rcoles Posted December 4, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 4, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am looking for resources (online or in print) to help me understand how to best use a rangefinder like the M9. I shoot people, urban and landscapes. My only lens at this point is the most recent 35 mm f/2 and once I get comfortable with the system I plan to add at least a 75. Thanks Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 4, 2009 Posted December 4, 2009 Hi rcoles, Take a look here Tips for a new Leica user. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tobey bilek Posted December 5, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 5, 2009 Now that I have spent $8000+, how do I use this thing? Do you want to know how to work a digital camera or how to make photos or do you need help with a certain aspect. It works like any other digital camera, but is smaller and employs a viewfinder/rangfinder system. Point, set exposure, focus, and push button. Your question is very broad. Can you narrow it down some? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabriel Posted December 5, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 5, 2009 Is your location Richmond UK rather than Richmond Virginia, if it is the Leica store in London Leica Camera AG - Home run courses free of charge trhat may help you Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted December 5, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 5, 2009 I see that you are in USA - so the Thursday Mayfair courses are out. Unless of course you want to pay a visit to London for some Xmas shopping? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted December 5, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 5, 2009 Now I have a bicycle -- how do I ride it? I am not being sarcastic. My advice is: Don't get that 75 yet. Learn to use the M with one single lens first. And, as with a bike, you learn by doing. Which includes some bruises, some extractions from brambles, but hopefully no concussion. 1. Learn that 35. Learn the field of view. Looking through the finder is free, now you have the camera. With a 35, the width of the field of view, in horizontal format, is equal to the distance to the subject. When you have got '35mm eyes', you can walk around, even without a camera, and see pictures waiting to be taken with a 35mm lens. 2. Learn to place focus. This means learning to spot the place or detail in the subject where you want maximum focus. The distribution of sharpness and unsharpness is one of the most important ways to direct the attention of the viewer, second only to composition. 3. Now when you know where you want to focus, learn focusing the camera. In that order! Always start with the lens set to infinity. This way you know which way to turn the focus ring, and a few millimeters are normally enough. 'Pre-focusing', touted by some, means that you are in doubt and must find out which way to focus. That takes time. Put the detail-of-maximum-focus in the rangefinder patch, get the two superposed images together, adjust the composition, and squeeze the release. Done. 4. Learn the two ways to use the rangefinder. The first is the superposition method. when the images coincide, contrast in the patch takes a leap. The other is like a split-image aid in a SLR: If you have a distinct vertical or near-vertical line you can focus on, see to it that it is unbroken and single from the general finder field into the patch, and maybe out again on the other side. Then you have focus on that line. Practice makes perfect. 5. Learn about exposure. About how the distribution of light and dark influences the meter. Learn about blown highlights and abyssal shadows. And if you shoot colour, you will have to learn one or two things about white balance too. But learning with black and white JPEGs is not a bad idea. 6. When you are familiar with all this, do get that 75, or maybe a 90 Summarit (35 + 90 is the classical reporter outfit) and acquire another set of eyes ... The old man from the Screw Thread Age Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbaron Posted December 5, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 5, 2009 Well said, Lars! One thing I might add to point 2 is that depth of field extends one third in front of the subject and two thirds behind it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 5, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 5, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am looking for resources (online or in print) to help me understand how to best use a rangefinder like the M9. I shoot people, urban and landscapes. My only lens at this point is the most recent 35 mm f/2 and once I get comfortable with the system I plan to add at least a 75.Thanks Bob Bob, you don't say what your background knowledge or experience is in photography. I presume you are comfortable with other formats and systems and are moving into rangefinder photography for the first time. There is no substitute for studying the handbook which came with the camera, particularly the handling aspects, until you know the operations thoroughly. Next, get out and experiment with trial subjects, nothing very important at this stage although you may be pleasantly surprised with some pictures. Master framing, focusing and exposure controls. Be prepared to delete most mistakes once you have understood why those shots failed. A book which I have useful for general information on Leica M photography is the now out-of-print classic by Osterloh. (Picture of front attached) It has been on sale at silly prices but you may be lucky. Or try your local library who may be able to get it for you. Be aware that it predates digital M cameras, but for your purposes much of it is relevant to the M9 so far as handling and lens choices is concerned. Many of the accessories and older lenses can also be used on digital Ms. As suggested, come back with specific questions once you have formulated them in your mind. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/105787-tips-for-a-new-leica-user/?do=findComment&comment=1140867'>More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted December 5, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 5, 2009 Press the button on the top. The more you press it, the better you'll become. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peyton Hoge Posted December 5, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 5, 2009 Press the button on the top. The more you press it, the better you'll become. Well said Peyton Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted December 5, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 5, 2009 What I'd like to emphasize is that the points 1 -- 3 in my little essay above correspond very well with the actual workflow in the field -- with some interpolation of later points. --Select a lens and the appropriate 'eyes'. --Set an aperture to fit the light and the situation (shutter on 'A' while we're learning). --See the picture. --Move a couple of steps forward or back or to the side, as appropriate. Select the focusing point. --Raise the camera and focus. Adjust cropping. --Click. The last three points should take just a couple of seconds. Your pal with the SLR is still pumping his zoom, searching for a possible picture somewhere out there. One tip would be to renounce colour while you are learning the basics. Set Saturation to 'black and white' (Menu) and Compression to 'JPG fine' (Set). When picture-seeing, focusing and exposure work all right, you can introduce colour. Btw, JPEG quality is remarkably high. It is not much of a handicap to us old farts who learned to shoot Kodachrome and get it right; and the convenience is very real. The old man from the Age of Kodachrome II Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 5, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 5, 2009 Well, what a question! One would assume that you're not a complete novice photographer having bought an M9 or else the salesman did a very good/bad job in selling you the camera, depending on ones point of view There are two issues - the art of photography which applies no matter what kind of equipment you are using - composition, exposure techniques, use of colour, use of B&W etc. Then there are the technical aspects of using your particular camera - best ISO setting, RAW conversion, etc. So perhaps you could be more specific - what is it that you feel your are lacking from your existing skillsets, to 'best use' the M9? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcoles Posted December 5, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted December 5, 2009 Thanks for the helpful comments. I have worked with both film and digital (Nikon) SLR 35mm and some medium format film for years doing travel, landscape, nature and wildlife photography. In recent years I have started doing more urban and people photography. With the increasing size, weight and complexity of the DSLR systems I was looking for a more sensible approach to capturing quality images. Also, the older I get the less I want to carry. I followed the M8 and it’s ups and downs and with the release of the M9 it looked like Leica had developed a camera that might address some of my needs. I have read all the reviews, followed many of the threads on this site, studied many of Reid’s reviews on rangefinders and related subjects. This research helped me select the 35 f/2 as the best first lens. I also noted in many of the threads that a number of DSLR (Canon and Nikon) users had switched to the M9 and were reporting good results. The more I learned the more I was convinced that the M9 was at least a partial solution to my needs. It would not replace my long lenses and macro equipment, but should work for my other photography. With no local dealer (the closest is 2-hours away) I talked with and corresponded with several dealers and posted several question on this site to help me make a decision. Now with the camera in hand, I still feel it was a good decision. I am comfortable with setting the exposure and working with depth of field, hyperfocual distance and the like and focusing on close objects does not seem to be a problem in good light. My concerns deal with the lack of feedback on focus verification for longer and low light shots and the inability to fully check the result in the field and learning the tried and true techniques that improves ones chances of getting it right. I understand getting out and using the camera in the field is the only real way to answer most of these questions, but Leica photography has a long and wonderful history and I was also hoping to benefit from the knowledge of experienced users. Visit MobileMe Gallery to see some of my work. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted December 5, 2009 Share #13 Posted December 5, 2009 Bob, the trickiest problem you're likely to have is focussing the rangefinder, but practise will help. When I mentioned pressing the button in my response above I was being serious, the more you practice, the more intuitive it will become. For some people the differences between an SLR and a rangefinder are insurmountable and they eventually give up and return to an SLR, but for many of us it's a refreshingly different way of seeing the world. If you find it difficult to adjust - and that's not to say you necessarily will - give it time. I can;t speak for anyone else, but when I switched I didn't bother buying a book, I just used the camera and leaned from the results. Most of all, have fun with the system. The idea of using just one lens at first is an excellent one as it gives you one less thing to worry about - and a 35mm lens is a great place to start. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
becker Posted December 5, 2009 Share #14 Posted December 5, 2009 Rcoles thanks for having a look to your pictures: Great nature pics i like them very much. A pro like you will have success and fun on the M 9. Greetings from old Europe MB Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted December 5, 2009 Share #15 Posted December 5, 2009 No-one has said that it's not actually criminal to gauge the distance, set it by looking at the lens focus scale and noting what depth of field ± will be sharp for the f number showing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
giordano Posted December 5, 2009 Share #16 Posted December 5, 2009 --Select a lens and the appropriate 'eyes'. --Set an aperture to fit the light and the situation (shutter on 'A' while we're learning). --See the picture. --Move a couple of steps forward or back or to the side, as appropriate. Select the focusing point. --Raise the camera and focus. Adjust cropping. --Click. The last three points should take just a couple of seconds. Your pal with the SLR is still pumping his zoom, searching for a possible picture somewhere out there. I agree with everything you say here, Lars, except for the gratuitous insult to SLR users. Some of us can "see the picture" even if the thing round our neck is a big DSLR with an ugly great AF zoom lens. Footwork adjusts perspective, zoom adjusts framing: there's less need to compromise or crop in post. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indecisive Posted December 5, 2009 Share #17 Posted December 5, 2009 Bob, the trickiest problem you're likely to have is focussing the rangefinder, but practise will help. When I mentioned pressing the button in my response above I was being serious, the more you practice, the more intuitive it will become. For some people the differences between an SLR and a rangefinder are insurmountable and they eventually give up and return to an SLR, but for many of us it's a refreshingly different way of seeing the world. If you find it difficult to adjust - and that's not to say you necessarily will - give it time. I can;t speak for anyone else, but when I switched I didn't bother buying a book, I just used the camera and leaned from the results. Most of all, have fun with the system. The idea of using just one lens at first is an excellent one as it gives you one less thing to worry about - and a 35mm lens is a great place to start. I was in a camera shop today and tried the D700 with 85mm f1.8 lens. I was so tempted to move back to the computer camera world I don't want to admit it but it felt so right when compared to the 5D (which I had before). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted December 6, 2009 Share #18 Posted December 6, 2009 I was in a camera shop today and tried the D700 with 85mm f1.8 lens. I was so tempted to move back to the computer camera world It's a personal thing. Personally I have just about zero interest in buying or using an SLR. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islandmike Posted December 6, 2009 Share #19 Posted December 6, 2009 Steve's dead right about pressing the button often. People sometimes tell me I get good luck when I take a good picture. I just tell them, the more I practice, the luckier I get. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcoombs Posted December 6, 2009 Share #20 Posted December 6, 2009 Bob,. enjoy your new camera. In all the useful posts in this thread the two most important comments were Steve's about just plain practice and Lars' about sticking with the one lens until it is second nature to you. The beauty of a Leica RF is that when you are experienced with it shooting becomes an almost unconscious act. The pieces just fall into place. Doug Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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