Leica M-P Pick n mix

Like a pin ball, this post is likely to bounce from one thing to another and back again in no particular order.

So lets open the post with the camera in use. All the images presented here have been taken with the
Leica M-P type 240. And very nice it is to. Slimmed down menus from the M9. More back to basics. Having wanted the M-P since I found out about it. The big thing is the 2mb buffer, as small an increase as it is, it makes such a difference in real world shooting. I do like the minimalist front, no red dot. But lets face it, a Leica M with no red dot, is as invisible, as a Mercedes without a  Tri Star. Yeah right. But, nice non the less. So having wanted the M-P over the M9 for the buffer benefits, I am already looking to the M10.

Is that because the M-P is no good? No. Far far from it. I thought going to CMOS from CCD would be an issue, it's not. The M9 CCD produced beautiful images. The M-P CMOS produces beautiful images.

So why the desire for the M10? Human nature I guess. The biggie here, is the slimness of the body harking back to the M3 (my first Leica) and no video. Have I used the video option on the M-P? Yes.
More just to see how it works and how well. All quite acceptable and novel. But the likelihood is I would whip out the mobile and use that.

 Where the CMOS really scores is the live view mode. Realy like that. Just brilliant for those critical focus shots.

One thing I would like to see is the option for a second type of live view focus as found in the Ricoh GXR.
You really can pin down the focus and the depth of field. (dear Leica firmware upgrade?)

Unlike a lot (most/all) Youtube reviews of Leica cameras. I'm putting my own hard earned cash on the counter. No freebies or test pieces here. (yes, I'm open to offers. but not holding my breath)

So as happy as I am with the M-P, as I was (and still am with the M9) I'm working my way towards an M10.

So what have I been shooting with it? Nowt special. All very boring with little technical skill, but I'm shooting for me, not commercially.

As ever, no fiddling about, all straight off the chip. No cropping, curves, contrast, sharpness, brightness or owt else.

Testing out the 90mm 2.8 in table lamp lighting. iso 2500 @1/8

Grain. Grain what am I talking about. Noise. Not bad for a handheld shot.

Brook side path (Elmar 50 f2.8)

Parallel lines (Elmar 50 f2.8)

More parallel lines (Elmar 50 f2.8)

Happens (Elmar 50 f2.8)

Bench (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Berries (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Tree (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Delicate (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Bowl

 Black and white (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 Or, Colour (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 

 2 front (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 2 rear (Elmar 50 f2.8)

 

Voight 15mm Selection

 Skyscape

Street life goes garden life

Woke up the last weekend looked out the kitchen window and was presented with the following.
You have to admire the work that goes into these. seemed such a shame not to break out the cam  to caputre them in their morning dew glory.

All shot on a Ricoh GXR body but with various combos of units and lenses.  First 3 Macro on the Ricoh P10 unit and the others on the Ricoh M mount A12 unit with a Leitz Canada 90mm 2.8 tele-elmarit.

Roller Derby Leicester 13/09/2014

Due to a series of serendipitous and charitable actions, I found myself at a Roller Derby match between Roller Derby Leicester and Sheffield Steel Roller Girls. Another first.

As a Roller Derby virgin. I soon realised I had only brought one set of eyes when clearly two sets are required to keep up with everything that is going on.

Just about fathomed the principle of the game. Who does what, what they are called and so on.
Then again.

Another observation. Never seen so many Refs.(zebras) in a game  Seemed more refs than skaters.
Then there are the non skating officials. Or the pinks to me.
Regardless of the rules and scoring as a sports enthusiast I had a very enjoyable time.
I could list a few "sports" I would knock off the Olympic list and replace with this.
Tactics, speed, skill, interplay, strength it's all there.

My thanks to Anna and Ester.

P.S. Very good selection of cakes for half time, what more could you wish for.



Anyway, from a photography point of view, I will put this down a series of happy accidents. Technically, focus is generally off and exposure less than ideal. I could put these things down to deliberate use of  slow shutter creative clap trap. The truth is, the lens was way too slow. Upped the ISO to 800 but still not fast enough. Really should have brought the fast glass. Never mind.

No. Scratch that. Never mind the laws and technicals of photography, an image stands or falls as an image, based on itself alone.

Does the image work as it is yes or no?
Does it convey a message or an emotion?
Does it involve or connect the viewer?

Enough rambling. Here are todays poorly exposed, out of focus, camera shaken, non adjusted or cropped images. (as usual straight off the chip no fiddling about).
A few more images here. Roller Derby Leicester 13/09/20014

SSRG discuss tactics.
(Or cakes Or who has the loudest tights.)

Getting Busy

Picking up the pace

 Although it was one of the opposing team. In terms of actual image, I rather like this one. There is clearly speed and motion conveyed in a still image. But it is the stillness on the front skate that sets the image off.

Up close and personal

 Down and dirty

Peace, Love and Hugs.
Again as a first timer to Roller Derby. This was a lovely thing to see and be involved in.

Ricoh GXR M Mount and Leica 90mm Tele-Elmarit

Out and about on this uncharachteristically beautiful late September Saturday afternoon. Originally went looking for some action on the local village cricket green. Nothing doing. So carried on and headed for Syston rugby club to see if anything was on. The above was my first shot of the day. Had a quick look at the screen and thought, this is the shot of the day for me. Stayed and watched for a while but the shot was already in the can.

Ricoh GXR with A12 M Mount and Leica 90mm Tele-Elmarit at f5.6. Zone focused. Jpeg straight out the cam no fiddling.

Ricoh GXR and Taylor and Hobson Anastigmat (Bokeh)

Bolted on another oldie worldie lens today, something from the 50s. A Taylor Hobson 50mm F2 Anastigmat.
I am surprised I have used this lens so rarely.

As usual I have not fiddled about with the images, just straight out the cam, I know I should be taken out and shot, but I happen to like shooting square and the way the GXR renders its black and white.

I have posted the one above and the one below just because I like the Bokeh. There I have said the B word. No doubt I will open up a torrent of opinion, or rather it won't as no one (bar one, top bloke) comments on here anyway. The above was F2.8 and below F4.

Having mentioned Bokeh, I offer up the following couple of images. Yes I know the petal has blown out, but might as well be honest about it than fiddling with the raw file. Might just be me, as I am looking at the original on a biggish monitor, but the Bokeh looks the  mutts nuts from here. As subjective as that is.

Took a second shot and serendipity also made an appearance.The bee came into shot and landed, after I had already committed to pushing the shutter release. Strange how these things work out. 

Ricoh GXR and Leica Summitar

Using the Ricoh GXR and Leica Summitar set up today. Did not set out to illustrate this particular joy of old lens meets new camera, but quite happy with results when I got home. The Summitar is one of those 'Marmite lenses' you either love it or hate it. Me, I love them both.. Just something nice about being able to use glass from the 30's onwards. I shall be breaking out the Summar as well soon.

How very rustic

Out and about in Barkby, caught my eye, liked it, shot it. Using the Ricoh GXR and Leica Summitar set up today.
Question to self.
Have I really just shot a pile of shit?
Yep.

Window in a window

All in the title.
Using the Ricoh GXR and Leica Summitar set up today.

Unused gate

Out and about in Barkby, caught my eye liked it, shot it. Using the Ricoh GXR and Leica Summitar set up today.

Puro path

Just passing the entrance to Puro Beach Vilamoura, Portugal and thought it looked nice . Set GXR on table exposure about a second or so.

One for the Masons

Make mine a double