Going home with a Leica and an old lens

I took my early summer vacation and went back home (please note that this never means I got fired).
The other day, I finally got my old lens made in 1951, the Elmar 50mm f3.5 screw mount. So, I decided to take pictures of my hometown with this lens and my Leica M-E. Will I see my hometown differently from when I was a child? And, what will the chemical reaction between the hometown, the modern camera, and the old lens be like?

My hometown is a famous tourism area, but as a resident, I rarely have visited those major spots except on my excursion in my elementary school. But, when I have a Leica, I feel like visiting there. So, this time I decided to walk only for my pleasure rather than for my duty... What? Is it what I always do?

（Photography/Text: Z II）

My hometown faces the Sea of Japan and the ocean is so beautiful. So, I headed to one of the seaside spots.
The ship ferry departed at 8:30AM. The weather was clear and the sea was calm. It was right before the season, so the boarding rate was about 30%.

It's nice to sleep together in one section. Sometimes, I feel like doing it in a second-class cabin for no specific reasons, and I guess it's because it makes me feel nostalgic. Of course, I wouldn't do it when it's crowded.

It took about 1 and a half hours to get to the destination port. After I disembarked from the ship, I borrowed a rent-a-cycle. A city bike would be more entertaining, but the receptionist said it's impossible to climb the hills with it. So, I tearfully chose the electric power assist bicycle. It looked like an older model and I had a bad feeling, but I left the port anyway.

Surrounded by the sea and the mountains

There's little traffic on the village road, so I could go fast. The temperature was 28℃, but I felt completely different from the same temperature in the city. On the bridge and in the tunnel, there was a natural air-conditioning. And, because I was on the bicycle, I could stop and shoot anytime I wanted. Before I moved to the city, I had taken all the good things in the country for granted. But, when I visit here from the city, I truly appreciate this country life.

The road became uphill and it continued for 4 to 5 km. The receptionist is right. I can never climb this hill with a city bike because even with the electric assistance, I became short of breath.

And, on top of the hill, I got this view. Is it Scotland or New Zealand? (I've never been there though) the horizon was blue and white, and there were many cattle and horses on the lawn hill. Honestly, I wish I had a telephoto lens, but a Leica shooter should face the subject with a simple outfit.

When I was a boy, I used to climb this hill sweating and I hadn't been impressed in this way. I think what I see and feel changed over the years. The memory of the excursion day including the girl I liked and the lunch box on the law... After I got totally immersed in the memory, I started go down the hill. Actually, I found the battery was low and it gave me a thrilling ride back to the port. Battery management is important when using cameras or bicycles.

The Elmar is over 60 years old, but it takes greater pictures than I expected. My friends make fun of me by saying things like, "How much did your camera cost?", "You can buy a car.", or "Can you drive it?" I'm happy to have such friends in my hometown. As always, home is sweet.

( 2014.07.23 )