Moving to Leica M Film, a good idea?

[wrenhunter]

Well, i decided to buy an M3 without meter. I really want to have the experience of shooting like 40 years ago with a nice camera.

Awesome! I just bought an M3 DS myself last month. My first Leica (though not my first RF). Good luck!

 

[David Hughes]

Well, they say memory goes before everything. I have not seen a K1000 in 42 years. More reasons to then buy the MR, which I already ordered and downloaded the manual in pdf. It is easy, indeed.

Now that you are here David. I have the Summicron 50/2 Rigid (my favorite 50 together with the Nikkor 50/1.4), not the DR. Will the Rigid work with the M3 correct? I will not the the closeup focussing, correct?

Hi,

Well, my guess is yes they go together but I've neither owned now used either of them so beware. As far as I know there are only 2 or 3(?) lenses that don't fit everything but I arrange my outfits as though they were bought at the time and so these issues don't arise.

As for the MR, if it's like my old MC only better (they say) then you'll enjoy it. At the back of what's left of my mind there's a question about the FoV of the MR and MC meters and what lens they match exactly but just what is beyond me. Sorry I'm not very helpful.

Regards, David

 

[pepeguitarra]

Awesome! I just bought an M3 DS myself last month. My first Leica (though not my first RF). Good luck!

I will get mine on Thursday, so, I will be busy on the weekend. I cannot waste shots like I do with the digitals. 🙁

 

[Penceler]

I used film cameras several years more than 40 years ago. About seven years ago, I got into the digital wave. After several brands, I settled on the best: Leica. I own an M8.u and an M9. However, I feel bad that I skipped the Leica film era and want to buy a Leica film camera. I have several questions before I buy something (I do not know much about film nowdays):
1) What camera do you recommend (keep in mind that my first camera wasa Pentax K1000 --all manual)
2) Will I be able to develop my own negatives? B&W and Color? Both, one, or none?
3) Will it be cheaper to send the film to the lab? What lab?
4) How do I transfer them into my computer? Do I have to scan them, or will the lab scan them for me?
5) How much should I expect to invest in the body, developing my own lab, sending to the lab, etc.
6) Am I crazy?
Thanks,
Pepe

1-M6 for all manual, ZI if you want automation
2-Yes - both (slides too!)
3-Depends on volume (more color = home, B&W always home). I use darkroom.com and avoid the scanning chore
4-See #3
5-1k (ish) for a top notch body; very clean. Slightly less giving up cosmetics, much less giving up age and metering.
6-Absolutely not. It would be crazy to not try film. You will either love it or hate it. Suspect very little middle ground. Shoot slow and think.

John

 

[robert blu]

Already many god answer.... I just add that yes, you are crazy (as I am) but crazy in that positive way which keeps us alive! Be crazy, be alive 🙂
robert

 

[dave lackey]

Harry;
You have me thinking a lot. However, after I retired, one of my two main "jobs" have been classical guitar making, which I started about 15 years ago. I make Spanish guitars the way they were made at the beginning of the XX Century, two or three hand tools. I tried reducing to only one, like most Mexican makers do, but I couldn't. Long time ago, I played golf, and only had one club, a 3 Wood (made of real wood). I showed up with one club to the games and people laughed until I started shooting. Eventually, I had to get a sand wedge because the 3W did not work well there. So, I think I will do OK with the M3. In the event it does not work out, then I will have to do something about it.🙂

Pepe,

May I ask a favor? Can you post some photos from your M3 along with photos of your guitars? I understand exactly where you are coming from and you have piqued my interest. Thanks!🙂

 

[pepeguitarra]

Pepe,

May I ask a favor? Can you post some photos from your M3 along with photos of your guitars? I understand exactly where you are coming from and you have piqued my interest. Thanks!🙂

I have not received the M3 yet. Here are some shots of my shop. I did photos of my guitars with a point and shoot, but I am not sure where they are. Googling me help you find some.

My guitar #120 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm f1.2 ASPH II by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm f1.2 ASPH II by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm f1.2 ASPH II by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Canon50-1.8-Guitar3-1 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Classical Guitar by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Guitarra Classica by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

I have also made some ukes:

Luthier by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

 

[dave lackey]

Hey, thanks!

A luthier! That seems like a nice way to enjoy working to me. I marvel at such work.🙂 🙂

 

[Trius]

I have not received the M3 yet. Here are some shots of my shop. I did photos of my guitars with a point and shoot, but I am not sure where they are. Googling me help you find some.

My guitar #120 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr
Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm f1.2 ASPH II by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr
Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm f1.2 ASPH II by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr
Voigtlander NOKTON 35mm f1.2 ASPH II by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr
Canon50-1.8-Guitar3-1 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr
Classical Guitar by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr
Guitarra Classica by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

I have also made some ukes:
Luthier by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

Yes, but where are the hurdygurdys? :angel::angel:

 

[pepeguitarra]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Louvet_Drehleier.JPG

This is the first time I hear that word. I googled and found this at Wikipedia. I have not made on of those.......yet.

 

[pepeguitarra]

Here is my M3 - C, L, A, perfectly smooth!

Here is my M3 - C, L, A, perfectly smooth!

Leica M3 by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr

 

[michaelwj]

^^^
Looks like it has another 50 years of service to give!
Enjoy!

 

[Mute-on]

What a beauty! Congratulations Pepe 🙂


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ColColt]

Beautiful copy of one of Leica's best. It looks much like my M2.


_1DF3975a by David Fincher, on Flickr

 

[pepeguitarra]

Beautiful copy of one of Leica's best. It looks much like my M2.
_1DF3975a by David Fincher, on Flickr

Nice camera David. I may end up getting and M2 also. There is a darkroom.dm lab in San Clemente, CA. Is that a good place to send the film for developing?

 

[wrenhunter]

Great looking camera, enjoy!

 

[mkvrnn]

Today, I believe digital is the only way to go with photography. To me, the medium offers several advantages over film from the moment of capture, process with a computer and a multitude of ways to view. And its features and benefits has caught up and, in many ways, surpasses film.

I do use film for black and white and have a darkroom but, in my mind, it reminds me of when I was young, nostalgia. And I have darkroom stuff I kept around since the 1960's.

If you use film and have it scanned then you have digital files made from your film. Isn't something lost in the transition?

If you're going to use film, I recommend to carry the process all the way, develop the film, use an analog darkroom or find a lab that will. Darkroom black and white prints still look wonderful to me. It's just, for me, film and especially the darkroom is kind of a pita.

Most labs use color paper to print black and white digital files unless, of course, it's ink jet and those prints are close but no cigar yet.

May I suggest that the money you would spend on buying film gear be allocated on taking workshops that focus on the basics of photography. I believe they are posing, lighting & composition. Workshops that have hands on tasks, reviews with recommendations on how to do better, then go out and try to do better again and again. When I was active in the Twin Cities PPA affiliate, we had a workshop every month! Print competition, once a year and it was designed to be a learning experience for each maker.

The best piece of equipment is the person looking through the viewfinder! That's where I'd spend my money, on that important piece of gear!

My thoughts. Hope they help you.

Well said Bill. That is the first post on this site that has really made me stop and think, so thank you.

As for Pepe, we don't need to worry about him. He has already chosen to spend his time in the one of the most satisfying ways possible, by making things. And what could be more satisfying to create then musical instruments, and acoustic guitars in particular. I'm sure he will continue to take most of his photos digitally as most of us do, but he will appreciate the craftsmanship in the most iconic Leica of all, the M3, even if he rarely uses it. He might re-discover the pleasures of actually making prints in the darkroom, and he sounds like a man who will enjoy the creative process rather than becoming bogged down by obsessions with framelines, TTL metering or other irrelevant technicalities.

 

[fer_fdi]

Well, i decided to buy an M3 without meter. I really want to have the experience of shooting like 40 years ago with a nice camera. If after my first few rolls, I cannot show progress, I may get a light meter. Unfortunately, I have the Summicrons 50/2 & 35/2, but not the one with the goggles, so I cannot get close ups. Any advice on what films should I try and where to get them? Thanks, Pepe.

Pepe, do you live in Spain like me? send me a PM for film and labs if you like
I just restarted with film but I made my findings and I'd be happy to share them if it can be of any help

 

[CSG123]

I love Leica cameras and own an early M4 (late 1966) with a 1957 era DR Summicron 5CM f/2 lens. I also have my old Jashica J rangefinder from high school back in the 60's, a Retina IIIc, a Minolta 7s II, and Olympus OM-1's from the old days. The only reason I shoot film anymore is because these cameras are not cameras unless they are used. I can develop film at the local college but I only scan it; no wet printing for me anymore.

 

[pepeguitarra]

I just got an M2

I just got an M2

This is crazy, I bought an M2 too. I am ordering the tank and the stuff needed to develop the film in the kitchen. I am considering a scanner or a enlarger, but not sure I have to wait for results first.

The M3 is such a good camera, the 50mm frame jumps at you. It is helping me break up the habit I got with digital photo: No to use the frames because "I could always crop later on". However, the cost of film, and the time involved is slowing me down and helping in the process to be more selective of the subject, as well as composition in the frame.