It’s Thursday April 2nd, the day after April Fools Day. But there weren’t many jokes yesterday as the world approached 1 million confirmed cases of the subject of all news outlets; Coronavirus. My photo jobs have dried up as a result of the mandatory shelter in place orders. I am in the process of editing […]
Read more "Photography in the Shadow of Coronavirus"It’s totally unnecessary to write yet another article extolling the historical relevance of the early Barnack Leica cameras to photography. After a century of influence, everyone knows the story of how Oskar Barnack, Ernst Leitz and Max Beret revolutionized photography with their tiny, intuitive 35mm cameras and lenses during the 1920’s and ’30’s. Perhaps a […]
Read more "Martyr’s Leica’s vs. Eckman’s Copies: Introduction"Film photographers love old gear. But what about NEW gear? As our equipment ages and continues to be used, things are simply going to deteriorate. When possible, I like to buy NEW photo equipment that’s relevant to what I do. It provides a better user experience for me than dealing with eBay returns and relentless […]
Read more "Nikon Film Shooters, Buy New!"The beauty, the style and the build quality of mechanical film cameras made before the 1960’s is simply unmatched. Barnack Leica’s, the original Nikon F, Rolleiflex TLR’s, Konica rangefinders, early Pentax SLR’s, Zeiss, Voigtlander and Agfa folders. WOW! Okay, I’m going to need a moment to calm down! (Particularly since most of the cameras pictured […]
Read more "Upgrade Your Meterless Film Camera!"What kind of sadistic lunatic photographs a sports meet using a 90 year old camera? The sadistic lunatic: Johnny Martyr The event: A youth gymnastics competition in Washington D.C. hosted by Frederick Gymnastics Club The equipment: 1930 Leica Model I which was upgraded in 1935 to a Model III with a rangefinder focusing system; 1935 Leitz […]
Read more "Shooting Sports with a 90 Year Old Camera"INTRODUCTION I’m not going to wax poetic about the Leica M6 TTL .85. I don’t need to. This camera is the best 35mm film camera ever conceived or constructed. Chances are, you’re reading this because you’re a photographer interested in buying the best Leica that you can. Or perhaps you already own a Leica and […]
Read more "IMHO: Leica M6 TTL .85"The Leitz 9cm f4 Elmar is almost as ubiquitous as the famous Leitz 5cm f3.5 Elmar but seems often 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 camera, the model III. The 9cm Elmar is part of the […]
Read more "There’s No Excuse Not to Own a Leitz 9cm f4 Elmar"Danger, Will Robinson, Danger! Kodak employees are actually attempting to earn a living and sustain their business! Look out! Yes, the news was all over the interwebs towards the end of 2019; Kodak Alaris formally announced that they are being forced by their supplier to raise the cost of film products in 2020. The cited […]
Read more "PANIC! Kodak Film Price Increase!"Looking to buy your first rangefinder? Here’s a tip, start with the lenses! Effective Baselength, or EBL is often left with little or no consideration by SLR shooters looking for their first interchangeable lens rangefinder. Review after review will sing praises of a bright viewfinder, numerous (or lack of) framelines and a plethora other features […]
Read more "What’s Your Effective Baselength?"The Nikon F6 was first introduced by the top Japanese cameramaker in 2004. It was the sixth camera in the Nikon F dynasty which began, 60 years ago in 1959 and totally redefined 35mm photography. Today, the F6 remains the most technically refined, advanced and modern film camera, not just 35mm camera, not just SLR […]
Read more "There’s Still Time to Buy a Brand New Nikon F6 for Christmas!"