Cameras and Lenses

Less is more ! Street photography in particular requires a high degree of mobility and speed. The smallest equipment that is up to the task is optimal.

Since I came across a Leica M by chance in 1983, I had found my tool. The M3 and M4 were in use until 2018. Together with three lenses from the 21mm to 90mm focal length range in the jacket pockets, you are ideally equipped.

Since the end of 2019, now back with Leica M6 or M7, depending on my mood and requirements..

But it doesn't always have to be the Leica, my second great love is the Nikon F3 HP. An incredibly robust and reliable tool that opens up different perspectives than the Leica.

Film

Times change and I have tried and used a variety of films and developers over the decades.

Current: As a rule, 400ASA film is used, mostly Kodak T-MAX 400.. Occasionally also the T-MAX 100 and Ilford PanF. Exceptionally good is T-MAX 3200 at 1000 ASA developed in Jobo Alpha.

Developed in in a product by Klaus Wehner, no sold as Jobo Alpha, a developer that has proven superior in extensive tests in terms of image sharpness and grain structure.

Printing

The days of photo papers like Agfa Record Rapid and Portriga are long gone. Of the products currently on the market, I prefer Ilford Multigrade FB Warmtone in 12”x16” format. Its image effect in terms of depth and brilliance is unrivalled.

Since this paper is basically not reacting on different positive developers I gave up mixing my own recipes and use Ilford Multigrade developer instead.

Fixing is done in an alkaline (!) fixer, TF-3.

After final rinsing in demineralised water, the prints are dried on a modernised Meteor Standard-H high gloss machine.

Digitisation

The prints in 12”x16” format are digitised on an Epson GT-20000 scanner with 300 dpi.

There is no digital post-processing of the images, except for adjustments to the file format depending on use.