Halloween's Coming

Pumpkin Time, by Reed A. George

Leica M3, 50mm f2 Summicron Collapsible Lens

Kodak Ultramax 400 Film

Processing and Scanning by The Darkroom (thedarkroom.com)

Manipulated in Snapseed

 

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More From Kiyosumi Garden with the Leica IIIG

While visiting Kiyosumi Garden, this young couple, probably just engaged, came to the park with a professional photographer to get their pictures taken under the lovely cherry tree. Keeping a respectable distance, I shot a couple of exposures of my own.

 

Young Couple in the Park, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Elmar 5cm f3.5 Collapsible Lens with Yellow Filter

Ilford HP5+ Film

 

They didn't seem to mind. I love the traditional dress, which makes the images somewhat timeless.

 

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Photos of Kiyosumi Gardens, Tokyo, with Leica IIIG

My mother-in-law lives in Tokyo. She is a wonderful host to us when we visit. Her home is a short walk from the beautiful Kiyosumi Garden. With an interesting history, including the incorporation of natural stones collected from all around Japan, and being owned at one time by the founder of the Mitsubishi empire, today it's a public park that is perfect for a morning stroll.

 

(Click Here) to read more about the history of Kiyosumi Garden.

 

The garden is centered around a large pond, and features a floating teahouse.

 

Kiyosumi Garden, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, 5cm f3.5 Elmar Lens with Yellow Filter

Ilford HP5+ Film (iso 400)

 

In addition to the natural stones and traditional Japanese garden trees (including pines, willows, and cherry trees), the garden has a lot of wildlife, like the ducks you see above, as well as turtles.

 

 

Kiyosumi Garden Wildlife, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, 5cm f3.5 Elmar Lens with Yellow Filter

Ilford HP5+ Film (iso 400)

 

The Leica IIIG, collapsible Elmar, and 400 speed film are not your classic landscape gear. However, I quite like the images I was able to produce with them here. The yellow filter helped increase the contrast just a little, but it was imperative that I keep the bright sky out of the images. In the first image, I had to crop out a plain white sky.

 

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The Fountain at Bryant Park, NYC

I'm getting ready for a quick weekend trip to NYC. I love the place, and can't wait to walk around the City with my camera(s).

 

Here's a rather unremarkable shot I made earlier in the winter at Bryant Park, when it wasn't too cold:

 

Bryant Park Fountain, by Reed A. George

Leica IIIG, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

 

To see a truly remarkable image of the fountain as I assume it looks today, (Click Here).

 

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Lion and Dragon Dancers - Leica IIIG Film Shots

Here are some images of the lion and dragon dancers from the Chinese New Year celebration in DC this year. All were shot with my Leica IIIG rangefinder and 50mm f2 Summicron collapsible, on Ilford HP5+ film.

 

And here's my favorite:

 

 

I absolutely love using the IIIG. The viewfinder is wonderful. Focusing is a bit of a pain, but works. The early Summicron really performs.

 

Burning through that 100' of HP5+!

 

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Restaurant Conversation - Shot with Leica IIIG and Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

The Leica IIIG is the ultimate evolution of the early Leica camera, designed by Oskar Barnack. The IIIG was made at the same time (1957-1960), and actually introduced after the advent of the M series cameras with the M3 (1955-1968). I used my IIIG with my LTM 50mm f2 Summicron Collapsible and Kodak TMax 400 black and white film to capture these two images.

 

Restaurant Conversation, by Reed A. George

 

The IIIG really is a very nice camera to use. It has a nice, bright viewfinder, and framelines for both 50mm and 90mm lenses.

 

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Skeletons From The Closet (SFTC) Results - July's Camera, the Konica I 35mm Rangefinder

Well, July is behind us now. I shot my Konica I 35mm rangefinder camera for the month.

 

(Click Here) to read about the camera.

 

It has been a Konica summer, with my June camera also a Konica, the later model Auto S1.6.

 

Here are some shots from the Konica I. First, several from an evening in Leesburg, VA:

 

 

 

 

The image below is from the National Cathedral. It's an unintended test of the dynamic range of color print film. I'd say it did pretty well.

 

I took the remaining shots on a morning walk in DC's Eastern Market.

 

 

 

So, what is my assessment after shooting the Konica I for a month? First, it's a fun little camera. The collapsible lens makes it very compact; it fits just about anywhere. The rangefinder works very well, and hits the focus point correctly. I think the image quality is quite good for a camera from 1950, and Konica's first 35mm rangefinder. It's very sturdy, but the metal covers do seem to get marked rather easily. This is a drawback for carrying it in a coat pocket, for example.

 

As you'll see over and over in my writing, f3.5 is not quite wide enough for me as a maximum aperture. The Hexar 50mm lens on this camera is pretty sharp, but not quite like the razor sharpness from the later Konica Auto S1.6. One more criticism - there's no accessory shoe, so I have to carry my CV light meter in my camera bag or pocket, rather than slipping it into the shoe so it's always with the camera.

 

So, the Konica I is a great little addition to my collection, and quite functional. The Auto S1.6 is a better shooter overall, in my opinion. In fact, that Auto S1.6 is hard to beat with any other fixed lens rangefinder.

 

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Konica I Rangefinder is July's Skeletons From The Closet Camera!

 

Konica I 35mm Rangefinder Camera with Hexar 50mm f3.5 Collapsible Lens

 

I had so much fun with last month's SFTC camera, the Konica Auto S1.6, I decided to make it a Konica summer. So, July's camera is an older brother to the S1.6, a Konica I 35mm rangefinder with 50mm f3.5 collapsible Hexar lens.

 

This is a fairly late example of the first Konica-named camera, most likely produced in 1950. It features the later Konirapid-S shutter, with speeds up to 1/500 second. The Konica I has the rangefinder and viewfinder integrated into one, which is handy, compared to say a Barnack Leica, where they're separate (except in the IIIG).

 

This is a beautiful little camera, and everything works like clockwork. Very smooth, precise, quiet. It's also quite small compared to the S1.6, mainly due to the f3.5 lens and collapsible design. It does not have lugs for a strap of any kind, which is a drawback in my book. I presume it came with some sort of half-case with strap, but that's no longer around.

 

I have not shot this camera in years. I bought it because I really like old Japanese rangefinders and you don't see these particular ones every day. That's not to say it's rare; Konica sold hundreds of thousands of them. In any case, I shot a roll or two through it, and put it away. I also think I was trying to preserve the condition of the camera - it seems like the metal case would be easy to scratch. But, it's time to give it another try.

 

There's still a full roll of C41 black and white Kodak film in it, unexposed. I'll take my chances with that old film. I don't think I've ever seen that particular film degrade over time. But, I suppose there's some risk. Cross your fingers for me.

 

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Whole Lotta Leica Results - Summicron Collapsible at LHSA Spring Shoot in South Florida!

 

South Florida Sky, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

iso 160, f8, 1/350 sec.

 

I attended the LHSA (International Leica Society) Spring Shoot in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in April. I shot quite a lot with my Whole Lotta Leica lens for the month, the Summicron 50mm collapsible.

 

(Click Here) to read about the lens.

 

Here are some more shots from the trip.

American Dream, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

iso 160, f16, 1/180 sec.

As one of our outings, we visited Villa Vizcaya in Miami. Amazing what turn of the 20th century money could buy.

 

 

Garden Wall, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

iso 160, f16, 1/125 sec.

It was hot and sunny, as we were there mid-day. Justin Stailey of Leica attended the Spring Shoot, and led a great street photography workshop a la Leica Akademie for us.

Leica's Justin Stailey Catching Some Shade, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

iso 160, f3.5, 1/350 sec.

The new Leica Store in Miami welcomed our whole LHSA contingent, serving refreshments, talking Leica, and sharing some results from the new Leica M camera with us. I love the new Leica stores.

Leica Store, Miami, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

iso 640, f3.4, 1/350 sec.

While the lights were low for the M presentation, I shot a few images of one of our Leica Store hosts in the near darkness.

Thoughtful, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

iso 1250, f2.8, 1/25 sec.

My Summicron Collapsible caught the attention of Leica technical whiz Jim Lager. He noted the early serial number, and brought up the radioactive glass. Pretty good eye, catching that from across the table. Here's an example of shooting the old Summicron nearly wide open into the morning light, while I got coffee.

Morning Backlighting, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron 50mm f2 Collapsible Lens

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

Not exactly flare-resistant, the old(est) Summicron does have character.

 

If you're a Leica enthusiast, please look into joining the LHSA. It's a wonderful society, with a first-rate quarterly publication, the "Viewfinder," and an amazing membership of people who know and love Leica and photography. We've recently started a Google+ community for LHSA, which I hope to really make interesting in the coming weeks.

 

(Click Here) to join LHSA. We promise to welcome you to the group!

 

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Whole Lotta Leica - April's 50mm f2 Summicron Collapsible - in South Florida at the LHSA Spring Shoot!

I'm currently at the LHSA (International Leica Society) Spring Shoot in Fort Lauderdale, Florida - held April 18-20, 2013.

 

(Click Here) to read about LHSA. It's a wonderful group of real Leica experts, who also happen to be a lot of fun. Membership includes access to the excellent magazine Viewfinder, meetings in exciting places (Fort Lauderdale this spring, San Francisco in the fall), some amazing raffles for high end Leica equipment, and much more.

 

I'm operating with my iPad only on this trip, so the few pictures in this post are unedited jpegs, straight from the camera. They were all shot with the Summicron collapsible 50mm f2 lens that I selected for my Whole Lotta Leica series lens for April.

 

(Click Here) to read about this special lens.

 

Los Olas Cleaning Crew, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, 50mm f2 Summicron Collapsible

 

I shot this image on my way back to the hotel from Starbucks this morning. I knew that I liked the way the water pouring down looked, but didn't catch it the first time. I waited a few minutes while they soaped and scrubbed, and were finally ready for another water rinse. I also popped on my little Nikon SB30 flash to fill in the backlighting a little.

 

Bow Reflections on New River, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron Collapsible 50mm f2

 

What I like about this shot is how the ripples in the water surface are reflected in the bright metal bow plate of the boat.

 

 

Villa Vizcaya Gardens, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Summicron Collapsible 50mm f2

 

Our outing today began at Villa Vizcaya, home to industrialist James Deering from 1916-1925. I need to work with this image, but what I like is the double framing of a beautiful girl in a blue gown at the gates at the far end. At this size, she looks tiny. I'm hoping it will look good enlarged.

 

We also visited the new Leica store in Miami, and received a nice presentation on the new Leica M camera. Quite impressive.

 

The meeting also offers "Leica on Loan," where Leica loans out cameras and lenses for us to test on our daily shoots. Today I got the Leica Summicron 28mm f2. I shot it on a film Leica, my M4-2, so we'll have to wait until the film is processed to see how that went. I just looked it up and discovered that's a $4,200 lens! I'd better lock that in the hotel safe tonight... If you want your own, please buy it at the link below :)... As if.

 

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Whole Lotta Leica - Shot From April's Lens, the Collapsible Summicron 5cm f2 - Coffee!

Coffee's Up, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 5cm f2 Collapsible

iso 640 f4.8, 1/125 sec

 

April's Whole Lotta Leica lens is the earliest version of Leica's legendary 5cm Summicron.

 

(Click Here) to read about the lens.

 

I usually don't shoot with filters on my lenses. Reading about the rarity of an early (radioactive) Summicron collapsible without cleaning marks on the front lens element, I decided I'd better put a filter on mine for protection. I happened to have a nice example of the original Leica filter that fits this lens. It looks to be in fine condition as well, so I put it on. I shot with the Summicron at two different events yesterday, and looking at the images now, I can see internal reflections in many, and loss of contrast in most. Lesson learned. I'll be removing that filter.

 

The shot above was made without a filter, while my wife and I were in Dayton, Ohio. This coffee shop, Press, is really great. Coffee is made one cup at a time, and is really, really good.

 

I like the leading line of the counter pointing to the real interest of the shot, the coffee pouring into the cup. I also like the shape formed by the barista's arm and torso.

 

I am just getting up to speed on my new Nik software suite. I used SilverEfex to do the black and white conversion, and selected the Kodak Tri-X asa 400 treatment. I love that! It really does resemble the results I get with Tri-X film.

 

So, I'll keep learning - no filters, use SilverEfex, and so on...

 

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April's Whole Lotta Leica Lens - the Summicron 5cm f2 Collapsible LTM "Radioactive" Lens

 

Leica Summicron 5cm f2 Collapsible Lens

 

This month, I am choosing the Summicron 5cm f2 collapsible lens as my Whole Lotta Leica selection. I will pair it up with my Leica M9 for the month and share the results with you here.

 

The Summicron 50mm has been a benchmark lens for Leica (and for comparisons from other manufacturers) since it was first introduced around 1955. The first version (shown here) was a collapsible lens. Originally made in Leica Thread Mount (LTM), the collapsible was also made in Leica M mount. Mine is an LTM lens.

 

The collapsible Summicron was an evolutionary step up from the previous Summitar 5cm f2 collapsible, which remains a favorite of vintage Leica shooters.

 

Mine happens to be an early unit (serial no. 994,XXX), which is classifed as having radioactive glass. There is some disagreement about the meaning of this, but here's a quote from Brian Sweeney, a lens expert with a lot of credibilty:

 

 

"Brian Sweeney

04-27-2010, 03:48

The original Summicrons use Thorium Glass and they are radioactive. I own two of them. Summicrons with SN after 105xxxx do not use radioactive glass.

 

The original prototype Summicrons were marked as Summitars, and had the asterisk (or star) next to the name. I have only seen photographs.

 

http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/lenses/lenses/page92.html

 

The Summar is a double-gauss, 6 elements in four groups, 1-2-2-1 configuration. The Summitar and earlier Summicrons are evolutions of it, 7 elements in 5 groups. The type 2 Rigid Summicron (black, the 70s version) was 6 elements in 5 groups. The modern Summicron went back to the 1-2-2-1 configuration."

 

 

If you're interested, you can (click here) to read more about thorium glass, contaminated lanthanum glass, and whether or not the radioactive glass will fog film (it won't at normal distances).

 

The glass in these lenses is normally yellowed. Some people think it makes these lenses better for black and white shooting. I know it's common to use a yellow filter to increase contrast in blue skies. Or maybe the yellow is worse for color photography?

 

In any case, mine is in gorgeous condition. It is rare to find one without cleaning marks. I got lucky.

 

(Click Here) to read a nice summary of the different versions of the Leica Summicron 50mm lenses on antiquecameras.net

 

The International Leica Society (aka LHSA) is having their Spring Shoot in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on April 17-20. I'll be taking the Summicron collapsible along for the trip.

 

By the way, if you aren't a member of LHSA, I highly recommend it. It's a great group. Even though it formerly had "historical" in its name, the LHSA comprises a wide variety of members with experience ranging from the earliest vintage models through the latest digital Leicas. This is not a group stuck in time. In fact, at my first LHSA event, I took a great workshop on high dynamic range (HDR) imaging. That's not an old technology.

 

In addition to their Spring Shoot and annual meeting, the LHSA holds an annual raffle where they give away extremely expensive and wonderful cameras, and they publish a great journal, known as the Viewfinder. They also offer an electronic membership, where the Viewfinder is delivered as a pdf. Wonderful. No clogging up the mailbox with a paper magazine.

 

So, check out the LHSA:

 

(Click Here) and join!

 

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