Hello to all!

[sgy1962]

Tony is a real decent person and has very good prices. Tell us more about the new MP -- color, viewfinder mag. ?

I traded my M6 in for an MP when they first came out in 2003. The MP with a 50mm lens is really the combination which I use most. Although I can understand why someone would want an M7, for me, with my type of photography, which involves alot of street photography of strangers, it wouldn't make much of a difference. I tend to strike up a conversation with folks, and it is only after I get to know them that the camera comes out. Anyway, nice choice. I've been very happy with mine, and am even considering another before the price big hike here in the states on July 1.

 

[DerekF]

Tony is a real decent person and has very good prices. Tell us more about the new MP -- color, viewfinder mag. ?

I traded my M6 in for an MP when they first came out in 2003. The MP with a 50mm lens is really the combination which I use most. Although I can understand why someone would want an M7, for me, with my type of photography, which involves alot of street photography of strangers, it wouldn't make much of a difference. I tend to strike up a conversation with folks, and it is only after I get to know them that the camera comes out. Anyway, nice choice. I've been very happy with mine, and am even considering another before the price big hike here in the states on July 1.

I bought a black MP with the 0.72x viewfinder magnification. I had originally considered the 0.58x instead since I tend to prefer shooting at the 35mm length, but Tony advised me to get the 0.72x instead. Either way, I'm pretty happy with this little bundle. I find it's taking me a while to get used to the focusing, but I'm sure my proficiency in that will come with time. It seems that whenever I think I have my subject in focus, I'll take another look and realize that some other part of my subject in the focusing square is still out of focus... beginner's mistakes, I suppose! 🙁 And maybe just a matter of getting used to the rangefinder's quirks? (I think I read somewhere that your eye has to be pretty much centered in the viewfinder for effective focusing.) Either way, I'll find out just how well I did with my first roll after it comes back...

BTW, thanks for all those bag suggestions. I'm sure I'll find some recommendations elsewhere in this forum, but I'm looking for something small and that doesn't look like a camera bag. I had looked at some of the Crumpler bags, but without actually handling one, it's hard to commit to one. Anyone have some good leads?

 

[peter_n]

Derek bags are like tripods/ballheads, you need to handle one if you can. If you live in or near a big city its worthwhile to visit a camera dealer and try out a few things if you can. All we can do here is pontificate about the excellence of our own choices, but they may be completely wrong for you. You might want to try a search in the forum on bags, there are quite a number of threads replete with pictures. That might help.

 

[eloquentlight]

Derek,

I just bought a Domke F-5XB, and cut the red Domke tag off. Really well made, looks like a smallish briefcase. Good padding, and the size prevents you from taking too much stuff with you that might get in your way.

 

[DerekF]

Derek bags are like tripods/ballheads, you need to handle one if you can. If you live in or near a big city its worthwhile to visit a camera dealer and try out a few things if you can. All we can do here is pontificate about the excellence of our own choices, but they may be completely wrong for you. You might want to try a search in the forum on bags, there are quite a number of threads replete with pictures. That might help.

Peter,

Thanks. I guess I've been lucky in that I've ordered at least three (non-camera) bags online in the past without trying them first, and have been quite happy with what was delivered. Unfortunately, the only camera stores I know of in town tend to deal with roughly the same gear... Lowepro, Roots, maybe a couple of Domkes here and there... and so I'm left to do almost all of my research and "feeling out" for alternatives on the Internet. I keep meaning to spend some time at some non-camera stores since the bag selection tends to be somewhat greater (in general), but that can be both a curse (time) and a blessing.

Guess I'll stick with what I've got for now, which is a Lowepro Nova 1 AW. It's overkill for my MP and feels like a lunch bag, but at least it'll protect the little bugger... 😉

 

[DerekF]

I just bought a Domke F-5XB, and cut the red Domke tag off. Really well made, looks like a smallish briefcase. Good padding, and the size prevents you from taking too much stuff with you that might get in your way.

Hmmm... looks interesting, and looks like it'll work nicely as a shoulder bag... thanks for the tip, I'll look into it some more!

 

[x-ray]

Enjoying the forum

Enjoying the forum

I've been a professional shooter and used Leica M for about thirty eight years. I worked my way through college with my M kit and continued to use them ever since. I've been shooting commercial work since then and now do virtuall everything digitally on 1DsII canons. I spent too much time reading Dpreview and Rob Galbraiths forums and just got sick of the attitudes. I accidentally ran on this forum and find it like a breath of fresh air. I find I rarely go to the digital forums and spend much of my reading time exploring RFF. Thanks for the great forum and minimal attitudes.


If you're interested in seeing how Leica M equipment performs under difficult lighting and conditions check my gallery. Additional images will be posted as time allows.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=5045

 

[Doug]

X-ray, glad you're enjoying RFF! I'm amazed at your intimate access to such widely varying groups, 'way back when. I mean, flower children and Klu Klux Klan, whew!

 

[peter_n]

Yeh, his stuff is good and well worth a look IMHO. Some of the moments he's captured are really classic. 🙂

 

[illuminatus]

I hope you don't mind if I use this thread to introduce myself. 🙂 I, too, have been reading posts for some time before registering. A few months ago, I bought a MP with 50mm Summicron. I am very pleased with the camera and the lens. This is my first Leica and rangefinder camera, too! I am saving money to buy either 28mm or 35mm Summicron.

 

[DerekF]

I hope you don't mind if I use this thread to introduce myself. 🙂 I, too, have been reading posts for some time before registering. A few months ago, I bought a MP with 50mm Summicron. I am very pleased with the camera and the lens. This is my first Leica and rangefinder camera, too! I am saving money to buy either 28mm or 35mm Summicron.

Welcome, illuminatus! I, too, am saving to get a 35mm Summicron. I was soooooo tempted to just spring for a new one before today's price hike, but I managed to fight off the urge just long enough to see the new prices in action (which basically discouraged me from buying a new lens for a while!). Even though I knew the prices were being hiked today, I felt a bit of regret not having sprung for a new 35mm at yesterday's price... 🙁

But then, I've already dug a deep enough hole with my original purchase, so this'll "just have to do" for now... 😉

 

[Doug]

Yes, Illuminatus, you're certainly welcome to join the rest of us illuminati at RFF! You begin with an impressively lovely kit, too. 🙂

 

[illuminatus]

Well, thanks for the welcome. I used Nikon FM2 which I think is a great camera. Then, I went digital. Being used to a simple manual camera, I found my Olympus digital camera too difficult to use and I ended up using it in the "A" mode. There are just too many control features and buttons, etc. I missed the simple tactile experience in taking pictures and I was looking for a rangefinder. Contax G2 seemed very attractive given the quaility of Zeiss lenses and the price, but the overall design and the features of Contax G2 are not simple or basic enough. That left me with MP.


Just for the record, I would like to state that I have been using "illuminatus" as my online user ID since 1991!