PhotoIndica Blog » Rangefinder http://www.photoindica.com/blog Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:03:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Barbie – The Fashion Experience http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/09/04/barbie-the-fashion-experience/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/09/04/barbie-the-fashion-experience/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:03:21 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=1211 Trapped in a Barbie world...Barbie – I don’t think any doll will ever come close to her when it comes to attracting attention. For generations of girls this doll has come to signify many things both good and bad. The Indianapolis Children’s Museum currently features an exhibit called “Barbie – The Fashion Experience“. It is an amazing collection of [...]]]> Trapped in a Barbie world...
Barbie – I don’t think any doll will ever come close to her when it comes to attracting attention. For generations of girls this doll has come to signify many things both good and bad. The Indianapolis Children’s Museum currently features an exhibit called “Barbie – The Fashion Experience“. It is an amazing collection of all things Barbie including art work from such notables as Andie Warhol (It is the Barbie in the photo below).
In the Church of Barbie...
It was fascinating to see how my daughter was drawn to these dolls as if by instinct. Should I be worried that she might be getting the wrong message – I don’t think so. Anything in moderation is a good thing and I don’t want her to miss out on creating her own experiences.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/09/04/barbie-the-fashion-experience/feed/ 2 Aligning a Leica M3 Rangefinder http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/09/04/aligning-a-leica-m3-rangefinder/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/09/04/aligning-a-leica-m3-rangefinder/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:08:40 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=1198 One can find many good deals for used Leica bodies and lenses on eBay. However not all cameras and lenses purchased on eBay are free of issues. In my case both the body and the lens that I purchased had some rangefinder alignment issues. It is not a deal breaker in any sense but it [...]]]> One can find many good deals for used Leica bodies and lenses on eBay. However not all cameras and lenses purchased on eBay are free of issues. In my case both the body and the lens that I purchased had some rangefinder alignment issues. It is not a deal breaker in any sense but it could be very annoying especially when you have a need for critical focusing. The problem is very easy to fix assuming that there is nothing else wrong with the camera. In a majority of cases the horizontal alignment will be just fine and the problem lies with the vertical alignment. This is very easy to fix. You will notice a small screw in front of the camera that can adjusted to get the vertical alignment corrected.

Use an appropriate screw driver to turn the screw slightly and check through the viewfinder to see if the problem is resolved.

You may have to do this a few times to figure out which way to turn the screw to correct the issue. With Leica M3′s there is another issue with using wide angle lenses. The viewfinder is not suitable for use with wide angle lenses without the aid of special optical goggles. The 35mm Summaron lens comes outfitted with goggles that allow you to use it on a leica M3. The problem is these goggles introduce their own alignment issues. That was again the case with the lens that I purchased – the vertical alignment was slightly off. As usual this is a easy problem to fix. In the photos below you will notice three screws on the Summaron goggles around the round optics. Looking at the camera with the lens from the front you will notice these screws at 6 o’clock, 9 o’clock, and 2 o’clock positions.

Most of the time they will be hidden under some sealing material and you will have to clear it before accessing the screws. The screw in the 2 o’clock position is at an angle and is a bit tricky but not too hard to access.

Loosen the 2 o’clock screw first and then adjust the 6 o’ clock screw, check the vertical alignment and keep doing this until the issue is resolved. You might have to adjust the 2 o’ clock screw sometimes to get the vertical alignment right. What I noticed is that these two screws work hand in hand. Hopefully you will this post useful as you troubleshoot your Leica M3 alignment issues.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/09/04/aligning-a-leica-m3-rangefinder/feed/ 0 Butterflies in my stomach – Why I like Street Photography http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/27/butterflies-in-my-stomach-why-i-like-street-photography/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/27/butterflies-in-my-stomach-why-i-like-street-photography/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:17:32 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=1194 Young at Heart and Born to be Wild!Street photography is a difficult art. Anticipating and capturing fleeting scenes as they happen before you is an extreme mental exercise and can leave you exhausted. You strip away everything relying only on your intuition and a keen understanding of your camera – it is photography in its purest form. You get close to the [...]]]> Young at Heart and Born to be Wild!
Street photography is a difficult art. Anticipating and capturing fleeting scenes as they happen before you is an extreme mental exercise and can leave you exhausted. You strip away everything relying only on your intuition and a keen understanding of your camera – it is photography in its purest form.
Toughie having a softee!
You get close to the action and sometimes end up staring into the eyes of the very subject you are photographing. You have butterflies in your stomach and get an adrenaline rush – not knowing how someone would react when they see you and your camera very briefly. I am still learning about my camera and how to operate it without even looking at the controls. I however decided not to shoot a photograph without first composing it in my viewfinder. There is something very beautiful about a well composed street photograph that utilizes the entire frame and needs very little cropping. It is a challenge but one that is worth taking.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/27/butterflies-in-my-stomach-why-i-like-street-photography/feed/ 2 I am turning Japanese….. I think so…. http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/17/i-am-turning-japanese-i-think-so/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/17/i-am-turning-japanese-i-think-so/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:31:29 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=1181 Mira trying out a KimonoMira was fascinated by the Kimono and the ladies at the Japanese Pavilion (Indiana State fair) were more than happy to help Related PostsButterflies in my stomach - Why I like Street Photography Fri 27 Aug 2010Life, Liberty*, and Equal* Rights for All Tue 24 Aug 2010Ghosts entering the Park of the Laments Version 2 [...]]]> Mira trying out a Kimono

Mira was fascinated by the Kimono and the ladies at the Japanese Pavilion (Indiana State fair) were more than happy to help :-)

I am turning Japanese ... I think so....

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/17/i-am-turning-japanese-i-think-so/feed/ 0 The joy of point and shoot photography http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/17/the-joy-of-point-and-shoot-film-photography-olympus-xa-xa2-and-nikon-l35-af/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/17/the-joy-of-point-and-shoot-film-photography-olympus-xa-xa2-and-nikon-l35-af/#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:15:14 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=873 NIKON L35AFEvery few months I get into this mode where I cannot help but collect old film cameras. I usually start at Goodwill and make the usual tour of all the pawn shops around the city. So if one of you saw me going in and coming out of a pawn shop – it is not [...]]]> Every few months I get into this mode where I cannot help but collect old film cameras. I usually start at Goodwill and make the usual tour of all the pawn shops around the city. So if one of you saw me going in and coming out of a pawn shop – it is not because I am broke, but just hunting for that gem of a find. For some reason the prices for cameras at the local Goodwill have been going up consistently – good for them though. Back to the original topic – so I found a Nikon L35 AF P&S camera about a month ago at Goodwill and I instantly discovered the joy of the snap shot. No more fiddling around with aperture or shutter speed. Just point, focus, and click. I was hooked.

NIKON L35AF

Mira busy creating a master piece with her Color Crayons

I then started scouring the internet for other classic P&S cameras and came to know a lot about the legendary Olympus XA series of cameras. Many have expounded on the brilliant Japanese design here and here.

Olympus XA & XA2

I got lucky and took a chance on an AS-IS sale on eBay and now I am a proud owner of both an Olympus XA and XA2 cameras. I put both cameras to the test not only to make sure that they were working, but also to check for light leaks etc. The Olympus XA2 is a P&S cameras in the truest sense. It is a Zone Focus camera and is fully automated. Here is a photograph from the Olympus XA2 first:

Silhouette in the hall way
The Olympus XA is a range finder and gives you little bit more control and operates in the Aperture Priority mode. Here are some photographs from a test roll that I shot using the Olympus XA:

Stars and half the stripes - flag mural in Broad Ripple alleyway
Class of 1943 Winnebago Camper parked at the State Fair Grounds
Abandoned building and basket ball court on the Monon Trail
Painted sign for a graphics company along the Monon Trail
Mama Carola's Italian Restaurant

Film Used in Olympus XA test: Ilford HP5 Plus ISO400
Developer: Kodak HC110 Dilution H
Time: 11 Minutes


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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/17/the-joy-of-point-and-shoot-film-photography-olympus-xa-xa2-and-nikon-l35-af/feed/ 3 Walking hands… http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/16/walking-hands/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/16/walking-hands/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:51:25 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/16/walking-hands/ Walking hands...We went downtown to check out the “Taste of Africa” festival and while walking to the venue I saw this man trying to walk down the stairs of the Indiana World War Memorial using his arms. I think he was trying to climb all the way down, but kept falling somewhere around the mid-point. I [...]]]> Walking hands...

We went downtown to check out the “Taste of Africa” festival and while walking to the venue I saw this man trying to walk down the stairs of the Indiana World War Memorial using his arms. I think he was trying to climb all the way down, but kept falling somewhere around the mid-point. I was afraid that he might lose his balance and hurt himself. I just like the way his pose/body contrasts with that of the sculpture with its hands raised skywards.

Technical Details:
Camera: Canon Canonet QL17 GIII
Film: Fuji Neopan 1600
Exposure: 1/500 s at f/16
Developer: Kodak HC-100 at 68ºF for 14 Minutes
Scanner: Nikon Coolscan 4000
Software: Lightroom + Photoshop CS3

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/16/walking-hands/feed/ 2 A Spirited Debate on Healthcare Reform without Angry Mobs http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/15/a-spirited-debate-on-healthcare-reform-without-angry-mobs/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/15/a-spirited-debate-on-healthcare-reform-without-angry-mobs/#comments Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:20:48 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=117 Last night around 80 hoosiers gathered at the IndyFringe Theater (719 East St. Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN) to listen to two very qualified teams debate whether healthcare was a right or privilege. For more details about the debate visit the debate page on Smaller Indiana. I had the privilege of photographing this debate using both [...]]]> Last night around 80 hoosiers gathered at the IndyFringe Theater (719 East St. Clair Street, Indianapolis, IN) to listen to two very qualified teams debate whether healthcare was a right or privilege. For more details about the debate visit the debate page on Smaller Indiana. I had the privilege of photographing this debate using both a Nikon D70 DSLR (18-35mm and 80-200mm lenses) and a Canonet QL17 rangefinder (with Fuji Neopan 1600). I still have to finish shooting the roll to develop the film, but in the meantime here are the photos from the DSLR.

Digital Workflow Details:
Camera: Nikon D70 with 18-35mm and 80-200mm AF Nikkor Lenses
ISO: 1600 (Did not want to use flash) in Raw+ JPEG Mode
Image Logging and Processing: Adobe Lightroom
Adjustments: Noise Reduction applied to both Color and Luminance until desired results achieved
Output: Converted to JPEGs using Lightroom export feature at 50% quality to reduce size

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/15/a-spirited-debate-on-healthcare-reform-without-angry-mobs/feed/ 3 When it rains the brave go out and photograph! http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/05/when-it-rains-the-brave-go-out-and-photograph/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/05/when-it-rains-the-brave-go-out-and-photograph/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:26:51 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/05/gothic-chapel-crown-hill-cemetery/ Gothic Chapel – Crown Hill Cemetery, originally uploaded by PK Koduri. Yesterday was an interesting day weather wise for Indianapolis and surrounding areas. I was working with some friends when suddenly the sky opens up with a torrential downpour accompanied by strong wind gusts. We were done meeting around 1:00 PM in the afternoon. Even [...]]]>

Gothic Chapel – Crown Hill Cemetery, originally uploaded by PK Koduri.

Yesterday was an interesting day weather wise for Indianapolis and surrounding areas. I was working with some friends when suddenly the sky opens up with a torrential downpour accompanied by strong wind gusts. We were done meeting around 1:00 PM in the afternoon. Even though it was still raining, I headed home grabbed my camera and ran to Crown Hill Cemetery, the 3rd largest in the United States and the final resting place for President Benjamin Harrison and other notable figures that made Indiana home. I thought the grey overcast skies, the wet roads, and the empty cemetery would allow me to take some neat photographs. I wasn’t worried about my camera getting wet but I did make sure that I the areas where water could get in were well protected. I also took my handheld meter just in case to make sure I had the right exposure values even though the built-in-meter was working. I wasn’t disappointed by my outing. Although the wind took out some trees and there were dead branches everywhere I was still able to get around without much trouble and the best part I had the cemetery all to myself and the best vantage points were empty with no tourists wandering into your carefully composed shot at the last minute. The photo you see above is that of the Gothic Chapel on the Cemetery grounds. Here are the technical details of the photo:
Camera Used: Canon Canonet QL17 GIII
Film: Fuji Neopan 400
Exposure: 1/30 sec @ F/16
Developer: Kodak HC110 at 68ºF for 10 minutes
Scanner: Nikon Coolscan 8000 at 2000 dpi, adjustments and final edits made in Lightroom and Photoshop.
For more information on Crown Hill Cemetery please visit their website at http://www.crownhill.org
Other photos from that same shoot at Crown Hill Cemetery:
Indianapolis Skyline as seen from Riley's Tomb in Crown Hill Cemetery
Rainy Afternoon in Crown Hill Cemetery

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/08/05/when-it-rains-the-brave-go-out-and-photograph/feed/ 0 Old film (analogue) cameras are still cool with kids and the old! http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/07/06/old-cameras-are-still-cool-with-kids-and-the-old/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/07/06/old-cameras-are-still-cool-with-kids-and-the-old/#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:33:43 +0000 PK http://fotogris.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/old-cameras-are-still-cool-with-kids-and-the-old/ Solitude…, originally uploaded by PK [Prabhakar] Koduri. This past week something interesting happened to me. On three different occasions, I had three different encounters with total strangers who wanted to talk to me about my cameras and my technique. The first time this happened was right here in Indianapolis, at the Mall. One of the [...]]]>

Solitude…, originally uploaded by PK [Prabhakar] Koduri.

This past week something interesting happened to me. On three different occasions, I had three different encounters with total strangers who wanted to talk to me about my cameras and my technique. The first time this happened was right here in Indianapolis, at the Mall. One of the security guards saw my Canon Canonet QL17 Rangefinder and his face lit up. The last time I ran into a security guard at the mall I got a warning. I thought I was in some trouble for walking around with a camera around my neck. But I was in for a surprise, apparently it was the same model camera he had on his tour of Vietnam. We chatted for a few minutes about equipment and black and white film processing and parted ways. That encounter made my day.

Monument Circle and Meridian Street (Indianapolis)

The second encounter happened in Chicago’s China Town neighborhood.

Little brother...


I walked into one of the bakeries and the woman behind the counter noticed my camera (the Canonet again) and told me how her family used the same camera a long time ago. She had a big smile on her face and couldn’t believe that someone would still be using a 40 year old camera.

Couple on bench...

I got some mango pudding, chatted with her and told my wife about what happened later that day. The third and final encounter happened on Michigan Av again in Chicago. I was setting up for a shot with my Hasselblad Camera when a father and his daughter walked up to me and started talking. They wanted to know everything about the camera, and were impressed at the build quality of my almost 30 year old camera and lens. The daughter had a Nikon D90 around her neck but you could tell that after the 10 minute conversation we had she was seriously considering film. I gave them some tips on how to find good deals on Ebay for Hasseblads and older Nikon cameras. Later that day it occurred to me that at no point did anyone ever stop and ask me about my Nikon D70 Digital SLR. There was something about these two old cameras that I own that made people stop and strike up a conversation.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/07/06/old-cameras-are-still-cool-with-kids-and-the-old/feed/ 2 Lily Estate and Garden @ IMA http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/06/24/lily-estate-and-garden-ima/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/06/24/lily-estate-and-garden-ima/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:57:50 +0000 PK http://fotogris.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/lily-estate-and-garden-ima/ Lily Estate and Garden @ IMA, originally uploaded by PK [Prabhakar] Koduri. Related PostsHow to load 35mm film in a Medium Format Holga 120S Toy Camera Sat 02 Jan 2010Winter fun with Holga Tue 29 Dec 2009Hey IMA - I Wanna Blog Wed 23 Dec 2009Photo No. 9 of 10: IMA Gardens (Back to the [...]]]>

Lily Estate and Garden @ IMA, originally uploaded by PK [Prabhakar] Koduri.

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