Leica Postal Portfolio 06: Colin O'Brien at Leica Mayfair.

Tuesday, 4 August 2015

Colin O'Brien at Leica Mayfair.

Colin O'Brien with his original Leica 111a from the 1930's at Leica HQ in Bruton Place book signing last week.The camera is now undergoing a shutter service. Interesting to note that a photograph appears in various places of a young Colin with a can of '3 in 1' oil alongside the camera which is not fully explained? However the lubricant seems to have had no adverse effect on the superb quality of photographs produced! Technical Note: Lubricants in Leica cameras are diverse and complex-Don't try it!

This was taken with a Leica 111f and a coated Summitar f2.0 lens. Exposure was 1/60 at f4 which was the reading on the Metraphot meter, attached to the 111f. Film was Kodak T-Max 400 and developer D76 1:1 for 12.5 mins at 20 degrees.

This is the first scanned negative that I have posted on this blog, rather than working via a paper print.

22nd August 2016 Sad news indeed,Colin passed away suddenly at the age of 73 on Friday last. For a full appreciation of his life please see the site 'Spitalfields Life' which contains much of his work and a full appreciation by 'The Gentle Author'.

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Welcome to the Paul Blanchard Vintage Leica Postal Portfolio 06 Blog

Recording traditional Black & White photography created using mostly vintage Leica cameras by Paul Blanchard, Wiltshire UK., within the Grouping of Circle 6 of the Leica Society. Just a touch of Colour may creep in.

Email:
paulblanchardlppo6@gmail.com

All of the monochrome photographs shown on this blog are from film and printed with a Leica Valoy 11 or Focomat 1c enlargers using Leica Focotar 2 lenses unless otherwise stated. In most cases originals were circulated in the Circle. I am introducing Ilford MG DeLuxe (5) paper at present. The films are often T-Max 400 on the first shots later changing to some Rollei RPX 25.where possible. Development of T-Max is in D 76 Dil. 1:1 for 10 mins. All RPX 25 is processed in FX-39. If diluted, 1:9, then time is 7.5 min. All at 20 degrees C. Colour, if any, is normally printed by The Darkroom Cheltenham.

From time to time other interesting enlargers appear but most use is made of Leica products.

Founded as Circle 6 of Leica Postal Portfolios in 1938, we are now known as The Leica Society, full details can be found on the website: http://www.theleicasociety.org.uk/-Have a look!

Care has been taken to avoid reproduction of any book or picture which may be under 75 years old, since the authors death, where Copyright may remain, If any inadvertent error has arisen the material will be deleted on request. The majority of the photographs are my own and copyright is waived if credited on reproduction.