Ornatus-Mundi recounts a unique watch photography session in Vienna with Malaysian photographer Ming Thein, focusing on the Habring² Dead Seconds. This post highlights the intersection of horology and photography, exploring how specific camera equipment, particularly Leica rangefinders, performs in capturing the intricate details of a watch.
Dear All:
one of the greatest - if not the greatest - pleasures of our horological hobby are the international friendships that inevitably evolve.
Recently, noted Malaysian photographer Ming Thein from Kuala Lumpur and his wife Nadiah Wan paid a visit to Vienna, and of course we met up to delve deeply into our favourite subjects, watches and photography.
(Ming Thein seen through Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.0 & Leica M9)
Both of us have week spot for German precision optics, and so we took our Leica M9 rangefinder cameras out for a shootout. But that was a special one as we intended to test them for their utility as watch photography tools, with my very recently obtained Habring2 Dead Seconds as the 'prey'.
The German-Austrian connection, by the way, is a bit deeper than the simple 'an Austrian watch photographed with a German camera':
- Maria Kristina Habring, one half of the Habring2 adventure, was born in Germany
- Leica Camera's Chairman of the Board and main shareholder, Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, is an Austrian citizen from an investor family previously active in the pulp/paper products trade
- Yours truly is a German scientist living and working in Austria...
Before we started our endeavour we made sure that our caloric needs were satisfied. It was almost Christmas time, so one of the charming Viennese Christmas markets supplied us with nutrient-rich fuel, typical Austrian potato fritters:
(Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 Asph. & Leica M9)
One of the most important rules of any trade is that tools need to be selected according to task. Our first stop thus was the Leica Shop Vienna where irresistible delicacies are presented to us. The Macro-Elmar-M 90mm f/4.0 was particularly tempting...
(Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 Asph. & Leica M9)
However, it soon turned out that its 1:3 magnification was not enough to satisfy a serious watch connoisseur's requirements. A more radical solution was needed, and Ming was fearless enough to acquire one of Leica's famous Visoflex mirror housing, a - somewhat clumsy - tool to turn your Leica rangefinder into a SLR-lookalike.
Eager to test-run the device, we cramped into a nearby café, and off we went...
(iPhone 4s with built-in lens and sensor... ;-))
Using Ming's Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 on the Visoflex our quest (almost) was successful. Let the pictures speak for themselves (the images were taken by both of us, impossible to separate):
(All of the above: Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 & Visoflex & Leica M9)
Focussing is definitely a challenge as no dedicated macro lens was at our disposal, and you have to try to focus by moving back and forth in relation to your subject. These are millimeters we are talking about! We shall repeat the exercise with a real macro lens next time.
But it can be said that the images themselves render a more 'impressionist' interpretation of the watch than a precise representation of the watch we are used from high-quality macro setups. Personally I think they reveal an emotional quality that - at least for the photographers - is also intrinsic in the process of creating the picture, the care that is needed and the somewhat less control one has over the result.
Overall, we enjoyed our shootout a lot and certainly will repeat it. I guess I looked quite satisfied but also a bit tired at the end...
(Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 Asph. & Leica M9)
I hope you liked this little report.
All the best and thanks for viewing,
Magnus
