Critique Welcomed Leica still life.

[Art Meripol]

After some 50 years as a pro I had never used a Leica. All my available cash, when there was some, went to gear for the job. But all these years left me wondering about the 'mystique' of a Leica. I am such a fan of the great Jim Marshall who often had 5 around his neck. At this point I don't need any new gear and when a fellow shooter offered to sell his old Leica M4p I dove in. It had a recent mechanical restoration but the body was not lovely. That did not matter to me. I wanted to shoot with it, not wear a status symbol. Recently the vulcanite started crumbling every time I pick it up so I'm going to have it replaced with a new coat. After 40+ years I think the camera deserves it. So I thought I'd do a quick portrait of the body before I send it off.

As for that mystique? I get it. It's a delight to hold and use. It's a throwback to my younger days when I started out using a small Yashica rangefinder. The feel in hand and the sound of the shutter make you want to keep shooting. I know there are a lot of Leica wonks who will tell you this one or that one is the 'better' one. I've only used this one but it is a delight.

 

[Ralph Turner]

It’s a delight when you find something that works so well you don’t want to put it down. The closest I’ve come to one of those lovelies is.. um.. a Zorki 4, so not close at all. Having said that, though, even those old clunkers have their charm. Being a left-eyed tog doesn’t do me any favours either. Glad it’s been a good experience.
Btw, cracking shot of the air hanger

 

[Art Meripol]

It’s a delight when you find something that works so well you don’t want to put it down. The closest I’ve come to one of those lovelies is.. um.. a Zorki 4, so not close at all. Having said that, though, even those old clunkers have their charm. Being a left-eyed tog doesn’t do me any favours either. Glad it’s been a good experience for you

Thanks Ralph. I'm also a left-eyed shooter. I think we're one in ten.

 

[Ralph Turner]

Ah, ok. I have tried using my right eye instead (would have been useful when using my Canon 350D, rather than having my nose squished up against the screen and my thumb). It’s do-able but feels so awkward and unnatural.

 

[Art Meripol]

Ah, ok. I have tried using my right eye instead (would have been useful when using my Canon 350D, rather than having my nose squished up against the screen and my thumb). It’s do-able but feels so awkward and unnatural.

it's awkward for sure. I thought once about trying to shoot all day right-eyed. I'm afraid my composition and horizon lines would be off...like a different brain was using the camera. What comes natural to one eye would be out of sync with the other. Might be worth a blog post all of itself.

 

[Hamish Gill]

My M4-P remains a strong favourite. It's one of the only cameras I have ever owned which feel perfectly right. Even better that it looks like a bag of bolts... especially as it secretly really isn't

 

[Pete Askew]

I'm a left-eyed user of Leica rangefinders too (film and digital). Nice portrait too.

 

[Dave Farnes]

Another left-eye user here. Had ot wear spectacles since I was 10, my left eye is the better of the two.