FRENCH LEICA CONNECTION - SOLENN HERVOUET

Today I have the pleasure to introduce French Leica Photographer Solenn Hervouet to the readers of the Leica Barnack Berek Blog.  He recently submitted a variety of photographs to be published.  Besides Leica equipment he also uses a variety of other camera makes and lenses.  Many of lenses by other manufacturers have been adapted for use on his Leica equipment.  For today’s gallery I have selected images that were mostly shot with Leica lenses, but I have included two excellent images that were taken with a Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5.

Solenn Hervouet writes about himself:

Some background info (not that much, I'm still a young man):

I'm 32, I live in France and I'm an engineer in scientific computing. I'm currently moving from Paris to Bordeaux, I was born in St Nazaire

(see www.flickr.com/photos/63722156@N04/sets/72157628916422967/). I worked for the automotive industry (Renault) and currently in the aerospace industry. I discovered photography at 25, with my dad's old Nikon F. Mostly by accident: I gave it for repairs as my father had problems with it, and when it came back working I tried it with an old Kodak Gold film. It was in May in Paris, the weather was nice, and I was instantly hooked. Sometime after, it ceased working again.

From there, I began with Nikon gear, and quickly went to Leica as I like its design, feeling and simplicity. I also began to love old classic German cameras : Contax, Exakta, Rolleiflex, ... I like the feeling of the chrome, engraved metal and leather. I'm not really a collector as I like to use my cameras (even if, the more I have, the less I can find time to use them all). I like typical cameras of the 30s/40s/50s : rangefinders, TLRs, SLRs. Their workmanship is impressive, and cannot be matched today. I even have a pair of Speed/Crown Graphic that I should use more. I'm always surprised of the quality of the pictures, as I often do not like the "clinical" sharpness of the more modern cameras.

I do use in parallel digital and classic cameras, as I have not learned the wet print process. I scan my films; it does not bother me as I'm used to work with computers. I don't oppose digital/film, they can work nicely together.

I still have a lot to learn in the technical part of the photography process. And I do not have a good photographic culture either. I just do what I like, walking around with some nice cameras. I'm still wondering what I can do with a camera, what "style" really means...

I would say he is well on the way to being an excellent photographer.

 

Leica M4, Summilux 35mm f/1.4

 

Leica M4, Summilux 35mm f/1.4

 

Leica M8, 135mm Elmarit f/2.8

 

Leica M8, Summilux 35mm f/1.4

 

Leica M8. Summilux 35mm f/1.4

 

Leica M8, Summilux 50mm f/1.4

 

Leica M8, Summilux 50mm f/1.4

 

Leica M8, Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5

 

Leica M8, Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

LEICA ZEIGT HOCHKLASSIGES

[m]ittelhessen.de berichtet:

PHOTOKINA: Nächste Woche steht Köln im Zeichen der Fotografie

Wetzlar/Köln (red/dpa). Licht und Schatten in der Fotobranche: Der Verkauf von klassischen Kameras geht deutlich zurück, stark betroffen sind vor allem günstige Kompaktmodelle. Im hochwertigen Kamerabereich hingegen gibt es 2014 bei Absatz und Umsatz aller Voraussicht nach ein leichtes Plus, wie der Photoindustrie-Verband in Köln vor der weltgrößten Fotomesse "photokina" berichtete.

Unter den Firmen ist natürlich auch die Leica Camera Ag präsentiert.  In einem Interview mit "Die Welt" hat Alfred Schopf, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Leica Camera AG, berichtet dass die Firma diese Jahr mit einer verhältnismäßig großen Steigerung des Umsatzes rechnet. 

Neben neuen Produkten, die am 16. September vorgestellt warden, bietet Leica auch dieses Jahr einen großen Veranstaltungskalender.  Die Leica-Galerie in wird am Dienstag, 16. September, um 9.30 Uhr eröffnet. Das diesjährige Ausstellungskonzept konzentriert sich hauptsächlich auf Fotokunst rund um das Thema Musik.  Dies beinhaltet Fotografien von Konzertaufnahmen über persönliche Künstlerporträts bis hin zu Reportagen mit Einblicken hinter die Konzert-Kulissen.

Dazu kommen Fotoprojekte von Musikern, für die Fotografie zu einer zweiten Leidenschaft geworden ist. Abgerundet wird das diesjährige Ausstellungsprogramm durch die prämierten Fotografien aus den Leica-Kulturprojekten.

An dem ersten Messetag ist ab 15 Uhr ein Gesräch mit den diesjährigen Preisträgern des Leica Hall of Fame Award, Thomas Hoepker, und Michael Koetzle geplant, dass von einer Signierstunde gefolgt wird. Fotograf Hoepker zeigt in der Leica-Galerie seine Retrospektive "Wanderlust", die sein Lebenswerk über die letzten sechs Jahrzehnte zeigt. Ein Buch mit dem gleichen Namen ist in  teNeues Verlag erschienen.

Am Mittwoch um 11 Uhr bietet Leica den Vortrag "Von Paradiesen und Apokalypsen" von Lois Hechenblaikner. Der österreichische Fotograf widmet sich dem alpinen Fremdenverkehr und der volkstümlichen Musik. Seine Fotografien polarisieren oft und zeigen die Schattenseiten von Massentourismus, Wintersport und Großveranstaltungen und ihre Auswirkungen auf die Bergwelt und ihre Bewohner.

Am Nachmittag um 15 Uhr ist die exklusive Weltpremiere von "The Haight: Love Rock and Revolution". Amelia Davis stellt ein neues Buch über den im Jahr 2010 verstorbenen Grammy Trustee Award Gewinner und Musikfotografen Jim Marshall vor, der mit drei Ausstellungen in der Leica-Galerie vertreten ist.  Die beinhalten auch eine Sammlung von Fotografien aus dem legendären Haight-Ashbury Viertel in San Francisco zur Zeit des  "Summer of love".  Jim Marshall hat erstklassige Porträts von Musikern seiner Zeit hinterlassen, wie zum Beispiel Bilder von Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Donovan, den Beatles, von Konzertveranstalter Bill Graham, dem Dichter der Beat-Generation Allen Ginsberg und dem Psychologen und "Guru" der Hippie-Bewegung, Timothy Leary.

Am Donnerstag bietet Leica zwei Signierstunden. Till Brönner, Trompeter, Sänger und Komponist wird ab 11 Uhr am Leica Messestand sein.  Jürgen Schadeberg, südafrikanischer Fotograf deutscher Herkunft, wird am Nachmittag um 14 Uhr da sein.

Am Freitag folgt um 11 Uhr eine Signierstunde mit dem Geiger und Fotografen Georges Yammine aus Katar.  Ab 17 Uhr halt Thomas Wiegold den Vortrag "Aus dem Leben von Anja Niedringhaus" die im April 2014 einem Attentat in Afghanistan zum Opfer gefallen ist.

Die Leica-Galerie auf der photokina in Halle 1 ist während der Messetage täglich von 10 bis 18 Uhr geöffnet. Der Eintritt ist kostenlos.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

LEICA SINAR

 Leica Camera AG released more news about the upcoming Photokina:

High End Professional Photography for the Leica S-System

Sinar p MF-L 

                       

With a tradition dating back over 60 years, Sinar is a premium brand in the world of professional photography. The company's professional equipment meets the highest standards in terms of resolution and color reproduction in the static studio as well as for landscape and architectural photography.

The Sinar p MF-L was developed especially for photographers who wish to avail themselves of the unique quality characteristics of a Sinar view camera while using their Leica S high-end medium format camera body. Exact control of perspective and selective sharpness, the most important creative tools in photography, are set and evaluated precisely on a view camera – all these advantages are now available for Leica S users. In addition, this solution offers the benefit of a distinct increase in quality by using high-resolution Sinaron lenses designed specifically for digital imaging.

In combination with the Sinar p system the Leica S users gain access to professional high-end photography. A wide range of the accessories from the modular Sinar System can be used for the professional work in the studio or outdoor applications. The Sinar p-MF-L solution corresponds to the Sinar philosophy to provide modular systems that always accommodate with the latest trends of the market.

Experience the complete digital solution for professional photographers by visiting the Leica stand at Photokina.

For more information go to: http://www.sinar.ch/wp-content/uploads/Sinar_p-MF-L_EN.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

A CHINESE LEICA

LEICA COPY SHANGHAI 582

It is common knowledge that the Leica has been copied more often than any other camera and many of these copies are relatively well known.  One of the rather rare and little known copies is the Shanghai 582.

The camera was made for less than two years, from 1958 to 1959, at the beginning of the Cultural Revolution when the Chinese government decided to do everything better than the Russians, the Americans and the Germans.  The seven digit serial number was quite misleading since very few of the cameras were made, most of them for government use.

It really wasn’t a bad copy.  It showed an extraordinary amount of hand work.  The f/3.5 collapsible lens was of acceptable quality, and the cloth focal plane shutter still worked smoothly and was reasonably accurate, even years later.

The pictures of the camera were obtained from a member of the Leica Historical Society of America (LHSA) who had the good fortune to see and inspect the camera and to photograph it on a trip to China.

Interesting, to say the least.  But I think I will stick with my Wetzlar and Solms made Leica equipment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

PHOTOGRAPHIC ART AT PHOTOKINA

With about 30 individual exhibitions in the halls and a high-profile mix of art works at the Leica Gallery, the image as a creative end product of the photographic and imaging industry is again the focus of the Photokina this year.

Besides photographs by a large variety of photographers, highlights of the exhibition include again the Leica Gallery in Hall 1 This year it is under the heading of "Music". The selected photographers include among others the American music photographer Jim Marshall (1936-2010). The exhibition will include his photographs of the last Beatles concert and the Rolling Stones tour of 1972 and a collection of photographs of the legendary Ashbury district in San Francisco during the so-called "Summer of love". In addition, the the Leica Gallery exhibition program will be enriched by  photographers such as Glen Craig with "A Day in the Life of Miles Davis", Jürgen Schadeberg with "Jazz in South Africa" as well as Anton Corbijn with a series of self-portraits,.

National Geographic Germany will present a selection of the best photographs from the 125-year history of the magazine in Passage 5.4. The exhibition, consisting of 55 images, reflects the most important expeditions and articles of the magazine.

Leica Camera AG put photography at the forefront again at the last Photokina after a virtual absence of many years, we can look foreward to another great success of the photographic exhibitions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

ERWIN PUTS: LEICA PRACTICUM

"Leica Practicum" is devoted to the practical side of Leica photography. Erwin Puts discusses what is so special about the Leica and provides the reader with insight into the principles of silver halide and digital technology. He also delves into the philosophical and theoretical discourse on the nature of photography.

Text in Englisch, 449 Pages, 239 pictures

40,- Euro

To order go to:

http://lfi-online.de/ceemes/de/shop/erwin-puts-leica-practicum-1000875.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

LEICA PHOTOGRAPHER MARLIES AMLING

Leica photographer Marlies Amling retired as of June 1 of this year.  She and her husband sold their studio in Weilburg and moved to a small town, just outside of Munich.  She is planning to make her skill and talent available on a limited, appointment only basis.

For examples of her skills I am reposting the LEICA Barnack Berek Blog GALLERY from October 6, 2012

Just 10 miles from Solms, in the city of Weilburg, is Studio Amling.  It is operated by the husband and wife team of Marlies and Lothar Amling.  Marlies is a highly regarded photographer who has won acclaim for her work not just in the area but across Germany.  She started out in the photography business of her father, went to photography school in Hamburg, worked with several photographers as an apprentice and finally received her certification as a Fotografenmeister (Master Photographer).  She has always worked with Leica equipment which extended in the past to her black and white lab in form of a Focomat IIc enlarger.  Today she is working exclusively digital.  All of her work is done in house, including printing and framing.

Today’s LEICA Barnack Berek Blog Gallery is exclusively dedicated to her work.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE LEICA SOLMS FACILITY?

Even since Leica Camera AG moved from their previous headquarters in Solms to the new facility at Leitz Park in Wetzlar, many have been wondering what would happen to the old plant in Solms.

The simple answer is - nothing yet.  During my last visit to Solms it was told that Leica is keeping the plant to have room for expansion in the future, should that be necessary.  Since moving from Solms to Wetzlar in the spring, the company is looking for a user for the old site. There were discussions with some interests, says Leica Camera spokesman Holger Thurm, but so far no result.

Main entrance Leica Camra AG Solms

The  Katek Service GmbH in Wetzlar, a service company for automotive electronics, apparently is looking to lower their overhead by lay-offs but also by possibly moving to a new facility.  One such place could possibly the old Leica plant in Solms.

Unfortunately, concrete information is hard to come by at this time.  According to a spokesperson, “"The future development of Katek Service GmbH is still in the early planning phase. A concrete statement is therefore currently not possible."  However, In a staff meeting, the Board was informed that there were plans to move production to the former factory of Leica Camera in Solms.  In addition, a spokesperson of the IG Metall, the large German metal workers union, said that they have received information that the company will move to a new location.  If that will be the old Leica facility in Solms remains to be seen.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

LEICA – CAPE CANAVERAL – 32 YEARS AGO

 Or  SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Even though the era of the space shuttle has come to an end, there still is a certain fascination with the achievement of the shuttle program.  Below is an account of one of the launches where the only useable photographs were made with Leica equipment.

From Leica Quarterly October 1982

Several hundred press photographers were present at Cape Canaveral for the fourth flight of the space shuttle Columbia.  At the cape NASA will not permit photographers any nearer than three miles from the launch pad, because of the enormous power generated during the launch.  When the space shuttle takes off, it generates seven million horsepower, a noise level 1,000 times louder than a 747 and a temperature of 6000ᵒF.  However, remotely controlled cameras are allowed within 1,000 yards of the pad.  The area in which the cameras are located is a swampy one.

It was there that David M. Tenenbaum, Photographer for the Associated Press, placed his Leica R4 with APO Telyt-R 180mm lens, along with two other 35mm SLRs.  In the company of all the other press photographers, Tenenbaum set up his cameras the day before the launch.  About an hour after everybody had arranged their remote camera installations, Cape Canaveral was hit by a ferocious thunderstorm with 50 mph winds, hail and torrential rain.

When the storm was over Tenenbaum and his fellow photographers went out to check their cameras.  He recalls, “The water level was about eight inches higher than just three hours before.  And my tripod with the remote control box and three cameras all wrapped up in plastic was blown over and lying in the swamp water.”  After drying off the cameras, only one of them, the Leica R4, still worked and showed no evidence of water in the lens.  Tenenbaum replaced the other two cameras with a Leicaflex SL MOT and another 35mm camera.

It rained again briefly before the launch but all else went well.  When Tenenbaum recovered his cameras all had triggered properly.  Both Leicas were fine; the other camera had condensation in the lens.  The Leica photos were excellent and were widely published.  As Tenenbaum reports, “Of all the cameras AP had access to, my Leicas made the only useable negatives.”  Thirteen of the other camera makes were damaged, some beyond repair.

“Total damage to the press corps cameras had to be beyond $100,000.  And my R4 and Leicaflex had no problems and no lens condensation.”  Every non-Leitz lens he examined experienced condensation between the lens elements.

Tenenbaum sums up his experience: “It was nice to have the occasion to clearly see the advantage of Leitz gear and the edge it gave me over everyone else…

  Photo David Tenenbaum

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge

Order: info@gmpphoto.com

Please make payment via PayPal to GMP Photography

Click on ad to enlarge