It’s easy to love a Leica M camera as an object. Handsome black-painted metal, simple design cues, and legendary build quality make them attractive even to passersby catching a glimpse of one on the street.
Beyond its looks, I also knew that I loved some of the images I was capable of creating with the camera. Getting comfortable with zone focusing, trusting the characteristics of a given film stock, and letting Leica’s lovely glass do its thing were all a matter of practice.
This past summer, on a trip from my home in California to France and Italy, I finally fell in love with the entire experience of analog photography. My particular camera is a black MP, complete with hints of its brass core peeking out from beneath the paint. Though I had two lenses with me, a 28mm Elmarit and 50mm Summilux, the 50 was what found itself mounted to the camera for most of the trip.
Unencumbered by autofocus settings, metering systems, and batteries altogether, I was allowed to focus, find a frame, click, and move on.
The anticipation of what was captured on those negatives kept me on my toes throughout the trip — I didn’t want to miss a moment, yet I had to be frugal with the 36 frames I had available on a given roll.
Of the 15 rolls I shot, here are a few Kodak Portra 400 frames I really enjoyed. Kudos to the talented folks at Richard Photo Lab for bringing these images to life.
Check out more of my photography on Flickr and Instagram.
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Karl Valentin on 5 Frames with a Leica MP, Portra 400 & Lots of Sun – By Nelson M
Comment posted: 21/02/2018
Old analoge cameras make it easier to just focus on the picture
instead of settings and LCD screens while missing the moment.
For the most of my trips even one lens is more than enough.
A few month ago I run in a Nikon S2 with a Nikkor S.C. 1,4 50mm
and found my interrest for film again.
For people who want to try a viewfinder camera the first time
this would be my suggestion !
jim arnold on 5 Frames with a Leica MP, Portra 400 & Lots of Sun – By Nelson M
Comment posted: 21/02/2018
Neil on 5 Frames with a Leica MP, Portra 400 & Lots of Sun – By Nelson M
Comment posted: 21/02/2018
Dean on 5 Frames with a Leica MP, Portra 400 & Lots of Sun – By Nelson M
Comment posted: 21/02/2018
Dean on 5 Frames with a Leica MP, Portra 400 & Lots of Sun – By Nelson M
Comment posted: 21/02/2018
'Love Portra'
Fab on 5 Frames with a Leica MP, Portra 400 & Lots of Sun – By Nelson M
Comment posted: 22/02/2018
Ah... Portras...