Until 2006 most black and white pictures were made with a Leica M4, and later a Leica M7, using the following Leica lenses :

• 21 mm elmarit f2.8 asph

• 35 mm summicron f2

• 50 mm summicron f2

• 90 mm elmarit f2.8

In difficult light conditions, I measure light with a minolta spotmeter F, using the zone system to decide how exactly to expose.  

In 2006 I've started using a Canon EOS 5D ... in terms of dynamic range it won't beat the Leica with film, but I must say the results are stunning.
I've made a couple shots with a Holga ... great fun.

In the past I mainly used Kodak TriX for black and white for it's nice grain and high speed (400 asa).

Since I mainly work with a tripod and go for maximum detail I now use Kodak Tmax 100.

I develop the negatives (black and white only) at home with Kodak X-tol (1:1 solution) which gives me a nice full gradient of greys. After developing I scan the negatives with a Nikon super coolscan 5000 which is an excellent scanner providing sharp high resolution scans for up to A3 printing.

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Is Leica old fashioned, expensive and for snobs ?

Yes and no : yes, it's old fashioned, but at the top when it comes to quality, sturdiness and size of equipment.
It's expensive, way too expensive, but if you buy second hand you'll be able to resell at app the same price ... if you are on a tight budget don't even think about it : get some decent material and remember that it is YOU that make the photos.
Is it for snobs ? I guess you'll find snobs everywhere ... after a day of exploring a factory I come out all dirty, with black, greasy hands, exhausted and hungry ... I don't feel like a snob then :-)

Yes, I take precautions, and yes, it is potentially dangerous, very dangerous.

Let me start by saying that exploring abandoned places is potentially dangerous, dirty and unhealthy. There are excellent web -sites on the subject and you don't have to go out and do it yourself !

First precaution is to let someone know where you are : I always take my mobile phone (with a loaded battery) and give my location when entering the premises. There is one disadvantage about mobile phones : they ring and it would be typically Murphy’s law that someone would call you when you are holding your breath because of a security guard around the corner (I know, you can turn the sound off and the vibrations on, but believe me you'll forget it until it's too late).

Clothing is very important : use hiking or army boots with thick soils : there is broken glass and nails everywhere. They should also be waterproof : you don't want colourful chemicals inside your socks.
Use dark clothing : nothing more visible than an orange jacket sneaking around ...
I don't wear a helmet (but it could be advisable in some places), I don't wear breathing masks (although it stinks in some places), I don't wear gloves (don't pick your nose, you'll look ridiculous).

Equipment is very limited but important : I use a flashlight that I fix on my head (hands free), always charge the batteries the day before. I also take a small spare flashlight and I can use the batteries of my photo-flash as a back up. A knife could be interesting although I've never had to use it. A leatherman is a good tool to have : versatile and handy. I used to carry a door handle that once "saved my life", but it's out again (until I lock myself up again somewhere).

How dangerous is exploring ?

I've been doing it for more than 15 years now and I've never been hurt once ... and I've never renounced to explore the most remote places. However there is a moment to say "stop, this is the limit", and you better say that once too often.

Concrete structures are almost always very sure and solid. Steel and iron, if not corroded are very solid too. Wood is very treacherous : it can be dry and intact yet completely rotten inside : to be avoided at all cost.
In general it's a good idea to walk on the beams.
I'm always very careful with handrails : don't trust them, and certainly don't use them as your only grip.

Apart from these "technical" aspects there is one BIG mistake that you should never make : don't walk around in abandoned places as you would in a cathedral : walking around and looking up, thinking "wow this is beautiful" : your next step will take you 3 floors down, forget about your mobile !
Sounds easy ? Even today I have to force myself to only look where I'm walking ! all the time !

Yes.

I get the most satisfaction when being on my own, learning to know a new building. You need a special mental attitude when exploring an unknown place : it's dangerous yet intriguing, it's mysterious and you want to know more, you want to know what happened here, who worked here, who died here, who fell in love, ... you have to listen carefully to what the walls have to tell you, sit down, be quiet and let the ghosts tell you their story, let the place become your friend, earn its trust make it reveal its secrets, soak up the atmosphere like a sponge.

Sounds loony ? of course ! but that's how I do it, and I can only do this on my own.

This being said, I do from time to time go out with friends photographers and spend the day somewhere. But that's pure for the photographic fun, the ghosts stay in their corner those times.

Also a (girl)friend of mine has been a model in several abandoned buildings ... she's somewhere on this site taking a shower !!!

I never do night time explorations ! That would be like suicide : never explore an unknown place at night.

I've been to several places at night though : but only places I knew well. I've done this on my own and I can assure you that it's scary like hell ! No more "sitting down quietly and enjoying the view" : only "what's that sound ? did I see something move there ? was that a flashlight ?".

When I do this I always go there before sunset : to make sure the place is "mine". When the night falls there is this special atmosphere. And then, when it's been dark for a while, slowly your instinct starts telling you it's time to go.

Of course some places are more scary at night than others : the Buda Marly factory is not scary, the Lemaire hospital simply is haunted !!

None ! if you get caught don't try to be smart : it will only make it worse, these security guys aren't stupid. Simply say what you're doing, say that you understand that he's doing his job and that you're sorry causing him any trouble.

Of course every situation is different : offering a cigarette and start a pleasant chat may be the solution, but it may as well get you a fine for a non-smoking violation.On the other hand, if you anticipate being caught : hide your exposed film rolls and put a new film in your camera : they might confiscate it.