West Village | Corner Bistro

Leica M6 TTL, 50mm Noctilux, Agfa APX 400.

Henri Cartier-Bresson | Germany, Part One

Above all, I craved to seize the whole essence, in the confines of one single photograph, of some situation that was in the process of unrolling itself before my eyes.

-Henri Cartier-Bresson

Nashville, Tennessee | Dominican Drive

There were a bunch of people hanging out in front of this local corner mart as I pulled up. It was early evening in the summer, that great time between the days chores and the night’s revelry. There was a group of guys that I wanted to shoot, smoking and lounging by their cars but they were extremely wary of me as it was obvious I was an outsider. I walked up to these girls instead and started chatting, shooting a few frames as the group of guys dispersed quickly in their cars.

I did not get the shots I wanted but I had a good time hanging out and talking with these girls on a sticky summer evening.

Leica M6 TTL, 35mm Summicron, Agfa APX 400.

Some Well-Worn Leicas

Brassed and beautiful. One of the great things about Leicas is that when they are used well over the years, brassing takes over the body. The black paint slowly disappears to reveal the warmth of the soft metal below. All of the Leicas that I have continually bought and sold over the years have been production M6 bodies and the top plates are made of a zinc alloy.

No brassing for me unless I buy an MP or an M4 or earlier.

Jim Marshall’s Leica M4:

It’s a very fine line to draw about taking pictures, you know, not invading someone’s privacy.

-Jim Marshall

Elliott Erwitt’s Leica M3:

All the technique in the world doesn’t compensate for the inability to notice.

-Elliot Erwitt

Los Angeles | Goo

Leica M6 TTL 0.58, 35mm Summicron, Kodak Tri-X 400.

Nashville | Hatch Show Print

First printing back in 1879, Hatch Show Print is one of the world’s oldest letterpress print shops, now owned and operated by the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is just a block away. Located on Broadway in historic Nashville.

Amazed that I left there without making a purchase.

Shot with a Leica M6 TTL, 35mm Summicron, Agfa APX 400.

Some offerings from their website:

Merce Cunningham Dance Company | River to River Festival

Shot with a Leica M6 TTL, 35mm Summicron, Kodak Tri-X.

Denver Art Museum

Shot with a Leica M6 TTL, 35mm Summicron, Kodak Tri-X.

Coney Island | Stillwell Ave

Shot with an M6 TTL 0.58, 35mm summicron, Kodak Tri-X 400.

Leica | Limited Edition M Series Bodies

With the recent release of the gorgeous Hermés Limited Edition M7, I thought I’d post just a few of the special M series bodies that Leica has put out over the years. Some are just too slick for words, others are just silly gimmicks. These cameras definitely fall into the collector’s realm to be placed on a shelf behind glass under its own lighting.

There are many limited edition Leicas that are only differentiated by engravings on the top plate or an upgrade in the materials used for the custom hardware. They even produced a one-off M8 specifically made for Woody Allen.

For all the silliness involved in these special Leicas, put one of them in my hand and then ask me if I want it or not.

Here are a few notable limited edition M bodies:

M7 limited Edition Hermès

Available in a silver chrome finish and a choice of either orange or toupe calfskin leather. Includes a 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH Summilux, a matching classic round lens hood, a LEICAVIT M rapid winder and a leather carrying strap. Comes packaged in a linen-covered, silk-lined box.

Only 100 of each color have been produced and the current price is $12,950.

If you do purchase one, please purchase another for my friend Amanda and you will have her eternal gratitude. Then, she will leave the camera in her car when she goes shopping at Corte Madera.

All-White Leica M8

This is a standard M8 though the lens is a silver finished Elmarit 28mm f2.8 ASPH. At the time of release, price may have been $9,000 but it is available at $7,000 if you can find it. 275 units were made.

This one is my favorite.

Leica Safari M8.2

500 of these M8.2s were released at a price of $10,000. Featuring a matte green vulcanite finish body combined with brushed silver accents and a saddle leather strap, the camera also comes with a 28mm F2.8 lens and a matching canvas and leather camera bag.

Leica MP 0.72X LHSA 1968~2003 in Grey Hammertone Finish

Commemorating the 35th anniversary of LHSA, this MP was also paired with a 35mm Summicron ASPH with a matching hammertone lens hood.

Leica M6 Sultan of Negeri Brunei Darussalam Silver Jubilee 24ct Gold Edition

At one point, this camera was famously featured on eBay for a price of $21,525. It comes paired with a gold-plated 50mm Summilux.

Leica M6 Sultan of Negara Brunei Darussalam Platinum Edition

I would love to see some of the Sultan’s photos though I am sure that he just pays someone to take photos for him.

150 units were made for this edition, paired with a platinum-plated 50mm Summilux and a brilliance-cut diamond in the top plate. His Majesty’s price? $93,499.

You know, without a doubt, that I would still drop this thing on any sidewalk.