There’s More To Shooting 3200 Speed Film

by Johnny Martyr Shooting 3200 ISO film may seem like little more than putting a faster film in your camera and setting the ISO dial accordingly. But it's not that simple. There are a lot of differences in how film handles in very low light, and indeed, how to handle film that has been shot...

Seven Recommended Rangefinder Focusing Techniques

by Johnny Martyr Many photographers struggle with focusing rangefinder cameras. Some photographers, unfortunately, tend to shoot only wider/slower lenses or give up on rangefinders entirely for this reason. But I don't think photography should always be easy and by learning to use simpler cameras, we can internalize concepts and develop instincts and reflexes that apply...

There’s No Excuse Not to Own a Leitz 9cm f4 Elmar

by Johnny Martyr The Leitz 9cm f4 Elmar is almost as ubiquitous as the famous Leitz 5cm f3.5 Elmar but often seems forgotten about. The lens dates back to 1933 and was Leica's first 90mm.  It was likely designed to take advantage of their newly released rangefinder cameras, model's II and III.  The 9cm Elmar...

Leica LTM to M Adapters

by Johnny Martyr If you're cheap or just enjoy a variety of glass in your quiver, it's worth running vintage Leica Thread Mount (LTM or M39) lenses on your newer bayonet M mount Leica bodies.  The fact that this can be done so flawlessly is yet another boon to the Leica rangefinder system and justification...

Voigtländer 40mm 1.4 Nokton Classic MC Review

by Johnny Martyr Maybe you've read my previous entry, detailing all the things wrong with the current three 35mm 1.4 lenses available in Leica M mount. I got some good recommendations but ultimately, my decision came down to price and ergonomics.  It took a lot of consideration and reading but I finally made a decision....

Wedding Receptions on Film; No Flash, No Automation

Say what you will about wedding photography but few other gigs will allow you to party with beautiful people without having to even know a single dance move. My wife and I are freelance wedding photographers.  She shoots digital and I shoot on b&w 35mm film.  I use vintage, all manual cameras and lenses and...

Your Film Doesn’t Need to be Refrigerated; Less Shopping. More Shooting.

Sometimes the dumbest ideas are perpetuated on the internet. Storing ones film in the fridge is one of them. Like many adamant film photographers, I too, used to buy months or even years worth of film when there was a sale.  And I'd store it in a little mini fridge.  I would open the door...

Photographing Fireworks with Fuji Instax

So you want to take some photos of the fireworks with your Fuji Instax instant film camera this Independence Day & you're wondering how to do that.  Well, you're on the right track by studying up BEFORE loading up your camera & heading out to a fireworks show. While seasoned photographers who don't shoot film anymore...

A Turbulent Cruz in Frederick

Yesterday, Thursday April 21st, 2016, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz and his entourage made a stop along their campaign trail at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in downtown Frederick, Maryland. I arrived at about 7:30am and TV crews I spoke to reported being on scene as early as 4:30am who shot live cut-in's intermittently...

My Ode to the Humble Nikon FM2n

The Nikon FM2n, the most remarkable unremarkable camera ever made.