A Leica, a 50 and a couple of rolls of Tri-X are all you ever need …

Leica M6, Canon 50 f/1.5 LTM Sonnar, Arista Premium 400 (Tri-X 400)

After the big day was done, Leon and Cindie treated everyone to a backyard BBQ.  Maggie and Alex opened up their pile

of loot and we even had a little cake for the kids.  We did some patio sitting, cold beer drinking and had a good old time.

Very happy to get a shot of all the kids together; we don’t get many opportunities like this very often.

Waiting patiently for the cupcake cake …

Who are those old folks ; )  If I’m lucky, that might be me someday …

Love that Sonnar signature, makes for a lovely profile shot of Lauren here …

I’ll be Leon couldn’t have imagined this some 20+ years ago when these two were in diapers.  I’m steeling myself for the future

and hoping it turns out as well for Naomi and Ava as it has for Lauren and Maggie …

I got the crazy weave lamp!  I think Maggie would have given up everything for just the lamp.

Another Sonnar moment, it’s just lovely how it draws the light …

Thanks to all back in the heartland, until we see you again.

Some more here

Leica M6, CV 28 Ultron f/1.9, Arista Premium 400

f/1.9 @ 1/30, natural light

Nana and Ava …

And these shots prove why I need two 28mm lenses : )  You just can’t shoot if you don’t have the light and only f/1.9 will gather

enough light when you’re inside.  The Canon 28 f/2.8 has it’s charms for sure but when it’s speed you need it has to be f/1.9.

Leica M6, CV 28 Ultron f/1.9, AristaPremium400

f/1.9 @ 1/30

Took Kim and the M6 for some fantastic company, pizza and a little B&W shooting.  Great interior for B&W, lots of light and shadow and interplay between the two.  I could burn up rolls of film there.

And a little feedback if you please …

Leica M3, Canon 50 f/1.5 Sonnar, AristaPremium 400 (re-badged Tri-X 400)

probably f/16 @ 1/500

Leica M3, Canon 50 Sonnar f/1.5, AristaPremium 400 (Tri-X 400)

Got to go to Bolinas for the weekend with Phil and some Sacramento friends.  We stayed at a friend of a friend of a friend’s house – gratis.  I had no idea Bolinas was such a weekender’s destination, with rentals going for a prince’s ransom.  Our host never met us yet allowed her house to be opened up and enjoyed by total strangers.  We cooked and ate, made a roaring fire, walked along the headlands and woods and generally lazed about like we owned the place.  Thanks to Sabine and Jonathan for being generous hosts, Rich for inviting me and Phil for driving.  I missed the girls terribly but the fresh sea air and quietude made for a nice break.   Here’s hoping we’ll be invited back again.

Individual shots here

Leica M3, Canon Sonnar 50 f/1.5, AristaPremium 400 (re-badged Tri-X 400)

1/60 @ f/4, opened up

My best friend Phil Hinson – we’ve known each other for 23 years now and been there for each other through thick and thin.  If you think think they make them any better than this man then you’ve got a fight on your hands sir.

Taken in Bolinas, CA on Sept. 11, 2010.  And if you think you need more than a M3, a fast 50 and some Tri-X to get good pictures then you don’t know much about photography either.

Leica M3, 35 Summaron f/2.8 w/goggles, Arista Premium 400

1/250 @ F8 or F11, stopped down quite a bit to handle the sun

And one more

Leica M3, 35 Summaron f/2.8 w/goggles, Arista Premium 400

1/50 or 1/100 @ f/2.8 – I wanted to see the lens wide open

As usual, the M3 is the ideal travel camera.  Rugged, completely mechanical and bulletproof, easily shot, stored and carried – remember I have two girls and they need a lot of gear : ) Paired with the 35 and the reliable, re-badged Tri-X 400 (Arista from Freestyle) it makes great images.  It renders both landscapes and people equally pleasing.  It’s a rare roll when every picture looks great but I think I scored one here.

I think I know what rig I’m taking with me to SF with this weekend …

Leica M6, 35 CV PII, Arista Premium 400 (re-branded Tri-X)

1/30 @ f/2.5, opened all the way  up