Roger Hicks
Veteran
The biggest single argument for getting the camera you REALLY want is that once you have it, there are no excuses: you can't blame the camera for poor pics. Also, you don't waste time wondering if you could do better with something else.
I've had two new film Ms in my life: the M4-P in the 80s and the MP a few years ago. I didn't feel a real need to 'upgrade' to M6/M6ttl (I tried both, on loan from friends or from Leica) but when the MP came out, I knew I had to have one.
Although an MP will cost a good deal more than a second-hand M6 (ttl or no), and a great deal more than an M4-P, it's what I'd go for without hesitation. I currently have MP, M4-P and 2x M2 and I am much inclined to sell one M2 and the M4-P in order to buy a second MP.
The quality remains, long after the pain of the purchase is forgotten.
Cheers,
Roger
I've had two new film Ms in my life: the M4-P in the 80s and the MP a few years ago. I didn't feel a real need to 'upgrade' to M6/M6ttl (I tried both, on loan from friends or from Leica) but when the MP came out, I knew I had to have one.
Although an MP will cost a good deal more than a second-hand M6 (ttl or no), and a great deal more than an M4-P, it's what I'd go for without hesitation. I currently have MP, M4-P and 2x M2 and I am much inclined to sell one M2 and the M4-P in order to buy a second MP.
The quality remains, long after the pain of the purchase is forgotten.
Cheers,
Roger
Last edited:
alexz
Well-known
Привет, как говориться...welcome to the club...не пытайся убежать от неизбежного...
Now back to business...
I was in similar situation about 2 years ago while converting to RF, also planned for Bessa and was prepared already to put an order for one when came across the opportunity of 50mm 'Cron showing up here in classifieds for a reasonable amount - stretched by lens budget for about 30% and was happy with that.
Then, realized that owing and shooting with some other RF but Leica would always harass my mind of how better it would be would I have Leica, so a bit more patience and stretching my camera budget to another 40% brought me a good, well carried out M6 from Ebay (was lucky deal indeed, very reasonably priced). That pretty much set my mind in rest, unless I realized larger my main FL is 50mm and larger magnification would be desirable while also being intrigued by all that M3-lust, so once opportunity came upon - jumped on that with no regrets whatsoever.
Contrary to many opinions, I do consider equipment as an important factor at least just to contribute to the soul. Obviously, it doesn't necessary makes better images, but owing, using and fondling the gear you was dreaming about provides a great feeling of satisfaction and in most cases serves as excellent GAS-restrainer.
I'm not the exception, just like most other avid amateurs, I used to lust for a supposedly "better, higher-grade" gear, trying to save a bits for a another, much-respected lens, etc....
Well, unless rounded my by those M6, M3 and the lens lineup from 35mm to 90mm all of them those I was lusting for. Since then I do not remember any major waves of GAS have been crossing my mind..and I found I sleep better as well...
Now back to business...
I was in similar situation about 2 years ago while converting to RF, also planned for Bessa and was prepared already to put an order for one when came across the opportunity of 50mm 'Cron showing up here in classifieds for a reasonable amount - stretched by lens budget for about 30% and was happy with that.
Then, realized that owing and shooting with some other RF but Leica would always harass my mind of how better it would be would I have Leica, so a bit more patience and stretching my camera budget to another 40% brought me a good, well carried out M6 from Ebay (was lucky deal indeed, very reasonably priced). That pretty much set my mind in rest, unless I realized larger my main FL is 50mm and larger magnification would be desirable while also being intrigued by all that M3-lust, so once opportunity came upon - jumped on that with no regrets whatsoever.
Contrary to many opinions, I do consider equipment as an important factor at least just to contribute to the soul. Obviously, it doesn't necessary makes better images, but owing, using and fondling the gear you was dreaming about provides a great feeling of satisfaction and in most cases serves as excellent GAS-restrainer.
I'm not the exception, just like most other avid amateurs, I used to lust for a supposedly "better, higher-grade" gear, trying to save a bits for a another, much-respected lens, etc....
Well, unless rounded my by those M6, M3 and the lens lineup from 35mm to 90mm all of them those I was lusting for. Since then I do not remember any major waves of GAS have been crossing my mind..and I found I sleep better as well...
tedwin
Established
It will cost you money, take up more space and be heavier. It won't have any sort of AE, flash sync is slow, its fat and heavy (did I mention that already?) its old.
Will your photographs be any better? Can you mount lenses that you couldn't before? Nope & nope.
Your demeanor hides your camera, not your shutter volume.
Get a grip, you guesstimate viewfinder coverage, and have no need for retrofocus lens design. Thats it.
Dusted!
Will your photographs be any better? Can you mount lenses that you couldn't before? Nope & nope.
Your demeanor hides your camera, not your shutter volume.
Get a grip, you guesstimate viewfinder coverage, and have no need for retrofocus lens design. Thats it.
Dusted!
thomasw_
Well-known
Ah yes, the answer is for me the ...... MP!
lorriman
Established
You could still crash your car. If you do it right you might end up with a quality harp and no further interest in photography. But it would be a bummer if you ended going down instead of up, so you should probably consult some chicken entrails first, although may be that won't make any difference.
I would use a cheap car.
I would use a cheap car.
urban_alchemist
Well-known
Yeah, I had a 'thank god the shutter's silent' moment last night. There's a bench near my apartment which is permanently occupied by a local crackhead: a lovely woman, who when not smoking crack or shooting back the booze knits continuously, only pausing to hurl abuse (or something more solid) at anyone who comes too close. She also never seems to sleep...
... until last night. Checking she was indeed asleep and not dead (you never really know) and armed with my MP, Fuji Pro800Z and Noctilux, I tiptoed up to less than a meter away, focused and 'click... whirrrrr... click'.
Tiptoed off without her being any wiser... thank god! Those knitting needles look mighty painful...
... until last night. Checking she was indeed asleep and not dead (you never really know) and armed with my MP, Fuji Pro800Z and Noctilux, I tiptoed up to less than a meter away, focused and 'click... whirrrrr... click'.
Tiptoed off without her being any wiser... thank god! Those knitting needles look mighty painful...
aniMal
Well-known
I have the M8, and have owned lots of other Ms, from 2-6. Now I use the M8 in studio and other things here in Oslo, and the only other bodies I have is an R2A and L. When traveling I have brought the R2A and L lately, and I really like that combination as much as any Leica setup!
There is a single, good reason for not buying an new MP or anything expensive. If you want build and the leica "feeling", I would go for something without a meter all together....
Why? Simply because as I see it learning to work with a handheld meter is part of the experience. Working like that for a longer period and really getting into light-values for different settings and scenes would teach you a lot!
Try and M2 - and keep the Voigtlander which also is a very good camera! Then you can change later on, probably selling the M2 for what it cost you in the first place...
I used to work like this, and my best images are from when I really got INTO the light, and working with a few/just one focal length... Now I tend to be far more sloppy though - should get an M2 again myself!
There is a single, good reason for not buying an new MP or anything expensive. If you want build and the leica "feeling", I would go for something without a meter all together....
Why? Simply because as I see it learning to work with a handheld meter is part of the experience. Working like that for a longer period and really getting into light-values for different settings and scenes would teach you a lot!
Try and M2 - and keep the Voigtlander which also is a very good camera! Then you can change later on, probably selling the M2 for what it cost you in the first place...
I used to work like this, and my best images are from when I really got INTO the light, and working with a few/just one focal length... Now I tend to be far more sloppy though - should get an M2 again myself!
Pherdinand
the snow must go on
if money is not an issue (sorry, m.valdemar... a PROBLEM), get a real camera.
(a medium format rangefinder, that is.)
(a medium format rangefinder, that is.)
BigSteveG
Well-known
Buy A New Mp Now!!!!!!
kmerenkov
Established
I will try to reply to some messages now, it won't be well sorted, rather random. It is night and there are a lot of replies to quote them all (thank you!).
So:
1) I don't blame cameras on my bad photos, I know it is me and I am feeling kind of weird thinking that some will think "bought leica and still s#cks, geh", though these things are not related to each other at all (buying a leica + producing wonderful photos). Oh dear doctor Freud, where are you when we need you.
2) About getting meterless leica - just pull out batteries from MP and you have one, no need to buy old leica (especially if it won't ease your lust for a very long time). Though I have minolta meter somewhere, but it isn't precise. I used it once or twice on street and it was fine, but measuring light in my room I know that it is lying too much, and I don't feel like buying another handheld meter if I have built-in in a camera. All cameras I had/have do through-the-lens metering, so I am used to it
3) yes a body itself won't make my pics better, but I have less practical point of view because I don't earn doing photographs. It is a hobby, and hobby is about having a rest from your bothersome work/anything-else. And if you feel nice of something then this feeling will only add to your hobby, I think.
4) medium format - if I'd go for better quality/etc I'd save to nikon d3 (come on). Don't throw eggs into me.
I don't print wallpappers from my photos, and I think that I don't get too much killing grain on my 35mm photos to switch to MF.
Thank you all for your replies
So:
1) I don't blame cameras on my bad photos, I know it is me
and I am feeling kind of weird thinking that some will think "bought leica and still s#cks, geh", though these things are not related to each other at all (buying a leica + producing wonderful photos). Oh dear doctor Freud, where are you when we need you.2) About getting meterless leica - just pull out batteries from MP and you have one, no need to buy old leica (especially if it won't ease your lust for a very long time). Though I have minolta meter somewhere, but it isn't precise. I used it once or twice on street and it was fine, but measuring light in my room I know that it is lying too much, and I don't feel like buying another handheld meter if I have built-in in a camera. All cameras I had/have do through-the-lens metering, so I am used to it
3) yes a body itself won't make my pics better, but I have less practical point of view because I don't earn doing photographs. It is a hobby, and hobby is about having a rest from your bothersome work/anything-else. And if you feel nice of something then this feeling will only add to your hobby, I think.
4) medium format - if I'd go for better quality/etc I'd save to nikon d3 (come on). Don't throw eggs into me.
I don't print wallpappers from my photos, and I think that I don't get too much killing grain on my 35mm photos to switch to MF.
Thank you all for your replies
maddoc
... likes film again.
I am really interested to see how that photo came out !
You could post it in the other thread Haigh
Gary Haigh
thin wallet =leica
thin wallet =leica
I sold all my slr gear to buy an old M4 P and 35 summicron long ago.
I've recently handled a number of dslr's but yesterday took an indoor shot with my M4 P. I still love the feel of it and that whisper quiet shutter.
Have great fun with your Leica.
Gary Haigh
Australia
thin wallet =leica
I sold all my slr gear to buy an old M4 P and 35 summicron long ago.
I've recently handled a number of dslr's but yesterday took an indoor shot with my M4 P. I still love the feel of it and that whisper quiet shutter.
Have great fun with your Leica.
Gary Haigh
Australia
pachuco
El ****
This is a very good point and one I have proven many times. The M is quiet but not silent. I have taken shots with a Canon F1-N that sounds like a cannon (no pun intended) without being noticed.
The MP is a sweet camera but it has one flaw, it's not an M3