First roll with the Leica M3

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 21/01/2015

Hi Aadi I suspect you are right to a great extent, but I'm almost certain the lens has some warming/yellowing effect when shot the wide open ... I've just recognised it too many times under too many situations I'll do some comparison shots the next roll of colour I shoot if you like? It would be good to see conclusive evidence that I'm not being crazy... ;) Cheers for being a long time reader ;)

Aadi replied:

Comment posted: 21/01/2015

I suppose it's possible due to the older lens coating, there would be some yellowing tint. But a comparison shot would be great! We could all benefit from it.

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 21/01/2015

Hey Aadi, I bow to you superior experience with colour film. I can only assume a series of coincidences and badly made assumptions on my part. In my defence, it's shots like this that built on the assumption. Was worth the experiment, I've been expecting more yellowy photos from this lens for so long that it's nice to know it's not a reality! Best get back to my comfort zone of black & white film I think ... ;)

Aadi replied:

Comment posted: 21/01/2015

We're all learning, and it's part of the fun of shooting film! :)

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 21/01/2015

Ain't that the truth. This blog has certainly steepened the learning curve ... And the stupid curve for that matter ;)

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 22/01/2015

My routine is probably not the answer that you want unfortunately... I was never satisfied with the scans I could get out of my scanner, so I just asked my local high street D&P shop what the highest quality scans they could produce for me was. The photos on this site are the answer to that question. The scanners on even the most basic mini lab produce much better scans than the I could with even my fairly expensive flatbed scanner. So in short, I get someone else to do it... I'm happy with the results I get, though I know they aren't perfect... If I wanted perfect I would go to Richard Photo Lab or similar, but frankly, I don't see myself, and my snaps, as needing that level of care taken. Johnny Patience has a very interesting post on RPL here if you want to read more about getting perfect results. But as I say, I just don't feel I need that standard... Have a look here - A week in Wales - I shot a lot of Portra on that trip. You should hopefully see just how good results even a basic lab can produce if they put their mind to it. The trick is having a good relationship with a lab... I have a good laugh with Jinny and the other staff at my local lab, and pass a lot of work their way ... so they look after me in return!

Eddie replied:

Comment posted: 22/01/2015

Hi Hamish, I was also going to ask about your scans, but was just beaten to it. I shouldn't have clicked on the link to RPL. The main attraction of film to me is to get back to the simple basics of aperture, speed and composition, with the ISO/Din dialled in on loading. But the RPL or Jonny Patience level of control makes a DSLR look simple. Is it just me? Their level of sophistication is way out of my league. Not sure if I understood it all either.

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 22/01/2015

Its not just you ... I feel much the same. Johnny's work impresses me, but I have no inclination to emulate it ... Well apart from the fact that his Zeiss Sonnar shots make me want a Zeiss Sonnar :D You have to remember though, he is a fine art photographer. Thats a different game to just taking photos for a bit of fun, a hobby or "to get back to the simple basics..." Photography will give you what you put in to it. Stress about the level at which other peoples work is of a higher objective quality and you will likely get stressed, worry about the complexity of it all, and you will find yourself overwhelmed. But if you want it to be basic, let it be so ... take your shots to a high street d&p and be happy with the results... or try another d&p until you are... you might like to worry about the likes of RPL one day, but if it seems overly complicated now, there are probably better things to be occupying your mind/learning curve with!

Eddie replied:

Comment posted: 22/01/2015

Thanks for the reply and apologies for my typo error. My brain said "shouldn't" have but the stupid fingers (or predictive text) typed "should've". But ever onwards, my whisky glass is always half full. The next step is a TC-1, already tried out and simply superb plus a Rollei 35 (probably an S) with a hand held meter as per JP. But my local D&P sucks, so it will be by post to the good guys. Thanks for the stimulating posts. Cheers

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 22/01/2015

I got what you meant ... The TC-1 is an awesome camera, I've just picked up a Contax T3 which I expected to be as impressed with as the TC-1, but my initial response is not. THere is just something special about that little minolta... And that lens... if you can cope with the vignetting, its nothing short of jaw dropping! Funnily enough, I have also just got a Rollei 35se, another hugely enigmatic camera. Yet to put a film through it ... But I have high hopes!

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 22/01/2015

Thanks Rob! ... Here you go, loads more shots from the Summarit, including some from way back when taken with the Epson RD1 and Sony NEX-5 https://www.flickr.com/photos/hamishgill/sets/72157631792416223

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 30/01/2015

Thank you, very kind! It's comments like this that really make my day ... and keep me writing this blog! :) Glad to be of service!

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 11/02/2015

Cheers Ray. The Summarit is a lovely lens I think. Though perhaps misunderstood by those with a more objective stance on lens quality. Cheers for checking in, I've not visited you blog in a week or so - since the 35mm 1.4 review in fact. I shall mooch over now I think!

Ray replied:

Comment posted: 11/02/2015

It's definitely on my hit-list now! Glad you showed me this. (And yeah, nice theme - lol!)

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 11/02/2015

As I said on twitter, we clearly have good taste! ;)

Hamish Gill replied:

Comment posted: 15/04/2015

I use a chap called Phil at a company called sprockets camera repair. I cant see any damage to the coating. But I also would expect any camera/lens repair company to know how to clean a lens without damaging coating. I say just go for it! :)