Imagist Blog

In last week’s blog post I fiddled around with the Leica M8 and an Infrared Filter (because the M8 is extremely Infrared sensitive). Even though all of my wide and so-called “normal” focal length lenses demonstrate a very prominent “hot spot” when photographing with an Infrared Filter. This requires significant post production work on the computer to balance the tones. I should never have sold my 28 mm Elmarit. It performed beautifully with the M8 and IR. The 28 Summicron, 50 Summilux Asph, and 35 Summilux Asph — not so much — they all produce prominent hot-spots with IR.

So I’ve agonized over what lens to acquire for this singular purpose. Something to simply leave on the M8 as the IR tool. I didn’t want to spend much cash as one never knows which lenses will produce these IR hot spots. I also didn’t want a “dog” in my bag. I looked at various possibilities in the 28 to 50 mm range. I watched the old Canons in the various markets; and a couple old Nikons. I also tracked the 40 mm Summicrons which were produced for the old Leica CL film cameras; as well as their Japanese Minolta counterparts. I finally found a lovely 40 mm Summicron with glass in very fine condition, no easy task, and at a more than fair price.

What a little gem it turns out to be. A wonderful performer; with plenty of that vintage Summicron bokeh. And so far no hot spot showing up in the IR images. It’s also a whole lot of fun on the M Monochrom and M (240); quite a wonderful focal length on the full frame actually. I’ve fallen in love with this tiny, light little lens; as well as my front yard; since directing my attention to the old M8 / IR potential.

Leica M8, 40 mm Summicron + BW F Pro 093 IR Filter

Leica M Monochrom, 40 mm Summicron

What draws our attention? Haunts our thoughts? Causes us to obsess?

Garry Winogrand said, “I photograph to see what things look like photographed.”

So artists create to see what people, places, things and events look like when photographed; in color or in black and white; under infrared light or ultraviolet light; when drawn with graphite or pen and ink; when painted with water colors or oil paints; when sculpted in clay or chiseled in stone; when described in poetry or prose. Yes. Though this doesn’t address the feelings aroused while creating; or the feelings of the viewer or reader when they encounter a work of art.

A subject calls to us and becomes an object of our attention; haunting our thoughts. What is it about that corn field across the street. Or is it the two tree lines that call to me? Is it the “greens?” Or is it the textures? How would it look if I used the M8 and deep infrared filter? The answer can only be found by walking into the light, morning mist, with camera on tripod, because the filter is damn near black; and exposures will be long. Feeling the mist on my face; and gratitude for this life in this place.

Wow. Look at that cattail.
I love that the cattail grew up near the mail box;
between my front porch and that corn field;
and those tree lines.

Do we obsess on love?
or the lover?
as the object of our attention.

I think it’s the loving
the seeing, and feeling
that we need to do.
While the choice of lover
or where we point our camera
matters little. As long as we immerse ourselves
in seeing, listening, tasting, smelling, feeling
and loving completely.

(click photograph for larger view)

Leica M8, 35 mm Summilux Asph + B+W 093 IR

I intended to explore our flower gardens with the Leitz microscope objective on the M. It required the R to M adapter which happened to have the 2X Apo Extender on it. I thought, “why not?” Should give me a greater working distance. Well! I must say this optical combination definitely needs additional exploration [on a tripod and sans wind — next time].

(click photograph for larger view)

Leica M, Leitz Wetzlar 160/-4/0.10 Microscope Objective on Apo-Extender-R 2X

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Leica M, 100 mm Apo Macro Elmarit plus Apo 2X

near dusk.
Gratitude.

(click photograph for larger view)

Leica M, 50 mm Summilux Asph

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Hasselblad 500 CM/CF-39, 135 mm Zeiss S-Planar on Auto Bellows

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Hasselblad 500 CM / CF-39, 135 mm Zeiss S-Planar on Auto Bellows

…at every table at the Out & Out restaurant

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Leica M Monochrom, 50 mm Summilux Asph

(click photograph for larger view)

Hasselblad 500 CM/CF-39, 135 mm Zeiss S-Planar on Auto Bellows

blessed with an abundance
of blooms
breathe in appreciation
breathe out gratitude

Leica M, 180 mm Apo Elmarit + Apo 2X Extender