RE: [Leica] f/8 and be there

[John Coan <jcoan@alumni.duke.edu>]

Agree that a Rolleiflex is far from a klunker.  I have a 2.8E and find it 
pretty fast if you use the sports finder and little mirror/magnifier.  I 
never used a prism on a Rollei, but I imagine it would be faster 
still.  What always slows me down when shooting with it though is film 
changing.  I am the clumsy one moving the spool and threading the film, 
especially if I don't have a table surface to work on.  Once threaded 
though, the film sensing roller mechanism is quite nice and fast in getting 
to frame one.

They also make great "stealth" cameras, despite their size.  People see 
them and think you're playing around with a quaint antique and isn't that 
cute.  The shutter is quieter than an M too.  And the number one trick of 
all -- turn the body 90 degrees and look down while framing, focusing, and 
shooting to the side.  It's easy to pretend you are messing with the 
controls or some other such diversion.

I would like to try out one of those Speed Graphics some time.... with one 
of those huge flash bulb reflectors.

At 04:41 PM 06/15/2000 -0400, you wrote:
>"Those guys" also used Speed Graphics and other impossible equipment in
>combat....Particular the military photographers...It's pretty amazing to
>even contemplate as the EOS1V bangs away at something like 8-10 frames per
>second with its autofocus zooms....or, for that matter, the M silently
>records the scene and the photographer can disappear into the
>background...Makes even a Rollei seem like a real klunker, and the camera
>still is NO klunker....
>
>B.orn too late thank Mom and D.ad to have to use a Speed Graphic, but used
>my Dad's 2.8 Rollei with prism and trigger grip on my first summer photog
>job.....TWTD...
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> > [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of John Coan
> > Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 4:09 PM
> > To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> > Subject: Re: [Leica] f/8 and be there
> >
> >
> > So, Perry, I have a question.
> >
> > How long does it take to load another sheet of film in a Speed
> > Graphic?  (How "speedy" is it?)
> >
> > I always admired the old news photographers with those cool
> > cameras.  Seems
> > like you either got the shot the first time, or it was gone.  Of course,
> > back then celebrities actually liked to get their picture taken "Just one
> > quick shot, Miss Harlow."  and they would stop and pose with a big smile.
> >
> > And didn't they all wear fedoras with a card saying "Press" in
> > the hat band?
> >
> > It's enjoyable seeing the evolution of press cameras in newsreel
> > footage.  Seems from my casual observation that during the late 50's the
> > Speed Graphics were being replaced with TLR's (mostly Rolleis) in the
> > US.  Whereas, in old WWII footage from Germany those guys used
> > Rolleiflexes
> > back then.
> >
> > At 11:49 AM 06/15/2000 -0700, you wrote:
> > >"Sal DiMarco,Jr." wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Lug Nuts,
> > > >         It is said in the very early days of news photography
> > (1920s &
> > > 30s),
> > > > all one needed to know was "ten feet, f/8 and be there."
> > > >         It's the simplest guide to photography. Remember back
> > then, they
> > > > shot was a 4x5 Speed Graphic and flash bulbs.
> > > > Happy Snaps,
> > > > Sal DiMarco, Jr.
> > >
> > >Ten feet put's em in the back row with the Graphlexes, Sal!
> > >Mark (Perry White) Rabiner
> > >
> > >When the Speeds came out (leather covered mahogany boxes that float) the
> > >word was:
> > >smash to the left, smash to the right, then fire (you wanted to get a
> > >clear shot)!!!?
> >
> >