Didn't think I would ever shoot film again. Don't know what prompted me to do it, but last week shot three rolls of Tri-X with my M6, shooting film for the first time in 10 years. Actually, I was interested in how the highlights would look — always an issue in the incredibly bright light of the tropics. Predictably, the problems are the opposite of shooting with the M9 or MM with which you have to be concerned not to blow out the highlights: with film you have to concerned about not underexposing the shadows, since lifting the shadows quickly can ruin a picture.
The results? No conclusion yet, but in some shots with Tri-X the bright areas in the frame have a luminosity that looks good. The shot below and the one in post# 9 on this page were developed using "stand development", which tames highlights and allows you to shoot, say, at ISO 400 and ISO 1600 on the same roll of film. I'll try to post a picture at ISO 1600 shot on the same roll of film as the picture below and the one in post #9.
Leica M6 | Summilux-35 ASPH-FLE | Tri-X @ISO 400 stand developed for 1 hour in Rodinal 1:100, gentle inversion after 30 minutes Chiang Mai
Allen those shadow abstracts are the best! I totally love the look.
Really well spotted sir.
So this was not something I intended to win on eBay, but it was my birthday last week so I guess I can justify it . I did kind of regret selling my M4-P because I liked being able to have two film speeds or two lenses ready.
Looking forward to getting to know this beast. Plus, I think the M5 got a bad rap for way too long, this thing is an ergonomic win!
. I did kind of regret selling my M4-P because I liked being able to have two film speeds or two lenses ready. 