Whole Lotta Leica Results - Summicron 35mm f2 in Lahaina, Maui

I found that I didn't actually carry the M9 around a lot on vacation in Maui. I think this was mainly because I was out in the sun, sand, and water a lot - not exactly the best environment for a rangefinder camera. But, I did make it a point to go into Lahaina town with it. Here are a couple of shots I made:

 

Chinese Wing Ho Museum, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 35mm f2

iso 160, f11, 1/250 sec.

 

The Wing Ho Chinese Society built this house in 1912 on Front Street in Lahaina. The house fell into disrepair for many years before being rescued and renovated in 1983. I was happy to catch these Asian (Chinese?) tourists leaving the museum.

 

Biker, Front Street, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 35mm f2

iso 160, f11, 1/250 sec.

This was a quick reaction shot. It paid to have my camera exposure set, and hyperfocal distance set on the focus scale. With the 35mm wide angle lens, the depth of field at f11 is considerable, and allowed me to quickly pull up the camera and shoot. Again, the 35mm field of view allowed me to be close to the biker (on the sidewalk as he rode by), and get some context of the street as well. With a 50mm, it would have been harder to get focus, and I probably would have had to confine the composition to the biker himself. As it is, this shot gives some clue as to where it was taken. Asian biker, Hawaiian store name, you get it.

 

I could get used to shooting with a 35mm lens. Maybe I should.

 

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By the way, if you travel to Hawaii, you may want to read the book below, This Is Paradise. It is a series of short stories that gives you a feel for the real modern Hawaii, away from the tourist resorts. It is for mature audiences (just a warning). I enjoyed it very much. Please buy yours through the link below:

 

 

Doggie Diptych - Whole Lotta Leica - Summicron 35mm f2 v.3

I sometimes like to shoot a series of images. Usually a triptych (three images) works best, but sometimes just two images (a diptych) can suffice.

 

While attending an event in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, I witnessed this little girl approaching a dog from his blind side. She tentatively reached out to pet him when he turned and spooked her pretty good:

Doggie Diptych, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 35mm f2 v.3

iso 320, f9.5, 1/180 sec.

 

The Summicron 35 excels for this kind of shooting. I was close enough to see what was going on, but far enough away to capture both the little girl interacting with the dog, and his owner watching from the right of the frame. This is why the 35mm focal length is so popular for street photography. The Summicron is one of the best 35mm lenses made, even the older version 3 like mine.

 

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A Few Family Portraits With August's Whole Lotta Leica Lens, the Leica Summicron 35mm f2

During the month of August, I carried the Summicron 35mm f2 on my M9 just about every day. I shot a few pictures of the girls that put up with me every day, including having their pictures taken. I think the Summicron did a pretty good job of capturing them.

 

First, my wife. We had a nice afternoon tea while our 12 year old daughter was off playing paintball. Pretty civilized compared to our daughter out running around in camouflage on the paintball field.

Afternoon Tea, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 35mm f2 v.3

iso 320, f2.8, 1/90 sec.

 

On another evening, I took my daughter out to walk around Leesburg, Virginia. We happened into a cajun restaurant where the evening lights were quite interesting.

 

Dusk at the Cajun Experience, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 35mm f2 v.3

iso 320, f2.4, 1/45 sec.

After Dark, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 35mm f2 v.3

iso 640, f2, 1/25 sec.

 

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Whole Lotta Leica (WLL) Results - Contemplative Photography With the Summicron 35mm f2

I have pursued the concept of "contemplative photography" on and off for a couple of years now. I enjoy it, finding it to be a nice form of meditative concentration, along with making some interesting pictures if I get lucky.

 

My daughter's dive class was finishing up their checkout dives today, and I decided that I didn't feel like diving. So, I spent an hour or two hanging out, writing, and trying to focus on contemplative photography.

 

After the group went into the water, I started trying to look for interesting compositions around the quarry. Here's the stairs leading into the water.

 

Down Into the Blue, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f8, 1/60 sec.

 

 

Up Into the Blue, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f11, 1/500 sec.

 

In this shot above, I really missed an opportunity. I heard a flock of geese coming, but assumed I wouldn't be able to see them through the trees. As I was picking up my camera, they flew right across this area of open sky. I really wish I'd been ready, but that was that. Deciding not to cling to an image that never was, I kept exploring.

 

I find that whenever I sit and think, limiting my options (in this case sitting in one place for thirty minutes), I start to play with moving the camera. This does get overdone, but can lead to some interesting abstracts.

Foliage Abstract, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f16, 1/4 sec.

 

In the image below, I tried to sync the camera motion to the speed and direction of the plants blowing in the wind.

Wind Motion, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f16, 1/2 sec.

 

Glare and Motion, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 160, f16, 1/4 sec.

 

I finished up by trying something pretty unconventional - photographing butterflies with a wide angle lens and rangefinder camera. I didn't get the exact image I wanted, but found it intriguing. I'd like to try this more:

 

Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 version 3

iso 320, f4.8, 1/350 sec.

 

This was a fun morning. I need more time like this.

 

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