Heart stopping Ouchee Momma! Super OT

[CaptD]

It's impossible to describe the feelings my mind and heart went through as my Leica 21 fell off the camera while changing film on a bridge 212' above the Hudson River.

So I'll show you some pictures with a caption or two.

I was returning from the iron worker crew out at center span when I came along the laid down I-beams, the Leica was full and I wanted to swap the long lens off the D700 so I pulled over and went to work. No sooner had I taken the bottom off the Leica that the lens just fell with absolutely no warning. I remember the feeling but cannot express it in words. A joy swept over me as I realized it wasn't going over the edge. I also knew that when I picked it up and turned it over it wasn't going to be pretty.

My lucky day, only the filter was broken. Of course it's an original chrome Leica filter that came with the lens and it's a sad sad sight, but it looks a lot better sitting on my kitchen table right now than an old black M4 sitting there without a lens on it.



Here's where it happened



Here's where it could have happened - shot with the broken filter - Daddy would have been very sad...





It's all Crystal's fault! Ha, just kidding Crystal. Absolutely loved having this camera and lens out with me. It was a rather dull day in terms of work, but here's what I got with some film in this Leica and 21, a little diversion, a pleasant diversion from digital. Not necessarily great, just different. And so exciting to get the film back...















--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[TomC601]

Bet you got the same feeling (down there) as when you go over a hill quickly. Nothing like B&W from a Leica. Come to think of it, nothing like color from a Leica also.

Too bad we weren't able to hook up while I was in Ridgefield. We relocated to Gilbert, AZ last week. If you get out here, drop me a line.
--
Regards,

Tom

 

[peter_no]

Aaaargh! Horrible!! I use a 24 on an MP so I sympathize... But the lens just came off? It had worked its way loose in the bayonet mount somehow? But you had a filter on the front - that's what they're for right? Protection.

Took a look at your Personal Collection too. Excellent stuff - looks like a lot were done with the 21...

 

[CaptD]

That is too bad Tom, I think about you every so often and that we should hook up. Oh well. I love Arizona and had to look and see where Gilbert was. That's quite a change from colonial Ridgefield isn't it? The Superstition mountains right outside of town are amazing. Just like the legend, we got lost up in there and had quite a trek getting out. Stay on the trail! Ha. Enjoy, there's tons of great photo opportunities out there, I'm a bit envious. Years ago the Phoenix paper was pretty well known for it's photojournalism too.

Nothing new in Ridgefield.
--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[CaptD]

Thanks Peter. I think it was during the M6 era that Leica finally put a collar around the lens release button. Your MP should have it. Before that, the release button just sat there out in the open and was pretty vulnerable to getting pressed unintentionally. It doesn't happen often but it happened often enough for me to consider the possibility of it happening on the bridge. I decided to go for it anyway and low and behold...

Intuition is an amazing thing.

I wouldn't have done it any differently though. Well, I did think of using my M4-P body instead but the gaff taped finder on the M4 has practically become a weld, and I bought that lens and camera as a combo from an old friend who used them together always. So, it was meant to be. The down side is that I lose more and more of the vulcanite every time I use that body.
--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[peter_no]

I think it was during the M6 era that Leica finally put a collar around the lens release button. Your MP should have it.

Of course! Should have realized that... BTW, I suppose you know that Leica's new 21 is an f1.4 lens? I think it costs $6K!!!

The down side is that I lose more and more of the vulcanite every time I use that body.

You can get the cover replaced with new vulcanite if it really bothers you. I have one question: are you using Tri-X?

 

[TomC601]

Just glad to get out of all the rain you've been having. Only been here a little over a week and have been unpacking for the most part. Haven't snapped a picture yet, but at least I know where the gear is. Hope to get out and do some shooting next week.

Let me know if there's any new doings in Ridgefield.
--
Regards,

Tom

 

[CaptD]

Roger Will Co.
--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[CaptD]

I think it was during the M6 era that Leica finally put a collar around the lens release button. Your MP should have it.

Of course! Should have realized that... BTW, I suppose you know
that Leica's new 21 is an f1.4 lens? I think it costs $6K!!!

Actually I didn't know that... but $6K... no thanks.

The down side is that I lose more and more of the vulcanite every time I use that body.

You can get the cover replaced with new vulcanite if it really
bothers you. I have one question: are you using Tri-X?

Yeah, one of these days I'll send it to Sherry Kreuter or someone and have it gone through and get the vulcanite replaced. No, I got a bunch of Kodak Professional BW C-41 at a really good price (expired this month $3/roll). I was told it was kind of flat, and since this job tends to be nothing but contrast, that didn't seem like such a bad idea.

If the film thing keeps me inspired, which I'm feeling it might, I might switch back to TX and process myself. But, not only is it really hard to imagine having the time to do that (processing film), this Kodak C-41 stuff seems to be extremely digital friendly. I goofed my exposures here and there and it held underexposure very well and the contrasty stuff seems pretty easy to work so far. And that's with the small 4Base scans from the lab. Printing this stuff through an enlarger could be a very different story though. It would be extremely disappointing to get a great shot that couldn't be printed the old fashioned way if desired. So, I am going through a learning curve... again... with film and digital. It's such a loaded bag if you know what I mean.

How about you? What's your process at the moment?

--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[boinkphoto]

Wow, that bites but....

Only losing the filter out of the deal is a pretty lucky escape. Probably can pick up a replacement Leica made one from KEH.

Some day I wanna buy a Leica, just to have one (yeah, like I need another camera!), but dang they don't give them things away...

--
Matt Fahrner
http://boinkphoto.com

 

[boinkphoto]

PS: Very cool pics. How'd you get to get up there?

--
Matt Fahrner
http://boinkphoto.com

 

[BobsYourUncle]

Dennis,

Is this your first mishap on this job? I'm surprised you haven't bumped anything so far. The heights would concern me.

Bob

 

[peter_no]

I actually meant the personal stuff in your gallery, that looked like Tri-X to me.

I'm using a variety of films, Agfapan 100, HP5, Neopan 1600. I also use the chromogenics and I'll attach a pic of mine taken with the Kodak B&W C-31, although I personally like the Ilford product XP2 better. The chromogenics have tremendous exposure latitude, especially on the over exposure side. I expose mine (nominally 400ISO) at 320, a stop less, but you can get away with murder with the film - sort of like having a digital film camera! ;-) It scans very well too, and printing is OK. I still like Agfa 100 in Rodinal best though...

 

[CaptD]

Great shot, everyone says they like the XP2 better... I guess I ought to try it.

Yeah, every one of those old BW shots is TX. Every single one I believe. I think my blood type was TX-D76 for quite a while.
--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[CaptD]

Thanks, through a recommendation I got hooked up with the bridge builders who wanted to have their work documented. Kind of a dream job. Wish I could be out there every day. As it is, I get out a couple times a month, usually from lunch till quitting time. Not enough time, that's for sure. Hopefully this summer my wife can watch the kid while I go spend some real time out there. Project wraps in September.
--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[CaptD]

Hi Bob, it's the first big bump, that's for sure. I'm not climbing nearly as much as I should be. The cameras make mobility a little cumbersome. It's much easier to move around with the cameras put away, but that kinda defeats the purpose. Once I'm at a work station it's great, I can drop my bag and wander around with a camera or two. But walking on the iron beams isn't that comfortable for me yet. So I like to have the camera out and ready in case I want to make a shot. Dealing with the camera bag or changing anything is really kinda out of the question on the beams although I have changed cards. Scary.

I'm not here yet:



But I'll gladly do this, slow and steady, with the camera bag up top and some cards in my pocket, sitting down is real nice, standing back up... you think about that a couple times... at least I do:



--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[Fotomat]

thanks for the link
--
Fotomat

 

[ny pixelpost]

It's impossible to describe the feelings my mind and heart went
through as my Leica 21 fell off the camera while changing film on a
bridge 212' above the Hudson River.

Dennis
Excellent series of shots. Fascinating.

I've dropped and indeed even accidentally thrown cameras in my time (launched from my backpack as I throw it over my shoulder). So I know how you must have felt. Fortunately I never damaged anything too serious.
--
Norman Young
http://www.noyo-internet.co.uk

 

[BobsYourUncle]

Dennis,

The images you intended on the response did not show up. In any case, keep safe.

Bob

Hi Bob, it's the first big bump, that's for sure. I'm not climbing
nearly as much as I should be. The cameras make mobility a little
cumbersome. It's much easier to move around with the cameras put
away, but that kinda defeats the purpose. Once I'm at a work station
it's great, I can drop my bag and wander around with a camera or two.
But walking on the iron beams isn't that comfortable for me yet. So I
like to have the camera out and ready in case I want to make a shot.
Dealing with the camera bag or changing anything is really kinda out
of the question on the beams although I have changed cards. Scary.

I'm not here yet:



But I'll gladly do this, slow and steady, with the camera bag up top
and some cards in my pocket, sitting down is real nice, standing back
up... you think about that a couple times... at least I do:



--
Dennis
http://dennislee.smugmug.com/gallery/2516942

 

[acrystalball]

Holy Sh*t Dennis, glad you had that filter on! And wow, you've certainly got a well-loved M4!

Its great that you loaded some film. How did it feel? Did you feel free of the LCD and histogram? Wasn't the feeling of getting the film back wonderful? There is a mood in these pictures, something really special, I can feel how psyched you were to be using the Leica.

Your 21 seems to vignette less than mine -- mine is ridiculous, like at least a stop difference from the center. I have to be real careful with my compositions because of it.

You really need to shoot some of the Ilford XP2. Very different than the Kodak. Were these scans from where you had the film processed?

I'm glad that you went for it. I looked through your gallery the other day -- your pictures are just amazing, it would be a real shame if you didn't keep on with the body of work you have already produced. The digital stuff is convenient, makes us a little money, but looking at your portfolio, it is clear to me that you are a Leica shooter and you need to keep on truckin'. Really, Dennis, your work is top-notch, powerful stuff.

Side note -- just got a new camera! (Sort of). A new iPhone. The camera actually takes pretty decent pictures, the one on my website frontpage is an iPhone shot. LOL.

Fondly,
Crystal
--
http://www.crystalkeesey.com