[Leica] Sam Maloof and RF Flare

["Frank Filippone" <red735i@earthlink.net>]

First the unmitigated woodworking gloat:  Sam Maloof had sponsored an open
house to benefit a local College Art Program.  We got (free) $25 tickets
courtesy of a friend.  Never saw and got to touch so many beautiful pieces
of Maloof furniture, from all ages of his career, from 12 years old ( a
beautifully designed breadboard) through casework desks and  cabinets, to
the most modern and beautiful macassar Ebony rocking chair.  A real
revelation to the design metamorphosis of a master designer and woodworker.

When having a once in a lifetime opportunity to both touch and photograph a
legends' home, you must decide to take a minimum of photogrpahica, yet
technically record what you see of the man's work.  I decided  on a single
M6TTL .72 with a 35/1.4 ASPH, 75/1.4, and 15 Heliar lenses. At the last
moment, I decided to take an untried SF20 flash, just in case.  Film was
Kodak and Fuji ASA200 color print film plus a roll or 3 of TMX100.  I dolt
have a scanner, so I planned to use the local Target ( Cheapo
carry-everything department store) to do a Picture CD so that I would have
scans to refer to.

What I used was 99% 35mm at F2.8 with SF20 flash.  I used the 15 in natural
light for that shot that was really too close for the 35, and the 75 for a
few closeups.  Almost 100% of the flash shots were close to being perfect
( consider that the print film has incredible latitude, the 4x6 prints were
computer scanned, automatically adjusted in the computer, then chemically
printed ... so why was I surprised?).

What should I shoot differently next year, if I get lucky enough to go
again?  I would leave the 15 and 75 at home and take a 21 or 24; take the
90/2.8 TE for detail and "close ups";

What would I do the same? M6, 35 lens; SF20 Flash 100% of the time; and
ASA200 Color Print film that would be machine scanned.

And best of all, Sam turned up and signed my new Maloof book.

If you would like a voyeuristic look at Sam's living room, email me for a
jpg, I have no other way to post a picture.....

Oh yeah, the RF Flare....  I was shooting a music stand with a strong rear
floodlight when I moved a bit and noticed my VF go completely WHITE.
Keeping a cool hear, I moved a bit to 1 side or the other, but still I had
annoying RF flare....   With the deftly placed finger of my hand covering
the RF window, I was able to alternately see and shoot a nice picture of
that stand for my future study...

Thanks to the nice LUG person that posted that solution for us all....

Frank Filippone
red735i@earthlink.net

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