joe88 wrote:
Ron, I did consider the ZM18 but with the finder its almost 3x the price of the CV and I'll probably skip it for now. I think my kit is more or less complete with a 28/35/50/90 setup, although I'll want to add a more modern looking 90 lens to the collection at some point. The 90 Tele-Elmarit I have is great for B&W but the color rendition is not the best match to the other ASPH lenses I have. For a 3 lens walkabout that covers almost all shots for me, the 28/50/90 can't be beat, and the 35Lux ASPH makes for a great single lens setup or a workable 35/90 2 lens setup. In fact, I can also fit all four lenses: 28Cron,35Lux,50Lux,90Tele-Elmarit, the M9, spare batt and a few filters in my Domke 5Xb bag and its still lighter than my previous D700 setup with 2 prime lenses....Show more →
Sounds like you have it well thought out. I've been thinking about the 5Xb and because it has that zip at the top, I could just flip the cover back while using it. It addresses the one thing I don't like about the TT Retrospective bags. I guess you're satisfied with it? I've been a long time Domke fan, though lately the TT bags have been more versatile for DSLR gear. In the meantime I've created a homemade solution that now actually works quite well. I'll have to post some photos of it...
Thanks Charles! Seeing those two versions side by side - wow, there's a huge difference. I like both. The softer version is probably a more accurate representation of the lens, but as you've probably noticed from my images, I do like contrast.
Ryan: yes, the CV15 takes a bit more effort. And I agree about 50mm and 1m minimum focusing distance. 70cm with the ZM Planar is annoying too coming from SLR 50s that will focus to half the distance, but so it is with rangefinders.
Malkovic - very rich images.
Luka: True, not as dramatic as the CV15. I probably should have picked something else as a follow up, but pulled that one randomly from the list of files online. I definitely get the feeling spring is coming to Stockholm.
KL: My feeling is you were fighting the light. You wanted the sunset, but the range in brightness was so extreme that the car ended up in the darker tones and as a result doesn't stand out so well. With it being a yellow car, it should also be fun to photograph under all sorts of artificial lights (tunnels, parking garage, etc.). My favorites are the 21 & 28 shots with the sunset behind you. I feel in those the color of the car really stands out well.
My GF was always many steps ahead and on a different level (I guess that could be interpreted figuratively and literally )... M9 & ZM35C
KL - great car shots! Really good job. I agree with Joe, though. E feel an off camera flash would have made them even better!
Luka - great shots. Bridge is of course my favorite. Gotta agree with Joe again, the 75 Cron looks out of place next to the Lux's. It does look very flat and definitely the least character of the three. I always heard about the 75 Cron being a longer 50 Lux but I certainly don't see it. It doesn't have that 'crisp' look to it like the Lux's do
Ron - nice job. Like the composition a lot. I'm sure you saw it at the time but your pattern recognition is fantastic.
rscheffler wrote:
I've been thinking about the 5Xb and because it has that zip at the top, I could just flip the cover back while using it. It addresses the one thing I don't like about the TT Retrospective bags. I guess you're satisfied with it? I've been a long time Domke fan, though lately the TT bags have been more versatile for DSLR gear. In the meantime I've created a homemade solution that now actually works quite well. I'll have to post some photos of it...
Ron, great shot, what a catch! What did she say when you showed her the pic?
I also like the TT bags for my DSLR and still have a UB Disguise 30, well built and really well designed, I keep losing things inside though. You may want to consider the Retrospective 5 coming out soon. I posted the link a few pages back, I'll definitely want to try it out. http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/retrospective-5-pinestone.aspx
Otherwise, the Domke FX5B is really great small bag, not too expensive, very utilitarian, no padding on the sides which keeps the bulk down. The only negative is that the velcro is large and loud, but i guess you can add silencers... and yes, I cut off the Domke label too 3 M mount lenses and a 4th attached to the M body (or 2 M cameras with lenses plus a 3rd small lens) are as much as you can fit into the bag. The other bag you might want to try out is the Billingham Hadley, really well built with nice padding, but it sometimes looks more like a man purse. I don't use my Hadley much, unless I'm travelling on a long trip.
Thanks for the tips and comments all. Agree with them all - reshoot!
Any suggestions on flash light modifiers? Umbrella you reckon? Cos the car is not that small. Wonder if using flash pointing straight at the car would be decent? Any tips? Tx
Ryan, very nice series, do prefer the B&W versions!
Malkovic, great shots
KL, love those car shots! My favorite are with the 50 Lux and 28 Elmarit I agree with guys, some additional lighting, like off camera flash with umbrella or reflector circles, just to give some highlights and contrast.
Luka excellent series! Yes the bridge has that pop, very 3D
Ron, very nice shot! You obviously have a very patient GF
Ryan, I really like these shots with the 90 Elmarit!! Great lens to go
KL, wow... great shot!! Love the composition of this shot!
KL: Small off camera flash units aren't going to give you proper 'beauty' light for a car shoot. But what they will provide is some edge lighting for separation. And because the car is a light color, a relatively low power flash should still give you some effect. If the car was black, I would say forget it. I would suggest using direct flash and forget about modifiers like umbrellas because an umbrella will have very little impact on improving the reflection of the light in the paintwork, but will decrease light output a couple stops at minimum. Plus, with a specular light source, the actual reflection of the light on the car will be small and can easily be removed in PS if it's found to be annoying. Not so with a reflection of an umbrella, etc. There's a reason photo studios for car shoots use huge light modifiers, like 20-30 feet long, or longer... to achieve very nice reflections, and why so many car ads are shot outside, because the sky makes a great light source. Sunset, and preferably just after the sun has set, is the perfect time to photograph a car, but you want all that great light in the sky behind you and the camera so that it reflects in the car's paintwork. Of course, there are exceptions to any 'rule' but it's probably easiest to start with the basics of car photography.
Great image of the bridge!
Thanks Joe, Ryan, Charles.
Joe: She hasn't seen it yet. I doubt she'll think much of it. Regarding the TT Retrospective 5, yes I caught your post on it, and I thought I replied to it. I'm not a fan of bags with a single big flap. I prefer a zipper instead, like on the TT UD bags. Less stuff getting in the way and you can partially open/close the zipper and not show everyone around you the contents of the bag... So for that reason I like the Domke F5XB with the flap tucked away in the back... just haven't seen one in person. From what you described it would fit my needs. I'm not a fan of bags with padding, so another reason the Domke appeals. I also have a couple of the TT UD bags - the 35 & 60. Very nice but definitely not M system friendly.
Ryan - nice set and the one of the curved track appeals to me the most.
Charles - patient enough when it's just the two of us, though walks too fast when I'm in photo mode. If there's someone else along for the walk, it's guaranteed I will be dropped within a block and will have to rendezvous via cell phone.
Phil - nice shot. I want to see more...especially with pics taken by the Noct
Ron - Nice shots! Great info on using the flash on autos. Great tips. I am by no means a flash expert. I try to avoid at all costs....thats why I buy Lux
Makovic - really nice composition. Great colors! If I got results like that with film it would be hard to pony up the cash for an M9
Ryan, super sharp shots with the 90 Elmarit. Nice set!
KL, love the bridge composition with the ZM21.
Phil, nice street shot with the 50/1.0.
Ron, like the second shot with the tree and the change in lighting across the frame, very nicely seen and done.
Malkovic, nice clean simple composition with the colors. Don't you just love the 50Cron, the M2 and some and film?
rsolti13: Thanks alot! Sure I'm very satisfied with the results but I think an M9 would suit me perfectly. But as you mention the results are satisfying and the M9 would cost me an/a arm/leg at the moment(studying)
singletrack: Thanks! I'm using a flatbed scanner called Epson V500. Scanning the film is truly time consuming and a pain in the.. But shooting a rangefinder film camera is more fun than the Nikon D700 I also have
joe88: Thanks! Sure do, so simple and compact and still built like a think!
Ryan, I have not used the M6 TTL (or my other film cameras) for over 2 months. I think its matter of flavor, I've been really busy with work and family lately and to make the most of how I can enjoy photography, the M9 and digital is convenient. Plus as you know, I've swapped some lenses recently and its easier to test on digital (instant feedback). That being said, I'm still sticking to film, just for the joy of it. Ever see some couples driving around in a beat up 1960s Beetle convertible with smiles all over their faces and no cares, compared to the dude who's flashing around in his brand new BMW, trying to get from point A to B as fast as he can?
Now that you have the M9, I recommend that you give the M6 or even a M2 (poor man's MP but has the 35 frameline for your 35Lux) a try. Put in a roll of Portra400 and rate it at 200 or 320 and the skin tones will blow you away.
Luka, the bridge photo is super. 3D deluxe
Ron, the green light photo is great.
Ryan, very good b&w photo
Kl, very dramatic and graphic composition. Well done.
Malkovic, very nice photo. Minimalistic!
Ron, Joe, I have a donkey 5XB and one nuisance to be aware of is that it doesn't hang straight. In order to make it so the shoulder strap isn't in the way of the zipper, the strap attachment points are off center. As a result, the bag hangs at a slight angle with the bottom sticking out from your body.
Thanks Phil The 28 Cron is wonderful, a bit of distortion visible compared to the 28 Elmarit ASPH but it draws ever so beautifully and makes the M9 a nice landscape, street, travel or snapshot companion. Just have to note that if you wear glasses, the 28 frame-lines on the M9 might be difficult to see entirely.
You might want to consider the 24 Elmarit ASPH if you don't mind an ext viewfinder or are already getting the 35Lux ASPH. 28 and 35 can bit too close at times.
joe88 wrote:
Thanks Phil The 28 Cron is wonderful, a bit of distortion visible compared to the 28 Elmarit ASPH but it draws ever so beautifully and makes the M9 a nice landscape, street, travel or snapshot companion. Just have to note that if you wear glasses, the 28 frame-lines on the M9 might be difficult to see entirely.
You might want to consider the 24 Elmarit ASPH if you don't mind an ext viewfinder or are already getting the 35Lux ASPH. 28 and 35 can bit too close at times.
Thanks Joe, yes still waiting for a 35, so the 24 Elmarit asph might have my name on it
