Leica M Users...how do you like it?

[Speed]

Leica - in a similar fashion to Rolex - can be polarizing. Lovers / haters...those who buy into the mystique and those who don't.

What do Digital M owners have to say?

Post some saucy pics with lots of Bokeh...if you have them.

Thanks!

[Naples09]

What do you think of it?

[Speed]

I don't have one Jim...but I would like one some day based on photos I have seen.

So I am asking members who may own / use the camera how they like it and if they have any cool photos to post. The latter is something Photographers like to do.

Do you have any direct experience with the product?

[bayerische]

Are you used to Rangefinders? They are very different from SLR's.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Are you used to Rangefinders? They are very different from SLR's.

That's correct . . . you got to get used to rangefinders . . .

I still have the older ones up to the M6 . . . I still love to use them . . .

I have been thinking to buy a M8 . . . . but since the M10 is there . . . maybe I get a good second hand M9 one of these days . . .

There no better than a Leica . . . . if you got time to shoot pics . . . !

Otherwise (like for sports) I would go for the new Canon EOS-1D C or the Nikon D4 . . .

HAGOne

[bayerische]

As Marc says.

Also a rangefinder isn't an all-round camera. Something a member here noticed when he tried to take pics of his watches with his M, or was it X1?

[apeogre]

Originally Posted by bayerische

As Marc says.

Also a rangefinder isn't an all-round camera. Something a member here noticed when he tried to take pics of his watches with his M, or was it X1?

LOL, I remember that thread. Poor guy. If you don't know how to take excellent pictures using the little M feature on a dslr, you're not ready to use a Leica. Or you just have lots of money and think a nice camera will help you take nice pics. The camera is probably 10% of taking the picture.

If you can take excellent pictures, like the rangefinder style and have the money to burn, go for it.

[Speed]

Thanks folks.

Yes. I know Rangefinders are a bit of a throwback. Leica combines older tech with modern touches and changes their look and feel very slowly if at all. Hey, sounds like Rolex!

I know you don't use a Rangefinder for shooting action / sports or fast-moving kids. DSLRs are good for this stuff.

I used to do a lot of macro watch photography and I am set for that...just attracted by the "Leica look" that friends and others have been able to achieve.

I had a manual focus dslr for years...and I am getting deeper into setting Isos and fstops etc

Since I want to do more street photography as well as landscape and portraits, I was considering a used M9.

Having read a ton of blogs and reviews...I was also hoping to tap the TRF community / photog base for another take.

Yes. Many might say a cheaper camera will still take good photos. But that's like saying a Casio will give you the time just like a Rolex ;-)

[apeogre]

Originally Posted by Speed

1. just attracted by the "Leica look" that friends and others have been able to achieve.

2. and I am getting deeper into setting Isos and fstops etc

3. Since I want to do more street photography as well as landscape and portraits, I was considering a used M9.

4. Many might say a cheaper camera will still take good photos. But that's like saying a Casio will give you the time just like a Rolex ;-)

I'd like to address these points.

1. The "leica look" is all in your mind. Acheiving fantastic results from a camera is all about practice and knowledge with a lot of creativity thrown in. The camera for the most part merely records what's in your head. Photoshop will do the rest. Or I totally missed the target and you just want a leica for the name cause it's a leica.

2. I'm not sure how to really address this point other than, you should know these already.

3. Street and landscape, this is a great camera. Portraits, only if you're doing all natural lighting. Studio portraits would be more difficult. Doable, absolutely, just more difficult.

4. In the land of photography, YOU, are the most important part of taking the picture. If you think a Leica will somehow miraculously make you a magazine print worthy photographer, you're wrong.

I guess my point is, if you want to take better photos, take a photography class. If you want to take pictures with a Leica, buy a Leica. Don't try to tell yourself a camera will make you a better photographer. Having more knowledge and skill is better than having more money in photography.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by apeogre

I'd like to address these points.

1. The "leica look" is all in your mind. Acheiving fantastic results from a camera is all about practice and knowledge with a lot of creativity thrown in. The camera for the most part merely records what's in your head. Photoshop will do the rest. Or I totally missed the target and you just want a leica for the name cause it's a leica.

2. I'm not sure how to really address this point other than, you should know these already.

3. Street and landscape, this is a great camera. Portraits, only if you're doing all natural lighting. Studio portraits would be more difficult. Doable, absolutely, just more difficult.

4. In the land of photography, YOU, are the most important part of taking the picture.

Excellent points.

[apeogre]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Excellent points.

Thank you. I'm very passionate about my photography hobby.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by apeogre

I'd like to address these points.

1. The "leica look" is all in your mind. Acheiving fantastic results from a camera is all about practice and knowledge with a lot of creativity thrown in. The camera for the most part merely records what's in your head. Photoshop will do the rest. Or I totally missed the target and you just want a leica for the name cause it's a leica.

2. I'm not sure how to really address this point other than, you should know these already.

3. Street and landscape, this is a great camera. Portraits, only if you're doing all natural lighting. Studio portraits would be more difficult. Doable, absolutely, just more difficult.

4. In the land of photography, YOU, are the most important part of taking the picture. If you think a Leica will somehow miraculously make you a magazine print worthy photographer, you're wrong.

I guess my point is, if you want to take better photos, take a photography class. If you want to take pictures with a Leica, buy a Leica. Don't try to tell yourself a camera will make you a better photographer. Having more knowledge and skill is better than having more money in photography.

Thanks for your opinions. I value your negative / critical comments as much as some of the positive ones here.

What do you shoot with? Are you passionate about any camera ala the way some of us are about watches???

I think I have spoken to enough folks and seen enough images to think that the "Leica look" isn't a figment of my imagination...but thanks for your opinion.

Thanks for telling me I should already know fstops / other settings already. Well, I know a few things. Maybe not as much as you...but so far you seem to be all talk. How about posting a masterpiece or two?

Did I ever say buying a nice camera was going to make me Ansel Adams? No. I think I might enjoy having a well-made tool with a great heritage - ala a Rolex.

Incidentally a used Leica M9 and lens would be about the price of select SS Rolex models from our trusted sellers here. Is that outlandish? I don't think so.

Thanks again.

[dbelle7]

Originally Posted by Speed

Thanks for your opinions. I value your negative / critical comments as much as some of the positive ones here.

What do you shoot with? Are you passionate about any camera ala the way some of us are about watches???

I think I have spoken to enough folks and seen enough images to think that the "Leica look" isn't a figment of my imagination...but thanks for your opinion.

Thanks for telling me I should already know fstops / other settings already. Well, I know a few things. Maybe not as much as you...but so far you seem to be all talk. How about posting a masterpiece or two?

Did I ever say buying a nice camera was going to make me Ansel Adams? No. I think I might enjoy having a well-made tool with a great heritage - ala a Rolex.

Incidentally a used Leica M9 and lens would be about the price of select SS Rolex models from our trusted sellers here. Is that outlandish? I don't think so.

Thanks again.

There IS a Leica look. It's not in your head. It can be edited in, sort of, but it's still not ever really the same feel.

[tinger]

Do you need them to take excellent/beautiful and thought provoking pictures? Absolutely not. They are however, extremely sexy and well made. You'll know what I mean when you caress an M body or turn the barrel of a Leica lens. If you have the disposable funds they are definitely an excellent tool for its intended use . Leica's forte is the relative smallness-unobtrusiveness in comparison to the larger SLrs. Being a rangefinder, no noisy mirror slap. Its also very fast to use.. compose picture in mind, pre focus, frame veiwfinder, click and melt back into the background all in the matter of a sec. If you are going to spend the equiv of a gold rolex to get a Leica and a few lenses, make sure you like the ergonomics and understand its limitations. As you know, they're not cheap- the cheapest fast lens is the 50mm summilux which is abt $4K and goes up to $11K .

[Submarino]

Not taken with an Leica M but with a Leica V-Lux. I love my Leica.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Submarino

Not taken with an Leica M but with a Leica V-Lux. I love my Leica.

GORGEOUS SHOT!!!

Thanks!

[bayerische]

There's also excellent lenses from Voigtländer.

But if you want the Leica experience, very much like watches, a casio can tell time...

So say a Noctilux 50mm F0,95 will take a picture a bit differently.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by bayerische

So say a Noctilux 50mm F0,95 will take a picture a bit differently.

That's the one . . . heavy . . . but georgeous

HAGOne

[Swearengen]

I have a M3, its a great bit of kit for a 1950's camera. Also have a Nikon F2s, probably the camera of the '70s. Like a Rolex they both are timeless classics.

[subtona]

I sold my M6 about a year ago & finally picked up an ME about 2 months ago

Enjoying it very much....great learning curve for me using adobe lightroom but really enjoying the conveniences of digital.

As far as the digital vs film, of course there is some trade offs, the biggest to me being the battery dependence.

The ME is a great nod to the purists view of Leica & perhaps the last of its kind as the newer M will have video & cmos features.

I'm still getting used to it & will report back as discover more.

In the meantime, the most exciting alternative product out now is the Sony RX1, check it out if you haven't!


Taken w leica ..... Ill put a few street shots up tomorrow, recently returned from barcelona it was the first time I took the camera out shooting after getting the technical kinks out.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by subtona

I sold my M6 about a year ago & finally picked up an ME about 2 months ago


In the meantime, the most exciting alternative product out now is the Sony RX1, check it out if you haven't!

>>>> Yes. I have seen that camera. Fixed lens I believe.

Taken w leica ..... Ill put a few street shots up tomorrow, recently returned from barcelona it was the first time I took the camera out shooting after getting the technical kinks out.

>>>> Sweet!

Yes. Would LOVE to see street shots of Barcelona. Have not been there in years.

[subtona]

Fyi the M9's were being sold New for 5K (closeout) Just when I picked up my ME.

Sadly they went fast.....however the ME msrp is 5500, it is an M9 slightly repackaged with the omission of two features which I am glad are gone
1)The frame selector lever, I never used this in the years I had my M6
2)The external USB port, this, for me, looked as out of place as timex on a rolex forum:-)
To say I hated it would be an understatement.

[apeogre]

Sorry if I came off condescending. It was not my intent. I will post a picture or two later as I am currently at work. If you take a look in the airplane thread that kingair started I posted a couple shots in that.

I do like the put up or shut up :)

I guess I look at camera stuff differently as I do not have the spare cash to blow on a used Rolex watch or a Leica. I love photography and I've seen people spend tons of money on a camera thinking it would make them a great photographer but never got past the little green square. And subsequently stopped taking pictures.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by subtona

Fyi the M9's were being sold New for 5K (closeout) Just when I picked up my ME.

Sadly they went fast.....however the ME msrp is 5500, it is an M9 slightly repackaged with the omission of two features which I am glad are gone
1)The frame selector lever, I never used this in the years I had my M6
2)The external USB port, this, for me, looked as out of place as timex on a rolex forum:-)
To say I hated it would be an understatement.

Thanks. A buddy has the ME. I just could not get past the Gray/Green color. Realize the M9s are discontinued now...but I am looking at some LNIBs in all black for about $5K

Originally Posted by apeogre

Sorry if I came off condescending. It was not my intent. I will post a picture or two later as I am currently at work. If you take a look in the airplane thread that kingair started I posted a couple shots in that.

I do like the put up or shut up :)

I guess I look at camera stuff differently as I do not have the spare cash to blow on a used Rolex watch or a Leica. I love photography and I've seen people spend tons of money on a camera thinking it would make them a great photographer but never got past the little green square. And subsequently stopped taking pictures.

No problem. Again, I am a decent photog...I appreciate the Leica build quality / lenses etc.. I have a compact Leica - but looking to step up to a full-frame with some creative options / a little retro goodness.

Will check out Kingair's thread. Thx

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Speed

Thanks. A buddy has the ME. I just could not get past the Gray/Green color. Realize the M9s are discontinued now...but I am looking at some LNIBs in all black for about $5K



No problem. Again, I am a decent photog...I appreciate the Leica build quality / lenses etc.. I have a compact Leica - but looking to step up to a full-frame with some creative options / a little retro goodness.

Will check out Kingair's thread. Thx

There are a lot like new M9's on the market . . . . and for good prices as well . . .

Just like a Rolex . . . find the right one at the right price . . .

HAGOne

[apeogre]

[apeogre]

I'd post some of my more recent work, but apparently I've been taking more events/studio/baby photos. I generally don't post too much of that for all the world to see.

[Kingair]

Here is the complete eerie . . .

Leica M, Leica M-E en Leica M Monochrom

HAGOne

[Speed]

Originally Posted by apeogre

I'd post some of my more recent work, but apparently I've been taking more events/studio/baby photos. I generally don't post too much of that for all the world to see.

Wow. Beautiful. I especially love the sunset and Golden Gate Bridge shot!

Can't check the file right now...but can I ask your set up on the shots I mentioned?

Understand re: posting of pics. I personally cut back as well. Thanks for putting these up.

[apeogre]

Originally Posted by Speed

Wow. Beautiful. I especially love the sunset and Golden Gate Bridge shot!

Can't check the file right now...but can I ask your set up on the shots I mentioned?

Understand re: posting of pics. I personally cut back as well. Thanks for putting these up.

Thanks. The San Fran and sunset shots are both HDR. 3 frames a piece. Settings I can't remember. But for most HDR frames I'll do at least a full stop between each frame just to get a correctish exposure for the highlights and darks. Sometimes 2 stops.