steveyork
Well-known
I've been shooting Leica Ms since the mid-1990's and my favorite is the MP. If it was based purely on practicality, then none of us would be shooting film, let alone rangefinders. In the digital arena, rangefinders make even less sense, because they lose many of the advantages that they have compared to film SLRs and P&S. But it's not based on the left side of your brain.
Shooting rangefinders has more to due with emotion then logic. What camera turns you on at a basic emotional level? You'll probably take better pictures, because you'll use the camera more often, and the more you use it the more skilled you will get.
The one caveat is not to get a camera that is so pretty you feel that it must be handled as a collector item. They're not. They are only tools that give us great pictures and lead us onto a journey of new experiences. Parenthetically, this is one reason I like black paint cameras, even though silver cameras are more aesthetically pleasing. The black paint screams out to be used. Each scuff and scratch will be a memory.
And I do think the current model Ms are the best built of all time. Just pick up a current model, and compare it to a past model in the other hand, and you see it, and you can feel it. As a logical matter, it has no influence on the final product. As a practical matter, based on your likes and dislikes, it probably does, because you'll use it more.
I'm starting to ramble, so I'll end by saying get the camera you see yourself still using ten years for now. Of course, people change, and we all load, unload and then reload camera stuff, but it's kind of neat having a pice of equipment that has been with you during a long segment of your life. Musicians speak this way about their instruments; but that's alittle different. Who knows if film will be around in ten years, but you see what I'm getting at.
Shooting rangefinders has more to due with emotion then logic. What camera turns you on at a basic emotional level? You'll probably take better pictures, because you'll use the camera more often, and the more you use it the more skilled you will get.
The one caveat is not to get a camera that is so pretty you feel that it must be handled as a collector item. They're not. They are only tools that give us great pictures and lead us onto a journey of new experiences. Parenthetically, this is one reason I like black paint cameras, even though silver cameras are more aesthetically pleasing. The black paint screams out to be used. Each scuff and scratch will be a memory.
And I do think the current model Ms are the best built of all time. Just pick up a current model, and compare it to a past model in the other hand, and you see it, and you can feel it. As a logical matter, it has no influence on the final product. As a practical matter, based on your likes and dislikes, it probably does, because you'll use it more.
I'm starting to ramble, so I'll end by saying get the camera you see yourself still using ten years for now. Of course, people change, and we all load, unload and then reload camera stuff, but it's kind of neat having a pice of equipment that has been with you during a long segment of your life. Musicians speak this way about their instruments; but that's alittle different. Who knows if film will be around in ten years, but you see what I'm getting at.
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gilpen123
Gil
You can file the Nokton 40 1.4 or Leica 40 cron to show up a 35 mm frameline. the 40 is not too difficult either to frame with a 50 frameline, it's just a bit outside of the 50 and you'll be ok.
Journeyman
Registered Film User
Mate, ignore the nonsense. If you want the best, buy the MP.
Adam14
Established
Thank you very,very much to all the recent responders! Your thoughts of both a technological and philosophical nature are most appreciated!
Cheers,
Adam
Cheers,
Adam
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
I couldn't agree more, like a cast iron skillet a camera has to be seasoned before it can produce great images and Tri-X is the film for that
Todd
Adam14
Established
Thanks for the film suggestion. A couple of questions. If you are going to be outdoors do you use 100 or 200? Is 400 Ok for lower light?
What about indoor shots with not great light. It has been so long since that I have used film.
Adam
What about indoor shots with not great light. It has been so long since that I have used film.
Adam
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
Tri-X can be pushed and pulled more than most any other film still on the market, just use the right developer for the situation.
Todd
Todd
Vics
Veteran
I've been shooting Tri-x for a very long time, and I think it's wonderful, but recently I've decided to switch to Ilford FP4+ in the daylight, because of the wide choices of shutter speeds and apertures one gets. My Summicron lens is really at its best at around 1:5.6. I'm going to France for five weeks in October and I'll take some Tri-X and a LOT of FP4+.
Vic
Vic
Turtle
Veteran
I use M6s and MPs side by side (two of each). I bought the M6s because I needed more bodies and it was a cheaper wasy of adding different mag finders compared to the MP (hald the price of the MP, both used). Here are my thoughts:
The Mp finder is significantly better. it flares less, the patch has more contrast and it just never lets you down. The M6 finder can flare (esp the 0.85) and lose enough contrast to be harder to focus.
The MP has a quieter shutter. Out of the four MPs I have owned or used and the two M6s, the MP has more of a low cluck, whereas the M6 is louder and higher pitched. No biggie, but in a silent room it is surprising how quiet the MP is after the M6.
The MP feels more solid. Both are more than solid enough, but subjectively, the MP feels more robust but I doubt it is in real terms.
The M6 feels noticeably lighter.
The MP takes a little longer to rewind, but not that much longer. However, i find once in a while the M6 winder slips from my fingers and spins uncoiling the film, wasting time. This never happens with the MP.
I prefer the advance lever of the MP. It has more bite and you feel better connected to it, like a sensitive throttle in a sports car rather than something more detached. The M6 advance feels less direct due to the broader plastic tip. Again, no big deal. I dont really care, but if one is splitting hairs.
They both take the same pictures.
Tho I have had no issues, the MP shutter is apparrently lower stressed and less prone to going awry at high speed and the curtains are supposed to be more durable.
If you can afford a MP IMHO it is the better camera, but at double the price only you can decide.
The Mp finder is significantly better. it flares less, the patch has more contrast and it just never lets you down. The M6 finder can flare (esp the 0.85) and lose enough contrast to be harder to focus.
The MP has a quieter shutter. Out of the four MPs I have owned or used and the two M6s, the MP has more of a low cluck, whereas the M6 is louder and higher pitched. No biggie, but in a silent room it is surprising how quiet the MP is after the M6.
The MP feels more solid. Both are more than solid enough, but subjectively, the MP feels more robust but I doubt it is in real terms.
The M6 feels noticeably lighter.
The MP takes a little longer to rewind, but not that much longer. However, i find once in a while the M6 winder slips from my fingers and spins uncoiling the film, wasting time. This never happens with the MP.
I prefer the advance lever of the MP. It has more bite and you feel better connected to it, like a sensitive throttle in a sports car rather than something more detached. The M6 advance feels less direct due to the broader plastic tip. Again, no big deal. I dont really care, but if one is splitting hairs.
They both take the same pictures.
Tho I have had no issues, the MP shutter is apparrently lower stressed and less prone to going awry at high speed and the curtains are supposed to be more durable.
If you can afford a MP IMHO it is the better camera, but at double the price only you can decide.
HarryW
Established
Adam,
Living in Scotland we don't get sunshine
so Tri-X suits fine for 85% of the time. Regards
Harry
vincentbenoit
télémétrique argentique
Same here
100% of the time in my case (pushed to 3200 if necessary)
Vincent
Adam14
Established
Thanks for all the recommendations for Tri-X!
Adam
Adam
Rowse
Gothamscapes
Mp
Mp
I just bought a new silver MP last week. Of course I now have to sell some Nikon gear to fund "part " of it. Yes, very expensive$$$. However, I feel that it is an investment, as well as being a very refined photographic instrument. It should last many years. Can also be a great conversation piece.
Mp
I just bought a new silver MP last week. Of course I now have to sell some Nikon gear to fund "part " of it. Yes, very expensive$$$. However, I feel that it is an investment, as well as being a very refined photographic instrument. It should last many years. Can also be a great conversation piece.
Adam14
Established
Thanks Rowse. I have decided to get a Bessa R3A as my first rangefinder. If I enjoy the rangefinder experience who knows where it will lead. Enjoy your new camera!
Adam
Adam
Rowse
Gothamscapes
Thanks Adam. Enjoy your new camera. I started my rangefinder collection last summer and love it. Im sure you will hooked too.
Adam14
Established
Thanks very much Rowse! I am very curious to see how it all works out.
One question I have for someone to answer for me.The finder magnification
of the Bessa is 1.0 and the MP is .72.Is there a big difference looking through the two finders,especially considering that I wear glasses.I did read the info on this at cameraquest.com but am still a little confused. Any explanations would be most appreciated.
Adam
One question I have for someone to answer for me.The finder magnification
of the Bessa is 1.0 and the MP is .72.Is there a big difference looking through the two finders,especially considering that I wear glasses.I did read the info on this at cameraquest.com but am still a little confused. Any explanations would be most appreciated.
Adam