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

[tinger]

First of all I cant comment on sensors.. I haven't migrated to digital yet.
There sure is a 'Leica look'. Its basically a fingerprint...just like nikkors render images differently than Canons .. same as Kodachrome's red bias vs Velvia' green bias.
There is a lot of confusion out there between 'Lecia look' and 'Leica glow'.
The Glow look is basically spherical aberration (flaw) of the lens design by Mandler in the 50s/60s which gives a very desirable look especially when shooting portraits.

Here's a technical article re bokeh from Zeiss http://www.zeiss.com/c12567a8003b8b6f/embedtitelintern/cln_35_bokeh_en/$file/cln35_bokeh_en.pdf

[bayerische]

I've shot with a Leica since 2005, and while there's a saying about the Leica look, I must say there's no Leica look anymore, or was there even one?

Sure Leicas lenses may be sharper wide open than say Canon, but today most lenses are excellent. And the Leica look is as much in your head as it is on the pics.



The photographer takes the picture and makes the picture. A truth that has hit me too many many times.

I've worked as a teacher of photographic art, and in the beginning most students think it's all about the gear. I'd say it's less than 10% the gear.

The most talented students usually have very little interest in gear.



But I still always stressed, that understanding the technical aspects of photography can only work to your advantage.

[subtona]

leica look......


well, when it comes to B&W, i believe there is something special about the Leica, maybe it is the lenses or maybe it is the caliber of photographer who is associated with the product.... either way.

One thing i find with the Leica vs many other current auto everything cameras, is there tends to be a bit more intimacy in the photographs....
(perhaps not mine as i am just a bumbling novice but i enjoy trying)
the camera is such that it pushes the photographer to get closer to the subject and move his feet to get the shot rather than dial the zoom lens, it further encourages a true understanding of the Lens and its depth of field and capabilities, manually focusing from the hip is encouraged...
i do not say it is better or worse, but you begin to associate certain images that are born from this learned technique of necessity with Leica.

You won't take as many photos with a Leica, but you will take a bit more time with the ones you do.

the Leica is discreet, un-intimidating and begs the photographer to engage their subjects for the best photos .... it has excelled in photojournalism and its strengths are defined, it is not a camera that is good at everything, but it is inextricably linked to those things that it excels at


certainly it is not the camera that makes the shot, any camera will do, cellphone cameras have the advantage of always being available.
but the Leica inspires people by its heritage and build quality, its ease of use and its assured quirkiness... if inspiration can be found in something as simple as a camera, for me that in itself is inspiring

When i bought my first Leica (first camera besides a point and shoot), i knew very little about them, when i put it in my hands, i instantly fell in love.
I bought my M6 in 2000, in 2001 i was published in 2 books and placed in several galleries.... not bad for a hobby.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by subtona

leica look......


well, when it comes to B&W, i believe there is something special about the Leica, maybe it is the lenses or maybe it is the caliber of photographer who is associated with the product.... either way.

One thing i find with the Leica vs many other current auto everything cameras, is there tends to be a bit more intimacy in the photographs....
(perhaps not mine as i am just a bumbling novice but i enjoy trying)
the camera is such that it pushes the photographer to get closer to the subject and move his feet to get the shot rather than dial the zoom lens, it further encourages a true understanding of the Lens and its depth of field and capabilities, manually focusing from the hip is encouraged...
i do not say it is better or worse, but you begin to associate certain images that are born from this learned technique of necessity with Leica.

You won't take as many photos with a Leica, but you will take a bit more time with the ones you do.

the Leica is discreet, un-intimidating and begs the photographer to engage their subjects for the best photos .... it has excelled in photojournalism and its strengths are defined, it is not a camera that is good at everything, but it is inextricably linked to those things that it excels at


certainly it is not the camera that makes the shot, any camera will do, cellphone cameras have the advantage of always being available.
but the Leica inspires people by its heritage and build quality, its ease of use and its assured quirkiness... if inspiration can be found in something as simple as a camera, for me that in itself is inspiring

When i bought my first Leica (first camera besides a point and shoot), i knew very little about them, when i put it in my hands, i instantly fell in love.
I bought my M6 in 2000, in 2001 i was published in 2 books and placed in several galleries.... not bad for a hobby.

Great description

A Leica M-series is something special . . . you can easily compare it a Rolex . . .

HAGOne

[tinger]

Nice post Gus!!

[tinger]

You're right Andreas,
I would trade everything I have for a better 'eye'

Originally Posted by bayerische

The photographer takes the picture and makes the picture. A truth that has hit me too many many times.

[bayerische]

OP, you requested a few bokeh shots. Here's a couple I found quickly browsing through my pics.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Kingair

Great description

A Leica M-series is something special . . . you can easily compare it a Rolex . . .

HAGOne

Originally Posted by tinger

Nice post Gus!!

thank you both very much

[subtona]

Originally Posted by bayerische

OP, you requested a few bokeh shots. Here's a couple I found quickly browsing through my pics.

you have certainly delivered on the Bokeh

[Speed]

Originally Posted by bayerische

OP, you requested a few bokeh shots. Here's a couple I found quickly browsing through my pics.

Wow. That's a bouquet of bokeh!

Thanks so much. Gorgeous.

Appreciate all the comments. will read more in depth when I get home, but a quick note of appreciation via my phone!

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Speed

Wow. That's a bouquet of bokeh!

Thanks so much. Gorgeous.

Appreciate all the comments. will read more in depth when I get home, but a quick note of appreciation via my phone!

These are taken with an F1.4.

But remember, your focus need to be close to get proper shallow depth of field.

If you focus on something 5-10m away you'll have a lot in focus.



You're ready for the Leica, get it!

[Kingair]

A few months ago I was thinking to get one . . .

And now with reading these posts and seeing the pics . . . I am in trouble . . .

Going to have a look at the Leica forum

Here is a link for who want to have a look . .

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/

Lot's of info . . . but not comparable to our TRF !

HAGOne

[cyglee]

A quick query...
I haven't used my M6 in years, since going digital (Nikon).
How compatible are the older m lenses, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm with a digital Leica body?
I expect there are contact pins, etc. in the newer lenses, and bodies?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by cyglee

A quick query...
I haven't used my M6 in years, since going digital (Nikon).
How compatible are the older m lenses, 35mm, 50mm, 90mm with a digital Leica body?
I expect there are contact pins, etc. in the newer lenses, and bodies?

There is a simple manual selection in the menu to tell the camera which lens you will be using, it takes 10seconds.

Or you can get your lens coaded for about $300.

Or they sell a DIY kit that isn't perfect, but it works.

[Draxler]

Leica Clux 2
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362089118.415385.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362089145.052322.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362089205.874365.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362089232.212873.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362089264.921548.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362089277.897790.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362089310.874463.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362089383.074230.jpg
Now I have DLux 5
Leica is like Rolex

[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.

[cyglee]

Originally Posted by subtona

There is a simple manual selection in the menu to tell the camera which lens you will be using, it takes 10seconds.

Or you can get your lens coaded for about $300.

Or they sell a DIY kit that isn't perfect, but it works.

Gus, many thanks for the reply.
This might become an expensive Leica reacquiantance.
And, there is the film Hassy sitting untouched, too!

Excellent Leica images everyone!!

[Speed]

Originally Posted by subtona

great pics above

i agree with you about the gray, black is the way to go, though in use i really don't notice it.

some pics ... its been a while since ive shot before this... made lots of mistakes & left the lens cap on too many times to count

i like the kids in front of the church, looking at their faces, it seems they are together, yet preoccupied in their own world probably all distracted by hormones at that age i stood just in front of them and not 1 of them noticed me.

Originally Posted by Draxler

Leica Clux 2

Leica is like Rolex

Gus, Primoz,

Wonderful Shots!

Love the table view of the woman, child and man...plus the b&ws. Nice street shots as well.

Great shot of the girl / cell phone and Radio City!

Love my D-Lux 5 (OK, I have the private labeled Lumix / Panasonic version) and I get great raw / Jpeg pics.

Well...this is it.

Thanks All.

[tinger]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8239198...in/photostream

Not my pic..
Shot taken with a Noct most likely wide open (vignetting).
Note the 'creamyness' of bokah -the background/windows.
I'm not current with the modern L & EF lenses.. but there is no way an older nikkor can replicate this look/feel.. Even the venerable 85 1.4 renders the softness very different.
Technically the lens is not very good wide open- i.e. lines per mm, light falloff, flatness, SA, etc in comparison to the modern lenses.. but darn it.. it sure do have 'soul'!

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by tinger

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8239198...in/photostream

Not my pic..
Shot taken with a Noct most likely wide open (vignetting).
Note the 'creamyness' of bokah -the background/windows.
I'm not current with the modern L & EF lenses.. but there is no way an older nikkor can replicate this look/feel.. Even the venerable 85 1.4 renders the softness very different.
Technically the lens is not very good wide open- i.e. lines per mm, light falloff, flatness, SA, etc in comparison to the modern lenses.. but darn it.. it sure do have 'soul'!

And what about the EF 85 mm f/ 1.2 . . . or the Leica Noctilux f 0.95 (my grail) . . .

Amazing lenses . . .

HAGWe

[tinger]

Originally Posted by Kingair

And what about the EF 85 mm f/ 1.2 . . . or the Leica Noctilux f 0.95 (my grail) . . .

Amazing lenses . . .

HAGWe

The 1.0 is already huge and blocks abt 1/4 of the view finder. It weighs in at 1.5lbs The .95 is taller/wider and 5oz heavier!!
The .95 is better in every way, especially in micro contrast and lp/mm. It seems that the out of focus areas are even 'softer'

There were 4 versions of the Noct prior to the current .95.
First version was the 1.2, the next 3 were basically the same lens (f1.0) with cosmetic changes and were made from 1976 to 2008ish in Midland, Canada.

For anyone that would like to play with Ultra fast lenses.. give the norkton 1.1 a try.. Its not the same as a Noct, but its smaller/lighter and cheaper at ~ $1000 ish.

[Kingair]

Here . . . something to read . . .

Quick Comparison: SLR Magic 50 T0.95 vs Voigtlander 50 f/1.1 on the Leica M9

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/tag/nokton-1-1/

HAGWe

[subtona]

with the increase in ISO performance, the trade off in price and bulk to gain 1 f stop with the Noctilux type lens doesn't seem quite as appealing anymore?

[Speed]

That's a mega spendy lens!

[subtona]

update...
*Leica is out (just posted all f/s on craigslist)
*Sony RX1 is in.

[capote]

Originally Posted by subtona

update...
*Leica is out (just posted all f/s on craigslist)
*Sony RX1 is in.

I've read very good things about it. Have you tried it out yet?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by capote

I've read very good things about it. Have you tried it out yet?

just picked it up and spent only about 15 minutes shooting... busy busy at the moment....

but the test shots are more than my expectations, the ergonomics and the feel are top notch.

as a small example, the shutter button on the Sony actually feels smoother and more precise than on the current Leica

looking forward to shooting with it and will post some up asap.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by subtona

just picked it up and spent only about 15 minutes shooting... busy busy at the moment....

but the test shots are more than my expectations, the ergonomics and the feel are top notch.

as a small example, the shutter button on the Sony actually feels smoother and more precise than on the current Leica

looking forward to shooting with it and will post some up asap.

Looks nice !

Here is a review

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx1

Post some pics later

HAGOne

[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.