It was inevitable that I would end up owning a Leica at some point, I’ve grown to love 35mm as a format and love nothing more than trying ‘all the cameras’. I’ve come close before, but my indecision always ended up with me walking away. I regretted not buying a lovely old iiif for a good price and numerous M2’s have been deleted from my basket over the last year or so.
After deciding that now was the time to buy, I was constantly looking out for used M2’s, a choice made for me by a combination of the fact that I wanted 35mm frame lines and my limited budget. So when, by chance, a nice looking M4 came up within my budget I did some quick research, decided it was for me, and made the call.
The next day the camera arrived and I gave it the once over – it was freshly serviced, and everything looked and felt good. This was the first Leica I had held, let alone had a proper play with, but I figured it was a good investment and that I had nothing to lose if I discovered it wasn’t for me. Based on the look and feel, I quickly decided that scenario was pretty unlikely, I’m not going to gush about it or anything but I simply liked what I saw and felt. This is primarily what shooting film is about for me.
So, next I needed a lens, I couldn’t afford anything fancy but really wanted a proper M mount lens negating the need for adaptors. I had my eye on two bargain 35mm lenses for a while: the 7 Artisans 35mm f/2 and the Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5. I decided on the Voigtlander after a bit of research and a couple of emails back and forth (thanks Hamish).
I am now 9 rolls in to shooting my M4 and I couldn’t be happier with my choice, the body and lens together just feel great, and I am really happy with my results so far. I haven’t shot any colour yet, as I’m really enjoying developing black and white at home, but I probably will pretty soon.
These were shot using Ilford HP5 rated at 800, developed in Ilford ID11 1:1 and scanned on my Epson V500.
Thanks for reading.
twitter.com/DanSmith74
Share this post:
Comments
Steve Boykin on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Jim Wolf on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Francesco Melis on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Daniel Castelli on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
A nice write-up on the M4. I regretted selling mine years ago. I came into some disposable $$ this year, so I wanted to replace the classic. The prices were crazy. I was able to get a 'like new' M4-P from Ken Hanson. Very happy with the camera. The Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 is one of their sleepers. A lot of good optics for a reasonable price, plus it takes 39mm filters. Your pictures show how good the camera/lens combo is.
I also use the V500, it does everything I need it to do. A question: How did you meter the scenes?
Continued good luck with your outfit.
DanSmith74 on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
I would like better 35mm scans but the V500 is adequate as you say, my colour scans I get from the lab always make me aware of its shortcoming though! As for metering I use an old Weston V to take simple reflected readings of the general scene, it seems pretty good in daylight but when it is darker I tend to open up a stop or so to compensate for the decreased sensitivity.
Glenn on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Comment posted: 10/10/2018
Graham Line on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Robert on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Chris Pattison on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Brett Soul on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Comment posted: 11/10/2018
Eric G. Rose on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 13/10/2018
Love your photographs. You are doing well with your Weston meter. Keep it up and please do share your Flickr address.
Eric
Comment posted: 13/10/2018
Adam Smith on 5 Frames with a Leica M4 and Voigtlander 35mm f/2.5 – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 29/01/2019