Film or Digital for Rangefinder?

[Matt Moreland]

Hi everyone! New to the site, enjoy the content here and thought I'd check the site out. I've been using a digital point-and-shoot for the past year, and want to get more into photography, I have read a bit and think I'm beyond just pointing and shooting.

I saw a family friend shooting with a Leica and I thought it looked awesome, so I did some research and found out they are available in both film and digital! I'm confused as to the advantages of both, can someone fill me in? And for which one is better, what models are available?

 

[rxmd]

I saw a family friend shooting with a Leica and I thought it looked awesome, so I did some research and found out they are available in both film and digital! I'm confused as to the advantages of both, can someone fill me in? And for which one is better, what models are available?

It all revolves around whether you have more than about $2500 of disposable income to spend on a camera. Or more like $7000 if you want the latest model with nicer features.

If so, you can think about advantages of digital. If not, stick with film and buy according to your budget.

 

[MCTuomey]

I saw a family friend shooting with a Leica and I thought it looked awesome ...

Hah, sweet seduction!

Welcome, Matt. What is it that you don't like about your P&S pictures? Is it the image from the camera or the image of you taking the picture with the P&S camera that you want to change? 😉

 

[Roger Hicks]

You need deep pockets for a digital M, but ALL M-series Leicas (even the M5 -- ducks for cover) are fun.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Nikkor AIS]

Welcome to the forum Matt.



Some of Film Leica's M3 M6 M7

I would definitely get a film Leica first. Pre owned M3/M6 are available for reasonable prices. Check the classified section. Grab 10 pack of XP2 and another 10 pack of Ektar 100 and see how you make out. For the first lens a 35 mm 1.4 Summilux is hard to beat for the price and will get some glas in front of the body so to speak. It's how I started and look what happened to me😛. At any rate From those 20 rolls (get them scanned at the lab)you will definitely know if Leica is for you. Me thinks your going love it. Enjoy and let us know what direction you go, and post some photo's when you get them.

Gregory




Leica M7 21 1.9 @1.9 Voigtlander on XP2 film

" to understand the new, first one must study the old"

 

[sper]

A cheap way to KNOW you like a rangefinder is to spend about 800 dollars on a Voigtlander Bessa kit. For that you could have a camera and a very nice lens. Just buy the body based on the frame lines you want and the lens based on that. I fell in love with an R4A and it's 28mm lines, while others think the R3x and it's 1:1 finder are the bee's knees.

Of course if you think you will have a hard time adjusting to getting film processed, scanned, etc, and don't think you want to spend the money on an M8, M9, or RD-1, you can't go wrong with a Micro Four-Thirds camera and a M-Mount adaptor.

Here are some links:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/800693433-USE/Olympus_262811_E_P1_Pen_Digital_Camera.html
Refurbished EP-1, great camera and great price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/638122-REG/Voigtlander_BD215A_Micro_Four_Thirds_to.html
M-Mount Adaptor.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/484178-REG/Voigtlander_AA118GM_Bessa_R2A_Camera_.html
Bessa-R2A Brand New.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/326913-REG/Voigtlander_45BA245C_Color_Skopar_Pan_35mm_f_2_5.html
Great, cheap, starter lens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496399-REG/Epson_B11B189011_Perfection_V500_Flatbed_Photo.html
High quality-low price scanner for 35mm.

Rangefinders are a great way to enjoy making photographs.

 

[NickTrop]

Film or Digital for Rangefinder?
- If it's a film rangefinder, use film. If it's digital, don't try to put film in it. ...won't work.

 

[MCTuomey]

gregory, that is one fine arsenal!

matt, do you detect a certain slippery sensation beneath your feet?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I saw a family friend shooting with a Leica and I thought it looked awesome, so I did some research and found out they are available in both film and digital!

Hmm.

I think the iPhone is more stylish. And with the Hipstamatic app you get to make it look like you have a very cool and very old camera.

Not to mention it plays MP3s and you can check your e-mail with it.

 

[DNG]

Hi everyone! New to the site, enjoy the content here and thought I'd check the site out. I've been using a digital point-and-shoot for the past year, and want to get more into photography, I have read a bit and think I'm beyond just pointing and shooting.

I saw a family friend shooting with a Leica and I thought it looked awesome, so I did some research and found out they are available in both film and digital! I'm confused as to the advantages of both, can someone fill me in? And for which one is better, what models are available?

As said already, it depends on your budget...
I spent around $4,000. on a film M5 plus 28/35/50/90 lenses.. all fast glass!. You can spend less too. But a Digital M (M8, M8.2, or M9-FF) will up the anti a bit.
Epson has a 6mp Digital M (RD-1s latest version for $3,500.00 new at a Japan eBay store) and used ones are under $1,500. I think there are 3 versions of the firmware and 2 versions of the Camera..f/2 I think is the fastest lens it will focus with the RF base length.

M8, M8.2 $3k to $4k used (Crop) 10mp
M9 $7k new, used $6k Full Frame 18mp
Epson RD-1x new $3.5k, Used $1,300 to $1,600 (Crop) 6mp

You might think like a M6ttl and Epson RD-1x with a few lenses (28/35/50)

Just a thought, if your finances can swing it.. I'd love to have a RD-1 myself, to go with my M5.. Maybe I'll trade all my Pentax DSLR kit for one 😀

 

[Nikkor AIS]

Thats good advice Nick🙄. Smart ass😛.

Mike. Thanks, unfourtantlly My M3 is still down so Im suffering with "just" the M6 M7. I dont how Im going to mange. I guess I'll just have to get by😉.

 

[radi(c)al_cam]

Hi everyone! New to the site, enjoy the content here and thought I'd check the site out. I've been using a digital point-and-shoot for the past year, and want to get more into photography, I have read a bit and think I'm beyond just pointing and shooting.

I saw a family friend shooting with a Leica and I thought it looked awesome, so I did some research and found out they are available in both film and digital! I'm confused as to the advantages of both, can someone fill me in? And for which one is better, what models are available?

Dear Matt,
let me ask you: WHAT do you want to shoot?
Not the tool is in the first place, but the motifs, the themes.

The term "shoot" allows a quite good comparison with hunting:

-- for the deers, you will not need a musket (shotgun), but a rifle; but OTOH,
-- for duck shooting, you will need a shotgun, a rifle is useless.

 

[back alley]

sorry guys...matt is a troll, a former banned member who came back with a new but not improved persona...