Ramblings of a new Leica user

[BudGreen]

Mine is a familiar story. I’d been taking pictures casually for years using ever-more automated SLRs, but was never entirely satisfied with the results or the process. Last year I bought a digital camera thinking that the immediate feedback would be helpful, but mostly it just made me lazy. My quest for a camera that would take better pictures finally ended when it dawned on me that it was not the camera that was responsible for the pictures, it was me. All of the features that were supposed to make it easy were actually preventing me from learning the craft.

Eventually I stumbled upon rangefinderform.com and of course, the rangefinder camera. A few weeks ago, after lurking on this forum for some time, I bought a new Leica M7 and an Elmar 2.8/50mm lens. This camera has rekindled my interest in photography. I’ve shot more rolls of film in the past six weeks than the previous six years. I’m now taking a photography class and developing my own film. Since my initial purchase, I’ve added some new lenses including a Noctilux and a 24mm ASPH. The results of my first rolls are in my gallery for anyone would care to take a look. All feedback, positive and negative is welcome.

I’d like to thank everybody who has contributed their considerable knowledge and experience to this forum. My hope is that over time, I will be able to return at least some of it.

 

[dcsang]

Whoa..
Welcome aboard Bud.. and ... man.. NICE gear.

I thought the new M7 and Elmar was a great combo and then I noted you bought a Noctilux and 24mm ASPH... out of curiosity; did you just win the powerball? 😉

I would concur with your statement regarding features etc. Don't get me wrong; I use those features when necessary, such as photographing a wedding or event or if I need to shoot really close up but for the most part, they will, I admit, sometimes limit the creativity.

Please continue to contribute 🙂 Don't just lurk ya hear? 😀

Cheers
Dave

 

[former member]

Congratulations on the New Leica, and welcome aboard.

Noctilux.... cool.

 

[former member]

> Please continue to contribute Don't just lurk ya hear?

Dave would really like you to contribute to this link:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19978


And feel at home, please.

 

[dcsang]

> Please continue to contribute Don't just lurk ya hear?

Dave would really like you to contribute to this link:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19978


And feel at home, please.

Brian.. don't give Bud any ideas !! 😀

Dave

 

[back alley]

welcome bud and yes, very nice gear!

 

[BudGreen]

I would concur with your statement regarding features etc. Don't get me wrong; I use those features when necessary, such as photographing a wedding or event or if I need to shoot really close up but for the most part, they will, I admit, sometimes limit the creativity.
Dave

It's more of a mindset issue for me. I'f they're there, I'll over-use them. You'll notice though that I went for the M7 and not the MP or used M3, So I'm a bit of a hypocrite in that regard. 😉

 

[dcsang]

It's more of a mindset issue for me. I'f they're there, I'll over-use them. You'll notice though that I went for the M7 and not the MP or used M3, So I'm a bit of a hypocrite in that regard. 😉

hehe.. I totally understand; you have to be "weaned" off of that stuff 🙂
You can't go "cold turkey" 😀

I started with the Bessa R3A and then went to the M3 and then the M6 😀

Cheers
Dave

 

[SteveM_NJ]

Welcome,
Guess I must be a glutton for punishment -- ( no auto anything, no meter, etc, etc,) M3.

(but I do have bunches of SLR - auto everythings, ( but I like to just turn the features off now and then too)


Welcome !

 

[a.black]

So I'm a bit of a hypocrite in that regard. 😉

Don't worry, there will be a meterless camera down your path, if your story continues this way.
Welcome, and very nice gear indeed.

adam

WAIT, has anybody noticed that he only talks of ONE body. Some GAS, quick. 😀

 

[BudGreen]

There's no doubt that my skill-to-gear ratio is a bit lopsided right now. I'm working on it, and I don't mean by buying more gear. 😉 Thanks for all the warm welcomes.

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum Bud! 🙂 Good stuff in your gallery - I really liked the portrait of the woman - very well seen and caught! I too have an M7 and an Elmar 50/2.8, a wonderful combination. I have a Summilux but I'm beginning to wonder about a Noctilux as well. Maybe later on this year... 😉 A warning: one thing that did happen to me after I bought my first M7 (a 0.85 mag body) was that I had to get another one. Just so that you know...

 

[stric]

Similar experience here

Similar experience here

I worked with automatic SLRs for years, but about 2-3 years ago I bought Bessa R2. I noticed that I was more intrigued by photography and I belive I developed some of the best pictures during that period. My Nikon, although an excellent automatic SLR, started to fade and Voigtlaender started growing closer to me.
About 3-4 weeks ago I bought my Leica MP and things only got better. I can't get enough of it. There is something about its quiet operation, ceremonial film loading and retro style. I am pumping out about 2 rolls of film a week. This mechanical wonder makes me eager to take pictures. The more eager I am the better they seem.
I dunno. Maybe it's just me. And as far as digital goes, I will buy it one day. Digital cameras... I must admit they offer an incredible convenience and I find them quite useful when I need to post pictures on eBay (I borrow my buddy's Canon for that purpose). Granted, I've seen some incredily good digital pictures. But they look too "crisp". That texture and softness are missing and that all familiar unintentional blemish of analg cameras too. I am not saying that they are bad... they are simply different and so am I.
For now, I'll stick to 35mm. I like good, old proven things that work. Just like mechanical watches and fountain pens. These "old technologies" are quite charming... and for them to survive... they'd better be darn good🙂

 

[BudGreen]

Good stuff in your gallery - I really liked the portrait of the woman - very well seen and caught! I too have an M7 and an Elmar 50/2.8, a wonderful combination. I have a Summilux but I'm beginning to wonder about a Noctilux as well. Maybe later on this year...

Thanks for the encouraging words Peter! This is the first time I've shared my work with anyone besides the immediate family, so it's great to hear. Yep, the Noctilux is a great tool to have. For me it comes out when I must have that F1.0 and I'm shooting relatively stationary objects as the focus is pretty touchy at that aperture. The Elmar is my general walking-around lens and it's on my camera most of the time.

A warning: one thing that did happen to me after I bought my first M7 (a 0.85 mag body) was that I had to get another one. Just so that you know...

I'm almost afraid to ask, but how and when does that second body come in handy?

 

[BudGreen]

About 3-4 weeks ago I bought my Leica MP and things only got better. I can't get enough of it. There is something about its quiet operation, ceremonial film loading and retro style. I am pumping out about 2 rolls of film a week. This mechanical wonder makes me eager to take pictures. The more eager I am the better they seem.

I agree with your post 100%, including your take on digital. Since buying my M7 I never leave the house without it and it's not unusual for me to wear it around the house so as not to miss those opportunities that come and go in a heartbeat.

 

[ywenz]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but how and when does that second body come in handy?

Load up two different films in two bodies, one fast for indoors, one slow for outdoors.
I can name a bunch of other scenarios too.

 

[Rico]

...
I'm almost afraid to ask, but how and when does that second body come in handy?

Greetings, fellow Evanstonian! Sounds like your RF spirit is well kindled. In the matter of two bodies, another use is keeping two lenses primed for action. I own a solitary M, but usually pair it with a Contax T3. With 800 ASA loaded in the latter, I can handle low light (and no light) with its AF, and also enjoy the use of flash.

 

[rpsawin]

Bud,

Welcome to the Forum....and congrat's on the gear! To answer your question about back up bodies I often shoot with my M6 and Konica Hexar. The M6 is always loaded with B&W and the Hexar is loaded with color transperancy. I have an M2 but I personally find it best used by itself as the shooting style (at least the way I shoot with it) is different enough from the M6 to be bothersome when switching between the two....FWIW

Best Regards,

Bob

 

[Alec]

Welcome Bud, keep enjoying all that stuff and sharing the proceeds!

... it's not unusual for me to wear it around the house so as not to miss those opportunities that come and go in a heartbeat.

Now that's a serious condition. Even *I* don't do that, er... I mean not that often. 😀

That M7 is all too electronic still. I can foresee the following roadmap: M7 -> M6 -> M2/3 -> Barnack -> FSU cameras. In my personal history, the second [Leica] body only came 18 months after the first, but you seem in a more acute state, so start saving now. 😉

 

[peter_n]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but how and when does that second body come in handy?

Well you've got some great suggestions already, but here's how I use mine: The 2nd M7 is a 0.72 mag, so I use that for lenses <=35mm and the 0.85 mag for lenses >=50mm.

I'm working on a long term project that requires real lens flexibility so I've taken to hanging both bodies around my neck at the same time. I use Domke Gripper straps, so I shortened the strap on the 0.72 camera so that it hangs clearly above the other camera without fouling it. It involves cutting the strap (and burning the ends so they don't fray) but it is easy to do - a very practical solution so that you can have a wide angle and a 50 or 90 always available. It really works for me, and there is no confusion about which camera is which - the shorter lens is always on top. 🙂

Currently I'm using 400 B&W in both cameras, until recently I was using 1600 B&W in both, so the two cams are not a film differentiator for me, rather its a situational working requirement.