Use Leica Exclusively? or alongside DSLR/Mirrorless, etc?

[narsuitus]

Out of curiosity, anyone shoot Leica / Other Rangefinders exclusively?

No, I don't even shoot cameras exclusively.

 

[taemo]

For the past 10 months I was shooting exclusively with a M240 as only digital camera, however I decided to sell it and go back to Sony (A7R this time) due to a couple of reasons
-max 60 seconds long exposure
-big upfront cash to own and maintain one
-prefer film Leica more than digital Leica (traded my M240 for cash + 2 M4)
-tilting LCD screen convenient for landscape.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

....
-tilting LCD screen convenient for landscape.

Earl, I like your latest landscapes, was wondering where you have been not showing them for some time.

Quick question for you all.

Out of curiosity, anyone shoot Leica / Other Rangefinders exclusively?

I currently have a 5D, Fuji X and an M8 and I will be honest, since getting the M8, the others don't see as much use as they once did.

Yes, I'm using rangefinders exclusively for my and only photography interests, needs.
I'm really pleased with M4-2. I want it in my bag and on me for every day.
I'm thinking of second M film body. To have one for bw, one for color.

Also, I've had 5D until March, switched to 5D MKII, also have 500D. Will continue to use these two reliable, high ISO capable DSLRs for simple, but important pictures where I need it to be well exposed under any light and in focus. 🙂

 

[BLKRCAT]

RF exclusive with the exception of Pentax 67 for bokeh goodness.

 

[taemo]

Earl, I like your latest landscapes, was wondering where you have been not showing them for some time.

Thanks Kostya! Been pretty busy with work so I haven't had much time to take some pictures.
Now that it's spring/summer now, I'm hoping to take more landscape pictures again.

 

[Ruffmeister]

As I'm no longer shooting commercially and almost always just for myself, for personal work, I (currently) feel that the Leica M is my favorite tool for what and how I like to shoot. I didn't set out to "exclusively" shoot any one brand or another, but I like system cohesion and compatibility, which is why when I shot Canon for so long, I only used Canon, once I started playing around with mirrorless cameras things got all wacky and I wound up with way too many different options and systems.

I genuinely wanted to like the Sony A7 system, but the camera bodies were just too uncomfortable in my hands.

I feel a bit like this. If I was shooting for others or commercially, then I would feel reluctant just using an M personally. I wouldn't have considered a digital M a year or so ago as I felt they were 'soul less' (if that's the right choice of word) compared to the film M's. I was wrong on that front and find them equally as fun to shoot with. I guess that's general skepticism until using one.

I have recently bought a Fuji X-T10 to go alongside my film cameras. I bought it mainly for holidays and photographing my niece.

On Saturday I took out a Yashica TLR to take on a walk with my wife and my X-T10 for when I called to see our niece on the way home 🙂

I have an M6 that I use the most, but I also have a Bessa R2a, Nikon FE, Nikon F80 along with the Yashica and X-T10 that all get used.

It's quite easily to have a few film cameras... I've certainly had a few pass my hands over the years. For me, film is mostly shot in 120 now and some 35mm occasionally.

Ruffmeister - as you say that you only shoot with 35 and 50 mm lenses, there is no reason not to use only an M9. My own preference is one camera, and I go out with mostly with only one lens, or with just one on the camera and another in my pocket — though most of the time I end up not changing lenses.

While, I will never sell my M6, I want to end up using only one camera. Maybe I'll start by selling one of the digital Ms. Anyway, I feel strongly that one's photography is best if one shoots with one camera and stops fussing about cameras.

————————
Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine

100% with you on having one camera when heading out. It's easy to fuss over what to use. I think it's why I've come to a conclusion to downsize some digital gear. It's a dead investment if things aren't being used. I won't sell my MF gear as it's just a completely different experience to 35mm.

I've left Leica behind for now. The cameras don't match how I currently photograph. However, I still think they make a hell of a camera. Excited for the possibility of a Leica Q with a 50mm lens.

The Q with a 50mm would be awesome! I really like the idea of the Q but 28mm FF just isn't a focal length that I would use all the time. I'm mostly 50mm.

RF exclusive with the exception of Pentax 67 for bokeh goodness.

Oh man, the Pentax 6x7 is a beast! I'm with you on the bokeh goodness. Really good lenses too.

 

[gnome chompski]

I shoot an M6, a Fuji X100T and a Canon 6D.

When I have my M6, I usually find myself wishing I had my X100T because of some weird light on the street. When I have my X100T, I find myself thinking my M6 would be better suited to the situation. When I shoot my Canon 6D and whatever zoom lens and flash is attached to it, I bitch and moan about how heavy it is 🙂

 

[maggieo]

My M9-P and Ricoh GR seem to bring out the best in me, but I get pretty good results with my EM-5mkII. Nothing feels as right as shooting with the Leica, though. I suspect it's just habit and muscle memory.

 

[Darthfeeble]

I'm about 70/30 for the Leica. I use my others for close up work and just to take them out now and again.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Always had a RF from the late 60's onwards; first an Olympus-35 SP, then a Leica CL and an Olympus XA but that went back twice in rapid succession and so was replaced with the XA2. The CLE also went back after a film and a week and I got my CL, as it was still waiting at the dealer's for me.

Once digital appeared people went mad and a lot of nice little RF's went to charity shops and so I've had a lot of small RF's like the Konica C35, Olympus-35ED etc etc.

The youngest RF is the M9 (couldn't find one for a pound in the charity shops but there you are... ) but I've also had a MF alongside of them for serious work until I realised no one noticed the difference at the print stage and, of course, a Pentax, Minolta, Leica or Olympus SLR for obvious reasons; like the RF's being somewhat difficult at times for some shots and some lenses.

With hindsight based on 60 years of it; I'd say you need a small pocket camera and a RF and SLR. The small pocket camera I miss the most is the APS Contax Tix, the RF would be either the Leica CL or Minolta CLE and the SLR would be either the OM-2, R5, X-300 or ME super. Funny isn't it? They are all film cameras. Luckily I've got all of them except the Tix and CLE at present but I worry about repairs.

As for digital, I've yet to find a small pocket one with a decent prime lens but I'll stick with the E-3 and M9 for as long as possible and I keep the old Leica Digilux 2 going for the pleasure of using a sensibly designed camera; it's superior to the M9 in some ways...

Regards, David

 

[ian_watts]

I used Leica RF cameras exclusively for many years but have, in the last couple of years, switched to a DSLR for all paid work. Whilst I didn't have any problems using the Leica RF for the type of commercial work I was doing (it was sometimes an advantage), a DSLR now seems less restrictive and opens up the wider world of easy lens rentals and access to a much less expensive, still high quality, system. It also means I can use a longer lens with image stabiliser technology (IS has been a real eye-opener for me).

For all personal and 'project' type work – the stuff that interests me – I still use the Leica M system exclusively. Nothing else.

 

[presspass]

Mostly M film cameras for my own work and some for business. Just started shooting a IIIa recently. For newspaper work - yes, there are still some out there - digital Canon SLRs, mostly with zooms. It would be nice to shoot just Leica, but the newer digital rangefinders are too expensive and it would be tough to shoot high school football with a rangefinder. So, short answer, not all rangefinders.

 

[MCTuomey]

All sorts of tools for all sorts of scenarios.

yes to this - i'm practical and want the most reliable way to get the shot. actually been moving away from leica M, have sold lenses outside the 28-75 range, considering selling the rest. for me, leica m works best in a narrow range of shooting. it's becoming more an expensive pleasure than a photographic need.

 

[jaapv]

As for digital, I've yet to find a small pocket one with a decent prime lens

Regards, David

Leica X1 or X2.

 

[ellisson]

So many excellent tools....

So many excellent tools....

With so many fine cameras and lenses, I could never be restricted to Leica or RF cameras. Great tools made by Leica, but also by many others. There is something for everyone, and I'm always amazed at the variety and engineering of cameras and lenses. A trip around the various websites and forums shows this.

 

[Godfrey]

Leica X1 or X2.

The Ricoh GR-D is in this class too.
The Leica X typ 113 is a bit larger than pocket sized, but also in the class.

G

 

[noisycheese]

Quick question for you all.

Out of curiosity, anyone shoot Leica / Other Rangefinders exclusively?

That would be me - I don't own any kind of cameras other than rangefinders. My M cameras are used 99% of the time, but my XPAN II and 45mm lens will be making the trip when I go to Ireland in June. I will get some Fuji Acros for it and use it for coastal landscapes. My M-P 240 will cover everything else.

 

[BillBingham2]

.......
I'd say you need a small pocket camera and a RF and SLR. ......

+1.

For me it's a iPhone for my pocket camera.

I was most happy when I shot with both RF and SLR. While I love my Bessas and Leicas I loved the way my Nikon F (SLR) and S2 (RF) felt the same. I love RFs for up to 50mm, but SLRs just work better with 85s and up. While I was able to shoot with 135s on my M6, it just wasn't as "easy" as it was to use and SLR.

I find RFs more my general style, there are times that nothing but a 180 will do.

B2 (;->

 

[bhop73]

I'm kinda all over the place. I have film in my M6, but I also shoot a Rollei 35 now as my carry-around. I have a roll of film in a Nikon F4 at the moment, and the last time I went to an event, I used my F3. Before that was my F2, but that was a test roll since i'd just purchased it. I'm more of a "what mood am I in today?" kinda shooter.

 

[David Hughes]

Jaap and Godfrey,

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into them as soon as I've some spare cash and time. I sometimes think it's a great pity they invented the zoom lens. When the first small digitals appeared there were a lot with primes and all of 2 megapixels but they didn't seem to last. Yet they were very popular in the film world with a whole rage of them from every maker.

BillBingham2,

Thanks, I'd forgotten mobiles have cameras; mostly because I dislike them as they meant (a long, long time ago) that you couldn't get away from work and then had to carry a breeze block around with you as part of the punishment. The world would be a better place if people were forced to go for a walk without their phones at lunchtime...

Regards, David