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[nitrox1]

New member checking in.

Fairly new to Leica's. I have an M7 and a 50 cron. Sold all my old Nikon gear for the Leica kit. Chrome body and lens. I shoot BW400CN mostly and enjoy the results I'm getting plus the convenience.

Got my eyes on a couple more lenses this year and possibly an MP as a second body.

Excited as heck about the M8, but will wait a couple years for the bugs to get shaken out before making that plunge.

Will mostly be a lurker as I don't have too much expertease to share re. rangefinder photography, but am enjoying reading and learning.

Thank you,
John...

 

[MP Guy]

Welcome aboard. You don't have to be an expert to contribute 🙂 Just enjoy the site and share your thoughts and photo experience 🙂

 

[sleepyhead]

Hi John, welcome. ANY experience with the M7 is more than I have!
---sleepyhead

 

[nitrox1]

Thanks for the welocomes guys.

Sleepyhead, here's my experience so far with the M7.

I am of the personality type that I am very much into well made, precision stuff.
Nikon SLR was my camera of choice for years because at the time it was the best I could afford. After discovering I could now afford Leica, I checked it out.

Build construction is something to behold. Solid, and fairly heavy for it's size.
The lens is a pure joy to attatch to the camera and focus. Loading the film is unorthadox for this newbie, but I've quickly learned how to do it and realize the benefits to the Leica system of film loading.

Framing and shooting with a RF vs. SLR is night and day to me. SLR now feels like I'm looking through a paper towel tube. RF feels open. My pictures are better because of it. Leica lenses also have a totally different look to me than the Nikons and aftermarkets I used to use. I get compliments on my photos now.

The electronics in the M7 have been stable for me so far. I am not averse to the fact that the M7 is electronically controlled, and believe it may actually end up being a more stable body in the long run., However, I do love all mechanical devices, so an MP will certainly be in my future.

I love the AE mode of the M7 as I am so used to shooting in that mode with my old SLR's.

That's it so far. Haven't really fooled the meter yet, my stuff is in focus, my family and friends love the photos, and I enjoy the hell out of just holding, let alone using, my Leica camera. Soon I will sell off all the rest of my Nikon digital gear and go 100% Leica. My eventual goal will be MP, M7, M8 and 4 or 5 lenses.

Thanks for the welcome guys,
John...

 

[Fred]

Welcome indeed sir, I also stumbled forth from SLR kit to RF with the M7 and also felt a change in my photography (for the better I hope). I also shoot with the Bessas when out and an about on the bike and although not Leica are pretty fine for my ability. Love using the M7 though.

 

[pesphoto]

welcome, post some pics when youve got 'em

 

[egpj]

Welcome aboard! If you love finely crafted mechanical devices then the MP will definitely be on the list of must haves. What lenses were you looking to purchase?

 

[MadMan2k]

Just think how much you'll like the photos when you start using good B&W film, too 😀

Why not one of the meterless cameras next, like the M3? It seems to me that would be more of a compliment to an M7 than an MP would, but if you like buying new you'd need a time machine.

 

[colyn]

Welcome to the nut ward....

 

[egpj]

Just think how much you'll like the photos when you start using good B&W film, too 😀

Why not one of the meterless cameras next, like the M3? It seems to me that would be more of a compliment to an M7 than an MP would, but if you like buying new you'd need a time machine.

Could grab the bull by the horns and get an MP3 kit.😀 😛

 

[peter_n]

Welcome John! 🙂 I took the same route, Nikon SLR to (in my case) an M6TTL and then on to my M7s. I also had the same experience - tunnel vision to clarity. 😀 Pretty soon you'll be developing your own film and printing it!

 

[nitrox1]

Hi guys. 35mm summicron is next on my lens list. Then probably a 90.

The MP 3 kit sure is sweet, but I'll most likely get a regular MP, chrome of course. No hurry, but Leicas have really become something that I love. My M7 is pure joy to use.

I may suck as a photographer, but I smile inside everytime I get to use my camera.

I'm sure my results would be better using better film, but for now I've actually been happy with the c41 bw film. Doubt I'll ever do the darkroom thing at home, so convienience in development is key for me to shoot a lot of film.

Thanks for the warm welcome guys, and remember back when you first "discovered" Leica...

John

 

[Rafael]

Welcome to the forum John. 35-50-90 makes for a great kit. Those are my three "take everywhere" lenses. There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum who will certainly be willing to offer advice or opinions to help with your future purchases. In the meantime, enjoy your 50. I am still often amazed at just how much one can do with that one focal length.

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

I'm not really new to this forum, I've been glancing over it for the past year or so. I just bought my first RF, a Leica M6 .72 with a 50mm Summicron. I'm so in love. I just got tired of the two Nikon F3's I own and decided to do something I've always wanted to do, shoot an RF. Now I carry it with me everywhere. I can't wait to develop the first roll and scan it. This is a spiritual experience for me.