Analog film photography and cameras

This deal came up like getting a 1999 M6 TTL for £750, however it has a paint default on the top plate. I already have a few M lenses, but the main idea is to use my old 40mm Summicron from the 70's, to have one of the smallest M combos available.

I though about the self devving, but I will probably have to take a course beforehand. The idea of being in full control of the final result sure is appealing !

Vandal's right - DIY, it's easy. you don't need to take a course.
Rodinal and TriX is a perfect combination imo.
Leica deserves it and you will love it.

I've got a basic 35mm tank/spiral you can have for nothing too.

^^ exactly, self dev of B&W is piss easy, hard to really go majorly wrong with it, and costs next to nothing (I got pretty much a lifetimes supply of Rodinol (many many many litres) gifted to me).
Dev tanks are often handed into charity shops and they don't know what they are/ can't do anything with them, go in a load armed with a photo of what one looks like (patterson s4/5 is most common type) and you'll get one for 50p

My friend absolutely killing it with his XA:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/herestills/sets/72157629218732314/

^ proper good

I've got a strange feeling his photos from the trip are going to put mine to shame. . . (I am the regularly featured, bearded man)

^ proper beard

The high contrast lens + those rocks + beard = ace.

I have some terrible, terrible news.

^ proper sad

And on a slight pedantic note, he was shooting on Velvia, not Reala.

My friend absolutely killing it with his XA:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/herestills/sets/72157629218732314/

Sweet as hell. Is that a full XA? I noticed the focus is spot on everytime.
I found fuji proC with an XA/XA2 works magic, contrasty lens + contrasty film that does blacks better than any other colour neg = utter eye porn (esp for something smaller than most current phones!).

What time of year did you do that? Heard people going in summer and being baked alive, especially on the first section (a large rock wall, very exposed) takes about 3-5hours?

I've got a basic 35mm tank/spiral you can have for nothing too.
A friend of mine apparently has all the needed equipment, so I'll borrow his to give it a try. But thanks for the offer anyway.

I'll be off to a stag WE in Barcelona on Friday, so I guess I will only take the film camera with me. If I miss the developing, I will be able to pull the "I was drunk while focusing" excuse...

Cheers guys for the advice !

Sweet as hell. Is that a full XA? I noticed the focus is spot on everytime.
I found fuji proC with an XA/XA2 works magic, contrasty lens + contrasty film that does blacks better than any other colour neg = utter eye porn (esp for something smaller than most current phones!).

What time of year did you do that? Heard people going in summer and being baked alive, especially on the first section (a large rock wall, very exposed) takes about 3-5hours?

Yeah, original XA (with rangefinder), on my recommendation none the less!

It's El Chorro in the south of Spain - and the Camino del Rey is the walkway. We were there last week. Too hot to climb in the midday sun but mornings and afternoon/evening was fine. And in the shade of course.

Sweet place, know a few mates that have done it, I was down Gibraltar (not too far away) this time last year and it was nice, 20 odd in middle of day, bit chilly at night, lots of breeze :)

I quite enjoy climbing and used to cave/do interesting things a lot, but rocks up here in the north, often way too cold, wet, driving rain, ice useless fingers :(

I have some terrible, terrible news.

love the laughing radio in the back!

: )

This deal came up like getting a 1999 M6 TTL for £750, however it has a paint default on the top plate. I already have a few M lenses, but the main idea is to use my old 40mm Summicron from the 70's, to have one of the smallest M combos available.

I though about the self devving, but I will probably have to take a course beforehand. The idea of being in full control of the final result sure is appealing !

I wouldn't worry about a paint defect - it only puts off the "Leica fondlers and hoarders". The paint on my MP is wearing off after 5 years of daily use. You should definately try developing yourself it just completes the process and all your own work.

The Summicron-C 40/2 is a sweet lens enjoy it.

I'm afraid it's not the same kind of situation (I wish it was). I'm a sucker for well used Leicas starting to show brass under the paint. Your MP has a trully great patina, looks beautiful !
My M6 has the infamous bubbling issue due to the reaction of the zinc under the chrome layer, and looks like it has chicken pox.

Other than that, the Summicron-C 40/2 is IMHO the best value for money you can get in the whole of Leica lenses. I've modded mine to show the 35mm frames instead of the 50mm on the M6, which makes it much more usable to me

+1 I like RF's that show more, but with marks in viewfinder for FOV of lens fitted. I think the older canon LTM RF's had that (35mm/50/135 view built in) and some voigtlanders?

Worn looking cameras are what I like, having something new and shiny that appeals to a collector is a bit boring, and you feel afraid to use it, insanity! my canon dslr (metal bodied) hardly has any paint left, always gets attention when using it for shoots/corporate stuff, whereas every other tog gets ignored, having randoms come and chat to me by starting off with a laugh/asking why my cameras is so wrecked that then leads to more work, brill :)

Any tips on bulk loading black and white? I know Metrolandman is doing it, anybody else?

Most of my fellow students don't pop open the canisters to develop, could I tape the bulk roll to what's left in the canister? sure I've heard that.

Any tips on bulk loading black and white? I know Metrolandman is doing it, anybody else?

Most of my fellow students don't pop open the canisters to develop, could I tape the bulk roll to what's left in the canister? sure I've heard that.

Don't bother.

Seriously though, are you finding the savings worthwhile or in need of shorter than normal rolls?

Hi there guys, some good eyes here i must say!!
Need abit of help/advice regarding Olympus XA/XA2 still haven't decided what to buy as in the internet seems to be some mixed reviews regarding both of them, the XA appeal more but the price of the XA2 is much better. so any recommendation would be appreciate it, also anybody selling one? cheers

Most of my fellow students don't pop open the canisters to develop, could I tape the bulk roll to what's left in the canister? sure I've heard that.

Yes common practice. Ask a local processor for used cannisters - they only bin them. Most of the processors cut the film - rather than open the cannister - so you have a small length of film poking out. Just tape your film to it and load the cassette. I prefer the 3M Scotch Magic tape, thin enough not to foul the felt light trap but easy to peel/tear when you take the film out for developing.

If you use "used" cassettes just check the felt light trap before loading film for dust/fluff/crud. I use a piece of the 3M tape to dab any crud off the felt. I find I can re-use them 3-4 times before the felt start letting light in.

Andy

Hi there guys, some good eyes here i must say!!
Need abit of help/advice regarding Olympus XA/XA2 still haven't decided what to buy as in the internet seems to be some mixed reviews regarding both of them, the XA appeal more but the price of the XA2 is much better. so any recommendation would be appreciate it, also anybody selling one? cheers

They're both great.
The XA does more and gives you more control. The XA2 is quicker to shoot with.

I much prefer the XA but the XA2 is a good camera.

I see, still confused tho!
I like film and I use a pentax ME super, compact and loads of control
but the XA's always appealed to me. I guess Im gonna have to get one and find out!
cheers for the advice.