M9 + Sports + Spring Weather

[Pioneer]

I have been asked to be the photographer for my granddaughter's softball team this spring. I normally shoot film but since the parents will be expecting a reasonably quick turn around I am seriously considering using my M9.

Now I know that Leica is no longer considered the best camera for sports but this was not always true. I have actually shot a lot of soccer, softball and baseball with my Leica cameras, M & Barnack, so I know it can be done. Understanding the sport and anticipating the action is more than half the battle. The rest is timing and a bit of luck. I am confident the M9 can do the job.

My concern is really more about weather and the M9's ability to handle rain, sleet and snow and keep on shooting. The M3 and M6 have survived the occasional confrontation with weather but if things got too bad I could put them away until it got more pleasant. This will be a first for me with a digital Leica and I am a bit concerned.

My questions are; A) Can the Leica M9 be expected to stand up to the occasional weather event? B) If so, which lenses should I consider using for this? Finally; C) What should I do in advance to help ensure success?

I am always interested in hearing war stories and/or personal advice around sports photography with the Leica but I am more concerned about rain and snow than I am with capturing the shot. I realize that 13 year old Girl's Softball is not the Pros, but it can be just as much fun. I appreciate all your feedback.

Enjoy the weekend.

 

[rscheffler]

Wow, this could be a challenging assignment with a rangefinder. I agree though, that sports are not impossible to shoot this way. You just have to be well positioned and look for non-standard shots.

I think a challenge will be how close you'll be allowed to areas such as home plate and whether you can be in the team's bench area. Batter shots are probably the most controllable. You can prefocus and just try to time it for ball on bat contact. Outfield and action on the bases will be more difficult. I'd probably try to get as much as possible during warm-ups, if there are any. Also don't overlook stuff happening around the bench, where you'll probably be much closer.

As for wet weather... I think the M9 can generally handle it OK. I've shot with mine in freezing conditions with blowing snow, as well as humid near freezing. Other than my collection of batteries being on the old side and not holding up well, the biggest problem was the viewfinder eyepiece fogging up. I'd suggest bringing a couple smaller absorbent towels to keep in the bag or pockets. When the camera's not in use, you can keep one resting on top of it to absorb any water, then quickly tuck into a pocket when there's some action. Saves having to pull the camera out of the bag numerous times. I've read that the cable release socket is a possible entry point for water into the camera body, so I'd want to keep it covered. It could be as simple as a piece of tape, or a soft release, etc. I've also read somewhere that Leica's of the opinion that their lenses don't really need additional weather sealing due to the tight construction tolerances and the sufficient helicoid lubrication. If you do end up shooting in wet weather, it will probably be wise to put any affected lenses beside a furnace vent or some other source of warm, dry air to pull out any moisture that does make it into the lens.

If it was me though, I'd be reaching for my DSLR system... just for the convenience of the longer lens options, AF, etc... but would still bring the Leica for off field action.

 

[Pioneer]

Thanks for the feedback on the weather resistance properties of the M9. This is the biggest thing that bothers me.

As for dslrs being better suited for action shooting I appreciate your feedback there as well. However, I myself have mixed feelings. I realize that professionally photographing pro and college sports push people toward the dslr since it is a bit easier. But I kind of feel that the M9 is also quite capable in the hands of someone who understands the game.

Besides, if it doesn't work out I can always sell the M9 and try to find a dslr that may work. 🙂

But, I certainly don't want to destroy the M9 by shooting in bad weather so your experience certainly helps with that concern.

Have a great weekend and I hope you have great shooting weather.

 

[Richard G]

I've used the M9 for rowing and basketball and got some good shots of each. For rowing I've used a 50 for the slow row back from the end of the race, and a 90 or 135 and a monopod for the races. I haven't used longer than 90 for basketball and used the 50 a lot too. The only other sports I've done is soccer with an OM and 200 and I much prefer RF manual focussing. I found with basketball the short shutter lag and the lack of mirror blackout added to my confidence that I got the shot. Following Mitch Alland's idea I'd use ISO 640 Max and might underexpose slightly to get a very fast shutter speed. You'll want at least double the shutter speed you're comfortable with for film.

 

[Takkun]

With sports, as with wildlife, the longer the better. I got away shooting a lot of high school soccer, with a lot of cropping, with an 80-200 Nikkor. Obviously, that'll be the limiting factor for an RF and not the focusing; truth be told, there's a lot of times I'd have preferred manual focus over trying to figure out an 80-something-zone AF system.
Try the 135 Tele-Elmarit with the optics and make sure the optics are pretty well-aligned. Having an enlarged finder image, especially with the low-magnification finder of the digitals, will really help.
As for weather? Garbage bags. Not the most elegant solution, but the cheapest and most versatile. Keep your camera bag in one. Keep your camera in one, and cut out some holes. I wouldn't put my lenses near a furnace, per se, but maybe get a bag of desiccant from the hardware store and (once again) keep my gear in a trash bag with some when I get back.

 

[thegman]

I would say that while the M9 is not a weather sealed camera, and the lenses certainly are not, I think it's going to depend on your definition of 'weather'. A bit of a light shower I'm sure would be OK, a thundering downpour, well, it's quite possible it'll be fine, but I wouldn't risk it, myself. Unless insurance covered it of course.

I think if I was going to make a habit of this kind of work, I'd get a Pentax DSLR or maybe a Nikon pro film SLR.

 

[Pioneer]

Thanks. I seriously doubt the game will be allowed to continue during a full on downpour, and I would certainly protect it from that kind of rain, but I have stood out in drizzly weather that lasted pretty much an entire game.

I'll be covering my first game this evening but it is pretty warm with no rain in sight. I will certainly be able to test my camera skills but shouldn't have to worry about getting anything wet.

I'll try to post a few shots tomorrow if I can get some time to download them.