An introduction and a dilemma

[dominic king]

My name is Dominic and I’m a masters student from Melbourne, Australia. My passion for photography has really taken off in the last few years, and I’ve been fortunate (hard working) enough to own two leicas: an M2 and an M8.2.

My dilemma is that I enjoy the both the process as well as the results of shooting film more than digital. I’m not a commercial photographer, but the convenience of the digital format certainly is helpful when I’m asked to cover an event or things of this nature.

I’m considering selling the M8.2 and investing in a lens and/or another film body. These would certainly have a longer lifespan than the digital M. I imagine there are members of this forum who have made the jump back to a fully analog workflow? What have your experiences been? Or, am I crazy and should I love and use my M8.2 until it becomes an attractive paperweight?

For interest’s sake, attached are two images: one a digital b&w conversion, the other FP4+

 

[helen.HH]

Welcome !

You have two great cameras ...
On the ocassion your M8 does seem to be of use and as you stated "the convenience of the digital format certainly can be helpful"


Lots of questions thru my mind ....
Is another Film camera necessary ?
Or is it an itch for another camera?
What is the dream camera for You ?

 

[dominic king]

Helen,

I suspect it might be an issue of value. If I'm most often reaching for the M2 in my day to day, does it make sense to have an M8 depreciating on the shelf? I do love using it when I need digital -- it's unlike any other digital camera I've handled. Another film camera provides some interesting benefits: being able to go out with two film speeds for example, or both colour and b&w. You're right though, it may just be an itch...

 

[helen.HH]

Yes its horrible to have that nagging 'value' bug
continually harping at One's every turn,
i too suffer from that illusion 😱

 

[Scrambler]

Hi Dominic,

Welcome! from a fellow Aussie.

I'll call it as a variety of GAS. Otherwise, just go get a $50 SLR+prime combo from your favorite charity shop. Instant alternative film body + lens. Or get a late FSU body to use with LTM lenses and use on your M2 with an adapter.

The M8 seems to have largely completed its depreciation, so there is little value lost in keeping it, provided it continues to work.

What would you replace the M8 with? An M3? An M4? Would anything really offer you something in addition to the M2? After all, you would be ditching the option of direct digital capture with your Leica lenses.

And stop reading RFF right now if you want to stay happy with your camera and lens choice!

Steve

 

[dominic king]

Steve,

I think your GAS diagnosis might be spot on. The desire to cycle through ever more enticing equipment is real... I would be replacing it with an M3. I could then have dedicated bodies for 50mm and 35mm. This, however, would not make me a better photographer..

I guess I'm enamoured with the classic leicas and the idea that they'll last. Maybe I'll just get myself an M3 when the M8 does finally cark it.

 

[Godfrey]

As others have suggested, I would stick still. The only upgrade that made sense to me was to buy an M9 which would be the same format as the M2 (M4-2 in my case). That way my lenses interchange between film and digital without changing things.

Funny thing for me is that I'm shooting with the Leicas, film or digital, less and less. I'm shooting more with Polaroids (SX-70s/Spectras) and the Sony A7 using Leica R lenses these days.

G

 

[dominic king]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I think I'll stick still and focus on taking pictures.

Dominic.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

Welcome to our world, Dominic.

Many of us have been round this block innumerate times. Some have found their nirvana and are sticking with it. Others, like myself, see no point in limiting ourselves exclusively to film or digital when it's perfectly legal to use both.

It may take youdays or, conversely, years, to decide what medium you like best. Shoot lots. Enjoy the ride and make up your own mind because no-one else knows what makes sense for you and what make you happy more than you do.