Replacing Canon system for Leica ME

T

twopointeight

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A question mostly for pro photographers but all comments are welcome. I'm a full time pro shooting Canon for years. Its too heavy at this point. I recently bought an Olympus OMD with a few lenses and I think I can do most of my editorial work with it, adding one more body to make a small system. Then take all the Canon gear and trade straight across for a Leica ME, which I've held and like quite a lot. I already own 3 Leitz lenses and an M6. The ME would serve me for photos destined to be large. It took a few years to build this Canon system and naturally thinking twice about this big switch. Anybody been there?
 
I just last week traded my 5D mkiii and some lenses for an M9+50Summicronv5 and am pretty happy with the change. Haven't printed large yet so I can't help with that but I can't imagine it looking bad. If you rapid fire a lot with your Canon that wont be possible on the M9/ME.
 
I've switched back and forth between SLRs, Leica RFs, and high quality compacts for years. All three have advantages and disadvantages. Right now, my main camera is an M9, but I use an Oly E-PL1, Ricoh GXR and Leica X2 just as much. The Olympus E-1 waits patiently in the closet for a few snaps a year, usually hand-held work with a longish lens.

If your Olympus is going the job for your editorial work, great. Buy a Leica ME if you feel you want one and no longer need what the Canon offers. Don't sell the Canon until you're sure you no longer need what it can do, just sell off what you know you don't need any more.

G

"Equipment is transitory, photographs endure."
 
Only release the Canon system if you know you've got EVERYTHING covered by other gear. In the course of my shift in emphasis from photography to video, I have come to use the EM-5 more and more for interior stills and the M9 for exteriors and landscapes. My 5D Mark II and bag full of lenses has now become my video shooting rig, but I still use it occasionally for stills, as I like the versatility of good zoom lenses like the 70-200 f4 IS and 16-35 f2.8.
 
I slowly sold all my Canon L glass and then the 5D MK3 body.

I made the switch to a new M 240, Summilux 35mm F/1.4 FLE and Summilux 50mm F/1.4 ASPH.
I also sold my 1957 M3 DS for a near mint 1959 M3 SS.

Once you've gone Leica there's no going back :)

ET
 
I don't do a lot of professional work any longer but occasionally I do a few things if asked. If I am asked to shoot some sports I have held onto my Canon 1Ds Mark II and a couple longer lenses. I am comfortable with the Canon and it is real hard to beat the weather-proofing, which is often handy.

However I use the Leica M9 for most everything else that I can.

As for large, I regularly print to 16x20, but no larger.

If I could provide any advice it would be to step up to the M240 if you can pull it off. The video ability alone could be worth it to you in the future. You also have the option of using some of the Leica R lenses.
 
what are your requirements regarding weather-sealing and auto-focus (arguably the two biggest things you'd lose if you switch)? also, the M bodies are going to be significantly less robust than the canon... not sure what kind of pro work you do, but if it involves gear needing to be able to stand up to a fair amount of what i'll call "enthusiastic use," something a little less fragile than the Leica rangefinders might be preferable.
 
For the price of a ME you could have a 5dmk111 and some lighter lenses like 24 2.8 50 1.4 etc. I shoot canon DSLRs at work and have a M9 also for personal stuff as much as I love my M9 it can be a pain in the ass sometimes and if I had to choose I would keep the canons and also a Fuji x100 (which I bought a couple of weeks ago while my M9 was back in Germany).
 
If it was canon film cameras and you were switching to Leica film cameras it
would be simple choice, but digital I don't know Canon stuff is good,
I know the lighter weight is what you want to bad you can't try the ME
out for a while to see if it works out.


Range
 
twopointeight said:
A question mostly for pro photographers but all comments are welcome. I'm a full time pro shooting Canon for years. Its too heavy at this point. I recently bought an Olympus OMD with a few lenses and I think I can do most of my editorial work with it, adding one more body to make a small system. Then take all the Canon gear and trade straight across for a Leica ME, which I've held and like quite a lot. I already own 3 Leitz lenses and an M6. The ME would serve me for photos destined to be large. It took a few years to build this Canon system and naturally thinking twice about this big switch. Anybody been there?
Click to expand...

Hi, I want to share on this topic because I recently did the same move and I'd like to offer y perspective as someone who assists professional photographers a number of times per year.

For context: This year I had the luxury of divesting my EOS and Elinchrom systems in favor of a film M and a digital M and compact ricoh and canon. I did this because I wasn't doing commercial jobs, the equipment supported my personal shooting, and I wanted to try something new and fun. I would never do this if I were a working pro for two main reasons: the risk of not havering a DSLR and better options for being more comfortable on the job.

First point: DSLRs are so ubiquitous, I feel that we often take for granted how awesome they are for what they are: versatile, cost-effective, durable workhorses for professional media asset capture. Leica, compacts, and digital MF are fun and cool, but a DSLR is bred to bring home the bacon with no excuses. Ditching DSLRs is super for nonessential shooting, but they always save the day when the Leica shutters fault, compacts flail about in the dark, and the tether to the phaseone just won't work.

Second point: You made the point that on-job comfort is a key concern, and changing camera systems is probably the highest cost per weight savings and the switching costs and workflow disruption may be hard to predict. That said, more manpower, more wheely cases and carts, and dorkier waist belt systems like think tank and r-straps could all make you much more effective than saving a few pounds with cameras. Bonus: the risk of trying these techniques is probably 50-200 dollars per, with little workflow risk instead of the expensive and risky system change.

Case in point: virtually all of the pros I assist for use a mix of something plus DSLR, and every one gives a risk-related explanation for why—its a few pounds of insurance. My case is an isolated one, but there is a solid chance that DSLRs are the best choice for part of your pro gear mix. If you are semi-pro its a tougher call.

Edit: Beware the affiliate link reviewers posing as working pros who champion a switch to alternative gear. The fact that the gear is inexpensive and basically consumer gear is NOT a coincidence. Gear churn is their gain, and you don't see them pushing hassleblad or Mamiya often. You know your business better than they do.
 
Thanks all for taking this question around the block with me. I do have my doubts about the OMD or any EVF for pro work. And the m4/3 image is good but not nearly as good as a full frame sensor with the best glass. It may be a case of wishful thinking. Two things I've taken from this thread so far, is: 1) work lighter. There's a lot that can be dome with a Canon 6D and 40mm pancake. And 2) use assistance, people or carts or taxis, less schlepping. The OMD still has its place at the end of the day. Bottom line, I'm keeping the Canon, adding a 6D. Shooting more lean, gear-wise. Whew, that was close!
 
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133771

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133771

First i am no longer a full time pro.
When i was, it was Photojournalism,Magazine and Newspaper Editorial and the wonderful world of weddings. It all made money. Some more , some less.
I would never be without a DSLR. The Canon System simply superb. I don't have one. I use Film SLR as i have no "deadlines".
My internet work, mostly with point and shoot digitals. Used carefully.
I have Leica. Wonderful, smaller, quieter and requiring way more input from me! No "Pro" Green Program!
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Sometimes it's about speed. Many frames, weather resistance, ease to video.(something i have never needed or done).
Going to Fuji. may not do it! It's a great camera and system but not a Leica.
I would keep the Canon. Try to lighten the load. It's more a mind thing..
I understand as i seldom use my SLR film kits, Nikon, Canon or Pentax.
The weight. I do however when the weather is really lousy, either way too hot or way too cold (Toronto Canada), it's the Nikon 1st.
 
Not a full time pro but I shoot weddings and have been doing so since 2001 - steadily - but I do not make my full time income from photography (I like to know how much money I have coming in regularly to pay out bills that I have on a regular basis).

I have not "been there" . . . . yet.

I have an M240 on order locally.
Once it comes in, and I'm sure it'll do what I need it to (I don't see why it won't) - I will be "dumping" the Nikon system I've used for the past 4 years (D700 and assorted lenses/flashes) and going full on with the Leica.

I have shot weddings with my film Leicas and I have gotten exactly what I want with them. I don't see why I wouldn't be able to do the same with the m240.

I am doing this for the same reason you intend to - the heft of the DSLR, battery grip, pro lens and flash for upwards of 14 hours a day is a bit taxing now. I'm in good shape but I notice it takes me a wee bit longer the next day to get going. I would be interested to know how it works out for you TwoPointEight. . .

Cheers,
Dave
 
Mainly @Fraser (or anyone) who mentioned that for the price of a Leica ME one could buy a Canon 5DMKIII. Would you personally, as a working photog consider the Canon 6D over the 5DMKIII mainly to save a little size and weight? I shoot work with a 5DMKII and the focus has often frustrated me, especially in a vertical position, low light, outer focus point. And if weight is really my primary reason for change, I might trade my heavy L glass for some newer lighter L glass, a 35mm and the new 24-70. I'd better stop now before getting booted off a rangefinder discussion group as the ME option is off the table!
 
I shoot mostly with my Leica M kit but have held on to my Nikon gear.

While I prefer my Leica gear for most of my shooting, the fact is that sometimes there is no substitute for an SLR - such as when you need long lenses, auto focus or the ability to shoot five frames per second (as does my F-100).

Besides that, I have no interest in practically giving away mint condition lenses and camera bodies for nickels on the dollar compared to what I paid for them. It makes no sense.

My recommendation would be get the M-E but keep as much of your Canon gear as you can. Sooner of later, you will need it for something and you will kick yourself for trading it off or selling it (been there, done that, never again). JMHO... ;)
 
All my Canon gear is essential so it would be hard to pare down. I'm just going to add a 6D (already have the 40 pancake), and stay with it. Fortunately, most of my editorial work is travel industry stuff and its amazing how much can be done with 2 lenses. I'll just stick with my M6 for particular projects in B&W to satisfy my life long lust for using Leica. The film M feels way better than the digital Leica anyway. (I had an M8.2 for a couple of years).
 
Wow, a rangefinder forum and no one will champion the Leica as a true professional system! It is 99% Canon with a couple Nikon champions. I agree with most, I would not want to immediately dump my DSLR before I tried it out for awhile, but I would have believed that it was possible to do pro work with only the Leica M. Guess I was wrong.
 
I don't shoot sports but I do shoot travel. Its the focus then recompose problem especially in very low light where some of the best scenes and portraits are, and especially in the vertical orientation. I struggled for years with Leica M bodies and this problem, but never really thought much about it. It was mainly B&W and if the image was not in perfect focus it didn't matter, in fact it could enhance an already nice image. It wasn't always about sharpness as it is today. Review some of HCB's work, some of his best photos are off focus, for the better. Anyway, back to the present, the 5DMKIII is the best of both worlds. And maybe my 50 1.2 will have more reliable focus in vertical orientation? OK so I'm now vacillating between the 6D and 5DMKIII, but at least I know that I'm passing on the ME. Got an M6 and that's enough for me.
 
I didn't give up my Canon system. I don't think I could use my Leica M9 to shoot the way I use a Canon. It's a totally different experience.
 
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