My Insanity Knows No Bounds Apparently - Cult of Leica

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

So , my new to me Leica gear will be here Friday 3/17. 
 

i traded a bunch of redundant gear for:

 

Leica M240

Zeiss C Biogon 35mm f/2.8

Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2

 

I’m working on a post that will go through the whole thought process and will release that once I have had a bit of time with the camera. 
 

Very excited to begin the photographic journey in this direction. 

[Dallas]

Leica is addictive! I truly regret selling my M3 and M6 bodies and the small group of lenses I had. If I was ever going to shoot 35mm film again it would be on those cameras. 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

So the camera and lenses arrived on time, but it appears that the rangefinder is in need of calibration.  I'm working on that now and hope to have some images to share sometime on 3-20 or 3-21 when I have time to get out and do further testing on the adjustments that I have made.

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Calibration was done, so testing ensued today as the weather was great and I got some shots.   Not 100% sure Infinity focus is where it needs to be, but I think I got it dialed in pretty good.

 

Here are some samples from today.  Shot in RAW and processed in Lightroom Classic.

 

my girl Scoobi at f/2, handheld

 

the shot....

 

The close crop!

 

Another portrait type shot at f/2

 

and it's crop

 

Now just some regular shots....ranging from f/4 to f/5.6...more toward the f/4 side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dallas]

Looking good!

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

A few from the Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2.8

 

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[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

The Leica 90mm f/4 Wetzlar Elmar C

 

[Dallas]

How are you enjoying the experience of shooting with it so far? 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Honestly, I’m really loving it.  Just pure photography. I shot and still do from time to time a Yashica Lynx 5000E. I don’t a lot anymore die to dealing with film. So no stranger to rangefinder use.  
 

the Leica viewfinder and focusing are far superior. 
 

i was excited like a kid at Christmas when I ordered it, but then I had a pang of doubt - what if I hate it and I spent all that money?

 

luckily that was all abated when I got the camera in hand and started using it. I bless those German engineers that all you access to adjust the rangefinder yourself.  Mine was massively off, but about an hour and a half and I had it dialed in. 
 

 May still send it to Leica to ensure it is tip top since I did get it used.  Just fear the time it will be away. Reports are some are taking 6 months round trip. 
 

i knew there was a shift in my pattern when I got that Minolta Maxxum 7D.  That was really the turning point for me when I knew I was ready for the Leica. 
 

i was one of those early on that never thought a Leica was in the cards for me. However the M240 is something I can see being a daily driver for 28-90mm shooting. 
 

i can pair it with m43 for 100mm and longer and be a very happy camper. 
 

still in the honeymoon phase, but appears to be a good match. 

[Dallas]

They are wonderful tools, I miss my M3 and M6. I did have the use of the Epson RD1 for about a year and that was a quirky, albeit fun camera to use with the Leica glass I had at the time. 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

I’ve always wanted to check out an RD1, they do seem rather interesting. 

[Dallas]

@Rick Waldroup got himself one some years ago. I think he did post a few photos here on FZ. 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

I tried to experiment with the an M39 to M mount adapted Leica 135mm f/4.5 Hektor I got from a local camera store.  The adapter, allows for rangefinder coupling, but does not bring up the correct framelines.  It also appears that the lens is only good for close focusing distances as everything else beyond say15-20 feet just doesn't seem to either focus properly or I just stink at getting it to focus.

 

No reason to keep it since I already have the Leica 90mm f/4 that focus' great at all distances and I can use for those tight portrait shots.  Am returning it and instead went the exact opposite direction and found a deal on a used Voigtlander 12mm f/5.6 II Ultra Wide Heliar.  That should arrive sometime this week.

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Late last week my Voigtlander 12mm f/5.6 Ultra Wide showed up.  That is a fun lens.  Takes some practice but fun!!  Looking forward to more opportunity to use it in the future.

 

Today, my Mitakon 28mm f/5.6 arrived.  Once work is over for the day, I plan on running out with the dogs and testing it out on the M240.

 

Initial thoughts:

• feels well built
• brings up the proper frame lines
• focus is smooth and has a post for focus assist
• apertures are full stops (click), but in between apertures, it moves incrementally, so other values are possible, but just not "clicked".  hope that makes sense.

 

 

 

[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Got out with the lens today:

 

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[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Some in camera monochromes on a lunch walk today with the M 240 and Mitakon 28mm f/5.6

 

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[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Leica M240

Mitakon 28mm f/5.6

 

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[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

Practicing more with the M 240 and the Mitakon 28/5.6.  Zone focusing for 99% of the images.  Monochromes are SOOC and the color image was processed from RAW in Lightroom.

 

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[Andrew L (gryphon1911)]

More Mitakon 28mm f/5.6 - different cemetery

 

Kirkwood Cemetery - Lewis Center, Ohio

 

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