N.delaRua
Well-known
When I brought my M6 with me on the infamous Red Dress Run in New Orleans (a charity event on Bourbon street where everyone wears a red dress and bar hops), the friends I was with were surprised for a couple of reasons. First, some knew that a Leica was expensive, and this being the red dress run, they thought I was crazy to risk a camera like that. Second, many just could not comprehend why anyone would should film with digital technology being where it is. Third, my dress just barely fit me...
I have been contemplating the same two questions lately. However, first I think I need to set a little background. I grew up shooting film, and it is how I learned photography. My father is an avid camera colector, and I grew up around Contaxs, Nikon F's, Leica's, Hasselblads, Cannons, Minox, Polaroids, etc. He has them all. I would tag along at the old school photo shows and drool over lens and accessories I had read about in his collector books. I have fondled and shot film cameras from every generation and from every stage of technological advancement, and then I was allowed to shoot the M3 with the DR Summicron.
Here is my favorite picture from that first roll with the M3.
When I was so luckily asked what I wanted as a college graduation gift, I responded a Leica M6 TTL. I have to admit I was utterly underwhelmed upon first using the camera. What a technological dinosaur. Three years later, and I feel the same way.
However, after some acclimatization, the essence of the M made itself known. Simply put, it got out of the way. It allowed me to focus on composition, and exposure. I was hooked. So few buttons and dials. A functional depth of field scale. These are literally the few qualities that I make the camera feel more like a tool than a piece of equipment.
I've shot with many digital SLRs... They have left me feeling cold. Sometimes I like to imagine the number of unique settings given the amount of options one has... It must be over a 100 million. I recognize their utility, and I recognize a M's limitations. Yet, I feel more liberated with limitations than a 100 million possibilities.
For the first time in my ownership of this magnificent tool, I am contemplating selling it. For a camera that seems to share its ethos, the Fuji X100S, is near. Its most revolutionary features are the inclusion of a Quick button, aperture dial, shutter speed dial, and a color array imagined after the random distribution of silver halide crystals. No more expensive film, no more costly scans, no more digitizing negatives, no more wishing for the access, time, and money needed to create wet prints. Is it the easy way out? Can a digital camera with its 100 million possible combinations truly get out of the way?
I don't care about brand names. Other than my M6 being an exceptional tool and its sentimental value as a gift, I could part ways... However, too many times I have felt technology is fives steps forward and six steps backwards. I don't have the financial means to feel comfortable owning two tools of such value when its only a sick little hobby. I could take paying gigs, but in the past that always took all the fun out of t. For all that I read and all that I see, I am not sure a digital camera can ever reproduce the euphoria I feel when I get a roll back of photographs....... but then again maybe I am just deluding myself.
I have been contemplating the same two questions lately. However, first I think I need to set a little background. I grew up shooting film, and it is how I learned photography. My father is an avid camera colector, and I grew up around Contaxs, Nikon F's, Leica's, Hasselblads, Cannons, Minox, Polaroids, etc. He has them all. I would tag along at the old school photo shows and drool over lens and accessories I had read about in his collector books. I have fondled and shot film cameras from every generation and from every stage of technological advancement, and then I was allowed to shoot the M3 with the DR Summicron.
Here is my favorite picture from that first roll with the M3.
When I was so luckily asked what I wanted as a college graduation gift, I responded a Leica M6 TTL. I have to admit I was utterly underwhelmed upon first using the camera. What a technological dinosaur. Three years later, and I feel the same way.
However, after some acclimatization, the essence of the M made itself known. Simply put, it got out of the way. It allowed me to focus on composition, and exposure. I was hooked. So few buttons and dials. A functional depth of field scale. These are literally the few qualities that I make the camera feel more like a tool than a piece of equipment.
I've shot with many digital SLRs... They have left me feeling cold. Sometimes I like to imagine the number of unique settings given the amount of options one has... It must be over a 100 million. I recognize their utility, and I recognize a M's limitations. Yet, I feel more liberated with limitations than a 100 million possibilities.
For the first time in my ownership of this magnificent tool, I am contemplating selling it. For a camera that seems to share its ethos, the Fuji X100S, is near. Its most revolutionary features are the inclusion of a Quick button, aperture dial, shutter speed dial, and a color array imagined after the random distribution of silver halide crystals. No more expensive film, no more costly scans, no more digitizing negatives, no more wishing for the access, time, and money needed to create wet prints. Is it the easy way out? Can a digital camera with its 100 million possible combinations truly get out of the way?
I don't care about brand names. Other than my M6 being an exceptional tool and its sentimental value as a gift, I could part ways... However, too many times I have felt technology is fives steps forward and six steps backwards. I don't have the financial means to feel comfortable owning two tools of such value when its only a sick little hobby. I could take paying gigs, but in the past that always took all the fun out of t. For all that I read and all that I see, I am not sure a digital camera can ever reproduce the euphoria I feel when I get a roll back of photographs....... but then again maybe I am just deluding myself.
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
I agree about the M6 being a camera that doesn't get in the way. If you want an SLR that feels like that, the Olympus OM-4T is my favorite. The Nikon F2 and F3 are two others.
N.delaRua
Well-known
My "backup" is a Nikon FM2 with a 20 mm f/4 glued to it. 
I could just substitute FM2 for every M6 in this post.
I could just substitute FM2 for every M6 in this post.
back alley
IMAGES
the epson rd1 was like that for me...
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
After using my M4 for so long, it disappeared into my workflow and completely got out of the way. The only other camera I've used that was like that was the Konica Hexar AF.
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
Godfrey
somewhat colored
This is what attracts me about all Leica Ms ... they get out of my way, disappear, and let me concentrate on the subject matter. Settings are simple, quick, and direct. Everything has a purpose that is plain to see, and there aren't too many options to fuss over. I get that feeling from the X2 as well.
And a couple of other cameras as well, but they're rare.
I didn't get that feeling from the Fuji X100 when I tested it ... too many options, too many controls that felt small and fiddly. It's one of the reasons I've not been interested in the Fuji cameras, amongst others.
G
And a couple of other cameras as well, but they're rare.
I didn't get that feeling from the Fuji X100 when I tested it ... too many options, too many controls that felt small and fiddly. It's one of the reasons I've not been interested in the Fuji cameras, amongst others.
G
sprokitt
Established
You nailed it. At some point you have to decide who is taking the photo - you or the guy who programmed your camera. The choice is MUCH easier the more manual you go.
Brian Legge
Veteran
Agreed on M, though for me its an M4.
I have a Rolleiflex which is started to get there. I take longer to compose and am much slower using it, but in the last 3 trips out with the camera I've taken a pair of photos I had to have printed. Thats a first for me. I have others I plan to print some time but this is the first time I decided to have prints made immediately. There is something magic for me. The first print is actually a traditional, enlarger based RC print. I saw had an opportunity to pick from one of three versions made. Hopefully that magic will transition in to me getting a darkroom set up and printing myself. The price I'm paying is totally reasonable for professionally printed, spotted RC print but I can't afford to keep this up.
I have a Rolleiflex which is started to get there. I take longer to compose and am much slower using it, but in the last 3 trips out with the camera I've taken a pair of photos I had to have printed. Thats a first for me. I have others I plan to print some time but this is the first time I decided to have prints made immediately. There is something magic for me. The first print is actually a traditional, enlarger based RC print. I saw had an opportunity to pick from one of three versions made. Hopefully that magic will transition in to me getting a darkroom set up and printing myself. The price I'm paying is totally reasonable for professionally printed, spotted RC print but I can't afford to keep this up.
thegman
Veteran
For all the people who feel it's crazy to shoot film in this day and age, I find it's quite easy to come up with reasons why shooting digital is crazy in this day and age.
What do you mean it needs batteries?! Full frame costs how much!? Blown highlight? I don't understand what you mean. All tongue in cheek of course, but even said as a joke, anyone listening will see the grain of truth. Of course, digital shooters can reverse it, but as the underdog film users are used to it.
What do you mean it needs batteries?! Full frame costs how much!? Blown highlight? I don't understand what you mean. All tongue in cheek of course, but even said as a joke, anyone listening will see the grain of truth. Of course, digital shooters can reverse it, but as the underdog film users are used to it.
tunalegs
Pretended Artist
I'm comfortable with most manual cameras. Just don't put a bunch of cryptic buttons all over it, and it's fine.
daveleo
what?
That's my feeling of the X100 also - those little buttons that I am always pushing by mistake. A perfect fix would be a "LOCK ALL BUTTONS" option as the #1 menu item. Set it and forget it.
The Nikon FM3A and the Hexar AF never got in my way (when I shot film).
And the Bessa-T with the 15mm lens was a great one also.
As a user of M cameras and the Fuji X cameras, I can vouch that the X100 can get out of the way just like a M can. Once you set up the camera, then all you need to adjust is the classic shutter speed dial and aperture ring... you only have to access other features if you want to. However, I will concede that some of the buttons and dials on the fuji do move too easily. That said, we will never have a digital as simple as the M6... not even the M9 is. We should be happy that digital's as "simple" as the X100 exist.
Range-rover
Veteran
Your right there are certain camera's that get out of your way when taking pictures
the M6 is one of them, it's true what they say "less is more". Right now I went back
to Rangefinder and film with a Nikon S3 , its just you know. I also use a small
Olympus E-PL1. By the way great shots at the Big Easy.
Range
the M6 is one of them, it's true what they say "less is more". Right now I went back
to Rangefinder and film with a Nikon S3 , its just you know. I also use a small
Olympus E-PL1. By the way great shots at the Big Easy.
Range
dabick42
Well-known
Photographers are a fickle bunch, aren't they ?
Clever Japanese camera manufacturers spend $ billions on R & D and advertising in persuading the planet's photographers that they absolutely must have the latest electronics-laden photocomputermabob because every man and his dog can't possibly take proper photographs without it, and what happens ? - people buy the cameras and then complain that they ''get in the way'' of their ''creative vision'' !!
There's a lot to be said for the angst-free use of a Barnack or M2/M3 Leica, or un-metered Nikon F, or Rollei TLR.
Everyone must plough their own farrow, though...
Clever Japanese camera manufacturers spend $ billions on R & D and advertising in persuading the planet's photographers that they absolutely must have the latest electronics-laden photocomputermabob because every man and his dog can't possibly take proper photographs without it, and what happens ? - people buy the cameras and then complain that they ''get in the way'' of their ''creative vision'' !!
There's a lot to be said for the angst-free use of a Barnack or M2/M3 Leica, or un-metered Nikon F, or Rollei TLR.
Everyone must plough their own farrow, though...
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
lxmike
M2 fan.
well put, I grew up with traditional shutter dial, wind on and aperture ring, you could shuffle from camera to camera, pick it up and shoot straight away, today each camera system seems to be a miriad of buttons and menus:bang: Im an old dog that does not want to learn too many new tricks
Sejanus.Aelianus
Veteran
This is true of any digital camera. Pick it up, set it to 'P', take pictures.
aad
Not so new now.
I usually can make a camera "disappear" when I set a few things-my recent DSLR purchase got the same treatment, center-weighted metering, a single spot in the center for focus, all to match my first SLR, a Fujica ST701.
All my auto-anything cameras get the same treatment. If only I had a match-needle meter!
All my auto-anything cameras get the same treatment. If only I had a match-needle meter!
icebear
Veteran
Very well put +1. Once you are M-spoiled nothing else will get you that kind of "just a tool" feeling, if you are a user that is and not a collector.
...That said, we will never have a digital as simple as the M6... not even the M9 is. ....
I agree. No digital camera will ever be as simple as a film M but at least the digital M's are true M's for me and they do not offer "100 million possibilities". In my book, the MM is a step simpler than the M9. With b&w only you don't have to care about white balance - which I have to admit, I'm obsessed with (Expo Disc) to get right in the first place and not fiddeling around in LR later.
paulfish4570
Veteran
pentax me super; spotmatic; leica iiif ...