Leica M8
Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH
24mm, 1/60 Sec at f/16, ISO160
Post Processed in Adobe Lightroom V4.4
On a Mac MacBook Pro, OS-X 10.8.3
Photo of the Month – April
Yat Rock Symonds Yat
On this weeks Photographic trip there was two things I wanted to capture on film. A
picture of Tintern Abbey which hopefully I had achieved the other day and a photograph of the Wye valley from the view point known as Symonds Yat. This was the goal for today.
Symonds Yat is also well known for its nesting Peregrine falcons that nest in the cliff face. So today I would be packing both the large format camera equipment but also the the digital SLR’s with a selection of lens from the 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 and finally the 300mm f/2.8. Just in case I also had a Nikkor TC17 which to the lay person is a converter which can magnify the effect of a lens by x1.7 but only lose a stop and a half of light.
When we arrived the light was quite poor so I left the large format equipment in the boot of the car and just went up to the view point with the 35mm SLR equipment. The Peregrine falcons were nesting in the cliff face opposite but proved to be far to quick on the wing to allow a mere amateur wildlife photographer such as me to get a clear shot. The buzzards in the area also made a brief appearance but they too kept their distance.
We had a view visitors on some of the nearby trees but I did not manage to get a clear shot of any of them. The above shot was about the best it got.
After a few hours of perseverance we headed back to the cafe to partake of the local lamb pasty. We then decided to pack up and go for a walk in the hope that once the sun started to set the weather might improve to enable me to capture the valley on the large format equipment.
We left the bulk of the camera gear in the car and just took the Leica and headed out on a short four mile walk through the forest. Unlike yesterday where we were carrying the large format gear and the big tripod up some quite challenging slopes today was much easier.
I spotted a few views that might make possible photographs in the future and its definitely an area I would come back to.
With the walk finished we went back to the hut near the view point to enjoy an ice cream and while there the clouds started to break and a hint of blue was to be seen. It looked like the might be a small chance of getting the photograph I wanted, so Caroline kindly headed back to the car to collect the large format gear and tripod.
Did the light improve and did I get my shot? Well when I get my film back I’ll blog some more.
Tintern Abbey
I have photographed Tintern Abbey on two previous occasions. The first was on a major motorcycle tour where we visited each of the major points of the Island that is Great Britain. The first time I took a few snaps on a dull day. The second time was bright midday sun. Neither was conductive to great photography but I managed some pleasing reference shots.
Today the goal was to try and a get a good shot with the large format Ebony. I thought the best option was from the English side of the river. Yesterday I had tried to find a spot with the car but that proved impossible.
So today we had a long walk. We parked up at the Abbey and walked to the nearest bridge. On crossing I had hoped to be able to photograph the Abbey from the East bank but the bank was private property so the only option was to climb the tree lined valley side.
We kept on climbing but the trees kept obscuring the view back to the Abbey.
We knew from a previous visit and asking local people that some fine views could be had from a viewpoint called the Devils Pulpit but were unsure as to what it looked down on and exactly how far it was.
We kept on climbing and despite the difficult terrain and having to carry the large format camera equipment an a big heavy series five Gitzo tripod we eventual found ourselves at the viewpoint called the devils pulpit.
It did in deed have fine views of the river and of the Abbey so I set up to photograph it. It would have been better with a telephoto lens but the longest lens I current own for the Ebony is a standard 150mm. Still with the rocks that made up the Devils Pulpit I had a bit of foreground interest.
Once I get the film developed I’ll blog about this shoot some more but the climb was worth while.
Enjoying Hay-on-Wye
Our first major trip out on our Photography tour of the South West saw us heading out to Hay-on-Wye. First stop was to the North East, English side of the River Wye. I was trying to find a clear view point towards Tintern Abbey. There was a road that according to the map had possibility. We eventually found it but the road quickly deteriorated to the point that only a four wheel drive vehicle could continue so we had too head back.
Once back on the main road we headed to Hay-on-Wye. A small town in Wales but quite a capital of books. We explored its streets where nearly every other shop sells books.
Books are quite a vice for the both of us and far to often indulge our passion. I managed to accomplish quite a coup and managed to purchase a first Edition 1935 Leica Manual. Not the typical manual but a hard back book nearly 500 pages detailing all aspects of the Leica system.
I also managed to find in one particular fine and beautiful book shop two books from a set of three I have been after for a long time.
The master of Black & White Ansel Adams wrote three books, one called ‘The Camera’, one called ‘The Negative’ and one called ‘The Print’. One of the shops had the first two. The staff in the shop were extremely knowledgable and one of them was also a Leica M user so we had a good talk about the Leica System. He had the M9 and was thinking about purchasing a M7.
Being the owner myself of a Leica M4 and a Leica M8 I find them quite complimentary. In fact I would love to add a film MP and. Leica Monochrom.
Walking the streets of Hay-on-Wye I enjoyed immensely exploring its shops and taking snaps of the scenes that emerged before me.
As a portable travel camera the Leica is ideal. If you like the range finder experience and manual focus the enjoyment if using such a precision instrument is truly a joy and makes photography a true artistic passion and pursuit.
Spring Photo Trip – getting ready
It’s that time of the year again were we are going to spend a few days concentrating on photography. The intention is to take some landscape photographs but also a few wildlife shots. One of the locations was scouted out last year. I also used an iPad application called the Photographs Ephemeris, a mapping app which one can set a time and date and use to predict the location of the sun and moon.
Equipment wise, I wanted to limit what I took with me. For the Landscape I would be shooting large format using my Ebony 45S camera. For the wildlife then it had to be my Nikon SLR’s and the big heavy lens.
We would also be taking some time to visit a few antique shops and books shops, there might be an opportunity to grab a few nice shots of people and scenes, so I would need a small light easy to carry camera that would not be noticed.
I was torn between the Nikon V1 and the Leica M. In the end as they are both so small I will pack both.
Whisky – other brands
I love Whisky and I think there is a Whisky for everyone, from delicate drinks like Dalwhinnie to heavy peaty drinks like Lagavulin.
Last Monday I visited the Whisky Shop in Lincoln. I had a few questions about English spirits, particularly English vodka which is getting a quite a following.
I have to say the staff are extremely knowledgable and also very quick to offer samples if your interested in a particular drink.
If your into spirits and not just Whisky the I recommend you give them a try.
Film Friday – Bicycles
Its been a while but here is another film image. Taken on a walk down Brayford Wharf in Lincoln one lunch time. This was shot on my old Leica M4 with a 35mm Summicron on HP5 Film. My partner bought a great quality ladies shopper bike from ecosmobike.com, perfect for the film.
Its part of a project I have been working on for a number years now but I thought I would share this one with you.
Large Sensor Compacts – a bit like buses
Just a few years ago there was one large sensor compact the Sigma DP, it was slow to use but had excellent image quality, and with each version it has gotten better. Now though it seems hardly a month goes by without another one coming a long.
Recently we have had the new king of compacts, the Sony RX1, a stunning full 35mm sensor’ed camera, and just the other month the new Nikon A with its DX sensor.
Well now we have the latest version of the Ricoh GR. At £600 compared to the Nikon at £999 its a bit of a bargain. Once again Nikon price themselves out of the market. I love my Nikon DSLR’s and they are very competitive, but on the Compact and System Compact ranges they keep over pricing themselves, as if they are scared of competing against their own SLR’s. When will they realise that DSLR users also want a good quality compact. I use the Nikon 1 system as my compact and to be honest that was over priced and with the heavy price drops that followed its release, I may not buy into the system any more.
Lightroom V5 Beta arrives
While checking out the usual Photography sites I spotted on PhotoshopUser the announcement that Lightroom V5 Beta is now available. I quickly logged into my Adobe accounts and downloaded the beta. I’ll give it a first test later, but if you want to grab a copy yourself then get a copy from Adobe Labs, please note you have to have an Adobe account to login.
a ‘New’ Razor
I was having to work on Saturday so Caroline went shopping on her own. I was surprised and pleased to find she had bought me a present.
In its original case a DE Razor made in England. That evening I started my research to find out more about it.
The razor came in three parts, the head and open comb was soon identified as a Long Open Comb and Twin Pin. The bottom plate was soon identified as a Raised Flat Bottom.
The raised flat bottom was available from 1933 to 1945. The Twin Pin plate was dated to 1933 to 1939. The handle was a Ball end hollow end cap, which dates from 1930 to 1939, which means the kit can be dated from 1933 to 1939.
A little more research on the case that it all came in, finally identified it as a British Service issue set number 44 circa 1933 and the razor itself is a Gillette New Long Open Comb, Made in England.
Its amazing the quality of information available on some sites and the detail some collectors go to.
After switching last year from a ‘normal’ cartridge shaver to an old fashioned DE (Double Edged) Razor, I have found the condition of my skin improving and I am enjoying the ritual of old fashion shaving.
We are going on holiday soon and I did wonder whether or not to buy a small travel razor, well thanks to my lovely wife I now have a wonderful 1930’s DE razor perfect for travel.