The Legendary Leica 35mm Summilux Steel Rim: Essential Tips for Film Travelers 🎞️

[@nz1200]

Awesome. Thank you for your sharing, i really enjoy your story and photos.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you so much! I'm glad that you enjoyed them 😄 It was an amazing trip and I had tons of fun (and learned so much!!) 😊

[@_pennywize]

Those B&W shots are amazing, thanks for sharing to us Nocti

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you so much for tuning in! 😊

[@phuchong7568]

I live in Vietnam where the temps are as you mentioned on a daily basis. I’ve travelled through multiple airports with portra 400 and never had this issue. My last trip, I went from Vietnam to Canada, Mexico, back to Canada, to Thailand, Singapore, Bali, and then back to Vietnam with 20 rolls of Portra 400 and HP5 and my photos turned out completely fine.

[@NoctiGirl]

Did you put your film through the machine all those times? Or were you able to get them hand checked?

[@phuchong7568]

​@@NoctiGirl Only in Canada and Singapore. S.E Asia is the worst. 95% of the time, they won't hand check. In Vietnam, the officer told me "no scan, then it goes into the trash." I'm Vietnamese and yet I'm ashamed to say that in Vietnam, they are absolutely jerks about it. Other S.E Asia airports just apologize and say they are too busy. But yet polite about it. Singapore is a given, as they are the most "westernized" S.E Asian country possible. Previous to that trip, I went from 3 airports in Vietnam, 4 airports Canada, Bangkok, Changi Mai, Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and then back to Vietnam with Portra 160, Porter 400, HP5, Lomo 400, and Lomo 800. I thought for sure the Lomo 800 would have been toast! I had 10 rolls of it. 8 were shot. No issues whatsoever. The other 2 rolls I shot a year later without storing in a fridge here in Ho Chi Minh City where the temps are on average above 34 degrees C and no issues at all. Out of all those airports, only Singapore, HK, and Seoul would hand check. Also those lead bags you can buy for film don't work. They do, but if the X-ray operators can't see through the bag, they will either 1) turn up the xray power which then will cook your film completely, so better to not use at all 2) remove the lead bag, empty out the contents into the bin, and then rescan everything and the bag itself separately in another bin. So really those lead bags cause more damage than they do save you. Just an FYI. I have a couple of friends who work the Xray machines in Canada and those are their instructions. What you need to be worried about are those new 3D Xray machines that are being installed in the USA. Kodak and Ilford has tested them they cook ALL ISO films. So at those airports, if they refuse to hand check, your film is toast. Oh and try not to have film loaded in your camera. Hanoi security ripped out my roll of film inside my Xpan 2 and my RolleiFlex because when it went through the scanners, they couldn't identify it. Luckily my shots in Xpan 2 were saved but lost the remaining 6 shots. I lost all 10 out of 12 shots in my Tele-Rollei though. Vietnamese airport authorities are the worse! Now I only travel with my Xpan 2, Ricoh R1 since they load your shots back into the film canister. Much more safer if you have to deal with Vietnamese jerk security authorities. They even yelled at me and told me to go buy a digital camera... the nerve!!!

[@NoctiGirl]

wow... that sounds like a crazy story... but ya, the challenge continues. Even at the same airports they would change up how they handle the film depending on the agents you get (and if they are in a good mood that day I guess 🙄) I think I'm not going to travel with film for awhile. Too much of a pain and I've lost way too many rolls having to deal with those stupid machines 😭

[@Flyaway744X]

I have the same experience as Phuchong. Travel in thailand every year and film went multiple times through x-ray scanner. Did not do any harm.

[@NoctiGirl]

Wow… lucky you!

[@kyle641127]

i used to use x-ray protection bags to store my 120/135 slides when travel (back to '2000).

[@NoctiGirl]

Me too! Nowadays the TSA agents would ask me to take my film out of those protection bags because they need to see what’s inside them 🙄 at least they are nicer about it than some other countries…

[@LensForgotten]

I have this lens as well. 2.8 and below it’s softer and glowy. Above 2.8 it is very sharp. Have you heard Leica said a few months ago acknowledging the vignetting problem and they will be redesigning a new hood. Have you heard this?

[@NoctiGirl]

Yes I have! I heard that they will be replacing the threaded hoods and they should be reaching out to all the existing steel rim owners, though we haven’t been contacted yet… have you? 🤔

[@LensForgotten]

@@NoctiGirl no I haven’t. I live full time traveling in an RV so my address is always changing. I’ll research this some more and see what’s up with this.

[@NoctiGirl]

Great! Maybe we should just reach out to the stores 🤔

[@bberns2]

Problem with the steel rim is the close focus (not even close to close focus) distance of 1M, really cripples opportunities to maxmize the lens' unique rendering capability. The Carl Zeiss Pancalor 50MM 1.8 (not 35mm obliviously) and 55MM 1.8 Takumar offer rendering that supersedes the new or vintage steel rim. And when it comes to bokeh and specular highlights no Leica lens can match either of these '60s marvels (including any Noctilux) . Check out Flickr M42 and Bokeh groups or Simon Utak's KZbin channel for examples . Also loving the new 35MM Summilux -- the closer focusing distance has transformed this old design into a rendering superstar (alothough more modern tham than the steel rim) .

[@NoctiGirl]

I totally agree! My 50mm Noctilux also has a minimum focusing distance of 1M, that's why I started experimenting with close-up filters. Thanks for the recommendations. I'll for sure check them out!

[@mdjmurray]

I find it’s really hit and miss whether you can get your film hand checked. And it’s only getting worse. I used a Domke lead bag and I haven’t had any issues with my film since getting it. So much so that I don’t even ask for a hand check anymore, I just put it through the scanner in the bag.

[@NoctiGirl]

I so agree with you 🥹 Even with those Domke lead bags it's hit and miss. I've used those in the past and when TSA see a rectangular black shape in my bag, they tell me to take it out and show them the contents then rescan everything 🙄 So I stopped using them lol

[@TarrelScot]

A salutary tale for sure. I do wonder though whether the heat may have been more of a problem than the x-rays? With x-ray damage I would have expected more uneven damage. On entering The Gambia I was forced to put my bag through a full-blown suit case scanner on exiting the customs hall ( definitely not normally recommended). The Instax film I was carrying (ISO 400) was fine and it had already been through two hand-baggage scanners. Hopefully the new scanners being rolled out will put an end to the problem? I understand they are MRI rather than x-ray.

[@NoctiGirl]

It's probably a combination of both to be honest! I didn't show in my video shots with lines and light leaks and all kinds of freaky stuff on them lol. I also don't exactly know what happened. I know it was very hot and I was out in the sun with little cover for a couple of days, and my film went through the x-rays at least 6 times lol I love Instax! Those are so fun! What do you shoot it with?? 😃

[@TarrelScot]

@@NoctiGirl iPhone 12 Mini and an Instax Square Link printer. Good for breaking the ice with street portraits!

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha omg I love those!! I have one of those too! So easy and fast. I love printing them out and decorating my house with them! 😄

[@TarrelScot]

@@NoctiGirl The square ones work well in a 3x3 grid in a 12" x 16" frame. A good way or "working" a scene or subject and creating a mini portfolio of nine prints for the wall. You even get one shot left over in the pack!

[@NoctiGirl]

That's awesome! 😄 They are also fun to bring to a party, like you said, great for breaking the ice! 😊

[@MB-or8js]

Great trip and pictures! I found Porta 160 very hard to scan correctly using the negatives. The white balance is very difficult to get right with std scanner software. I had similar outcomes with unnatural greens and purple cast - I don't think that your films were harmed by airport scanners nor heat. It was just the scanning and white balance adjustment in PP! Maybe worthwhile to test NegativeLabPro software which supposedly does a much better job in getting the right white balance immediately!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you so much! I think it might be a mixture of everything to be honest lol. I tried scanning these films myself and the colors turned out weird. I also had rolls / part of the rolls all fogged up with all kinds of lines and light leaks through them. I just didn’t show those shots cuz I didn’t want to show even worse shots than what I had to show 😅 so I then sent my film out to a professional lab for them to scan, and they turned out similar to what I had originally 🥹 I could probably play around with these shots and try to get the colors right 🙂 Thanks for tuning in! 😊

[@mmorriseyemd]

I use negative lab pro and I can tell you it is amazing. It does what it says and does it quickly and easily. I scan my negatives using my Nikon Z7 and Micro lens along with the Nikon ES-2.

[@NoctiGirl]

Oooh ok I will give it a try! Sounds promising 😃

[@wilfredshum3703]

On digital M, do you think this lens is better for color or black and white? Thanks.

[@NoctiGirl]

I actually don't prefer one over the other to be honest! If you are looking for that "vintage glow", I feel it's more visible in B&W. But this lens renders beautifully in color, especially when you shoot it with beautiful bokeh in the background 😍

[@Theresistancebarbellclub]

Nice Work! Incredible place! Enjoyed your video very much.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you so much for tuning in! Stay tuned for more content to come! 😄

[@kimjongik]

Nice photos! Angkor Wat is truly amazing.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks J!! We've missed you! Need to camp again soon 😊

[@wolfgangpieper4530]

Love your M10 Safari ❤ Have a silver M10 R with red leather. Anxiously waiting for a M11 Safari release. Thank You for the video, Wolfgang

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching! Oooh a M10R with red leather. Did you get that custom job done somewhere or from Leica? I’m also waiting for a M11P Safari so I can upgrade my camera ☺️

[@slothsarecool]

hmm interesting it shifted so much! I’ve so far very rarely had x-ray issues, but that’s only going through two airports at a time

[@NoctiGirl]

I thought it was going to be ok… I went through 6 airports but didn’t put the film through the x-ray all the time. It really depended on the airports and what they allowed me to do 🥲

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

@@NoctiGirl I went to an indoor political rally in 2016 and the sign outside said "No cameras!" meaning no "real" cameras. Cellphones were okay. I got to the Secret Service checkpoint and simply handed my heavy Leica to the guy in charge. He let me in.

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha oh man you got lucky! Or maybe you were just too charming to resist 😆

[@mmorriseyemd]

Thank you so much for doing these videos. I do not shoot film very often but probably would be afraid to travel with film today. I agree with your decision to get film processed on location. I definitely did that in the 90’s when I shot film. I have had film ruined with 1 trip through the X-ray scanners at airports.

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for tuning in! 😃 It’s definitely not easy traveling with film nowadays. I don’t remember it being so difficult when I was young, but then again I didn’t travel like this when I was young 🙄 I just need to do my homework from now on and find local labs in wherever I’m traveling to 🙂

[@ronanderson5736]

Amazing shots Charlice! Yes the heat in the Asian countries gets pretty crazy as well as the humidity! I’ve been to Vietnam several times In October and wow, I could only shoot for a couple of hours and hit the shade! I think you might enjoy Vietnam, especially Dalat! Haha! Take care! Thank you so much for sharing!😋

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for tuning in Ron! 😄 I’ve been to Vietnam! To Danag. Such a charming country! I would love to go back again one of these days. I just need to choose a better time to visit so it’s not so hot 😅

[@ronanderson5736]

@@NoctiGirl you are very welcome Charlice! I have not been to DaNang yet, but have been to Hanoi and love that city, more so than Saigon where it stays hot pretty much all year long. Hanoi has some seasonal weather! They do also have a fall season and cooler temperatures! Anyway have a great week and hope it’s not too hot there! It has been pretty hot out here in Northern Arizona! Haha! Take care!

[@NoctiGirl]

Haha it's finally getting warmer here in SoCal! It's been a weird year so far in terms of temperature... You too, have a great week! Take care! 😊

[@ronanderson5736]

@@NoctiGirl haha! Yes, we will see the temperature hit the low 100’s in Prescott next week! Indeed Crazy! Stay cool!

[@bberns2]

@@NoctiGirl Nad news honey, its always that hot and will will only get worse as time goes on.

[@kevinfickling6384]

Ok I’m ready to visit here!

[@NoctiGirl]

Yesss let’s go 🥳😍😎

[@srkgv]

Please do a review of the Steel rim on a Digital M

[@NoctiGirl]

I actually talk about shooting the Steel Rim with my M10P Safari! It’s toward the end of the video. Check it out!

[@gfeucht]

I'm so sorry that your film got fried. I was just on a trip to the UK where I was warned by many film photographers that Heathrow will NOT do hand inspection of film. I had all of my Tri-X processed locally, despite that I love to process at home. The big reason is that many airports are switching to CT scanners for carry-on luggage, with Heathrow leading the way. This is the same as a CT scan for medical stuff: A series of many X-ray slices at different angles. it will COOK a roll of film. Due to Murphy's law, after spending the money to have my film processed in London, my terminal had the normal X-rays that have never hurt my film. That and my film came back very pink from insufficient washing at the lab. Oh well. Better safe than sorry and it's easy enough to run it through some hypo clear and wash at home. Also - That's CRAZY that Portra 160 got affected so much. One thing I learned in my years at USC film school is that exposure is additive: two trips through the X-ray for 400 speed film equals 800 on one trip. It adds up. And the heat certainly didn't help you. (And this video isn't helping my bank account as I'm pondering an M11...)

[@NoctiGirl]

Oh man that happened to me too! I was in Rome a few months ago and they would NOT hand check my film, even though I had everything packed neatly in 2 clear ziplock bags. Not matter how much I pleaded, they insisted that the machine wouldn't fry my film 🥹 we'll find out soon if my film got affected... No way! You're a Trojan too?! What year?! (If you don't mind me asking) I also went to USC film school! But I only went there for my minor. I was a Roski (Fine Arts) grad in Photography 😉

[@gfeucht]

@@NoctiGirl I graduated undergrad in 99 for film production. That’s so cool you did the fine arts route. I wish they did a bit more of that in the film school… instead of just having us learn from other films. But Woody Omens ASC was our advanced cinematography professor and he had us use Monet as our textbook for the class.

[@NoctiGirl]

That's awesome!! Haha I always tell my friends that I wished the USC Fine Arts School taught us practical ways to actually make money with our photographs. We did a lot of theory and also learned from established photographers, but that only led us to think that galleries and museums would flock to us upon graduation. I learned that wasn't the case 🥹

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

That was amazing. Thanks a lot. It was good to hear that you chose Kodak Portra 160 for your trip. Portra 160 is my favorite film, not because I think it's especially good for scenery but because it produces - in my mind - very accurate skin tones. The portraits you show in your video were great, x-ray effects or not. "Whoa, how did you get that texture?" Answer: "Oh, my film rolls were x-rayed 6 times."

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahaha thank you so much!! Portra 160 and 400 are definitely my favorite films too shoot! My fridge is always stocked with them 🙂 Thanks for tuning in! 😊

[@billnoll]

Just came across your channel, subscribing. I've always pronounced it "tuck tuck" but who knows? 🤗

[@NoctiGirl]

Haha thanks! I heard the locals call it "took took" so I started pronouncing it the same 😉

[@billnoll]

@@NoctiGirl Yes, I think your pronunciation is correct... anyway next time I see one I'm gonna call it a TikTok, confuse everybody! 😎

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahahha why not?! 😜

[@gewglesux]

Hey there!! Thank you for everything!! I'm glad that you took the MP!! If you ask me i think that shooting this holiday in Film was a great move! I was also thinking that the next time i go abroad would i take just flim bodies and leave all the digital stuff home or what? Architecture deserves Film. I am sorry about what happened to the Film though. That is very tough to judge.... I thought for sure that hand inspecting would've eliminated this.I guess regulations vary from place to place. Great JOB you and sis!!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you so much! I think for traveling it might be safer to bring both film and digital cameras, just in case 🥲 Some airports wouldn’t do hand check on film, so in some instances I had no choice but to put my film through the x-ray 😭 Looks like you had a great holiday shooting film! 🎉

[@gewglesux]

@@NoctiGirl I'm hoping to get away again soon.yes i agree with you about bringing both technologies.i should've thought about some remote AP's just shoving Film through the x ray machines. You took it a lot better than i did.

[@NoctiGirl]

I think we should just focus on having fun on our trips 😁 if everything fails... at least we have our camera phones!! 😜

[@gewglesux]

@@NoctiGirl I agree... might be a tad different shooting with a "phone" but when all else is stacked against us we have to do what we have to.

[@goodphotoideas]

I wonder if you could have bought your film in Cambodia and had it processed there?

[@NoctiGirl]

Yes! I think that's what I will try to do in the future. Get my film processed locally when I travel, just to prevent any issues with those x-ray machines. This might be the safest route to go!

[@crispin8888]

Very nice video, as always. I was immersed in the travel video, and was then returned to the wonderful world of photography. I've worked outside when it's 35 degrees many times, and still wear a tie. But, I already look for shade and slow my pace. I'm blessed to have two original steel rims, but actually prefer the 8 elements version (Summicron). In the good old days X-ray machines were reasonably safe up to at least 400 ASA. The new CT scanners will ruin your film. Singapore, Hong Kong, JFK are willing to handscan otherwise, as you say, buy and/or process locally. 🤓

[@NoctiGirl]

The weather in Asia gets super hot and humid! I dunno how you do it, wearing a suit and tie in 35 degree weather 🥹 We actually showed up in Angkor Wat wearing tank tops and shorts, but our tour guide told us that we couldn’t wear shorts inside the temple, so I had to buy those elephant pants and put them on so I could enter the temples 😳 Of course you have TWO original steel rims 😳😳😳 I’ve tried the 8 element and I also love it! It’s so incredibly sharp, especially in B&W. I generally don’t have issues with hand checking my film in the U.S. The TSA agents are nice and reasonable. It’s only when I travel that I experience issues… 🥹

[@crispin8888]

@NoctiGirl I didn't realise that elephants wore pants. I hope that you returned them afterwards ... Most temples in Asia will ask ladies to cover their modesty. The 8 elements is perfect for black and white. I've put on a an M2. Happiness ... The TSA staff always seem very polite, and nothing like on South Park. They didn't even use a torch ...

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahahaha a torch?? Are you referring to an English torch (flashlight?) or an American torch (a stick with fire?) 😆 I feel like compared to other countries, our TSA agents are much more approachable and friendly, but that might be because I'm more used to dealing with them...

[@crispin8888]

@@NoctiGirl Sorry. I should have used Google Translate. Flashlight, indeed. I wouldn't want to be 'torched' by the TSA staff. Not on my bucket/pail/receptacle/utility water container list. 🤓

[@NoctiGirl]

Hahahaha 😂 I wouldn't either!! 🤣

[@TheLefse]

Great stuff!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for watching! 😄

[@yannicksarton4686]

did you find some places to develop and scan in Phnom Penh?

[@NoctiGirl]

No, but honestly I didn't look. I will definitely do my research before my next trip 🤓

[@eprohoda]

Salut. what a awesome taveler! goodbye, 🙂

[@NoctiGirl]

Thanks for tuning in! 😊

[@Bunnyisms]

As much as I love my film, I haven't had any good luck with getting my film hand checked, so a lot of time when I go traveling, I've been taking my digital bodies with me instead with the lenses I would be bringing anyway. It's not the same tho 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@NoctiGirl]

I agreeeee 🥹 it’s annoying but I need to start carrying a digital body when I shoot film, just in case if something happens to my film 🥹

[@Bunnyisms]

@@NoctiGirl That's a good idea! I share lenses across almost all my film and digital bodies, so at least that way I can still enjoy the lens and have fun if something goes wrong. The only exceptions are my large/medium format lenses and my Micro 4/3 lenses. Everything else though I can put on my film or digital bodies. Sometimes I also use the digital bodies if I want to try something new or different that's a little risky to do on film or test out some effects on my lenses

[@NoctiGirl]

That's awesome!! I'm the same with my Leica stuff. I use my same lenses on both digital and film bodies. It's much easier that way! The issue is that sometimes I want to shoot 35mm and medium format, then I end up bringing a bunch of stuff. But in reality, when you are traveling and walking around, you don't want to carry 5 cameras on you lol

[@Bunnyisms]

@@NoctiGirl Lol that's a lot!! A lot of times I like to be a one lens per camera girl. I don't switch lenses around when I'm away from home unless I really need to and usually don't bring more than one body if I can avoid it (but sometimes I bring two). Sometimes I feel like it makes you more creative to figure out what you can do with the one lens

[@NoctiGirl]

For sure!! I need to be more like that, I guess I'm too indecisive 🥹 Like before I got on trips I have all these grand ideas and ambitions of what I want to shoot and accomplish, so I end up bringing a bunch of stuff. Then when I get there I'm just like using one lens & body set up most of the time 🙄 Less IS more!

[@kltay4416]

Writing from S’pore which has a very similar climate to Cambodia. Looking at the film pics, I am immediately reminded of pics taken by my dad in the 1960s and 1970s. The colour photos have aged in their albums and the colours have also changed over time. They have a very similar look, feel and mood as your photos. So, if it is any consolation, your pics from the trip looks totally period correct for the vintage of the lens inclusive of accelerated 60 year fade. Was a little nostalgic for me watching your video. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Keep up the good work!

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you for watching and the encouragement!! 🥹 I was totally bummed to get my film back with the colors shifted and some fogged up badly. But you are right, if I look at them from that “aged” perspective, they do have that vintage feel about them 🙂 Thanks for tuning in! 😊

[@bngr_bngr]

The airport situation with film is disappointing. I was in Spain with 30 rolls of film and security refused to hand inspect them. Didn’t help that I spoke perfect Spanish😭

[@NoctiGirl]

Ugh I feel!! So sad 😭 When I left Cambodia the airport agents actually had to take out their regulations handbook to look up if I could not put my film through the x-ray. Then they pointed at this paragraph and it said something about 800 ISO then the guy pointed at the machine so I put my 2 big ziplock bags of film through the x-ray 🥲🥹💔

[@mpiras81]

Yep that info about 800iso WAS true up to 2001 since there all xrays machinese were pulled up in power and this is a big problem for films. Essentially they can not refuse to hand inspect rolls , important is to keep them already in hands at the beginning of the security check line.the only i had issues are with refillable cartridges because they think is something “unusual” so in that case i think is better very low iso and machine check.

[@NoctiGirl]

Ya… it’s just so hit or miss for me you know, it really depends on the agents by the x-ray machines. Some are nice and willing to hand check and some just tell you no 🥲

[@bngr_bngr]

@@mpiras81 that’s only in the US?

[@zornofficials8292]

Omg Leica on Cambodia Angkor wat😮

[@NoctiGirl]

😁

[@bolleolympus]

I feel so sorry for you! Travelling so far and got your pictires almoust destroyed. By the way, two very beatifull grls!!!✌✌👌👌👍👍❤❤

[@NoctiGirl]

Thank you... I was able to save a few frames... but a lot of them came out very grainy with crazy light leaks... hopefully I can return in the future 🥹

[@GrahamBridgemanClarke01]

Can’t believe you didn’t research taking film through airports.

[@NoctiGirl]

🥲

[@charlesmason58]

You are aware that flying from LA to Taipei you head West, not East, right? Seems you aren’t. Your map traces a flight over Mexico, Africa, and Asia.

[@NoctiGirl]

lol thanks for the mansplaining