Putting the Leica on sabbatical

[lonemantis]

Hi all, I've been struggling with a bit of GAS lately (as many of us do), and I'm starting to wonder if my good old DS M3 is the cause, or at least an enabling factor. Leica is an easy thing to sink a lot of money into, and at this point it's become my most expensive camera system. However, I don't feel like the pictures I get from it really reflect that investment.

Don't get me wrong, it's an amazing camera, and probably the one I'd choose if I could keep only one. It's the lenses that are starting to get to me. There are so many to choose from, be they Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander, Konica, or countless other brands, that I'm always buying and selling in the hopes of finding something better. On my OM-1 or AE-1 though, I never even think twice about shooting that brand's standard 50/1.8 lens, and I always love the results.

So for that reason, I'm thinking of putting the M3 on a temporary hiatus. Sell off all the expensive lenses I don't use and shoot with something else for awhile. Has anyone else experienced this? What do you all think?

 

[thegman]

Well, I've certainly cut back on lenses, in fact most of my cameras are now fixed-lens, and the one that isn't, I only own one lens for it.

A Leica won't give you any better pictures, you know that of course, but if you like using it, that's a good enough reason to keep using it.

I don't like having a load of gear around I don't use, but if you're OK with that, I won't encourage you to sell it.

I don't see any harm in taking a month away from the Leica gear, but don't sell, and just see how you get on with your other cameras.

 

[paradoxbox]

I think that you should change your photography style if you're unhappy with the results you're getting. Changing your gear probably won't make you much happier especially if you have expensive lenses.

Use your camera but change the way you shoot. Consider taking a photography workshop with someone whose photography you like or admire.

 

[Clark.EE]

99% of the worlds most iconic photos were shot with lenses most of us would now consider to be "rubbish/crap........"
I would never profess to be a Phtographer, ~I just love Cameras etc etc...
I would bet my shirt that most of the people putting down their $20,000 deposit on the new M2468000 Leica, shoot mostly crap, just the same as I do. They just have a lot more money than I do.
If I had the money I would probably be writing my cheque to Mr Leitz now.
It will not change the fact that the best picture I have taken on my (2nd hand) M8 is with a 1930`s Elmar that I got for £5.00 in a charity shop.
My Quadruple Mega Aspheric Double Summicrotch 50 f2 arrives next Tuesday.
I have sold 3 Grandchildren to fund the purchase.

 

[segedi]

I'd put things on hold with the M system but wouldn't sell those lenses just yet... hold on to it and come back to it in 6 months.

When I need a change, I usually go to digital. Then like that for a while and head back to film.

And Clark.EE - pour me some of what you're having please!

 

[Clark.EE]

Summicrotch.
Just had Mr Leitz on the Telephone.


SUMMICROTCH Copyright C Clarke.

 

[Clark.EE]

I'd put things on hold with the M system but wouldn't sell those lenses just yet... hold on to it and come back to it in 6 months.

When I need a change, I usually go to digital. Then like that for a while and head back to film.

And Clark.EE - pour me some of what you're having please!

Anything in excess of a Gallon usually does it for me!

 

[Godfrey]

Summicrotch. Hmm. I'd rather a bit of Glen Rothes, thank you. ;-)

Hi all, I've been struggling with a bit of GAS lately (as many of us do), and I'm starting to wonder if my good old DS M3 is the cause, or at least an enabling factor. Leica is an easy thing to sink a lot of money into, and at this point it's become my most expensive camera system. However, I don't feel like the pictures I get from it really reflect that investment.

Don't get me wrong, it's an amazing camera, and probably the one I'd choose if I could keep only one. It's the lenses that are starting to get to me. There are so many to choose from, be they Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander, Konica, or countless other brands, that I'm always buying and selling in the hopes of finding something better. On my OM-1 or AE-1 though, I never even think twice about shooting that brand's standard 50/1.8 lens, and I always love the results.

So for that reason, I'm thinking of putting the M3 on a temporary hiatus. Sell off all the expensive lenses I don't use and shoot with something else for awhile. Has anyone else experienced this? What do you all think?

Been through this many times. Sometimes act a bit too impulsively to try to get past it. I've learned that slowing down saves a lot of money...

Do nothing yet. Just put the camera down for a week, avoid looking at for sale listings. Look at your photos and think about them. Ask yourself: What lens made the photos I like the most? the second most? Regardless of cost, of "cool factor" or whatever.

Ok, great. Put those two lenses and your M3 in a bag, ready to go shooting with. Put everything else back in the closet and forget they're there. Then go out and work really hard to make the best photos you can for a week or three.

If you find you have a bunch of great photographs, you're done. Keep any one or two things you can't bear to part with (like me and the cheap Hektor 135 which I use so rarely but love whenever I do), and sell all the rest.

Stop looking at new things to buy.
Keep looking for photo opportunities.
Keep trying to see deeper into your subjects.

It will come. The answer isn't equipment.

Godfrey

​

 

[tempest68]

GAS is caused by spending too much time on forums and too little time shooting!

I'm slowing selling gear but being very picky about any new purchases. From my first couple rolls I need more practice with my R3M. Not ready to give up on my first rangefinder. Just need more experience with it.

 

[jordanstarr]

GAS is caused by spending too much time on forums and too little time shooting!

I'm slowing selling gear but being very picky about any new purchases. From my first couple rolls I need more practice with my R3M. Not ready to give up on my first rangefinder. Just need more experience with it.

I agree. Get out shooting and if you love photographing enough, you won't even give a flying f*&^ what you have in your hands. I never cared about gear until I got a $3000 tax refund and said "hey...i wonder what kind of cameras are out there" and then started going on the forums. It started a 2 year accumulation of gear that would make me spend more time preparing for going out and taking photographs ("which of my 4 35mm systems should I use", "is this a 4x5 kinda day?", "645, 6x6 or 6x7?")....now I just have everything in one small shoulder bag and go...no muss no fuss, just pure photography.

 

[tuanvinh2000]

I agree. Get out shooting and if you love photographing enough, you won't even give a flying f*&^ what you have in your hands. I never cared about gear until I got a $3000 tax refund and said "hey...i wonder what kind of cameras are out there" and then started going on the forums. It started a 2 year accumulation of gear that would make me spend more time preparing for going out and taking photographs ("which of my 4 35mm systems should I use", "is this a 4x5 kinda day?", "645, 6x6 or 6x7?")....now I just have everything in one small shoulder bag and go...no muss no fuss, just pure photography.

I agree with the last part. I remember when i got one camera one lens i just walk out and take pictures. now after all the free cameras i got (ppl know i like them so they give out free old cameras). Then i start questioning myself, is it 6x6 day, is it a wide angle day? things like that.
You should definitely put it aside though. if it's too much money for what you get, i think to sell the expensive lens and get a few more great bang for the bucks lens (modern CV or old school Leizt). I haven't seen a single M mount lens that's too horrible. they all have their characteristics and charms. The rest is how much fun you get from it. I find RF is my most natural form but bc i have used it long enough.

 

[hepcat]

It's the lenses that are starting to get to me. There are so many to choose from, be they Leica, Zeiss, Voigtlander, Konica, or countless other brands, that I'm always buying and selling in the hopes of finding something better.

Herein lies your problem. Define "better." What, specifically are you looking for and why? If you can't answer that question, then you shouldn't be selling or buying. Use what you've got.

The only reason I can think of for selling a perfectly good lens to buy another is if there's something about the new one that does something your old one doesn't... faster aperture or something. Other than that, it's more important that you cover the field of view you like to shoot, and once you have the lenses that do that, go use them. And you don't need to sample the bokeh of every 50mm lens in existance to make amazing images. All you need is one lens that meets your needs that covers the FOV that you need to cover. I cover from 28mm to 135mm in about 15mm increments over six lenses. You may not even need that much range.

Switching brands of lenses or models of lenses is NOT going to make you a better photographer any more than switching golf clubs is going to make you a better player.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I think the answer is that less is more but, like the others, I'll add that you should sleep on it before binning the lenses.

The trouble is forums make too much fuss about minor things on Leitz glass and they're not doing it so often about the OM glass. So you don't get so tempted or distracted.

Regards, David

 

[steveniphoto]

instead of selling anything (unless you need the money) just take your M3 and one lens you feel comfy with and go and shoot with it exclusively for a long time (try to stick with one film as well). just work on improving your own technique. buy a couple/check out a couple photobooks as well to learn a thing or two from someone you look up to. anybody can take a "pretty picture" nowadays but with time and dedication, you will make good pictures.

 

[NeeZee]

Or maybe you are just an SLR and not an RF guy? If you love the results from your SLRs then why bother? Sell the stuff and buy film!

 

[leicapixie]

Many good advices.
Look at photos you like and admire. Research the photographers. Go to Libraries and view books, see galleries. A workshop a great idea.
Problem few "teach to see".. It's always about technical issues.
Use the camera with ONE lens, the 50mm is best on M3. Pick the oldest one.
Shoot film. Get it processed. Yourself better or at a lab.
My M3 took ONE year to be mine..It became my main camera. Nearly all my Portfolio shots with it.
Keep every lens you bought. After one year, start using one more..
Easy images use a digital. My special images are all M.
Prepare to do a series of shots. Pick a theme.Enroll in your own workshop.You will be accepted!

 

[cosmonaut]

Well you don't mention what your main subject is, street, landscape ect. An RF is very limiting if you shoot landscapes. How are you not reaching your expectations? Image quality?
As far as lenses you probably really need a more modern lens than an oldie. One that probably has better coatings. Some of the older cheaper ones will let you down. I know I used a few.

 

[Godfrey]

... An RF is very limiting if you shoot landscapes. ...

Why do you say that? I've seen (and done) quite a bit of landscape work with RF cameras. Never found them particularly limiting for that, other than the usual limitations of any RF camera.

Leica M9 + Hektor 135mm f/4.5
click image for a larger display from flickr.com​

 

[Spanik]

I don't see a reason not to put them aside for a while and use something else. I change from time to time, have a few systems in the closet that I don't use for years, then get them out and put another in its place. Sometimes change is a good idea. Can be a camera, a system, a lens, film type or going somewhere different.

But selling them? If you don't need the money (as in nothing to eat) then I would keep them. Otherwise get another camera out, if you don't have one get one for a bit of change. For the price of 2 bottles of scotch you can get a camera with film.

 

[burancap]

Well, the OP's bigger issue seems to be with lenses.

I was in the same boat a while back. Dumped everything and then bought back an M3DS and shoot nearly exclusively a CV40 on it using the whole frame.

The break and getting down to one (low liability) 95% lens has been like a vow renewal.