New to Leica, new to Rangefinder, new to just about everything!

Roger, I think your latest column in AP speaks volumes about the reason I wish to change to an M7. I don't yet know enough about photography to make use of all functions of the D70 and indeed, I was baffled by most. I am not saying the D70 is not a good camera, far from it I am absolutely sure it is excellent, but my limited ability does not allow me to get the most out of it. Likewise I will not be able to get anything like like the most out of the M7 but I hope I will learn and progress a little quicker and enjoy the experience more.
 
The deed is done, M7 with 50mm F2 should arrive tomorrow. All lI have to do now is think about a scanner that I can't afford either :D
 
Congratulations! Leica M is the best learning tool and you'll be happy with your results :)
Try the Minolta 5400 scanner!
 
Congratulations!

Well done on a top purchase. You'll be burning a few film rolls very soon. The 50 Sumicron is a little gem. I'd suggest getting a spare front lens cap as the sliding hood on mine sometimes knocks it off.

I think that you'll be startled at how people ignore you when you use it in busy areas, they just think its a cheap point and shoot, not something that arguably carries the pinnacle of optical quality. No more odd expressions you might get when usins an SLR.

You'll be more startled as the clarity of the optics, just remember to focus, it's very easy to forget when moving from an AF SLR.

Don't forget to register it and visit Leica UK in Milton Keynes.

Post a few test shots sometime.
 
Many thanks for all the replies, I am really looking forward to tomorrow. I will take some time to get to your standard Fred but then I might feel able to post a few pictures. I am looking at this Minolta 5400II scanner as you suggest Jaap it looks excellent and I will probably go with it, but, does anyone know of one with a Firewire connection for a Mac?
 
Congratulations on the M7 purchase.
I know you will be happy with your new system. As for the firewire thing. Do you have an older mac with USB 1.1? If you have the newer USB 2.0 then you would be better off using the newer USB connection (2.0). I have a 17" Powerbook hooked up to a Belkin 7 port USB hub. All my USB devices are then hooked up to the hub. That includes my scanner which is a Nikon Super Coolscan 5000 ED. I know the Nikon 9000 scanner has both firewire and USB but that sucker is expensive! And you do not need the ability to scan medium format. I think Pacific Imaging sells units that work off of Firewire.

All the photos in my Gallery were scanned with the Nikon Super Coolscan 5000ED.
 
All the images will be scanned onto my desktop G5 which has USB2 and firewire (if there are any worth scanning!). I thought the firewire would be much faster but maybe not perhaps USB2 is fast enough? Just reading the Leica M7 Handbook by Jonathan Eastland, quite informative but it will be better when I have the camera.
 
All my colour scans are from Velvia slide using an 'old' Nikon Coolscan 4, not as fast or as good as the Collscan 5 I gather. The new Minolta Llotse mention is on my shopping list at some point as it's better dynamic range works better with slides.

All my B&W stuff I scan from prints (printed the old wet way by hand in the old darkroom...a.k.a. the Kitchen).

I remember when I was waiting for my M7, I was going around like a dog with two tails... and I still am!
 
After doing some research it would appear the version 1 of the Minolta 5400 has firewire, version 2 does not. Thank you Minolta :rolleyes: Maybe I should buy version one and save some money :) anyone know about the difference in the quality of the finished scan between the two?
 
I run it on USB2 and find that that is fast enough if I adjust my workflow i.e. start the first scan, get my coffee,start the second scan, do my Photoshop on the first that has just finished, start the third, do my Photoshop on the second etc ad infinitum.....
 
I have never used Version 1 but do use Version II. Damien (on AP) reckons that the new version is faster, easier to use and generally all round better. I believe Morgan Computer may have the Version I cheap. They did; whether they still do, I don't know.

Cheers,

Roger.
 
M7 arrived yesterday but I did not get home until after midnight having picked up relatives from the airport. Of course the camera has had to take back seat whilst I entertain the relatives :( but initial impressions are of superb packaging, amazing build quality (would not like to drop it on my toe!) and it is exceedingly beautiful. Haven't even got a film in it yet but I am going to Boulogne for a few days on Monday so it will accompany me :)
 
Congratulations on your new arrival :)

Given that you have some bods over for a while it would give you the ideal opportunity to try it out. Just pop a film in and tell people that you think there is a fault with it and thet you need to test the shutter, they pull the most daft expressions for a giggle.

So pop it to the local lab and really see that clarity...of daft expressions. :D

Have a cracking time away.

Have fun.
 
Congratulations llotse! Takes me back a couple of months to when mine arrived. I was so excited I took a couple of quick snaps of the cam just out of the box and posted in the "waiting for the mail?" thread. You will love the camera I guarantee it! :)

 
I gave away all my digital rabish (20D+ lenses, flashs etc) and payed some extra to get my M7 kit and a bit later the 2/35cron asph. I did never regret this. Also bought I a Nikon CoolScan VED but will replace this thing now by a new enlarger with a multigrade head.
A good flat bed scan will do for my internet photos and I prefere by far a good "real" photo than a scanned negative
 
Well here we are two rolls of film later and not yet been to the lab but going tomorrow. I must say I am not expecting great things as yet, I know for a fact I got a good picture of the inside of the lens cap on at least one occasion :bang: I found it more difficult than I thought but strangely enjoyed the experience although at times I wished for my departed FM3A. Rogers book has arrived today so hopefully that will help with a few tips. One more question if I may, I have just received the Leicavit and think it will be of little use to me. I think I may sell it on the bay in order to finance another lens. Is this something I will live to regret?
 
Just for the record folks, USB 2 is currently faster than Firewire 1 OR 2! Even though I am an Apple-certified Systems Engineer (retired last year), even dedicated MacHeads like me prefer USB 2. Either way is okay; USB 2 is a bit less "finicky" for the average user.
Rob "MacDaddy" White (now you know where the MacDaddy came from!)
 
Maybe not, once you've loaded the film it has to stay on the camera for the duration of the film as it replaces the bottom plate.

I sort of wanted one after trying one out in Milton Keynes Leica UK, but can't really think of the need in normal use. The added size and weight is something that I'm not willing to live with day to day either. Maybe if I had one I'd change my mind. You can wind on without moving the camera away from the eye with it fitted which I guess is fine in a studio.

It may well serve you better as a help for new glass. Get an estimate on a part exchange deal. I'd recommend a 35mm cron if you can afford it.
 
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