Be gentle, this is my first image post as well as my first time shooting medium format. I realized after getting the images back that I'm going to need a tripod for this camera. I can't HH without jerking and there's no VR/IS on this particular medium format camera.
I found a lab here in Spain where developing a color roll was just 2 euros (like 2,5$) and they did a fine job so I started shooting only color film and sending it to them, doing myself the scanning.
They charge 5 euros for B&W rolls so what I do is only shoot color and convert to B&W after scanning. That way I save 3 euros on each roll and I get other advantages like being able to use colors filters digitally in PS when converting to B&W (without loosing light with physical filters) or aplying ICE dust removal to the film when scanning.
But the main issue is still the price of the film. I've been shooting Portra 400 almost exclusively for the last months but recently I've bought some Agfa Vista Vista 400 as a substitute for family and casual shots as it is half the price.
I agree - those Compostela pictures with the Mamiyas are stirring.
Also liked the use of the vintage M3 in the above shots from Desmoliciious.
I'm shortly off on a family/holiday visit to N Europe. My beautiful dilemma is do I carry my M6, that I probably should sell since I now own a lovely 1955 DS M3, or carry the heavier M3? I'm also planning to pack my M9 and A7R. I was debating over whether or not to try and fit in the bulky but lovely Fuji GW690, but solved that by buying a GA645. I certainly run the risk of having far too many cameras to further-confuse my creative potential, however I like using each of the above and hence my problem. What's the collective wisdom on packing an M6, or the m3 (I have a nice wee handheld meter and/or iPhone apps).
If your M3 functions perfectly (mine had iffy slow speeds which a CLA fixed) then I would take that over the M6, as it is the complete antithesis of your modern digital cameras. It's VF is just wonderful for 50mm lenses (much nicer than any other Leica I have). Plus the M6 is just too modern with that new fangled built in battery operated light meter..
Funny how we have very similar equipment - I have a M-E and a GW690 too!
Enjoy your travels.
Thanks for your input 'Desmo'! I hope that name also means that you like Ducatis, something else in common
I bought the M6 before the M3 and I tried to get an M3 from my birth-year (1956), however in the end I went with a typically good condition KEH 'bargain' model.
I had the M6 CLAd when I needed a damaged rewind knob fixed, but no such attention has been lavished on the M3 as yet. I agree that the VF exceeds other Leicas and I love the silky smooth film advance and the overall quality it exudes.
lenticular11 wrote:
I agree - those Compostela pictures with the Mamiyas are stirring.
Also liked the use of the vintage M3 in the above shots from Desmoliciious.
I'm shortly off on a family/holiday visit to N Europe. My beautiful dilemma is do I carry my M6, that I probably should sell since I now own a lovely 1955 DS M3, or carry the heavier M3? I'm also planning to pack my M9 and A7R. I was debating over whether or not to try and fit in the bulky but lovely Fuji GW690, but solved that by buying a GA645. I certainly run the risk of having far too many cameras to further-confuse my creative potential, however I like using each of the above and hence my problem. What's the collective wisdom on packing an M6, or the m3 (I have a nice wee handheld meter and/or iPhone apps). ...Show more →
my suggestion.. pack the M3 or M6 and leave the M9 behind since you're already bringing the A7R.
now between the M3 or M6, it would depend on the lens you plan on bringing.
I also own a DS M3 and M6, I love them both but the hardest one to part with would be the M3 for me(sold one, regretted and bought another one), I just love the build and feel of the M3 more than the M6 but I love the M6 when paired with a 35mm lens.
The M3 however is a joy to shoot with the 50mm and my CV25mm with VF
Regarding which MF camera to pack, bring the ones that you enjoy shooting with and you foresee using the most. I personally can't stand 645, i find the negative smaller compared to the other MF negs and would rather shoot 35mm instead.
I'm also trying to figure out what gear to pack on our Italy trip next year, I keep changing mind but right now:
X100, GR, GF670 and GSW690III are the front runners
I'm also trying to figure out what gear to pack on our Italy trip next year, I keep changing mind but right now:
X100, GR, GF670 and GSW690III are the front runners
I did Italy last year with this gear: X100 w/18mm wide angle adapter and Fujifilm GF670. Worked out great! There is a film store very close to Vatican City if you are in Rome.
Thanks taemo!
Much as I agree with your logic about not carrying the M9 I don't intend to shoot sufficient film that would leave me happy to have only the A7R.
I carried the A7R with me last weekend on a city visit and I ended up regretting not carrying the M9 instead. For me the M9 still delivers a magic that the A7R often does not, with a better UI, although the A7R is undoubtedly superior in other areas such as DR and crop-ability.
re lenses, my favourite lens in the 40-50 range is a converted contax G45/2, however the LM fitting has a small collar and this won't fit on my M3.
I think I will leave the M6 at home and carry the M3 with a Summicron DR and perhaps even an old V1 Summilux 50. I also intend to carry the ZM25 and or CV21/4. I have a Summicron 40 and a CV35/1.4 MC both of which can work on the A7R although i will probably make most use of a Contax N 24-85 and the Sony (Zeiss) 55/1.8.
The GA645 has a form-factor that will probably see its inclusion. I would prefer to carry the GW690 however I am being semi-realistic about volume and weight, hence it's out.
The GA645 has a form-factor that will probably see its inclusion. I would prefer to carry the GW690 however I am being semi-realistic about volume and weight, hence it's out.
The GA645 has a fantastic lens and is a super easy camera to shoot with. Plus, it has a built in flash which can be very helpful in some situations. Nothing wrong with using this camera for your trip. 6 x 4.5 film is still a very substantial increase compared to 35mm, especially when optically printing. Plus, you get 16 shots per roll of film, double what you get with the GW690. That helps a lot when traveling.
The problem with the Mamiyas rangefinders is that they are too easy to carry, specially the 6. So easy that I ended up selling my Leica M7 because i always grabbed the Mamiya 6 instead of the M7 for street shooting
I certainly run the risk of having far too many cameras to further-confuse my creative potential, however I like using each of the above and hence my problem. What's the collective wisdom on packing an M6, or the m3 (I have a nice wee handheld meter and/or iPhone apps).
