The Leica curse..

[SergioGuerra]

Hi there...

I have already owned two Leicas M2 in the past, and both of them were sold in order to buy other things (like a Hasselblad 500c or a 1964 Lambretta eheh).
Right now I own both a mint Minolta CLE and a user Bessa-R to use with my m39 glass, but i miss the M feeling...

My photo budget is really low atm, but sometimes I have urges to sell my CLE kit (CLE + Summicron-C) and buy a user M6 😱

Should I resist these urges? 😀 Would the CLE kit pay me a user m6?

Oh well, thanks for reading my griefs and thoughts 😉

 

[M. Valdemar]

If you worked harder and made more money, it wouldn't matter to you whether you held onto a few hundred Euro's worth of obsolete junk or not. You could buy anything you wanted, unless you wanted to be a world-traveling bum.

This doesn't sound like a life-altering decision.

 

[M. Valdemar]

PS: What exactly, clearly explained and concisely, is the "M-feeling"?

Is it something like eating marshmallows?

 

[januaryman]

The M feeling and eating marshmallows? No. I get that using marshmallow feeling when using a digicam or even a Fed 2. But with my M2, it feels like using a Swiss watch.

What it does is to take the normal exuberance of photographing "stuff" and adds a certain high, for the sheer joy of handling and using a camera that just feels so damn good to use. Photography (all the steps, from loading it correctly to carrying it about safely and using it well) becomes a zen experience. Sure you don't NEED a Leica M2 to do some good work, but to thrill the soul, it's there. I never suspected it until I got mine.

So, "Yes," there is a curse and now I've got it. 😉

 

[januaryman]

I should use it but find myself invariably heading out the door with a Bessa....

Keith. Guy. C'mon, you mean to tell me that that clacking Bessa shutter makes you feel just as good as the whisper shutter snick of an M? I think you're joshing us.😀

 

[M. Valdemar]

I'm not sure if cameras exist that are designed to give you a "zen feeling", but if you want the "Swiss Watch" experience try an Alpa 6c or an Expo.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

I had to do a Google search re Expo. Looks like fun.

 

[januaryman]

I'm not sure if cameras exist that are designed to give you a "zen feeling", but if you want the "Swiss Watch" experience try an Alpa 6c or an Expo.

😀 Funny about the Swiss cameras you mention. Funny part is, way back in college, I used to dream of getting an Alpa. What in the world I'd have done with one I just do not know!

I guess you're not into the metaphysical aspects of this that I was getting at. That's fine. In the long run, it makes for a less expensive path for you to travel.

BTW, the M. Valdemar you use, I assume it refers to Poe's tale of the man under hypnosis? I believe the poor guy melts when he's awakened. Gotta watch that! 😉

 

[Roger Hicks]

If you worked harder and made more money . . .

I'm not sure that the two are all that closely related.

But Keith... Why do you use a Bessa instead? I'm not criticising, just curious. I have the same choice and the MP wins hands down.

Cheers,

R.

 

[M. Valdemar]

Obviously, us non-introspective, materialistic, dim-witted Philistines know nothing of the Zen/metaphysical aspects of taking pictures with expensive Yogic cameras.

Clearly, we need those with superior meditative skills to reflect on these important matters for us.

😀 Funny about the Swiss cameras you mention. Funny part is, way back in college, I used to dream of getting an Alpa. What in the world I'd have done with one I just do not know!

I guess you're not into the metaphysical aspects of this that I was getting at. That's fine. In the long run, it makes for a less expensive path for you to travel.

BTW, the M. Valdemar you use, I assume it refers to Poe's tale of the man under hypnosis? I believe the poor guy melts when he's awakened. Gotta watch that! 😉

 

[raid]

I am keeping my Bessa choices limited to an L and a T body. That's it. I see it as wasting money to get a Bessa R, R2, R3 ,R4 ... as I would not enjoy using such cameras. Enjoyment is a part of photography, isn't it. I find myself using the M3 and the M6. I just sold my CL because it felt different from an M.

 

[Morris]

But Keith... Why do you use a Bessa instead? I'm not criticising, just curious. I have the same choice and the MP wins hands down.

Cheers,

R.

Mr Hicks,

Different people make different choices. Is that difficult to understand?

 

[M. Valdemar]

M. Valdemar was mesmerized, according to the precepts of Professor Franz Friedrich Anton Mesmer.

Hypnosis was a different kettle of fish entirely, and in fact, didn't exist yet.

 

[raid]

Mr Hicks,

Different people make different choices. Is that difficult to understand?

Not at all; Roger is asking for the reasons that inspire Keith to favor one camera over another.

 

[Nh3]

PS: What exactly, clearly explained and concisely, is the "M-feeling"?

Is it something like eating marshmallows?

M-feeling according to me, "... please don't move so I can focus... damn, was the exposure right...?"

😀

 

[lic4]

I've missed shots with a CLE b/c of quirky electronics, and so has another pro photog that I know. We were just talking the other day about how an M6 seems to be the best option for RF 35mm. It has the meter in case you need it, and it has all that you need for heavy duty work - no need to spend more for an MP.
I've gone through three M6's through selling and purchasing until I realized I shouldn't fight the equipment I feel most comfortable with, even if it's more expensive than Bessas or other options. If it feels right for you, then you might as well sacrifice some cash for your creative work.

 

[januaryman]

Obviously, us non-introspective, materialistic, dim-witted Philistines know nothing of the Zen/metaphysical aspects of taking pictures with expensive Yogic cameras.

Clearly, we need those with superior meditative skills to reflect on these important matters for us.

Gee, I guess you have a very small sense of humor and are taking this WAY too seriously. I'll let you get back to whatever it was you were doing... I actually believed we were just talking about our thoughts. Please feel free to ignore mine. Your opinions and thoughts are obviously correct and I have no right to express my views. I will try not to let this happen again.

Good golly. (does anyone have this person's medication?)

 

[M. Valdemar]

I'll take a few Vicodin if you got 'em.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Not at all; Roger is asking for the reasons that inspire Keith to favor one camera over another.

Dear Raid,

Thanks for reminding me why Morris is on my ignore list; I'd not have seen his post otherwise. The negativity of some people never fails to astonish me.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[djonesii]

ah that elusive M-feeling, mine is on the way, and I can feel the vibrations coming from the f***ing ups truck where ever it may be.

I have never owned an M before, but I have a few Swiss watches, some mechanical, some electromechanical, and there is something special about each one. Nothing bad about the Japanese ones, in fact, they often keep time better, however, I never manged to form an emotional attachment to one.

I had a bessa R, and it did not capture me, I've been through 3 Nikon bodies and over 120K frames, and I did not bat an eye when I sold off two of them to the knackers shop ( like the beat up old nags they were ) I could not bring my self to sell off the 55mm 1.2 SC-AI'd, 28mm F2 AIS, or the 85mm 1.4, they are special.

This is my hobby, getting all the enjoyment out of it means some aspects of collecting, auctions and the such. With some things as the lenses above, I just connect. I did not do this with the bessa or the contax, so out the door they went.

I hope better of the M6!

Dave