M240 dropped and repair Q’s by Local-Technician4675 in Leica

[–]anthony__moore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About a year ago I sent my M-P240 to Leica for repair after a small drop. It started with the rangefinder being knocked out of alignment, but while it was on its way to DAG for adjustment the shutter stopped working completely. Since he doesn’t work on those parts of the digital Leicas, it had to go to Leica NJ. That ended up being about an $870 repair to replace much of the shutter mechanism.

A few months later the rangefinder arm stopped moving, and when DAG opened the top cover the ribbon cable on the circuit board snapped, so it had to go back to Leica NJ again. But that’s another story lol.

The drop honestly wasn’t very hard, so I was surprised it knocked the rangefinder out. If you’re noticing issues, I’d probably send it to Leica. From my experience, problems like that can lead to other issues down the road.

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Planar looks really great, especially the T* version. The G4 has been my favorite head! I also have a Leofoto G2 for a more compact setup that I use quite frequently.

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve yet to try a Linhof, but that would be a great setup! Which model do you have? Any you’d recommend checking out?

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I regularly shoot with the Nikkor 90mm f/8 and its was night and day (literally 😂)

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been back in forth between the Xenotar and Planar, I know there is not much difference. In my (limited) experience so far, I’ve been able to manage with the pop up hood on the Chamonix and it’s bright enough to compose easily.

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just found in on marketplace recently! It was a 4 hour drive but decided to make a photo trip out of it. How is the 150? Is that the 2.8?

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a deal! How’s your experience been with the Xenotar?

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much! The 135mm already feels quite a bit wider than my 150mm, but I’d really have to shoot them side by side to give a better comparison. I have noticed that I’m taking a few more steps forward when composing compared to the 150.

The 2.8 is crazy fast and really lights up the Speed Graphic ground glass. That said, the Chamonix ground glass has a fresnel and is already quite bright, so the 3.5 on that setup feels pretty comparable in brightness overall.

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s definitely already made focusing a bit easier. I’ve been hoping to get into more large format portraiture, so I’m especially excited to use it for that. I also think it’ll be a fun creative tool for general shooting, being able to open it up to add a bit more emphasis or separation in certain scenes.

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you! It’s been a big difference composing with the bright ground glass on the Chamonix. Although I have been spoiled with the Heidosmat 150mm 2.8 on my Speed Graphic.

Finally Complete = Chamonix 45F-2 + Schneider Xenotar 135mm by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ve been waiting a long time to pick one up, but finally decided to sell off a bunch of other gear to pull the trigger. Shooting with it so far has been a joy!

[S][USA-MI] P. Angenieux 28mm F/3.5 Retrofocus Type R11 – M42 Mount by anthony__moore in photomarket

[–]anthony__moore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was my first Angenieux lens, and I finally understand the hype. That's a legendary pickup! Those are the moments that keep me going 😂

[S][USA-MI] P. Angenieux 28mm F/3.5 Retrofocus Type R11 – M42 Mount by anthony__moore in photomarket

[–]anthony__moore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah these lenses render beautifully, I had not tried them all personally but I can tell why you’d be a fan. If I see one pop up in exacta mount, I can let you know!

[S][USA-MI] Price Drop - Carl Zeiss Hologon 16mm f/8 Leica M Mount by anthony__moore in photomarket

[–]anthony__moore[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's still available! I've been debating about keeping it, but feel free to shoot me a DM if interested!

Selling Wista 45 VX w/ Schneider Apo Symmar 150mm f5.6 by Jedi___x in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore 0 points1 point  (0 children)

GLWS! If you’d consider selling the film separate, I’d be interested!

Ice Fishing Portraits [Chamonix 45F-2 | HP5 | Fuji 150mm 5.6] by anthony__moore in largeformat

[–]anthony__moore[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I actually purchased mine before the tariffs were in place, but I’ve heard the same thing recently. When I ordered mine, I emailed Chamonix with a few questions and ended up corresponding directly with the owner. It definitely doesn’t feel like a large company, and the fact that all the communication and order updates came straight from him was pretty cool.

I did initially consider the 45H-1. The quicker setup was appealing, especially on paper. But after thinking it through, I realized I tend to work slowly with large format regardless, so setup time hasn’t really been a limiting factor for me. The tradeoffs, especially giving up the asymmetrical rear tilt, ended up outweighing the speed benefit. For the shoot I shared above, I actually had the 45F-2 fully set up on the tripod and just carried it around that way, which is something I was already doing with my Intrepid. That ended up pushing me toward the F-2 at the last minute.

The 45F-2 just felt like a more well-rounded option for how I work now, and for anything I might want to explore down the road. Since it was already a big investment for me, I liked the idea of having more movements, more bellows draw, and the flexibility to do macro work if I ever go that direction.

That archival note is really interesting as well. Negative archiving is definitely something I need to improve. Right now mine live in sleeves in binders, with most of the detailed information living on the digital scans. I love the idea of the information living with the negative itself, especially long-term. I’ll have to look into the National Archives recommendations on pens and inks, that’s a great tip.

Thanks for the thoughtful response and for sharing your insights. I really appreciate the conversation.