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From Germany #3

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Metz Mecablitz Battery

I wanted to breathe another lease of life into my oldie but goldie Metz CT4-60 series flash, which I used for many years for lighting during parties and other paid jobs. Nothing sophisticated about this unit, but a strong light source which with a Sto-Fen diffuser makes a capable setup. Lately the DryFit battery block, probably 20 years old, would run out soon after recharging, but the cheapest replacements I could find were $80 or more. Managed to pick on up for €12,50 in Germany at a specialist battery webshop (search for SONNENSCHEIN dryfit A506/4,2K).

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A good photo podcast at last

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I have been looking for a decent photography related podcast for a long time, and all I found was technique, technique and digital photography technique. Just like photo magazines really.

Then I came across Jeff Curto’s History of Photo recorded lectures. A must-hear for anyone not having studied photography or the visual arts. Even better when not seeing the pictures he is talking about!

Happy New Year!

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From Germany #2

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A Leica is not just for Christmas

Dining table at Christmas – there is something for everyone. Oh wait, there is a another Leica! Yeah, I just could not resist when this M6 TTL came up for a good price. I had always been a little envious about the 0.58 viewfinder magnification of Higashimori’s Leica, so I jumped. Besides, since the funds generated by the webshop are all in US$, it does not present a exchange rate problem.

Took it out for a quick spin on Sunday. Very surprised to get back on the rangefinder after 2-3 months of Canon DSLR. The feel remains just exactly what I am comfortable with. I am still not sure whether I like the rangefinder properties over the SLR properties, or whether it is an issue of digital versus film. I suppose it is a combination of things.

Some observations:

  • auto-focus is not really faster than manual focus. I find myself refocussing all the time with the Kiss, and good manual focussing is at least as fast. MF on the Kiss is very difficult, however, better than the seriously maddening PowerShot G2, but still difficult
  • the Leica is a very small package indeed, although heavy
  • I cannot get used to doing black and white with digital, and have not had the patience to do it well
  • the Kiss rules for quick snaps and all family stuff
  • digital is great in low light
  • returning to disliking buttons and wheels and menus, especially for shooting parameters, preferring manual controls, or having to choose between modes like Av, Tv, P etc.
  • the flexibility of changing ISO on demand is really neat, having a 1600 film on frame 10 in bright daylight or 100 at night is problematic and probably leading to lost shots
  • the instant image review on digital is a curse and blessing at the same time, but probably detrimental to staying on

    • So there you have it, my state of mind on cameras for now.

    Oh, and the other one will probably have to go. Any takers?

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    A compact shooter talks

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    Not new, but worthwhile piece on Alex Majoli, a photojournalist who uses digital point-and-shoots for his work, including war zones.

    Most what he says in terms of technique should not surprise anyone, except cookie-cutter professional press photographers, apparently.

    It’s funny how different the working style with SLRs and compact (should really be “rangefinder”) can be for some, perhaps including myself.

    Via photoethnography.com