leica Archives - Page 8 of 14

I love Leica M3

When I got my first film camera, a Leica M3, I was over the moon! I sold most of my DSLRs because I fell head over heels for the M3 and those cameras just weren’t doing it for me anymore. And that was just the beginning!

The M3 is a 60-year-old mechanical camera, but it was the start of something wonderful for me. “A street photographer without a film camera is like a body without a soul. Hahaha.” I think the Leica M3 has a special quality: the more time you spend with it, the better your photography becomes. This quality is transferred from the camera through your fingers, your skin, your nerves. This isn’t your typical objective camera review. It’s more like a heartfelt poem that expresses my emotions.

Real Classic

The Leica M3 is a real classic! It was the first film camera to adopt a bayonet-mounted interchangeable lens design, which is still used in interchangeable lens cameras today. Compared with the previous screw-rotating lens assembly method, this bayonet method allows for quick lens replacement.
But the Leica M3 is a great camera in so many other ways too! Its film advance wrench has also been widely used by other brand film cameras.

The story of buying a Leica M3

On a sunny afternoon, I strolled through the alleys of the old street, carrying in my heart the infinite love for the art of photography. I was on a mission to find the perfect second-hand Leica M3 camera! The old street was lined with all kinds of stores, but my eyes were always locked on an inconspicuous secondhand camera store that had a really charming vintage feel to it.

As I stepped inside, I was immediately drawn in by the unique atmosphere of age and metal luster. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by a soft light and a lovely display of old cameras on wooden shelves. Each one seemed to tell a story from the past, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder and admiration. I asked the shopkeeper in the gentlest way if he had a classic Leica M3.

The shopkeeper smiled and seemed to know exactly what I was looking for. He carefully took out a well-maintained Leica M3 from behind the counter. It was so shiny in the sunlight! You could see every detail, and it was clear that a lot of skill and time had gone into making it.

I took the camera and gently stroked the cool metal surface, feeling the weight and texture of it in my hands. As I looked through the viewfinder, it felt like I could see every single moment that had been captured by photographers in the past. I pressed the shutter, and even though it was just a little click, I fell in love with this camera right away. It has a unique mechanical beauty and a wonderful sense of ceremony.

The lovely shopkeeper was kind enough to tell me all about the camera’s history, how it performs, and all the people it’s been with over the years. As I listened to each story, I felt my understanding of this camera deepen and my emotional connection to it grow stronger. After a little back and forth, we finally struck a deal at a price that was just right for us.

As I walked out of the store, holding this precious Leica M3 in my hands, I was filled with so much excitement and anticipation! I knew that this wasn’t just a camera purchase, but a tribute to the legacy of photography and a promise to capture countless beautiful moments in the future. On this sunny afternoon, my encounter with the Leica M3 became a truly unforgettable experience.

Leica IIIG

Old Camera

The passage of time has made people forget about film photography, but I still enjoy using old cameras. They remind me to enjoy the present, which is the best day. I take photos on the streets with my Leica IIIG, a retro mechanical camera. When I hold it up, people recognize it for what it is and aren’t offended. Maybe this old camera will remind people that time flies and things change, and that they should enjoy what they have right now.

old-fashioned

These days, mobile phone photography is pretty impressive. Even the compact Leica M camera seems a bit outdated. But I still prefer using my Leica IIIG for its retro style. Even though photography isn’t as cutting-edge as it used to be, I still love it and appreciate the classic Leica. My Leica IIIG camera is in perfect condition, and I can only imagine how much its previous owner cherished it.

street photography

Street photography is all about having the right camera for the job. The equipment you use makes a big difference to the photos you take. People react differently to different cameras, which is an important part of street photography. The retro iiig style often gets a knowing smile from passers-by and is rarely rejected.

Leica IIIG

The Leica M3 came out in 1955, followed by the IIIG in 1956. The IIIG was in production until 1960. As Leica M-mount lenses were developed, Leica screw mounts gradually fell out of favor and were phased out of the market. The Leica L39 mount camera is a classic Leica.

The IIIG is the last Leica L39 mount camera. It has a lot in common with the M3. This camera has a lot of fans, and some people even use it with Leica M mount lenses. Some people even think that Leica should make a digital camera based on the iiig.

What’s the difference between iiig and m3?

The iiig has two observation windows: one for framing and the other for focusing. The Leica M3 puts the viewfinder and focus in one window.

The iiig has two shutter speed dials, one for high speed and one for slow shutter. The Leica M3 has a single dial for the shutter speed and slow speed settings.

But the IIIG is just as good as the M3. For many people, the IIIG also has some features that are pretty hard to beat:

The extra-large magnification focusing window makes it easy to focus with a 90mm lens.

It’s super lightweight and doesn’t feel heavy when you’re wearing it around your neck or in your pocket. This is what Leica is all about.

You can’t adjust the diopter on the M camera, but you can on the iiig, which is really useful when focusing on the macula.

90mm lens

I like to use it with the Elmar 90mm f/4 lens. The Leica M model isn’t as good as the iiig for focusing at 90mm.

50mm lens

I like to use the Leica iiig with the Leica Summaron 50 f/2 lens. They have a nice balance and fit in well with the overall design. This kind of camera makes you feel like you’re holding something special when you hold it in your hand.

Leica Elmar 50mm f/3.5 (5cm/3.5)

The Birth of the Standard Lens

The original Leica, created in 1914, was the first camera to use film in the 24 x 36mm format. At least three UR Leicas were built by Barnack, who also tried out different lenses, including the retractable Mikro-Summar 42mm f/4.5.

A standard lens is one whose focal length is about the same as the diagonal of the film. For a standard 24 x 36mm format camera, this is about 43mm. In reality, the actual focal length designed by Ernst Leitz for the Ur-Leica seems to be closer to 43mm.

Max Berek came up with the Elmax 50mm f/3.5 lens for the Ur-Leica, which stands for “Ernst Leitz and MAX (Berek).” The 42mm lens was replaced by the Elmax 50mm f/3.5, which offered better optics, in the production Leica I.

Since then, the 50mm lens has become the standard lens, but some companies do offer lenses that are closer to a 43mm focal length, like the Pentax 43mm f/1.9 and the Contax 45mm f/2.

Safe and Comfortable

I’ve always had a soft spot for the compact and collapsible 50mm Elmar f/3.5. I tend to be a bit reserved when it comes to using larger lenses for street photography, but the Elmar’s small size makes me feel at ease. When shooting in well-lit conditions, I typically set the aperture to f/5.6 – f/8, and with an ISO 400 film loaded, I’m ready to go for some serious street photography. Overall, the Elmar’s convenience and reliable performance make it a great choice for my photographic adventures.

Tessar-Type

This Tessar-type lens was considered one of the best of its time, with four elements in four groups. However, it does lose some sharpness in the outer zones when used wide open. However, I’ve found that the Elmar f/3.5 is sharper than the Summar and Summitar when stopped down, even by just a stop or two. The Elmar f/3.5 also has better contrast than uncoated lenses, which tend to have lower contrast and flares. This makes it ideal for black and white photography. The smallest aperture for my collection of f/3.5 Elmars is f/18, except for the last series, which has f/22 and the red scale.

On Digital Ms

You can use the lens with digital Leica M cameras if you get an L39-M adapter. Just a heads-up: collapsible lenses might contribute to sensor dust. I’ve noticed this more often with f/3.5 Elmars. From my experience, the Leica M9 sensor seems to collect more dust than my DSLRs with built-in automatic sensor cleaning.

One possible reason for this is that collapsing or uncollapsing the lens may create a pumping effect that introduces air and dust into the camera mount. To avoid this issue, it’s best not to collapse the lens while it’s attached to the digital M camera.

Personally, I prefer to use non-collapsible lenses on digital M cameras to minimize the risk of sensor dust. If you are concerned about sensor dust, you might want to consider shooting film instead.

Leica 5cm 3.5 Elmar with black & white film

leica summicron-m 35mm f2 v1 8-element

I’d heard about this lens before I even owned a Leica camera. I’d heard from older colleagues how great the first-generation Summicron 35mm lens is. It wasn’t until I got my own Leica camera and put it on this legendary lens that I could confirm what my colleagues had said. It’s really excellent.

I often use this lens with black and white film, and it has consistently delivered excellent results. It has high definition, overly natural grayscale, rich shadow sculpting, and the colors are pretty good, too. This lens is pretty solid, whether you’re using it with a digital camera or a film camera.

Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 (3.5cm/3.5)

Beautiful and Strong

This lovely lens has been around for 80 years and shows no signs of stopping! It’s made of solid brass and glass, and it’s still going strong on the latest Leica digital cameras. It’s like a flower that can bloom forever! It’s a well-made, reliable tool that’s great for both digital and film photographers.

Cookies in the pocket

Dr. Max Berek designed the 28mm and 35mm “cookie” lenses for Leica. They’re pretty small. Sometimes I mount an Summaron 28mm f/5.6 on my Leica body and keep the other Elmar 35mm f/3.5 in my pocket with the cookies.

“This is Elmar.”

“This is cookie.”

“This is a Cookie Elmar.”

“You may think I’m small, but I have a big world inside me.”

Street Photography

The Elmar 35mm lens is a total favorite among street photographers! This lens is just perfect for capturing the energy and spontaneity of the streets! Its compact size and wide angle make it ideal for street photography. Once you’ve attached the Elmar 35mm lens to your camera, you’re all set to go! The collapsible 50mm Elmar lens is also nice and small when mounted on the camera and collapsed. All you have to do is stretch it out to shoot! If you’re a street photographer looking to capture the heart and soul of a city, the Elmar 35mm is an excellent choice.

Sharpness

Just a heads-up: When you’re shooting at f/3.5, the corners of the image might be a little blurred. But don’t worry! You can also make things look sharper and give your photos more depth by narrowing the aperture. I’m sure you’ll be really impressed at f/5.6 or f/8!

Bokeh

I’m sure you’ve noticed that this lens produces gorgeous bokeh when shot wide open! I’m so impressed with the bokeh quality! It’s so smooth and creamy, and the shapes are just so natural and rounded! While it may not be as dreamy or ethereal as some lenses, it adds a lovely touch of depth and dimension to images captured with the lens, which I think you’ll really love! I really love the bokeh of this lens! It’s a great reason to add it to your photography toolkit. Absolutely! It does create bokeh.

Filter

If you’re looking to bring out the contrast and tonal definition in your black and white photography, the Leica yellow filter A36 is a great way to do it! This filter is great because it absorbs blue light, which makes the contrast between blue and yellow or white subjects really pop! This effect makes black and white photos look more defined and moody, which is why I think the Leica yellow filter is a great choice for photographers who want to add depth and drama to their images! You might find it helpful to use a yellow filter with this lens.

Hood

If you’re using a digital M camera, I highly recommend the Black Paint Hood FLQOO as a must-have accessory! It’s also great for reducing lens flare and improving image quality by blocking out excess light from bright point sources like the sun. We all know how frustrating lens flare can be! It can occur when light sources are much brighter than the rest of the scene, and it can damage your images. The Black paint hood FLQOO is a big hit with photographers and collectors alike, who just love its one-of-a-kind look and protective features. You might want to get a hood for this lens.

Glare

I just love the way the Elmar 35 3.5 produces a really attractive glare! The light is so beautifully distributed throughout the frame, which makes the photos taken with this lens really stand out in the best way! They’re described as having a classical style, and I absolutely love that style myself! I know not everyone is a fan of this style, which reduces the overall contrast, but I really like it!

Digital M

The Leica M9 and the ELMAR 35 are a match made in photography heaven! When you use them together, you get images with that famous “Leica Look” style we all know and love. The ELMAR 35 has a gorgeous look to it. You’ll find rich colors and smooth tonal transitions that make images captured by the lens really stand out and stay with you. The ELMAR 35 is a fantastic lens, even though it’s not the newest. I’m happy to say that it still delivers excellent results even on modern digital cameras! And the best part is that even after all these years, it still follows Leica’s color philosophy!

Elmar and Summaron

Leica Elmar lenses are made with love using the finest glass from Schott, which is part of the Zeiss Group. Oh, but the Summaron 3.5 lens uses glass made by Leica! That’s what I found online, and to be honest, the glass doesn’t really matter to me. I think the difference is probably just cosmetic, but I could be wrong! One thing that’s pretty obvious is that the two lenses are quite different sizes. The Summaron is almost twice the size of the Elmar, which is pretty big!

Production period: 1930-1949 
Code: LEDTF(non standardised), EKURZCHROM (chrome), 1, EKURZ(nickel
EKURZUP(nickel), EKURZ(postwar 
Serial#:171,001(1933)-n/a 
Total production: ca. 42, 800 
Maximum aperture: 1: 3.5 
Focal length(nominal): 35mm 
Angle: 64
Minimum distance: 100cm 
Weight: 110- 130 grams 
Filter: A36

Reunited with Spring

Each spring, meeting again under the same tree. The same blue sky, the same tree, the same camera, the same flowers every year.

Choose your favorite camera and take it with you wherever you go!

Street Beijing, street photography

Choose your favorite camera and take it with you wherever you go!

April 16, 2024

I don’t think photography needs to be a specific time or place, and it doesn’t have to be a scenic location.

Photography can be done anywhere and anytime. In the eyes of many people, there is nothing new around them and nothing seems worth documenting. They say you have to go to a strange place to find inspiration. But I am not such a person. I think we don’t have much choice in life. Spring, summer, fall and winter are not our choice. You can’t say you don’t like winter so you have to live in spring, summer or fall. What I can choose is to choose a device that makes me happy and carry it with me at all times, and the good things will appear in front of the camera by themselves.

Out of focus, film photography

street photography

Out of focus, film photography

April 16, 2024

Negatives don’t need glitz and glamor, just pure sunlight. I don’t discard out-of-focus photos, especially physical film, and digital blurry photos I tend to delete. Out-of-focus film gives you a hazy feeling with a palpable graininess. This realism is something that digital photography can’t give you.

street photography, beauty, reality

street photography

street photography, beauty, reality

April 16, 2024

The difference between people may lie in the fact that they face the same problem and make different choices. In one thought, you make your choice, I make mine, and then I become me and you become you. The difference between you and me stems from that thought, and the fact that I’m carrying a camera in my hand.

Street photography sets us apart. Life is like the tide, the ebb and flow, like the breeze, the spring and the fall. Photographers are bystanders who record their choices. I don’t pursue beautiful photos, I just want to record the reality of life.