DIY camera storage box

This is my DIY camera box

Leica Summicron f2 version 1 35mm 8 Element 八枚玉

Leica Summicron 2/35mm 8 Element 八枚玉

There is much joy in taking film photograph. In addition, there is also much fun in understanding the Leica camera and its lenses. With the M3 cameras, I have been focusing  on the 50mm Summicron. 

With the M4 camera, it is now possible for me to use the 35mm lens without the need for the pair of goggle / extra eye piece (Finer attachment) in M3 version. It will really takes space in my small bag. The weight and size has prompted me to start searching for a nice 35mm lens for the M2/M4 versions without the extra eye piece.

The Leica Summircon 2/35mm, with nickname “8-element”, including infinity focus lock, is the first version of the immortal Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 lens. It is among the finest 35mm lenses ever made. Its tiny, ultra-sharp, ultra-fast and distortion-free advantages allow it to be the most professional and popular non-aspherical lens, especially excellent in black and white photos, owing to ultra-wide gray scale, strong three-dimensions and rich layers. 8 elements in 6 groups. The 8-element model is the penultimate for black and white shooters. It had everything thrown in with Leica's heart and soul, before the Version 3 production cost reduction went to 6-elements. Heavy duty chrome on brass; weighs twice as much as it should. Given my preference for black and white photos, it seems like a good idea to get one of this.

Earlier 35's like the summaron and cron 1st V are superb for Black and white due to their less contrastiness, where the shadows are better captured. The newer lenses are better for colour due to better more accurate coatings. The range distant of focusing starting from 0.7m to infinity with the image quality to be very desirable at f2.8 – 5.6.

There are two broad versions namely with Made in Germany and Made in Canada. Actually they are the same, just Germany is less than Canada. As a result, the German made one is a bit more expensive and there are some Leica fans think “Germany” is more authentic, but indeed 8-element was originally designed and produced by Canadian team formed by the German.

As such, I have traded away my Leica III Black camera with Elmar lens for this 35mm Summircon lens. Finally, my streamlining exercise is beginning to be at its final stage.

Current set up:

1. Leica M3 Olive Body with chrome Leica 50mm Collapsible radioactive lens
2. Leica M3 Black paint Body with Black paint Leica 50mm Summicron rigid lens
3. Leica M4 Black paint Body with Black chrome Elmar - M lens and chrome Leica 35mm lens

八枚玉是指Leica Summicron 35/2.0第一代镜头，有银色与黑色之别，有螺口与M口之别、有加拿大产与德产之别，有眼镜版与非眼镜版之别. 由於使用了8片鏡片，因此日本人稱這支鏡頭為「8枚玉」，這是源自日文中稱鏡片為「玉」，所以「8片鏡片」＝「8枚玉」。至於華文Leica用戶則給這支鏡頭起了一個可愛的名字：「8妹」，即源自於日人「8枚」的稱呼.由於日本人非常喜愛這種成像的調調，因此被炒作出非常高的價格。八枚玉诞生正是Leica的黄金时期。八枚玉是这个时代的代表作，金属制成的银色镜身小巧美观。用手转动那精巧的光圈环，对焦环，如丝一般的操作感。她有一个雕刻精细的对焦手柄，在对焦无限远处可以锁住，据说有不少人就为了这个无限远锁的做工和上锁的手感对八枚玉发狂, 是一枚镜头，她也是一个漂亮的工艺品.

八枚玉 又或稱「八妹」Leica的第一代summicron-m 35 镜头 此镜已有50年左右的历史 （现行版 summicron-m 35Asph 已属第五代）经历了整个产业那么多年的技术革新 比锐度／畸变／分辨率等 八枚玉在光学素质各类参数上是无法和今日的高端镜头比的 但此镜口碑主要来自它过渡自然，影调丰富，油润的成像风格 ，成片偏古典韵味 比较适合胶片拍摄 尤其是黑白.八枚的表现是全面顶级的. 

在1958年推出的Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 (I)八枚玉更是其中的表表者。Leica為了把35mm焦段鏡頭的最大光圈從Summaron和Elmar的f/3.5再加大，使用了當時透光度和價格都相當高的瑩石玻璃，並一口氣使用8片鏡片，才將進光量一舉推到f/2，組成了Summicron 35mm f/2這支經典鏡頭。它外型細小，超銳利和高速，包含無限遠對焦鎖定，在很多人眼中是最卓越和最受歡迎的球面鏡頭，尤其適合拍攝黑白照。11年後，Leica為了節省成本重新設計了的鏡片結構，將鏡片數減少2片，於是這一代的改版被稱為「6枚玉」、「6枚」或「6妹」。6枚玉總共有兩代，一直到第四代和現行版的Summicron 35mm，Leica為這支鏡頭增加了一片鏡片，所以叫做「7枚玉」

如果要入手第一顆Leica鏡頭，建議從35mm焦段入手，除了這是Leica最經典的一個焦段之外，適用範圍也是最廣的一個焦段.其實在Leica M的世界中，也不需要拘泥在新鏡的選擇，因為有太多過去的老鏡，會給您有不同的感動.個人覺得與其買一顆很貴很貴的Leica新鏡不如多買幾顆老鏡來玩玩.Leica的東西只要不買新品基本上很難虧到大錢.

 

八枚玉是指一代35mm f2 ，leica m summicron  35mm f/2 8 elements. 所谓的小八妹 是指 Leica M Summaron 35mm f/2.8.

  

第一代(1958-1968) 6群8枚 1548001—2312750 (8枚) 

第二代(1969-1979) 4群6枚 2312751—3013600 (6枚),

第三代(1980-1996) 5群7枚 3013601—3770929 (7枚) 

第四代(1997- ) 5群7 3770930— (asph现售版)

Leica M2 consideration

Leica M2 consideration.

I have been contemplating on a Leica M2 black paint for a while.  The M2 was considered to be a more affordable, simplified version of the 1954 Leica M3. Notably, the frame counter of the M2 was composed of a disk plate beneath the film advance lever that had to be manually reset to zero after reloading. This system was close to that of the Leica III series, and unlike that of the M3, which is an independent frame counter, visible through a window in the top plate, that automatically resets to zero when the film take-up spool is removed.

The rangefinder system was also simplified from that of the M3 and this made it potentially more prone to rangefinder flare. 

The M2 has a rangefinder with a 0.72 magnification and framelines for 35, 50 and 90mm The M3 has a rangefinder with a 0.91 magnification and framlines for 50, 90 and 135mm 

The M4 has a rangefinder with a 0.72 magnification and framlines for 35, 50, 90 and 135mm

Current set up:
1. Leica M3 Olive Body with chrome Leica 50mm  Collapsible radioactive
2. Leica M3 Black paint Body with Black paint Leica 50mm Summiron rigid
3. Leica M4 Black paint Body with Black chrome Elmar - M
4. Leica III Black paint body with chrome Elmar len

As such, the M4 has the best of both M2 and M3. with the M4 being able to accommodate the 35mm lens, what is the reason for getting the M2? perhaps the only reason is for collection? Given the above, perhaps it makes more sense to get the Leica 35mm lens instead??

Canon F1 Black paint

Canon F1 Black paint

The Canon F-1 is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Canon of Japan from March 1971 until 1976's introduction of the mildly updated F-1n. Production of this revision to the F-1 continued until the end of 1981 at which time the F-1 was superseded by the New F-1 which was launched earlier in 1981

New half leather for Leica

The half leather has arrived

 

MR-4 Meter Black Enamel

MR-4 Meter Black Enamel

At one stage,  I was considering getting a vintage MR-4 Meter Black Enamel meter to match with my black paint M3 & M4. I have tried a couple from the store but the accuracy is lacking. In the end, I went for the modern meter instead, which is both compact and accurate.

Leica M3 versus M4

M4 total production topped out at about 58,000 examples compared with the 225,000 run of the earlier M3. Of the total production of M4s just 6,775 were finished in black chrome and 4,889 in black paint.

The M4 is considered by many collectors to be the finest of the unmetered  M’s. However, , to compare Leica M3 versus M4, my two favourite gears both with the collapsible lens in perfect harmony, is not an easy task. Having tried both the Leica M3, M4, one visible different I see is in the loading of film. Loading film into the M4 is easier and faster. The M4 combined the best of its predecessors’ virtues, including superb build quality, and added a feature or two. 

With its engraved top-plate and M3-like craftsmanship, the M4 upped the rangefinder game. Another different is the angled rewind lever, instead of the knob on earlier models, dramatically speeded up the rewind process. 

In addition, the M4 has the framelines for 35, 50, 90 and 135mm lenses it was more practical than the M3 which lacked the 35mm lines, necessitating an external finder. I am considering getting the 35mm lens for the M4....

From the emotional point of view, when holding the Leica M3 Olive, I can feel a sense of history passing through my hands. As this M3 Olive was made for the military, I can imagine the harsh life it must have had before. Nevertheless, the camera is still in very good working condition except for the paint loss that has added more characteristics to the camera.

The used M4 in black paint is another sensation. When matched with the black coloured lens, it gives the Man in Black feel. The brasing on the corners of the camera has given it an unique character as no one black paint camera is the same after usage.

http://i50mm.com/?p=1062

Wotancraft messenger bag

Key Characteristics:

• One-piece thick cowhide flap, a bold design concept integrated into a versatile compact bag
• unique zipper-less opening, precisely cut to fold without causing creases, and allows quick access to gear inside
• built-in shock-resistant padding with velcro tabs, allowing flexible divider attachment
• back pocket with leather rain cap (tucked in by default), designed specifically for photojournalists to quickly access field journals padded compartment for iPad
• curved ergonomic shoulder strap pad for maximum comfort when bearing weight, with anti-slippery padding lined underneath
• vegetable tanned full grain cowhide and leather parts, with tough rugged skin creases and pores clearly visible
• exclusive W.A.L composite waxed canvas, using the highly durable Cordura® fabric as basis, PU coating the underside to prevent water seepage, with surface ground and waxed infused to achieve a natural cotton look

Max capacity

1 APS-C DSLR or mirrorless camera body

2 optical

Accessories

Specifications

Dimensions (W x D x H): 39 x 12 x 23  cm

Insert interior(W x D x H): 26 x 10 x 19 cm

Weight (with interior protection): ± 1.3 kg

Material

vegetable tanned leather (cowhide)

W.A.L composite waxed canvas

high-strength metal hardware

bronze YKK Zippers (with rustproof coating)

high-density foam padding (shock resistant insert)

Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay street scene.

Most of the time, the road will be crowded with cars and people. This is a rare occasions where the road seems less crowded..

Camera bag selection

I have been looking for an ideal camera bag for a while. Previously, I have bought one for my Rolleiflex but it now seems to be too big for the Leica M3 and M4 and will pass to Keith for his use with his modern Canon with zoom lens.

There are many camera bags using the traditional box shaped design. I goggled and found two brands that capture my attention namely ONA and Wontancraft that has camera bags that doesn't look like a typical camera square bag.

1. ONA

2. WONTANCRAFT

After much consideration, my choice is the WONTANCRAFT messenger bag as it has a modern stylish design and a clever mix of leather and waterproof canvas plus it can fit an ipad.