Film Cameras: Leica R3

You may recall me writing about the Minolta XE-7 as my favorite 35mm film camera.  Well, the Leica R3 is based on this camera.  They were design in cooperation between Leitz and Minolta and both used the exact same Copal manufactured Minolta/Leitz developed electronic shutter.  Leitz could have chosen anyone to work with, but Minolta’s top drawer build quality and outstanding optics sealed the deal for this and future collaborations between the two.

Though the Leica R3 and the XE series are essentially identical cameras, the R3 did have some improvements.  Remember, the XE was available nearly two years before the R3 was introduced.  The later introduction of the R3 allowed Leica to use Minolta’s recently developed super bright focusing screen, making for a brighter view finder then the one in the XE.  You can however swap an R3 focusing screen into an XE if you so desired.  I thought about doing that, but always found the existing XE screen to be plenty bright and contrasty. The Leica R3 also had the addition of a spot meter and later on motor drive capability.   

The Leica R3 was a big hit for Leitz, and at one time Leitz thought that their future would be in the SLR market.  It was also very expensive, more so than the already expensive Minolta XE-7.  I bought my Leica R3 with the Summicron 50mm f2 lens and was excited to compare it to the Minolta XE-7 with the Rokkor 50mm 1.4 lens. 

 

After using both extensively, I found that I really preferred the Japanese built XE-7 to the Portuguese built R3.  The fit and finish were much tighter and the camera was just smoother.  Here I am talking about lens focusing and dial controls.  The superb shutter wind-on, was the same for both cameras.  I found the Leitz lens optics to be generally excellent, but in no way superior to the Minolta Rokkor lenses.  

After a few years of use, I found myself using the XE-7 more and more and eventually sold the R3.  In all, a really nice camera, but it certainly wasn’t better than the Minolta XE-7 which can be purchased at a fraction of the cost. Therefore, the Leica R3 was a disappointment to me.  I would go on to purchase a Lecia R4 and R6 (both based on the Minolta XD), and then several of their M series rangefinders.  But here, after a nearly 30-year career, I find that I own more than 7 Minolta film cameras and not one Leica. 

I guess to me, it’s about performance and reliability.  This isn’t my hobby, it’s my profession.  I need my cameras to work, day in day out.  One assignment after the other. Here the Minoltas have never let me down.  They have never required a service, despite years of really hard use.  My Leica’s on the other hand, had all been in the shop on multiple occasions at one time or another for repair, something I find unacceptable for the working professional.

 

I do give the Lecia R3  my recommendation, but only to the hobbyist.  

Shot on Film: Ballerina

In the early days of our career, I was working on developing a series of staged studio shots to add to our fine art gallery.   The idea was to create a scene, measure the lighting and camera settings for the desired output, then have a guest model sit in for the final image.  Remember, this is pre-digital, so no instant looks.  You used a light meter, shot a test roll and had it processed.  If we were shooting medium format, then we could have shot a test polaroid first.  However, in this instance, I was using 35mm. 

My ‘go to’ model for this type of prep work is my business partner Mary.  She has suffered through hours of poses, lighting setups, staging mock-ups and costume changes.  The idea was to set a scene in soft focus and create a piece that could be enlarged for an emulsion transfer over to canvas. 

 

We did eventually bring in a model, but I preferred Mary’s test shots which we had transferred to canvas and displayed in our gallery.  The image was shot using a Minolta X-570 on an MD-1 motor drive, using a Vivitar 100mm 2.8 Prime lens on Fuji G-100 color negative film.  Lighting was provided by using a set of Speedotron Brown Line power packs.  One Bank light, one Kick and one Hair light firing into a golden body reflector with a 2-3-1 lighting ratio.  The image was scanned using a Minolta DIMAGE 5400 full frame. 

 

Today the original hangs in our studio.  

Maddie.

Last summer, I received a call from an interior design client of mine. She asked if I would do some portraits of her daughter, Maddie, who was graduating high school.  With a smile I thought to myself ‘senior photos’.  They aren’t something we really do, at least not for years.  

 

Like most photographers, I cut my teeth on shooting anything anyone ever wanted - models, rock bands, weddings, portraits, and yes… seniors.  But that was then….now I mainly focus on commercial projects.  I listened as she said that she had done some iPhone shots and that maybe I could just process those and they would be fine.  After looking at them, which were nice, I set up a date for the shoot.  They wanted to do the session outdoors as opposed to in a studio, so we schedule an afternoon at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois.  

 

When they arrived on-site for the shoot, her mom said that Maddie had some definite ideas about what she wanted, and that this wasn’t going to be a typical ‘seniors’ photo shoot.  Maddie seemed a bit shy, which we expected.  What I wasn’t expecting was the level of professionalism and attitude that Maddie brought.   

 

When we started shooting, the shy Maddie disappeared and a confident model showed up in her place.  Wow! She was a blast and as professional as any model I've ever worked with.  We all just kept smiling at each other as we went from one location to another. We definitely had a great time, and got some great shots of Maddie.  For those curious, Maddie was photographed with a Sony A850 using a Minolta 85mm 1.4 portrait lens and a Vivitar 285 flash on a Vivitar flash handle. Below are a few of the highlights:

 

Creative Spotlight: Orren Pickell Builders

We had the opportunity to shoot a beautiful home in the Northwest suburbs for Orren Pickell Builders.

The home is situated on a corner lot in an established neighborhood.  Simple, understated yet comfortable and elegant.  Walking inside, you get a modern, contemporary, European feel to the architecture and design.  

 

Rooms are open and spacious; hand-milled woodwork and wood flooring  reminds one of a clean Danish/Scandinavian style home.  As with everything Orren Pickell, the finishes and execution are all first rate with no room for improvement.  Upstairs houses a large primary suite with three additional bedrooms.  The lower level is quite large and is the perfect area for gatherings and entertainment.  It also features a large play area for the kids.  

 

Below are a few of my favorite shots.

Getting the Shot!

Every now and then you find that you need to get into a 80 foot lift to grab just the right elevation shot.

Shooting a remodeled hotel last month near a Chicago airport forbid the use of a high quality drone, so we went one better.  The Construction Super (thank you Nick!) asked if I wanted to go up into the lift to grab a shot.  You bet I do!

Using a high quality DSLR with an architectural lens will give you superior results when compared to using even our best drone.

Below is just one of the views we captured along with my business partner Mary Beths quick iPhone grab shot.

 

Creative Spotlight: Level X Group

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to do a photo shoot for Level X Group.  LXG is a culmination of many talents including Level Hospitality, Level Capital and Level Construction. 

 

In this instance, they took a well-worn hotel, built back in 1958 and located near Chicago’s Midway Airport then transformed it into a showplace.  There is not enough space in this blog to mention the extensive design updates and construction improvements that are featured in this project.  The images below show the results of what an excellent team of high-end construction craftsman, and fine architectural designers are capable of accomplishing.  

 

We have photographed many hospitality projects for Level over the years, so we knew the bar would be high for this extensive rebuild.  I am certain, that Level exceeded everyone’s expectations with this one.  The attention to detail is impeccable.  Well done.    

 

Clean Shots:

I will often hear from other photographers and clients that our work is clean and sharp.  Makes me smile.   

It’s from high quality hand processing and using very good lenses.   A good photographer will know instinctively which lens to use for any given project.  We have an extensive arsenal of lenses to choose from, one of which dates back to the mid 40’s and is my favorite portrait lens when shooting 35mm film.  

 

We have specific lenses for architectural interiors, exteriors, product, art, landscapes, portrait, film and digital.  Using the correct lens is imperative to yield optimal results.  I can always tell when an architectural shot was done with a portrait lens, or when an architectural lens was used for a portrait.  Each lens has it’s own specific characteristics and it’s so important to use the proper one.  Take a minute and visit our website galleries, and be assured the correct lens was used every time regardless of subject or format shot.

 

Below are a few shots from a Benvenuti & Stein photo shoot a couple of years back.