Leica M3, Canon 50 f/1.5 LTM Sonnar, Kodak T400CN

f/8 @ 1/50

The tule fog enveloped us last week, making for moody and atmospheric mornings.  I flashed back to a series from two years ago I shot and wound up a roll of B&W in the Leica M3 hoping for a little of the same magic.  Ava seemed to match the somber mood of the morning and wore only her most petulant expression, but at least she was moderately still.  The Canon Sonnar resolved the light beautifully and gathered a few comments on its own.  People just aren’t used to seeing film cameras, even less ones from the 1950s.  It is a particularly pretty combo, the M3 and the chrome Canon, and makes me feel special just holding it.  But they’re no shelf queens and the two make images just as well today as they did 50 years ago.

walking meditation …

little napoleon …

portrait with slide …

full gallery here

Leica M3, Canon 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar, Kodak BW400CN

f/2 @ 1/80, natural light

And one more …

I think both of these came out quite lovely, and the slight sepia gives them a little extra warmth.  I’ll post the straight B&W next

for comparison.  As usual, the Canon Sonnar lens really sings.  It excels at drawing people at wide apertures, there’s

warmth, smoothness and character to spare.  Foreground to background separation, pleasing bokeh and just enough sharpness

but no bite.  And of course the M3 maximizes the 50mm lens: it has the best viewfinder and focusing patch, is small, quiet and discreet

and puts the subject at ease.  After poking the giant gripped 5D and 24-70 (with hood) in Jill’s face all afternoon I’m sure she felt more than a little relief

when I put it away and picked up the Leica.  It’s like shooting an Olympic target match pistol.  The 5D is closer to a riot shotgun, about as heavy and just

as subtle.

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

probably f/16 @ 1/500

Leica M3, 35 Summaron f/2.8, Kodak Portra400NC

and a few more …

So I’m a sucker for that backlit, windblown, Brigitte Bardot look – I’ll admit it.  But when you look like Ava, why not go with your best look?  It’s scary to think how beautiful she’s going to be.  All I have to do is look at Naomi to see what’s going to happen.

Some more 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, Leitz Summaron 35 f/2.8, Kodak Portra 400 NC

f/4 @ 1/125 or so, opened up for light shade

and a few more, all with the M3 + 35 Summaron and Portra 400 NC

Leica M3, 35 Summaron f/2.8

top: f/2.8 @ 1/30

bottom: f8 @ 1/250 or so

Got to get out for a weekend overnight in the city, stayed at one of our favorite places: SF Zen Center

Inexpensive, comfortable, quiet and surrounded by interesting places to see and eat.  The top shot is of the inside dining room and the outside is the view up the hill from Laguna Street.  You can stop by for a sitting, browse the bookstore or stay overnight like we do.

Full set here

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 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.

M3, Leitz 35 Summaron f/2.8, LegacyPro 400

1/1000 @ f/5.6

I think I’ve found my muses.  Little Naomi loves to mother hen Ava and Ava loves the attention.  They’re both a little cautious and less wild than their older siblings so I think they have an unspoken, understood connection.  And I love that they’re very into each other and tend not to be distracted by me or the camera.

The old Summaron performs pretty well, coupled with the freshly laundered M3 they make for a potent combination.