geejay
Member
HI,
being a newb to this forum and relatively new to rangefinders only about two years exprience with a Bessa R2.
Although using SLRs since the early 1980s starting with a Canon A1 through to the EOS 40D my current DSLR i'am starting to tire of the weight of the camera plus all the paraphernalia associated with it
I love the freedom the Bessa brings to my photography but like all things in life you always yearn for something better.
So my question is -
1. Do i replace my Canon with (it will have to go to help finance the Leica) with a used M8 or
2. Do i go for a new MP or M7?
I would appreciate your experience and anwers on any of these cameras thanks.
being a newb to this forum and relatively new to rangefinders only about two years exprience with a Bessa R2.
Although using SLRs since the early 1980s starting with a Canon A1 through to the EOS 40D my current DSLR i'am starting to tire of the weight of the camera plus all the paraphernalia associated with it
I love the freedom the Bessa brings to my photography but like all things in life you always yearn for something better.
So my question is -
1. Do i replace my Canon with (it will have to go to help finance the Leica) with a used M8 or
2. Do i go for a new MP or M7?
I would appreciate your experience and anwers on any of these cameras thanks.
swoop
Well-known
MP, M7 and M8 all cost the same brand new now.
Go for the M8. You may get more use out of it since it's digital. And yes the entire setup will weigh much less than your 40D. I carry an M8 and three lenses on assignment and my shoulders are fine.
Keep in mind that working with a rangefinder isn't a matter of focusing differently. It's a completely different approach. Prime lenses. Minimum focusing distances of about 3ft. Manual focusing. Different handling. Trouble finding a bag small enough to carry it all. The speculation that you're not a "professional" with such a dinky camera.
A rangefinder is a novelty to some. But when it's all you have and you have so much invested in the system it becomes a way of life with drawbacks you have to become adjusted to.
Currently I'm longing for an MP.
Go for the M8. You may get more use out of it since it's digital. And yes the entire setup will weigh much less than your 40D. I carry an M8 and three lenses on assignment and my shoulders are fine.
Keep in mind that working with a rangefinder isn't a matter of focusing differently. It's a completely different approach. Prime lenses. Minimum focusing distances of about 3ft. Manual focusing. Different handling. Trouble finding a bag small enough to carry it all. The speculation that you're not a "professional" with such a dinky camera.
A rangefinder is a novelty to some. But when it's all you have and you have so much invested in the system it becomes a way of life with drawbacks you have to become adjusted to.
Currently I'm longing for an MP.
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stkorn
Member
it seems to me that you first have to answer whether you want to shoot film or digital. Then it becomes a much easier choice.
user237428934
User deletion pending
I like my M8 really much but it's not as versatile as my 40D. I always switch between these two cameras. If I had to choose only one of them I would drop the M8. Think twice before you sell the 40D. You might regret it in a few month.
b.espahbod
Optophile
Rules of the game in rangefinder are different if you dont focus your investment in correct direction you endup having an attic of canons nikons and leicas!!! i prefer srl for medium format.
first let us know which angles and with what media (digtial or chemical) you want to shoot?
first let us know which angles and with what media (digtial or chemical) you want to shoot?
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szekiat
Well-known
the 40D puts food on the table, the m8 keeps me sane
b.espahbod
Optophile
i guess u meant insane
Zonan
Well-known
Good arguments on both sides. One issue that drove me back to film was the incessant cost of upgrading digital. If you get M8, won't you need an M8.2, then an M9 and then an M10 if that's the Full-frame version, and on and on (not even discussing the software updates, more powerful computers to access new software features, etc). If you can afford it, digital is fine, but those cameras won't last anywhere as long as an M7 or MP. Wit an M7/MP and good glass, you're set for a long, long time. YMMV.
photogdave
Shops local
IF you don't need to earn a living from it, get a film M. Much more zen!
whickus
Established
i sold all my canon stuff in order to get the m7 and a few lenses so that's my vote, but the mp is definitely a classy camera. if you buy used, the m7 is the cheaper of the 3 and there's no reason not to buy a used leica. with a leica you'll probably never find yourself in a situation where a warranty would make life easier. first decide film or digital, then decide ae metering vs manual and you'll have your answer.
peter_n
Veteran
I use both M7 and MP but not the M8 (too much of a pain in the neck). Between M7 and MP if you have a requirement for very accurate exposures, for example shooting slides, get the M7 because it has aperture priority automatic exposure which is very accurate. If you shoot negative film an MP is fine. Both are really excellent bodies and will provide many years of service.
qruyk12
Established
Look at the forums, find the best repair people, ask them which one they would pick. Only if reliability matters of course. i had an M6 M7 and own a MP. i wish I had my M6 to backup my MP....... Enough said.. I am sure I will be abused now..
wt67
Member
I am partial to film so I would choose the MP. On the plus side, there is nothing that needs to be upgraded. Leica is not likely to come out with a more advanced film camera. And the MP will last forever - or as long as there is film, whichever comes first. But you need to decide whether you want digital or film.
calexg
Established
MP is the answer if you're any bit interested in real photography. Go without automation.
jke
Well-known
MP is also the answer if you are interested in resale value. And quite a few people sell their Leicas within several years of buying them, so resale value is not a silly thing to think about. M7s are good cameras - I have two. But they don't hold their value like an MP.
But if you are entertaining a career in photography, then build your Canon kit. Later when you are flush & famous, you can get the camera that will keep you sane.
An M8.3 or something.
But if you are entertaining a career in photography, then build your Canon kit. Later when you are flush & famous, you can get the camera that will keep you sane.
An M8.3 or something.
geejay
Member
Thanks everybody for your input .
I have a Panasonic LX3 for digital that suits my needs.
I feel the need to get back to film so its a toss up between the M7 or MP.
Thanks again to all who answerd
I have a Panasonic LX3 for digital that suits my needs.
I feel the need to get back to film so its a toss up between the M7 or MP.
Thanks again to all who answerd
notturtle
Well-known
M7 - very practical for those who like AE (more important to those shooting slide film)
MP - arguably the finest Leica film body ever made. If you do not need or want AE, this is such a great camera with wonderful feel, minimalistic, smooth as hell, etc. All mechanical so if you are going to keep it for 20 years, this might feature in the decision. I fancy getting mechanical repairs done more happily than electrical ones (at a sane cost anyway). Al comes down to AE. If you need it, the M7 is the only choice. I personally far prefer the MP over the M7, but then again I do not want or need AE. If you will ever own or use older Ms, the dials on the Mp go the same way. If you go M7, only the M6TTL (and M8) has dials going the same way if you ever want to buy other bodies. There is no wrong choice, only the right one for you.
I shoot a fair bit of street/conflict environment photography (monochrome only) and the M7 might seem the more sensible choice, but oddly enough, I get far better exposures working entirely without AE. The meter wont twitch if i round a building primarily in shadow and there is a patch of sun to throw the meter up. I lock in a good shadow based exposure and therefore get the shadows I need. I print down highlights, flash the paper or reduce development, but either way, the shadows are there. I just adjust periodically depending on changing light, but sunshine hot spots, sunlit light buildings, backlighting etc are far less of a problem than with AE. This is a personal persepctive, but it works for me. I get more consistent exposures this way than working with the AE on an EOS 3/1n HS...... and that is saying something (monochorme). It forces you to undertand the light and know what you are metering and why.
MP - arguably the finest Leica film body ever made. If you do not need or want AE, this is such a great camera with wonderful feel, minimalistic, smooth as hell, etc. All mechanical so if you are going to keep it for 20 years, this might feature in the decision. I fancy getting mechanical repairs done more happily than electrical ones (at a sane cost anyway). Al comes down to AE. If you need it, the M7 is the only choice. I personally far prefer the MP over the M7, but then again I do not want or need AE. If you will ever own or use older Ms, the dials on the Mp go the same way. If you go M7, only the M6TTL (and M8) has dials going the same way if you ever want to buy other bodies. There is no wrong choice, only the right one for you.
I shoot a fair bit of street/conflict environment photography (monochrome only) and the M7 might seem the more sensible choice, but oddly enough, I get far better exposures working entirely without AE. The meter wont twitch if i round a building primarily in shadow and there is a patch of sun to throw the meter up. I lock in a good shadow based exposure and therefore get the shadows I need. I print down highlights, flash the paper or reduce development, but either way, the shadows are there. I just adjust periodically depending on changing light, but sunshine hot spots, sunlit light buildings, backlighting etc are far less of a problem than with AE. This is a personal persepctive, but it works for me. I get more consistent exposures this way than working with the AE on an EOS 3/1n HS...... and that is saying something (monochorme). It forces you to undertand the light and know what you are metering and why.
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geejay
Member
Thanks notturtle for your insights on the M7 Vs MP.
I don,t need AE for my photography as my Bessa R2 is manual only.
The idear of having full control over the camera appeals to me more and more
these days.
So it will be the MP for me.
Thanks again for your input
I don,t need AE for my photography as my Bessa R2 is manual only.
The idear of having full control over the camera appeals to me more and more
these days.
So it will be the MP for me.
Thanks again for your input
Debusti Paolo
Well-known
the MP (used or new)will be your lifetime camera! I think you can buy a used mp and then re-sale it without loosing much money....of course a Leica should be a FILM camera,i think.....