Leica good for the soul?

[peadarceiteach]

I feel like a photographer again. I took my new MP with a VC Nokton 1.5 50 and went with my children to walk the shops in town. I put the strap over my opposite shoulder so the camera rested crossways on my lower right chest; just a simple sling up to compose and meter. Very comfortable. I felt something I had not felt since leaving analog too many years ago: like a photographer.
I've been using all sorts of digital devices...and this summer hauled a Nikon D200 with a 17-55 2.8 (an execptional lens, by the way) all over Japan.
Don't get me wrong. Digital cameras absolutely have their place, but walking around the other day, thinking about what I was looking at, watching the light and textures and reflections....I was IN the photos again. The MP is simply outstanding. I can compose without "separating" myself from the shot. I "anticipate" while I slowly wind the oh so smooth film advance. While my Nikon seems to stay in the bag more and more, I can't wait to get the MP and go out there and back to what I always loved about photography: a somewhat poetic and spiritual idea and feeling of an intention of writing with light onto film what is simply there in time and space. Shooting with the Leica has helped me remember what I like about simplicity... old school, mechanical like a great fountain pen, or the wonder of a well made watch. Somehow I think this Leica is going to be good for the soul.

 

[stnolan]

Re: Leica good for the soul

Re: Leica good for the soul

I know exactly what you mean. I sold an M6 because I got into a whole Canon DSLR kit. I found that with the DSLR I was just firing of at everything and chimping every shot as well. Exhausting! I got an M7 a la carte early this year and now take it with me everywhere. I find that now I look at everything in terms of photographic composure even when I'm just driving around town without my camera. For me, it has made me pensive and deliberate, and when I'm out shooting with my M I even feel as though it acts as a stress reliever for the very reasons you mentioned.

 

[rodneyAB]

...good to hear..agree with your MP sentiments..i'd been converting to sepia with a D2Hs, not getting what i wanted, have not used it since september, started backwards with an FM3a and FM2n, learning to develop BW all over again, now learning how to see with an MP3....steep curve, but more fun

 

[pvdhaar]

I'd agree with you all if it weren't for the following: lab quality has really taken a nose dive somewhere last year.. Sure, you could do B&W yourself or scan colour. But it takes time away from going about and taking pictures.. So for me it's the other way round. The M4 has been sitting idle since autumn and the dslr gets to see all the action.. Even the frame counter on the Bessa-T/CV25 combo has been showing a solid '1' since early December..

 

[Robert]

Yes it feels great walking around with a proper camera over your shoulder, people Know you are a photographer with a Leica.

 

[Topdog1]

I'd agree with you all if it weren't for the following: lab quality has really taken a nose dive somewhere last year.. Sure, you could do B&W yourself or scan colour. But it takes time away from going about and taking pictures.. So for me it's the other way round. The M4 has been sitting idle since autumn and the dslr gets to see all the action.. Even the frame counter on the Bessa-T/CV25 combo has been showing a solid '1' since early December..

I just have my film developed and scanned. That way, at least I get it on line quickly, can share it easily, and make prints, too. If I see anything I really like, I can rescan it myself until I'm happy with the results. This method basically gives results as quickly as an all digital workflow, but without the immedicay. If you can live without the immediacy, it seems to fill the bill. And besides, it usually takes me forever to dump my digital shots off the memory card anyway, so even the immediacy (except for chimping) isn't always an issue. I generally find that labs can still devgelop, even if they can't print.

/Ira
P.S. I mostly use chromogenic B&W film, so there's no problem having almost any film processor develop that in a C-41 process.

 

[proenca]

Well I completly agree with you.

I come from a heavy digital background ( S2 PRO, 1Ds, D2x, D2xs ) and dump all in favour of a M7. Why ? It gave me pleasure again. Shooting is no fun when you "have" to lug around 2390482903 kgs of devices to get one photo.

Leica is good for the soul. Bad for the wallet. REALLY bad

 

[Topdog1]

O.t.

O.t.

Did you notive how many avatar's on this page were animals? Now, what does that tell you about Leica users? 🙂

/Ira

 

[Pablito]

people Know you are a photographer with a Leica.

And that's a GOOD thing?

 

[colinh]

Did you notive how many avatar's on this page were animals? Now, what does that tell you about Leica users? 🙂

Their wives left them, because they spent $ 10,000 on a camera and a couple of lenses instead of that holiday she wanted to go on?

colin

 

[aizan]

Cats are good for the soul. Oh, and film.

 

[Turtle]

Its a different way of working and can result in a different kind of immersion in your surroundings when working with a small RF. Leicas are just especially nice RFs to work with. I just had a stroll down by a local river and gorge with my Ms and found it very therapeutic because my gear was small, reasonably light and did not demand anything from me. So many auto everything cameras are like those electronic pet toys that kids have where they have to feed them and look after them tp prevent them dying. Digitial SLRs with their huge menus and LCD screens are the worst. I dont deny they are the right tool under many cicumstances but when you want relaxation and to remove barriers between you and your subject/surroundings you cannot beat a 35mm RF. Leica Ms just feel right. Solid, small, simple, passive.

Tom

 

[ferider]

3 dogs, 3 cats, 3 Leicas here ... and a very supportive wife.

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[peadarceiteach]

This new Leica has slowed me down, caused me to think about the image and not the camera. It's interesting to me how I "couldn't wait" for digital. It's true that we often do not appreciate what we have until it's gone. Now analog is back for me, and I will never leave it again.
Now, I'm web researching photo labs for B+W and C-41 processing.

 

[dee]

i have recently discovered the joys of my 1932/3 black Leica II 's with nickel Elmar , and , now , several Zorkis ''Leicas '' and Leica IIIc and IIf .. it has awakened a need to create slide shows once again, something my Canon G2 just can't gift to me . OK, i have ASd stuff and my new friends kind of ground me, but real people need simplicity too , sometimes .