Did I Pick the Wrong Format for My Needs

[lencap]

Greetings - First, thanks to all on this forum. I've learned a lot and expect to continue to learn more. Your collective knowledge and willingness to help is the greatest asset of this forum. You should all be very proud of what you've accomplished on this forum.

I need your guidance. I recently purchased a new M9/50mm 'Cron from an authorized Leica dealer. Great dealer, great experience. I had owned a M7 years ago, but found that I was far less patient with waiting for film to be developed than I expected, and sold that gear before really having a lot of experience with the rangefinder format.

Since I've bought the M9 I've not had a lot of opportunity to shoot with it, and to date have well under 1,000 images of experience with the camera. My issue is that, for me, I'm a bit disappointed. I find that the f/2.0 lens is wonderful, but indoors without a flash I'm not able to capture some images that I'd like to (think moving grandchildren). I also find that the images often require higher ISO settings (above 800) and the noise in the image is annoying. I've not downloaded the Lightroom software, so my adjustments are largely limited right now (I've not had the time to learn the software in addition to learning the camera).

My question is: "Did I pick the wrong format?" I'm far more familiar with DSLR cameras and their ability to capture rapidly moving targets without much thought, and their ability to shoot at higher ISO levels without noise in the image. What I don't like about DSLR cameras, and the primary reason for moving to Leica, is the large size of the DSLR cameras/lenses and frankly the "plastic" feel of the cameras and lenses is a real turnoff.

I've considered the Fuji X100S, but I'm not sure that the low light and moving target issues will be any better than with the Leica. I don't want to go back to DSLR, especially given the incredible feel of the Leica gear, but I also want to be able to capture the images I want to make without being limited by the gear. Moving to a M is possible financially, but I'm not sure that the added 2 stops or so will be the answer. I'm also used to using fill flash for many pictures, and I'm still trying to solve that riddle with the Leica format.

I admit to thinking about the Canon 5Diii or Nikon D800/800E, but the more I consider them the more I find the bulk and all the rest of it a turnoff. I even considered a medium format film camera, but I realize that I'd get frustrated pretty quickly.

Suggestions?

 

[kaiwasoyokaze]

no mention of micro four thirds?

mirrorless will not be as good for auto focusing on moving subjects than DSLR's with phase detect system. (i heard the nikon 1 comes close with the hybrid system)

if you don't want the bulk (and go mirrorless), and using S-AF then a OMD's auto focusing speed would do fine.

 

[Denton]

My issue is that, for me, I'm a bit disappointed. I find that the f/2.0 lens is wonderful, but indoors without a flash I'm not able to capture some images that I'd like to (think moving grandchildren). I also find that the images often require higher ISO settings (above 800) and the noise in the image is annoying. I've not downloaded the Lightroom software, so my adjustments are largely limited right now (I've not had the time to learn the software in addition to learning the camera).
Suggestions?

Moving children are THE toughest challenge for any camera, especially in low light. I'd use bounced flash with them and zone focus at f8. If you are otherwise happy, can you pick up a swivel flash?

But, I too have been tempted by the New Mirrorless for low light.
Denton

 

[hepcat]

Yes, you've picked just about the toughest duty to try the M9 out; especially with an f/2 lens... but it can be done, and done well. It takes practice, predictive focus, and technique. Did I mention practice? You also need to learn to develop RAW files in Lightroom. Amazing things can be done to eliminate much of the noise of the higher ISOs developing the .dng files.

The suggestion of using a bounce flash is a good one as well.

If you're not comfortable with manual focus and making the camera do your bidding instead of the equipment doing it for you, then by all means, I'd suggest picking up a DSLR.

 

[icebear]

You need to have LR to deal with your raw files. You have bought a 6k camera and are not using the appropriate software to make the best out of what the camera can offer ??
How do your histogramms look like, do you properly expose to the right w/o blowing the highlights? If you have to correct the exposure more than one stop in post processing, than you have underexposed the shot. Then complaining about too much noise is not the camera's fault 😉. Properly exposed shots at 1250 ISO have only little noise.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I think the DSLRs have been very good for low light/high ISO since the Canon 5d/Nikon D3 and those models sell used for considerably less than the M9 does now. I live in Vermont, which has a really long, dark winter, so high ISO capability often comes in handy. I find that the M9 and the D3 make a particularly good combination. Personally, I find the M9's performance just fine up to about 1250 -- better, in fact than the performance I used to get out of Tri-X.

If mirrorless appeals, I have had good luck with the Fuji X1-Pro and the Olympus EP-2 -- the EP-2 is a little long in the tooth, but it has a great buffer - super for multiple pix of moving kids (mine).

Good luck.

 

[Messsucherkamera]

Moving children are THE toughest challenge for any camera, especially in low light. I'd use bounced flash with them and zone focus at f8. If you are otherwise happy, can you pick up a swivel flash?

But, I too have been tempted by the New Mirrorless for low light.
Denton

I'll agree with the above 100%.

I photograph my dogs at play a lot and that is tough - it has to be similar to photographing children at play.

I would not be in a hurry to trade off the M9 - as Denton observed above, bounce flash and shooting at around f/8 while using zone focusing sounds like it could be the solution to your dilemma.

I have learned the virtues of using bounce flash with my MP and M4-P for indoor shooting when using a tripod is not a viable option. I use a Metz 45 CL-4 flash unit and have been very pleased with the results. It looks a bit odd as the flash is bigger than the camera, but it is a very effective setup.

When used in bounce flash mode the 45 CL-4 has a small secondary strobe that faces forward to act as a fill flash. This eliminates the facial shadows that sometimes result from bounce flash.

I would suggest renting a flash for a few days and trying it with your M9 to see if you like the results. Be sure to get the instruction manual to go with it - learning how to properly operate the flash is very important. It's not complicated at all if you are an experienced photographer but it's always a good thing to have the manual at hand when using a piece of equipment you are not familiar with.

My guess is that a good flash unit that has bounce flash capability with dual strobe flash tubes will produce resultts with your M9 that you will be pleased with.

Hope this helps...

 

[DoxLeica]

Call me crazy but here is what can work for grand kids and other fun things: Nikon D40 and Nikkor 35mm 1.8 G lens along with the 18-55mm G and keep the M9 for everything else. Believe me, it will be a very inexpensive but pleasant solution.