Just returned from an early walk w/ my M6 + 35/2 asph around the Tidal Bassin and this years fantastic Cherry Blossom. The morning sun was warm, the air fresh and the quicksilver around 70F at 8:30-ish in the morning. Shot a roll of Kodak Supra 100 and a 160 NC, too bad I don't have a scanner to share the results.

Spotted zero Leicas, plenty of F100s, heaps of consumer digicams, 2 hassies (one of them being used by a pro on a wedding party - sure to be some nice shots there) and then I had to talk to the pro setting up his large format (yes, he had a M3 at home)

Well, well, sorry for the rant, back to work. Btw, I just picked up a roll of Supra 100 36 exp. developed by Chrome in Georgetown - $29! - that has to be a record!?

cheers,

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002

Answers

Hope your shots came out well. You probably won't be seeing me & any of my Leicas around the Tidal Basin this year (too many tourists & too much traffic, despite Sept. 11), although I saw a few Leicas last year in the hands of some Japanese guys shooting the ceremonial planting of new cherry trees by the Cherry Blossom Queen & the various Princesses. BTW, if you're going to be using pro labs for C-41, you should really save some $$ by just getting contact sheets made.

-- Chris Chen (Wash., DC) (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), April 03, 2002.

yes, I realize that contact sheets would be better, about $16.50 at Chrome. Any other lab you recommend for normal C41 development. I guess I'll use Chrome for enlargement and custom work. cheers,

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

Hi pat,

The cherry blossoms are out early here in Japan. There is a sakura tree blooming its head off across the street next to an unused garage. It was once used by a noisy motorcycle club called "The Light Stuff."

The scene is very William Carlos Williamsy. I think Aget would have had a ball with it. I have shot it with my M6 and 35/2 ASPH. Might take the softer and glowier non ASPH 'lux 35/1.4 to it.

It's spring, it's spring!

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), April 03, 2002.

Damn, you are such a tease not posting pictures. I've been there when the sky was raining cherry blossoms. One of the most beautiful things I ever experienced. You are lucky, for spring has yet to grace my home in Michigan. But as they say around here, July showers bring August flowers".

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), April 03, 2002.

well, i was born and raised in stockholm, sweden, thus i deserve my fair share of early Springs... btw, i dropped one of the rolls of at Moto Photo, the other at the Pro lab to compare, i already picked up the I hour ones - what crappy development! some what in line my the technique... ;-)

cheers,

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

Thanks Pat: Now I know where I'll be going this weekend hopefully they're still going strong. Besides it'll be nice to get away from this Wisconsin weather for awhile

-- Andy Wagner (awagner@midwest-express.com), April 03, 2002.

In addition to Chrome, my other mainstay here in the city is Nat'l Geographic, but they're not any cheaper.

-- Chris Chen (furcafe@NOSPAMcris.com), April 03, 2002.

Please, what and where is the Tidal Basin? How did it get its name?

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

The Tidal Basin is a very large pool that comes off the Potomac River. The Jefferson Memorial and the Japanese Cherry Trees are on the banks of the of the pool.

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), April 03, 2002.

http://www.cherryblossom.org/galleries/2001/gallery5_cherry_blossoms/ not my photos but one will get the general idea...

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 04, 2002.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/cherryblossoms

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 04, 2002.

Perhaps we could just get a feed from the new surveillance camera in the Jefferson Memorial.

I don't bother with the cherry blossoms any more, but when I did, it seemed like more of a view camera outing.

Joe

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 04, 2002.

Pat:

I was at the Tidal Basin on Monday, 4/1, between 6:30-8:30 am with my M6 around my neck and my 4x5 in a backpack. I only used the M6 that day because it was too windy. I spotted another 4x5 and a Pentax 67 among the jillions of 35's. I shot Provia with the 50 and 90 lenses, but don't have the results back yet. It's a shame they put that kiosk right at the base of the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. I had to shoot around it all morning.

Dan

-- Dan Blair (hiker1017@yahoo.com), April 04, 2002.

We know something about Cherry Blossoms in San Francisco. This time of the year the Japanese Tea Garden and Arboretum in Golden Gate Park are in full bloom. One tourist spot even locals never tire of. Don't forget the Cherry Blossom Festival and parade in Japantown, San Francisco as well. Cheers.

-- Don (wgpinc@yahoo.com), April 04, 2002.