Koolzakukumba
Real men use B+W
Lots of people were kind enough to give me their opinions about this subject so I thought I'd tell you what conclusion I've come to. I'd been swithering about buying a CL or an M body for the Leica experience but now I'm going to buy neither. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that I'd be spending a lot of money for a very marginal benefit.
On top of that, I shot a roll of film with a pal's M4 and I can't say I liked it too much. For a precision miniature (I know that's an old term but I've been reading a J Allan Cash book - sorry!) I just found it too imprecise. I didn't like the fact that there was so much appearing on the negative that was beyond the frameline when I was framing the scene. (My Pentax MX and K10D seem much better in that respect). I've also grown too used to SLRs and didn't like that I couldn't see how out of focus the background (and/or foreground) was at the taking stage. That's two areas of guesswork that I could do without.
I'm going to get the Pentax DA 35mm f2.8 macro lens for my K10D instead and concentrate on taking pictures instead of obsessing about gear. That's a lens that will make a very obvious and positive contribution to my photography - especially the stuff I'm starting to do for stock libraries.
Sincere thanks, though, for all your contributions. You lads are certainly enthusiastic about your Leicas. To paraphrase Humphry Bogart in Casablanca, I'll probably regret my decision, "not today, not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of my life." ;-)
Bruce
On top of that, I shot a roll of film with a pal's M4 and I can't say I liked it too much. For a precision miniature (I know that's an old term but I've been reading a J Allan Cash book - sorry!) I just found it too imprecise. I didn't like the fact that there was so much appearing on the negative that was beyond the frameline when I was framing the scene. (My Pentax MX and K10D seem much better in that respect). I've also grown too used to SLRs and didn't like that I couldn't see how out of focus the background (and/or foreground) was at the taking stage. That's two areas of guesswork that I could do without.
I'm going to get the Pentax DA 35mm f2.8 macro lens for my K10D instead and concentrate on taking pictures instead of obsessing about gear. That's a lens that will make a very obvious and positive contribution to my photography - especially the stuff I'm starting to do for stock libraries.
Sincere thanks, though, for all your contributions. You lads are certainly enthusiastic about your Leicas. To paraphrase Humphry Bogart in Casablanca, I'll probably regret my decision, "not today, not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of my life." ;-)
Bruce
Al Patterson
Ferroequinologist
There will always be time to buy Leica if you choose, god willing and the creek don't rise...
Post your experience with the Pentax lens on the "Evil SLR" forum when you get the time. Some of us have Pentax mount DSLRs along with our rangefinders.
Enjoy!
Post your experience with the Pentax lens on the "Evil SLR" forum when you get the time. Some of us have Pentax mount DSLRs along with our rangefinders.
Enjoy!
photogdave
Shops local
What's this? Someone who thinks with his brain? 
You chose...wisely. Enjoy the macro. I hear it's a great lens!
You chose...wisely. Enjoy the macro. I hear it's a great lens!
tmfabian
I met a man once...
What's this? Someone who thinks with his brain?
You chose...wisely. Enjoy the macro. I hear it's a great lens!
Indeed, as much as I love my m's i would never tell someone who doesn't enjoy using a rangefinder to buy one, regardless of how well they're built. You made the right choice by not being seduced into using a camera you didn't like. In the end, that's what it's about.
James (DC)
Established
Leica Ms and rangefinder cameras in general are not for everyone. I came from cinema cameras to Leica, Canon and Nikon SLRs and finally to Leica Ms, and I finally found my still camera choice in the M series. You have to learn the framelines and composition. It is not an overnight accomplishment. I just found the rangefinder to be the perfect camera for me. I feel and enjoy the ability to interpret, which is something that I need to feel and do not miss from the more precise viewfinders of SLRs. That's just a personal choice.
wintoid
Back to film
My friend has just bought this lens, and what's coming out looks very very nice indeed.
JNewell
Leica M Recidivist
Rangefinders don't work for all people, and even then don't work for all tasks. No problem that it doesn't work for you. You get lots of credit for really giving it a whirl.
JeffGreene
(@)^(@)
Kudos for you! Who'd a thunk it, a rationall man at rangefifnderforum!
Slavish imitation does have its limits. I've been using a medium format SLR and a medium format rangefinder. It depends on the context and the subject of the proposed picture. Making pictures is very subjective and one person's ideal tool may not work for another. Our local photo club recently had an outing to a local horticultural preserve. Macro heaven! So, many of us took SLRs both digital and non-digital. One of the newer members had recently purchased a medium format SLR. She discovered that it didn't fit with her style of shooting. She mentioned she was going to add it to her collection. The result was a $700 door stop.
Slavish imitation does have its limits. I've been using a medium format SLR and a medium format rangefinder. It depends on the context and the subject of the proposed picture. Making pictures is very subjective and one person's ideal tool may not work for another. Our local photo club recently had an outing to a local horticultural preserve. Macro heaven! So, many of us took SLRs both digital and non-digital. One of the newer members had recently purchased a medium format SLR. She discovered that it didn't fit with her style of shooting. She mentioned she was going to add it to her collection. The result was a $700 door stop.
Chris101
summicronia
That's just sick.
Koolzakukumba
Real men use B+W
There is a cure, Chris. Post me one of your Leicas...
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
How sensible to try an M4 before jumping into Leica waters ... and interesting that you were able to sample what a lot of people here regard as the ultimate M! If you didn't enjoy shooting that particular camera It's unlikely any other rangefinder would ring your bells!
Enjoy your new lens instead.
Enjoy your new lens instead.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Dear Koolzakukumba,
Good deed and well done! You have a head on your shoulders.
Take care!
Good deed and well done! You have a head on your shoulders.
Take care!
Graham Line
Well-known
Whatever works. if you're specializing in work closer than a couple feet, the RF is the wrong way to go.
Andrew Sowerby
Well-known
I'm very interested in that new Pentax 35/2.8 lens. I'm not much of one for macro photography, but I would be nice to have a DSLR standard lens with no close-focusing limitations. Let us know how it works out for you.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
All you need is a Visoflex and OTZFO and 65 Elmar...
Actually, I normally stick a 90/2.5 Series 1 on a Nikon F or D70 for close-ups, even though I have a Viso, OTZFO and 65/3.5.
Cheers,
R.
Actually, I normally stick a 90/2.5 Series 1 on a Nikon F or D70 for close-ups, even though I have a Viso, OTZFO and 65/3.5.
Cheers,
R.
BillBingham2
Registered User
Get a D300 if you want 100% of the frame in the viewfinder. I think you will find yore K10D is not that precise if you really want to look at the frames. Perhaps better than the M4, but it's no Nikon (F, F2, F3....D300).
B2 (;->