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 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 50 Sonnar f/1.5, Tri-X 400

1/500 @ f/11

On the way to Pigeon Point lighthouse and hostel at a beach near Pescadero, CA.  We’re going to the Point Montara lighthouse hostel next week.  Can’t wait to smell the ocean air.

#1 – Summaron in color – A raw/vegan restaurant and junk shoppe in Nevada City, CA

Leica M3, Leitz Summaron 35 f/2.8, Kodak Gold 400

f/2.8 @ 1/50

#2 – Sumamron in color – Covered bridge at Bridgeport, CA

Leica M3, KM 5cm Hexanon-M, Kodak Portra400NC

f/11 @ 1/500

#3 – Sonnar landscape – Lake Berryessa, CA

Leica M3, Canon 5cm Sonnar f/1.5, Tri-X 400

f/11 @ 1/500

These aren’t my usual fare, but I wasn’t in my usual element.  Kim took me on surprise trips to Nevada City and Lake Berryessa and I had the chance to be a strolling tourist taking pictures of whatever caught my eye.  I’m not much of a landscaper but I like the B&W shot particularly.  And since this is my blog, I can post what I want – so there : )

Hug a bug

Leica M3, Leica 3.5cm Summaron f/2.8, Kodak Tri-X 400

f/2.8, 1/25, wide open baby!

I feel sorry for all the other babies out there ’cause I got the two cutest ones.  Just going to say that out front so we’re all square.

The goggled Summaron is fast becoming a favorite lens and it’s doubly pleasing with Tri-X.  I’m also going to toot the horn of LR2/Mogrify

and let you all know you need to get it asap.  So very cool that it integrates with Lightroom and allows you to do the frames and lettering.  I got

the frames down awhile ago but the text option had me flummoxed for months now.  A few nights ago while trying yet again to get it to

work I stumbled on the magic incantation.  The night skies parted, the god beams shone down and eureka!  I had done what had to be done!

So anyway, if you’re banging your head over it, drop me a line and I’ll set you straight.

Full series here

Happy 6th birthday Alyssa!

Leica M3, Canon 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar, Kodak Tri-X 400

f/8, 1/250 or so, a little shady so maybe f/5.6

Alyssa and her mom Ruth getting ready to light the candles.  Ruth outdid herself and brought a spread, games, toys and all the things six year olds need to have fun : )  I just sat back and waited for the magic to happen and tried to catch a few moments when I could.

Full image set here

My three girls

Leica M3, Canon 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar, Kodak Tri-X 400

f/4, 1/100 or so, a little shady so I opened it up

Our first trip the zoo this year, we met up with Gary and Frankie.  We had to dodge a few raindrops but it was worth it.  Ava gave out a few squeals during the visit, whether they were due to excitement or some attempt at animal communication we’ll never know.  They’ve been working hard at the zoo so if you haven’t been in awhile it’s worth going again.

I like seeing my girls all in row here.  It’s not easy to get them all together in the same place, at the same time and not cause a commotion : )

The rest are here

Birthday Girl

Leica M3, Canon 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar, Kodak Tri-X 400

f/8, 1/500 or so, maybe 1/250 … sunny 16 rules with BW

Thanks to Alyssa and her mom Ruth for throwing the most awesomest 6th birthday ever.  At least until Naomi’s 6th next month : ) There’s not much I like to see more than a little girl getting big hugs from her dad, to have it on your birthday is the best.

Got my camera back (thanks Gus! – TLC Camera Repair), put it in the new-to-me Domke, screwed on the LTM Canon, loaded for bear with my stash of Tri-X and the cool Series hood and filter and headed out.  Kimberly graciously provided two scenic trips over spring break and I had more than enough to keep my snapping away.  Much film has been scanned, there should be a few other nuggets to discover and share.

The other latest stuff is here.

I’ve been trying out my new Canon 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar and thought this would be a perfect day for that vintage signature.

The rest of the series is here

Leica M3, Canon 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar, Tri-X 400