what I could make the leica do










These are scanned from negatives that I took using a Leica M6 with a Summicron 50mm lens. I tested the camera using different types of natural lighting from very brightly lit to artificial lighting at night. I also used shutter speeds as low as 1/4sec and openings as large as f/2. One thing I notice is that the lens really take good detail with photos taken at a speed no lower than 1/30 sec. In addition, details are great at f/5.6, below this is like playing crap shoot. Those pictures I took using f/2.0 is not any better than the pictures I took at f/2.0 using the much cheaper canonet ql-17. However, there is a big difference in picture quality when taking pictures in the usual daylight photos handheld where the camera really captures a lot of detail that tend to be soft on the canonet ql-17 using the same lighting conditions. For this alone, the Leica is worth its steep price. After taking the photos, I also re-read the manual because there are parts I could not figure out. For its steep price, the leica does not have a self timer. So the only self photos you can take are those pointed to a mirror. I would not just trust a stranger to take my picture with my Leica. I will have to make do with my other cameras for this. I also figured out which viewfinder guide was to be used for a 50mm lens. I can see why this camera was used by photo journalists as well as film buffs who specialize in street photography. I recently found a lens hood and cover for the summicron. But then it is still on its way to me in the mail. I hope it arrives next week otherwise, I will have to keep the Leica in a box in a safe. MMMM which reminds me, I did not buy this darn thing so I can keep it in a safe! All photos © 2005 daddywasabi.

testing my "new" hassy








Thanks to a friend and colleague who was visiting the US, I was able to acquire a Hasselblad 500C recently. This model was produced during the late 50's and early 60's. My newly acquired camera was supposed to be made in 1961. With the exception of the fact that the lens lever could not be set on M, the camera is actually in quite a good condition. I had it cla's in Bangkok. Prior to that I thought I damaged the lens because I took it out without setting back the mirror. After this I could not put the lens back onto the camera. At the shop all it took was a coin to turn the screw at the back of the lens to correct the situation. Two weeks later I got my camera back. The shop showed me how to load a 120 film onto the camera back. Up to now all I know is how to load a 35mm film which is straightforward enough being contained in a canister. On the other hand the 120 film is wrapped in paper in a spool. I do not have any idea how this works out. So I got introduced to the inner workings of the A12 back and finally realized that the peephole at the back of the a12 actually has a purpose. You are supposed to turn the knob until you see the number 1 (guys, this does not have anything to do with toilet training) and then set the number in the film counter. Today, I got the film back from the lab and was happy to note that the pictures I took came out. However the test frames that I took did not come out. I figured that it could have something to do with the shutter speed I was using. When I took the pictures, the slowest I got was 1/60sec. However when I was doing the zone test, I was going as slow as 1/4 sec. I must have done something wrong for this to happen. On the good side, I have a lot of film+fog samples. Too many of them. So while watching Desperate Housewives on tv, I tinkered with my hassy without the back on. I know that these types of cameras have shutters behind the lens. But there is another shutter at the back for the camera body. The lens shutter seems to be opening and closing according to the correct shutter speed. The other shutter opens and closes at the same time I press and release the shutter lever. So I successfully took the photos because the lens shutter was opening and closing faster than my hands release the shutter. On the other hand when I used the slower shutter speeds I am releasing the back shutter too soon. Unfortunately the manuals I can find in the internet on the Hasselblad 500c are in French. But I am quite happy with the results because the pictures in the Hua Lumpong train station was hand held at a using f/5.6 with shutter speed getting as low as 1/60 sec. I am definitely taking this camera with me on my vacation trip to Ilocos in Northern Philippines because this is a good landscape and portrait camera. So looking forward to this trip. All photos © 2005 daddywasabi

canonet ql-17 sampler









This Canonet is rather memorable for me because on the day that I got it, that was the day that I took the wrong step getting down the BTS station stairs resulting in a sprained foot. When I got a little better I tried out the camera. I used a roll of Ilford FP-4 at a rating of EI-80 and developed it at the usual time I use for films exposed in my Canon 300V. The photo of the truck was taken using a 1/125 sec shutter speed and an aperture of F/8. I think this would serve as a good control. There is some vignetting as well as a slight softness in the focus. The pictures in the MRT were taken using a speed of 1/4 sec to 1/30 sec with very wide opening. It does not have the sharpness of the 300V but then it has a slight softness in focus which may actually work well on some people shots. In bright daylight, the picture quality is actually quite nice. For a camera made in 1967, this is still working well. Based on the test shots I did, it was a stretch to do Zone III correctly. I noted that the shadow details were not coming out well. Perhaps this means that for the canonet, I will need to lengthen my development time a little. All photos © 2005 daddywasabi

after the parade party








soi 4 is a place where people usually hang out after the pride parade. for some reason it is not as crowded this year as in years past and it is not even raining. all photos © 2005 daddywasabi

Bangkok Pride 2005









I am finally able to walk about and shoot photographs again. After a forced hiatus of a month because of a sprained foot that finally healed leaving my left foot looking more purple than a fresh camote. But I enjoyed the hiatus when I was able to explore the nooks and crany of photoshop and managed to have fun with it despite nursing a swollen foot in the process. Unfortunately the photos I took with my Canon 10d look more like pictures taken with an Holga. But then who cares, I enjoyed the process and the post process. More will be loaded on the Pride celebrations in a day or two. All photos © 2005 daddywasabi

© 2005 daddywasabi

jurassic ribs ala chinoise with chili sprinkled to taste