After RD1, when use M3, M2?

[pagpow]

I've been doing a bit of reading on the RD1s. I'm wondering if and when those of you with RD1s and film Ms use the Ms. I can see using them for wider lenses than the RD1 has frames for. Possibly for specialty film? Possibly in situations where noise is a major factor -- but... but I don't know and would like to hear from those of you who have both, what you continue to use the film Ms for? or do you?
It might save me from a GAS attack that's growing mighty strong?

 

[LCT]

I don't use my film Ms anymore i'm afraid. Just acquired a 2nd hand Leica R4s and i don't even find the time to have my rolls developed...

 

[ampguy]

I've had 2 RD1s and went back to film for the smaller body and look of film. However, am thinking of going back to an RD1, but will definitely still use the M film body for the film look, times when I want a smaller body, and for framelines the RD1 doesn't have (e.g. 75, 90).

 

[akptc]

For me it takes some effort to convince myself to use a film M body - the RD1 is so convenient and the image quality is not too shabby either 🙂. But then I grab an M7 and it feels right… or a Contax G2 which feels like there is nothing it cannot do. There is no cure, I hear….

 

[tomasis]

funny that Rd1 is slowly becoming as second camera for me. It is more as experiment and "learning-curve" camera. Those files don't appeal me when I'm talking about BW pictures. So for quality files, color shots might be good as they are even if I rarely use color for my personal works.

I use M3 more as main camera due to availability to 50mm lenses not 35mm as I use for rd1.

If you want wide lenses, why not to try MP/M6 0,53x, I use LTM camera for wide stuffs with extern viewfinder 🙂

 

[JonasYip]

I only use the M6TTL very occasionally, and mostly just because I feel like playing with that camera or to gradually use up the remaining 35mm film I have lying around. But these days the RD-1 is my main RF.

I do still shoot film regularly, but primarily either MF for the larger-negative look, or 35mm film in my F3 because of the look of some special lenses that I use.

j

 

[Tuolumne]

It's hard to go back to film after shooting the R-D1. However, I do use my M5 with long or very fast lenses that are hard to focus on the R-D1: Noctilux, 90mm f2 and f2.8.

/T

 

[noimmunity]

I have the Zeiss Ikon and the RD-1 with me right now on a trip through Italy, France and the United States. With ZM 2.8/25 and 1.5/50, I have effective focal lengths from 25/35/50/75 covered. Not bad for two lens/two cameras.

 

[Jim Watts]

My position is very similar to Jonas's above. My M4 has seen hardly any use in the over two years I have owned the R-D1. I do prefer the slightly wider angle of the built in framelines i.e. true 35mm in the M4 against 43mm (28mm x factor) of the R-D1, but not enough to encourage me to use it regularly as I can use an external finder with wider lenses.

I still shoot film 35mm in the XPan and occassionally Horizon 202, the rest being medium or large format because of the particularly characteristics of the cameras and qualities of the results.

 

[LeicaM3]

My position is very similar to Jonas's above. My M4 has seen hardly any use in the over two years I have owned the R-D1.

One more reason for film is this:

Low light, wide open I use the M3. VF is just awesome. Best camera for MF in low light and open. Better then my MP/M6/R-D1.
TriX @ 1600 in Diafine beats the #$%) out of iso1600 on a R-D1/M8.
B&W with APX100 in Rodinal gives me results I can't yet duplicate with the R-D1.


For almost everything else: R-D1

 

[RML]

I've had my R-D1 since May 2006 IIRC. Since then I've only returned to film and my M2 once for a short period because I found out how to develop film in caffenol. I still have about 40 rolls of B&W film to develop. I don't think that will happen soon. And neither will I soon return to my M2.

But even the R-D1 isn't holy. I've been shooting a Panasonic Lumix since early december and only this week I've returned ot my R-D1. Why? Because I traded my Zeiss Ikon rf body for an Elmarit 28, and I just have to try that lens out... on the R-D1, not the M2. 🙂

Having said that, my time is limited since I started reading Law last September, and the Lumix is with me always. The R-D1 is a bit too big and heavy to carry around as extra dead weight. My school books already cause me to use a travelling trolley. I can do without the R-D1's extra weight. 🙂

 

[anglophone1]

I travel regularly with 2 Rd-1s and 12, 15,21, 28, and 50mm .
I've been carrying a "backup" R2a, which also means that I can shoot full frame 12mm as well, but haven't used it in a year!
Do use the xpan with 30 and 45 , very occasionally 90 on nearly every trip though..........
Clive

 

[sleepyhead]

I bought on RD-1 last June. I shoot less film now, but still shoot film with Leica M4-P, Leica M3 and minolta CLE (as well as Ricoh GR-1). I shoot LESS film, but the RD-1 hasn't replaced film for me yet.

The RD-1 is very handy for learning and fooling around (flash, new lens test, etc.), and I use it for pretty much all me "family shots" - I want the grandparents to see photos of their far-off grandchildren much more quickly than I can process and scan film!

I guess I still attached to the look of film - grainy B&W I mean - I don't shoot colour 35mm anymore - for that the Rd-1 is better for me. I also love using the older Leica M bodies - they're like driving a vintage classic car - there is pleasure there beyond just the functionality. The rangefinder of the RD-1 isn't so easy and clear to focus with as the older Ms.

 

[Terao]

I rarely use my R-D1 these days (hasn't taken a shot since October). Currently shooting my Bessa R4M and Ricoh GR1v a lot with my GR-D as a digital backup when travelling. Fing the R-D1 a bit big and bulky compared to the Bessa. Personally I'm looking for a good condition M6TTL at the right price as I have a feeling I won't be using the R-D1 that much, particularly if the new Sigma DP1 turns out to be as great as I hope it is...

 

[gdi]

I use an M3 and a Leicaflex SL for HIE and Delta and Trix X. Also using more of the new Velvia during color season.

Digital infrared and B&W just don't cut it compared to film, IMO....

 

[Tuolumne]

the r-d1s was basically the end of film shooting for me. once i picked it up the film m became (and i am a tad shameful about this) a paperweight. the trade off between the r-d1s' files and developing and scanning my own film was narrow enough for me to run the fridge dry of the remaining film stock.
the r-d1s led to an m8 and that's pretty much my set-up of choice now. an r-d1s and m8 everywhere. suprisingly enough i still shoot the r-d1s about even with the m8! i am so happy with the two of them together i am debating selling my beloved mamiya 7II set-up as i type this. now that's an endorsement!
john

John,
I see from the classifieds that you did decide to sell the Mamiya 7II. How do you find the R-D1/M8 images compared to the Mamiya?

/T