Leica M2

Leica M2-R (Test Images).

2018, Favourite, Film, Inspiration, Kodak Tri-X 400, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M2, Leica M2-R, Q&A, Scanner - Plustek 8200i, Teaching point, Within 200 feet of My House™

Yesterday, I posted some images of the Leica M2-R I was fortunate to acquire.  The photos were taken with a Leica M10 and processed in Lightroom with relative ease.

In contrast, today I set upon the boring and arduous task of testing the M2-R without — of course — the immediate feedback of digital photography.  As I subsequently stood in my basement processing the film, I must admit that I had second thoughts about whether all of the hassle was worth it.  It’s especially frustrating when the effort of processing and scanning is undertaken only to find out that the camera is in some way defective.

Fortunately in this case, all is good.

And as I watched the images magically appear — first on the negative as it was unspooled following its final wash, and then in more detail on my monitor as the scanner did its thing — I realized for the 1000th time why I keep coming back to film: even mundane test shots look better on this antiquated “sensor”.

The following images are not meant to be interesting.  However, they are useful to me.  In them, I’m verifying:

  1. Shutter speed accuracy (in various types of light)
  2. Rangefinder precision (in near, mid, and far distances)

Technical:

  • Lens: Leica 50mm Summilux
  • Aperture: f/1.4 (except the last image which, because of brightness, necessitated f/2).
  • Shutter speed range: 1/60 – 1/1000 sec.

—Peter.

–

(focus is on the small word “Elect”, above the J)↓

–

(focus is on the number “50”)↓

–

(focus again is on the number “50”)↓

–

(focus is on the letter “G”)↓

–

(focus is on the poor sap )↓

–

(focus is on the faint word “KeepRite”)↓

–

(focus is on the round thermometer)↓

–

(focus is on the door of the house across the street)↓

↑ Leica M2-R + Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4.

She, then and now (film).

2012, Film, Inspiration, Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH f/1.4, Leica M2, Leica M3, Portrait, Teaching point, Voigtländer 40mm f/1.4 Nokton

A few years ago, I realized I had never captured her on film.

It was important to me for some reason.

So I started shooting film again.

_

(please click on the images to view)

2009:

↑Leica M3, Fuji X-tra 400, and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4.

2010:

↑Leica MP, Ilford HP5 Plus 400, and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4.

2011:

↑ Leica M2, Ilford HP5 Plus 400, and Voigtländer Nokton 40mm @ f/1.4.

2012:

↑Leica M2, Kodak Tri-X 400, and Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH @ f/1.4.

_

I look at these images now, and follow the path of light:

originating from the late afternoon sun,

filtering through the window,

touching her face before reflecting off,

traversing the distance between us,

bending in the glass elements of a lens,

and finally etching her image onto an organic emulsion.

_

The film, like the viewer, is forever altered.

And it all happens in a fraction of a second — just like growing up.

—Peter.