Pacific Image 3650u (speed).

 

Chris

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Guest malland

Guest malland

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I suppose "Texas Leica" refers to a medium-format quality about the pictures — I hope not, as I like the "35mm aesthetic", particularly for B&W, and currently use the Ricoh GR-D for that reason, as you can see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10268776@N00/.

 

Of course one can always add "grain" using a Photoshop plug-in like Grain Surgery or other software, but I would prefer to get the 35mm look from the camera. Does anyone know whether that will be possible even if M8 files turn out to have a medium-format look?

 

—Mitch/Paris

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boilerdoc

boilerdoc

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Idle musings whilst we await availability/delivery/reports/reviews. 1st Nov is looking firm for the first off.

 

In a recent thread' date=' Sean Reid suggested that the M8 is the "Texas Leica", which is great news because I once owned the excellent image producing grande daddy, the GW/GSW 690's and have due respect for the 670's. They were great field cameras and pretty unbeatable for landscape work. At that time, some 8 years ago, 35mm nor digital of the day could not wipe their feet.

 

Now taking Sean literally, and appreciate it may be wrong to do so, can we expect the M8 to replace traditional MF landscape film cameras, or will they forever lack the smooth tonality and detail ? I'm thinking scanned MF here guys.

 

Indeed, have you been a portrayer of landscapes in the past and now getting equal results from digital capture, or even the latest scanned 35mm films ? Have you abandoned MF and are you comfortable with that decision, or do you think something was lost in the transition? Are you dropping some standards as a slave to convenience, 'cos I might be? More active shooting and more frequent results to replace that once a year barnstormer.

 

Sean mate, you said all will be revealed with the M8 images and no attempt to undermine your intent, but what do you mean by TEXAS Leica ?[/quote']

I think of the Mamiya 7 as a Texas Leica. The 6X7 is hard to beat! Scans beautifully. Reports on RangeFinderForum state the M8 quality is "...in a whole other league". Stay tuned for Sean's report. He's teasing us, I know he is!

Steve

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sean_reid

sean_reid

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I suppose "Texas Leica" refers to a medium-format quality about the pictures — I hope not, as I like the "35mm aesthetic", particularly for B&W, and currently use the Ricoh GR-D for that reason, as you can see here: Flickr: Photos from Mitch Alland.

 

Of course one can always add "grain" using a Photoshop plug-in like Grain Surgery or other software, but I would prefer to get the 35mm look from the camera. Does anyone know whether that will be possible even if M8 files turn out to have a medium-format look?

 

—Mitch/Paris

 

Hi Mitch,

 

That's an interesting question and I'm keeping it in mind today as I write. I promise that I will answer it in the next article I publish about the M8.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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ho_co

ho_co

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I live in Texas and will be interested to learn what Sean had in mind when he said that.

 

For my litteral mind, the term "Texas anything" makes no sense unless it specifies origin.

 

--HC

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ho_co

ho_co

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"Texas Leica" has been a slang term for the Fuji MF rangefinders that at least goes back to the early 80s, possibly further back.

Just another case of my not having the basis to speak. :o

 

Thanks for the explanation.

 

NOW I'm ready to hear your M8 conclusions part II!! :)

 

--HC

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waterlenz

waterlenz

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Hi Howard,

 

"Texas Leica" has been a slang term for the Fuji MF rangefinders that at least goes back to the early 80s, possibly further back.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

 

Don't for get the Combat Graphics! 70mm film and interchangeable lenses.

Tom

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Bob Ross

Bob Ross

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I live in Texas and will be interested to learn what Sean had in mind when he said that.

 

For my litteral mind, the term "Texas anything" makes no sense unless it specifies origin.

 

--HC

Hi HC,

The Texas Leica term usuall applies to the Fuji 670/690 medium format series that started life a Singer in WWII. Y'all gotta get your self one, being a Texan:D Here's mine

Bob

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nrj

nrj

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Hi all

 

this is an interesting question, and I'm looking forward to what people say on it, especially Sean. FWIW I had a texas Leica some years ago (the 6x7 version if it counts - it had the same lens as the 6x9). I've got a Mamiya 7 now which beats it IMHO. I scan 35mm and 120 on a Minolta Multipro form Leica M6 and Mamiya 7 (and Hasselblad, and an old Rollei T). I think of myself as a beginner on scanning but I get very good results from the 35mm at A3+, rich colours and good detail and I'm very happy with the prints. However scans from the Mamiya printed to A3+ are in another league for sharpness and I think they would print to very big sizes (optically they easily go to 36x24).

 

Nik

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sean_reid

sean_reid

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Hi HC,

The Texas Leica term usuall applies to the Fuji 670/690 medium format series that started life a Singer in WWII. Y'all gotta get your self one, being a Texan:D Here's mine

Bob

 

Ah perfect, I was planning to post an example picture myself when I got a chance. Also under this umbrella slang term is the Fuji 6 x 4.5.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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sean_reid

sean_reid

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Not in these parts. 6x7 & 6x9' date=' no baby TL's. ;)[/quote']

 

For those who curious, here is the littlest line of the Texas Leicas and pay no nevermind to the slightly larger format bullies. <G>

 

Fuji Rangefinder Cameras

 

I used the GS645S through the 6 x 9 at one time or another during the mid-80s. It wasn't until I saw these pictures today that I remembered how distinctly "1980s" the design of those cameras was. Probably one of the best known photographers who's worked a lot with the Texas Leicas is Todd Papageorge.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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Bob Ross

Bob Ross

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Ah perfect, I was planning to post an example picture myself when I got a chance. Also under this umbrella slang term is the Fuji 6 x 4.5.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

Hi Sean,

Maybe the first Texas Leica, as in Texas Leica IIIc is this one (Kodak Medalist I). It was being produced about the same time as I was:D It was also refered to as the Professional's Heavy Tank. This particular one spent WWII in Alaska at an Army Airforce base. It is a good testimony for plastic lens barrels;)

Bob

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

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