Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I wrote a similar message earlier, but it has not showed up, so here we go again: After all friendly messages I got from different LUG-members concerning Paris, I feel obliged to tell you a little about the trip. We lived in a hotel at the Rue Pigalle, among hookers and "clubs", and it was not far to Montmartre and Sacre Ceur. Another not far away district is Barbes, with lots of Arabic and African stores/restaurants/people. Here is also a cheap supermarket "Tati". We were told that carrying a plastic bag from Tati was the best insurance from getting robbed. They had security guards outside, telling me that it was prohibited to take photographs, as a protection for the "Tati-concept". Well, I did not mind, and we were not robbed either, even without Tati bags. We also spent time at S:t Germain and the old Jewish quarters behind Notre Dame, as well as Place des Vosges and the Bastille. Another interesting place was La Defence, that we visited for the first time. I brought 2 M-cameras with 35 and 50 mm lenses, the mini equipment I always use when walking a lot. Films were Tri-X and Elite 100. Paris is really very photogenique, with photographic opportunities almost everywhere, and a special light. I found it easier to make decent pictures here than in any other European city. I have visited. Weather was gray, with no shadows and 1/250 F/4-5,6 at 400 ASA in the middle of the day. I was glad to have the Summicron asph, as it was used a lot wide open for the slide shots. At Place des Vosges we found local musicians of all sorts, and my best shot was made here. Here I also saw two other persons using M6:s, but I had no time to talk to them. I wonder if anyone of them are members of the LUG? (If so, I was the man in the dark green coat). There was no time to visit any photo shops (Instead, I visited quite a lot of womens clothes stores, but after all, my wife paid the trip...). However, at Rue de Rennes I went to FNAC and bought a few books (Selgado, HCB and Doisneau) and I also found a Billingham Alice photo bag. This bag takes 2 M:s with 35/50 mm lenses, plus one or two additional lenses/or a meter. I think this bag is almost perfect for M-users, as it also takes the bodies with additional finders. It is very compact and of high quality. As in England/Ireland, books are cheap in France, but the bag was not a bargain. But on the other hand, Nov 17 is my birthday. I spent last night in the darkroom, and I have published some of the B/W pictures on my site. The slides will come up soon, hopefully I can scan them with the help of a friends equipment tomorrow. Regards, Hans - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mail: hans.pahlen@mark.komvux.se URL: http://www.komvux.skola.mark.se/hp635.htm Mirror URL: http://home2.swipnet.se/~w-24872/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -