I thought I would need a faster lens for my M9

[kshapero]

Lately I have been using the very sharp Zeiss Biogon-C 35/2.8 lens with my M9. At 800 ISO in low light shooting wide open, I am very pleased with the results. I end up shooting at 1/24 or 1/12 sec. No Problem.😎

 

[raid]

This is reassuring to know, Akiva. The slow speed shooting works well with the M9.

 

[Richard G]

My last two lenses bought were 2.8 max aperture. Having ISO 800 and 1600 gives a stop. But while I have had some good shots at 1/6 or 1/15, I find that the M9 demands more stopping power and I often want 1/500 on the street. I can hold an M5 slower than any of my other Leicas. I don't as often succeed with very slow shutter speeds with the M9 shutter release.

 

[MCTuomey]

Honestly, the C-Biogon is reason enough to avoid the dark holes where I shoot. Great lens. Good to hear you like it with your M9.

Agree about the balance of the M9, in landscape orientation. Portrait, not so good, for me anyway.

 

[willie_901]

Lately I have been using the very sharp Zeiss Biogon-C 35/2.8 lens with my M9. At 800 ISO in low light shooting wide open, I am very pleased with the results. I end up shooting at 1/24 or 1/12 sec. No Problem.😎

I sincerely covet and respect your extraordinary ability to avoid motion blur at 1/12 sec exposure times. I hope you believe I wrote that sentence as an authentic expression of admiration.

 

[ROOOO]

Your subjects must hold very still!

 

[jaapv]

My last two lenses bought were 2.8 max aperture. Having ISO 800 and 1600 gives a stop. But while I have had some good shots at 1/6 or 1/15, I find that the M9 demands more stopping power and I often want 1/500 on the street. I can hold an M5 slower than any of my other Leicas. I don't as often succeed with very slow shutter speeds with the M9 shutter release.

The "soft" setting of the shutter release on the M9 turns it into something like a hair trigger. Highly recommended for slow speeds, together with careful camera-holding techniques.
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica.../130720-leica-m8-m8-2-m9-m9p.html#post1548925

 

[Richard G]

I sincerely covet and respect your extraordinary ability to avoid motion blur at 1/12 sec exposure times. I hope you believe I wrote that sentence as an authentic expression of admiration.

Here's 1/6s hand held. It's doable with the M9.

 

[Richard G]

Honestly, the C-Biogon is reason enough to avoid the dark holes where I shoot. Great lens. Good to hear you like it with your M9.

Agree about the balance of the M9, in landscape orientation. Portrait, not so good, for me anyway.

Helen Hill, who shoots film, likes that C Biogon so much she is happy to sacrifice one stop from f2 after dark where she often is.

 

[leicapixie]

Slow shutter speeds really are the realm of Leica-M.
Easier on non metering M's..Release is smoother.
I've done portraits at 1/8th and 1/15th on 90mm f2.8 Tele-Elmarit.Sure one out of 5 is reasonable.
so much for film being a slower better way.Yup!
It takes practice, a method and luck.
Use a small LED flashlight on body to see how much one shakes..
Better than using flash. You keep the light seen.
Go out and shoot, shoot.