Continue with M-E and M4-2 or M-E and ... ?

[Daryl J.]

I'm reading between the lines here but from what I see, you are telling us that a non-photographer is telling you how to do photography. Umm........hmmmmm.......

Digital Leicas: People love them when they are new; they ride the newness wave. But rugged like a M3 they are not. It would be wise to consider the dollar cost of maintaining an obsolete device and maintaining digital files longer term say 30-40 years. Those costs can take far more time than processing film ever will because the devices have to be paid for by your time. It just at work instead of in a darkroom.

The M4-2 could outlast your children if cared for.

It's just some thoughts Ko.Fe. Hope it all goes well.

 

[Scapevision]

Haha, no new gear will make you a better photographer. Pretty funny to see your posts every month or so looking for advice on new leica. Get busy. This is pure rangefinder forum porn. 🙂

 

[Mark C]

Hi Ko. Fe,

You have an ME. Use it for digital and buy something newer, better when it becomes necessary.

Shoot the M4-2. You'll miss the film eventually. One thing time constraints and film will show you is that most pictures don't need to be printed, or uploaded. Just do the good ones. Too busy for that, then just do the really good ones. Still to busy, just do the great ones. I do a digital proof sheet of each roll (camera scan on light table). I print mine out for filing, but most people don't care about that anymore.

Of course I happen to like the darkroom. I develop a short roll most days and it takes very little time for me. I think you may have to do more setup so probably not as convenient for you.

It would be shame to not have more pictures from you of Canada with a Canadian Leica.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I would not be keen on selling any of my M lenses (I happen to like them all), unless it was a lens I definitely didn't get along with...

Thank you for the info and giving me chance on paper!

I have three M-mount 50mm lenses just because I was curios to try them. None of them are real keepers to me. My only M lens I want to keep and use is Summarit-M 35 2.5.

Sounds like quite the dilemma Kostya.

....

After dropping on M4-2 on the concrete, I'm stopped using of hand straps. Any camera is on me and at neck stripe or it is in the bag.

I'm not biased on Leica cameras. I'm aware of their limits. But I just don't want anything which is non-Leica. Pure fetish, I know. I was reading about Leica X. Regular Sony sensor inside, AA filter, similar to my Canon DSLR in rendering. Leica X series has battery door problems, hopefully it isn't catastrophic. But lack of VF/OVF is one huge "-" to me. I'm not getting alone with external viewfinders either.

Ko you seem to shoot a lot of B&W then maybe an original MM?

Or an M 262....

...

M, 240, 262 just too expensive for me.

I'm done with RC paper once I finish last box. My family seems to have wet fingers often, lots of going on at the kitchen, as result RC paper plastic surface getting wet and sticking to the back of the print above while it is in box for storage. I have several prints damaged due to this. Pigments inks prints are just perfect for my family. They could almost dine on those prints...

...

The M4-2 could outlast your children if cared for.

Cared by whom and for how much? In 2016 two local Leica repair persons passed away and here is no new ones. Most of remaining Leica repair persons I'm aware of are old and here is just one, who is not so old. Leica own service is expensive. If my kids ever wants to do it on film, here is our family FED-2. Which is easy to DIY service. And it is in use by our family since sixties....

Haha, no new gear will make you a better photographer. ...

It is part of the game since I can't afford used M240. I keep on buying less expensive things to try, just a few, and sell after sometime to get more expensive one.

Getting M-E as present helped to have fun and joy while taking family pictures. If I'm using DSLR for the party, someone will grab it and I'll have two hundreds files to deal with. With M-E guest is grabbing it and... can't even focus! 😀

...
It would be shame to not have more pictures from you of Canada with a Canadian Leica.

It was just something which came naturally due to the daily use of M4-2. And any project has not only start, but the end. Except home improvements...

 

[MCTuomey]

I feel for you. On one hand, you have a compelling reason to shoot digitally. On the other, you have well-established skills and pleasing results from film.

I don't know what to say. I have one film M and, because my shooting has to favor digital capture, it sees less and less use. But I haven't let it go.

 

[Mark C]

It was just something which came naturally due to the daily use of M4-2. And any project has not only start, but the end. Except home improvements...

Yes, but I still think you will miss and come back to film for many other reasons. I could well be wrong; I often am, as my wife is quick to point out.

Still, I very much like your home improvement quote.

Enjoy your picture taking whatever approach you take.

Mark

 

[David Hughes]

Hmmm, FWIW, I think that - like the FED 2 - a lot of P&S digital cameras are capable of far more than their owners get out of them. And mobiles, while I'm on the subject.

Having said that I know what we all mean about the long term worries of digital. Perhaps the answer is to sell everything except the FED 2 or similar/better (?M2 or ?M4) and spend the money from the sales on better quality paper?

Regards, David

 

[Fraser]

Get some insurance for the ME and just use that.

 

[______]

It seems to me you are way overthinking it. Keep your M4-2 and M-E and lenses. Lose everything else. No need to give up the darkroom. Shoot and process film when you want to. Shoot digital when you want to. It's all good. Just fit it in your family lifestyle.

 

[leicapixie]

I became a positive user of P/S digital cameras.
I had a serious heart attack req. 3 stents.
Unable to carry or use my full sized cameras, till I regained health.
P/S or phone cameras cameras are perfect for family gatherings.
Leica M film and Leica digital for "serious" shooting.
The M-E already discontinued ?, is great.
Get insurance and add spare batteries should Leica stop making/selling.

Oh! I still carry the P/S every day, film only on special days.
I have never carried my pro rig since 2009.
Enjoy your camera(great gift) and keep shooting film.

 

[brennanphotoguy]

It seems to me you are way overthinking it. Keep your M4-2 and M-E and lenses. Lose everything else. No need to give up the darkroom. Shoot and process film when you want to. Shoot digital when you want to. It's all good. Just fit it in your family lifestyle.

This.

10 characters

 

[BLKRCAT]

It seems to me you are way overthinking it. Keep your M4-2 and M-E and lenses. Lose everything else. No need to give up the darkroom. Shoot and process film when you want to. Shoot digital when you want to. It's all good. Just fit it in your family lifestyle.

x3 the way it should be.

You shouldn't need 14,000 options. Many people get hung up on finding the perfect camera for EVERY scenario even though they don't shoot much of them but rather like to have the option. Find what works for you and stick with it.

 

[MIkhail]

I think you are trying to be practical in matters where the practicality of simply inapplicable. It's a hobby, the thing is impractical in nature. One does not earn money by hobby, one spends money on hobby instead. Do what you enjoy doing the most. Life is so short. Why else do you go to work for, if not to be able to spend on something that gives you pleasure?
If I had and enjoy digital Leica, I would take it everywhere with me. Risk of being robbed in Canada is fairly low… to my experience.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thanks for replies above, I appreciate the understanding!

Get some insurance for the ME and just use that.

Get insurance...

Thanks for good reminder! I checked on-line and so far just couple of options, one sounds like real and local.
Will ask our insurance broker as well.

Still, with insurance or not, I can' use M-E for street, candid. Due to request from person who has paid for it.

UPD: the black ink cartridge (23 CAD) is signaled as empty after I printed less than twenty 8.5x11 prints...

 

[brennanphotoguy]

So you'd rather spend as much money on the exact same thing just to use it on the street? That makes no sense. Just pay that person back what they paid for your camera and use it whenever you want.

 

[Daryl J.]

If whoever "gave" you that camera is telling you what you can and cannot do, it was never a gift and is not yours as that person is controlling the item. A gift that is actually a gift cedes control.

Return it to them and be done. Never again accept a "gift" from them. Control issues like that destroy lives, not build them.

End of story.

Sorry man.

 

[Godfrey]

I tend to agree with Daryl on this. That's no gift if you are burdened with following the dictums of some other person in its use. I'd give it back, or put it on a shelf and cherish the thought.

Then I'd sell off whatever else and raise the money to purchase a new or used M typ 240 or 262. They're much more responsive than the M-E and have better performance in low light, the rangefinder/viewfinders seem a bit better too. I wouldn't go backwards for an M8 series camera. Personally, I have both the M-P 240 and M-D 262 ... I love working with the M-D, it's my M4-2 in digital form but with a meter like the M6. Perfect, best of both worlds. If I could only have one M camera now, it would be the M-D. My M-P is likely up for sale soon, the M4-2 and CL get far too little use; since I bought the M-D, all I use is it and the SL.

G

 

[airfrogusmc]

I really want to pick up an M-D but if you need an LCD then the 262 is a wonderful camera and as mentioned a lot more responsive, better in low light and quieter than the M-E.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thanks for more and honest opinions! I already mentioned it some time in another thread. M-D is my camera, but I have to wait for ten years from now before I could afford it used.
For used M240 I have to sell all lenses, but 35 2.5 Summarit, sell both film Leicas and save money for year or two.
The reason to me for M240, it is weather sealed, might stay longer in support and larger battery. High ISO, LV and such are not needed.

M-E is my mother gift to me. But she was shocked to see me with M4-2 taking pictures of strangers on street and in public transit. Few weeks ago she has mentioned over the phone what she don't wants M-E to be used for it. Honestly, I'm OK with it. I like to use it for other things and not to risk it. And my mother doesn't mind at all about me using our family FED-2 for street photography 🙂 It was wedding gift to my mother and father...

 

[David Hughes]

Didn't I say so? Enjoy photography or earn a living from it that's all the choices available.

Regards, David