dave lackey
Veteran
Ever missed a shot or even a whole trip full of photo opportunities? Or at best you came home and saw your images and you were disappointed?
Recently, I was able to grab only a single photo in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and although I was happy to get any photo of a bear cub in a tree, I was angry because I left my F6 at home. The single photo sucked but I am keeping it because our grandchildren love it.
The F6 would have been perfect, especially with a reasonable zoom lens. The D700 I wish I had would have been even better.
But, no, I only had a Leica M6. And the X1. Neither camera is exactly versatile. I had the same frustrations with the kids' football and softball games. Stealthy, small rangefinders really are a waste where I am most likely to need/want a photo.
SLRs now for most photographic endeavors. I really missed the versatility of my old, cheapo , tiny D40. The D3100 will now be a constant companion. But for sure I find RF to be lacking for most things these days. I guess life changes. Dang, I enjoyed the simplicity of my film Leicas and I still love them.
But this old dog has to stop carrying the wrong camera!
Recently, I was able to grab only a single photo in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and although I was happy to get any photo of a bear cub in a tree, I was angry because I left my F6 at home. The single photo sucked but I am keeping it because our grandchildren love it.
The F6 would have been perfect, especially with a reasonable zoom lens. The D700 I wish I had would have been even better.
But, no, I only had a Leica M6. And the X1. Neither camera is exactly versatile. I had the same frustrations with the kids' football and softball games. Stealthy, small rangefinders really are a waste where I am most likely to need/want a photo.
SLRs now for most photographic endeavors. I really missed the versatility of my old, cheapo , tiny D40. The D3100 will now be a constant companion. But for sure I find RF to be lacking for most things these days. I guess life changes. Dang, I enjoyed the simplicity of my film Leicas and I still love them.
But this old dog has to stop carrying the wrong camera!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
You need the new Leica SL Dave! 
kshapero
South Florida Man
All cameras have their pluses and minuses. Your job is to pair them with the right situation. Don't blame the camera. Also you need to adapt to the environment. I once had a honker in NYC (Nikon D200 with 18-200 lens). Wanted to do some street shooting. Felt like the whole world was staring at me. So I did not shoot at all. So I learned the hard way too. Cheers.
Richard G
Veteran
The right camera is the one I like using. That could be with a single lens from 28 to 50. I just make it work. Sometimes I go with a 21 or a 25. I struggle with the 90. Once I just took a 135. There's a learning curve to see shots in that focal length. I haven't been to one of the great US national parks. I still reckon a 35 or 50 would see me get more than one good shot....
grouchos_tash
Well-known
I turned up at my parents house to photograph my niece starting to crawl with a TLR :/
I need an affordable autofocus film option...or a really wide lens.
I need an affordable autofocus film option...or a really wide lens.
Richard G
Veteran
Can get low. I used a modern equivalent of a TLR when my kids were small, the Coolpix 4500 with the swivel body. Look down at the LCD and the kids had no idea photos were being taken.
goamules
Well-known
It stands to reason why rangefinders were dropped, and SLRs took over. Both with pros and amateurs, from about 1961 on. I think some of us still use rangefinders because of their small size and quality, over their ability to take photos. Though their lenses are very good, almost always.
I took better pictures, from my first roll, with a K1000 I used in the Navy. I still have some large prints from that period, that look outstanding. But I like rangefinders, because they are small, and quality, and unique in the way they work.
I took better pictures, from my first roll, with a K1000 I used in the Navy. I still have some large prints from that period, that look outstanding. But I like rangefinders, because they are small, and quality, and unique in the way they work.
Paulbe
Well-known
Dave--yep! Know what you mean--horses for courses dept. I've tried to use the P+S solution--Canon S95, which does a good job quality wise--but almost impossible to use in bright light. The EVF just fades to nada--so--DSLR or good old Nikon F series, and be done with it!
Paul
Paul
aad
Not so new now.
I went down that road-I finally had to decide whether I wanted photos, or just play with the camera I liked.
Early on (well, relatively) I knew that there was a difference between having a (smallish) camera on me, and going forth to make photos.
Early on (well, relatively) I knew that there was a difference between having a (smallish) camera on me, and going forth to make photos.
icebear
Veteran
That sums it up perfectly, +1 !
mfogiel
Veteran
I suggest to go on trips with a GOPRO mounted on a drone - you will not miss anything.
Lucadomi
Well-known
I was disappointed from the images I got fro my Rolleiflex Automat after a trip to Italy.
I ended up selling it because of that. All the landscape shots on the Alps came out kind of faded out.
However, I had remorse later on because I loved that camera and the portraits really came out very good. I bought a Rolleicord to make up for the loss.
I still don't know what happened with those landscape pictures. It might have been my fault and not the camera after all.
I ended up selling it because of that. All the landscape shots on the Alps came out kind of faded out.
However, I had remorse later on because I loved that camera and the portraits really came out very good. I bought a Rolleicord to make up for the loss.
I still don't know what happened with those landscape pictures. It might have been my fault and not the camera after all.
maddoc
... likes film again.
I recently visited Phoenix on a business-trip and came home with two rolls of nothing. Couldn`t blame the camera though (Leica with 35mm Summicron and 25/4 Snapshot Skopar), there wasn`t a single interesting scene, at least for me, because the streets were almost empty during day and night time. A LF camera for architecture might have been more useful but that wasn`t my intention.
Pete B
Well-known
It does sound like you have a different style to that afforded by the M range. I took a Nikon D2X and full complement of Nikon zooms around Yosemite and took many photos, but I don't treasure them as much as those with my M6 and MP with a 24/35/50 combo around Yellowstone.
Pete
Pete
ferider
Veteran
(Larry Burrows)
Carrying a single body is very impractical
I don't use rangefinders anymore either... they might be the funnest camera to use, but it comes down to it not fitting what I want to do photographically.
Mudman
Well-known
I like them for single person portraits, landscapes, travel photography, and everyday walk about things. I've used them for sports, but prefer an AF SLR. I also prefer an SLR for all the telephoto work that I do (anything 135 and above) for sports or animal photography as you mentioned. However I've never really been limited by my M's or other rangefinders. I just have to find subject matter that works with their views when I'm on a job with them.
Pete B
Well-known
I find using Leica Ms very relaxing for trips to Nat Parks because I know they're limited in their use and I don't find myself having to photograph everything I see. If there's a bear in a tree, or interesting light on a cliff across the valley, I don't feel obliged to photograph it just because I have a telephoto. I can enjoy it for what it is and move on to the next view.
Pete
Pete
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
Right camera is the one that gets you the shot.
Most of us aren't willing to carry all the cameras, like Larry Burrows.
Maybe the question is what's the best easy-to-carry all-around camera? One that will get more of the possible shots with good enough quality? Today, it's probably a small P&S with a zoom, but often for me it's the iPhone.
Most of us aren't willing to carry all the cameras, like Larry Burrows.
Maybe the question is what's the best easy-to-carry all-around camera? One that will get more of the possible shots with good enough quality? Today, it's probably a small P&S with a zoom, but often for me it's the iPhone.
dc5
dc5
I used to venture out with a 35 on my M and a 90 in my pocket...ready for whatever the world had to offer. Now , at 69, a small digital with midrange zoom is usually all that I need. And I believe that my shots have improved...why shoot at 35 or 90 when the shot really calls for a 60 perspective?