Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/04/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Rei- Usually, I lurk in the shadows, but you comments made me come forth! I bought a 135 Elmarit from a friend because he couldn't get any kind of response from the auction site that remains un-named...- basically because it was faster than the Elmar- which I kept for its compactness, but you are right, it is underated. I have used it for a few portraits, though the 90 remains a favorite for those, but for a full face close up, wide open, it makes an impact. The goggles, for me at least, do make focusing a snap, especially wearing glasses! Dan - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rei Shinozuka" <shino@panix.com> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2003 5:50 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] 135 Elmarit and Opera Photography > i recently obtained the 135 elmarit; a very nice and underappreciated lens. the > goggle system does need to be adjusted (d.a.g. did this for me) but > when they work, the system is like a laser rangefinder; pinpoint > accuracy wide open. my personal theory is that the perceived awkwardness > of the bug-eyes substantially discounts the secondary market for this lens. > in reality it handles quite nicely. and the head detatches for use with the > viso given the appropriate adapter! > > -rei > > > On Sat, Apr 19, 2003 at 03:30:07PM -0400, Roger Skully wrote: > > On 4/18/03 7:01 PM, "Jesse Hellman" <hellman@comcast.net> wrote: > > > > > For the last few years I've photographed the student opera productions > > > of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, and have increasingly used the > > > F/2.8 135 mm Elmarit, the one with the goggles that enlarge the > > > viewfinder image. I have an M6 0.85, and in addition attach the 1.25X > > > viewfinder magnifier, so the image is greater than life size. In > > > addition I shoot with one or two other M6s using the 50 and 90 Summicrons. > > > > > > The last opera performed by the students was Leonard Bernstein's > > > Candide. As some of my pictures of it have been posted on their website > > > I thought of getting out of lurk-mode and writing about opera > > > photography and the 135, which has traditionally been a very underprized > > > lens. It can usually be bought for about $500. > > > > > > The focus is slow but most of the action on stage remains at a similar > > > distance, so rarely have my failures been attributed to that. I know > > > each work very well by the time of the dress rehearsal (Kit, yes, I do > > > learn the Italian libretti!), and learn the blocking in order to > > > anticipate the action. In Candide it is very very fast. With operas, > > > additionally, often the mouth is open in an unattractive way and I need > > > to watch for that. > > > > > > The posted pictures were all shot at F/2.8, at 1/250 at best but at > > > times at even 1/60. Film is Fujicolor 1600. Every picture is cropped, > > > sometimes a lot. The 135 was used for most of the shots. > > > > > > Obviously if I had the chance to try the new APO 135 I'd love to, but it > > > is out of the question now and I still have a lot to learn about using > > > what I have. > > > > > > The Peabody Opera pages start at at > > > http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/mainstreet/opera/ > > > > > > If you click on the picture of Heather Lockard holding two red roses > > > (under "Candide Triumphs") you get to a page of 5 pictures, and from > > > there to 30 others (my favorite picture is that of Darlene Enke holding > > > the red flag). > > > > > > Feedback? > > > > > > Jesse > > > > > > -- > > > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > > Bravo! Nice work with a nice lens. > > > > -- > > Roger Skully > > Robinšs Nest Photography > > http://robinsnestphotography.com > > > > > > -- > > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > > -- > Rei Shinozuka shino@panix.com > Ridgewood, New Jersey > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html