dav Posted February 2, 2007 Share #1 Posted February 2, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Newbie CM user here. Would it be bold to ask for help, tips and techniques? I've followed this forum for sometime, and the breadth and depth of knowledge here is remarkable. I sure would appreciate any help you're willing to give. Along with the CM, I will also have the SF24D flash. Which film and speed do you like most (indoors and outdoors)? I really want to do some indoor natural light shooting; looking forward to the f/2.4 40 mm lens. When shooting indoors w/o a flash, do you simply set it on auto, or make sure it's on 2.4? What circumstances would I look for to attach the flash? Are there sources of information beyond this most excellent forum, e.g., books, blogs, etc? What's best for shooting family gathering shots indoors (without a flash, with a flash)? Should I defintely plan for an SK Grimes lens shroud for glare? Really can't wait for the CM to arrive. Thanks all for your sharing and patience. d. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 Hi dav, Take a look here My CM will be arriving soon, and I can't wait !!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
meatboy Posted February 2, 2007 Share #2 Posted February 2, 2007 Sorry, no real answers to your questions but here are some CM links.. Leica CM OK, this is about the Minilux but the lens is much the same. Minilux & Summarit Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmr Posted February 3, 2007 Share #3 Posted February 3, 2007 Congratulations on your CM I do not have a CM, but I do have a Minilux...the best backup camera for an M user. CM has 'improved' lens coating, higher shutter speed, and improved electronics. As for taking pictures... I usualy sets mine to Auto and load 400 asa Fujifilm. Let the camera do the rest. If I have sufficient light, I do switch off the flash. You will be amaze how well the lens do indoors with available lighting. You will hardly use the external flash and you do not really need a hood. No point carrying extra stuff. Instead, get a case to wear the camera on your belt. I usually have a loaded camera on my belt and 1 or 2 rolls of extra film in my pocket. Hands free and ready to go. You will have a great time with that camera and very simple to use. Most of all... it capture great stuff.... ENJOY! Post some shots!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted February 3, 2007 Share #4 Posted February 3, 2007 Newbie CM user here. Would it be bold to ask for help, tips and techniques? Which film and speed do you like most (indoors and outdoors)? d. I use Kodak EBX almost exclusively in my CM which is often a companion to my M6 when it is fitted with a 21 or 90 lens. It is my travel camera and is a firm favourite. I wish you great happiness and success with your CM. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaetan Posted February 3, 2007 Share #5 Posted February 3, 2007 Hi Dennis, the CM is very easy to use and could be a great creation tools also. One advise I could give is to take extra care with the focus ring on the top; you can easily disengage it form Auto-Fucus to manual focus without knowing it. I have made a DOF table for the CM 40 Summarit; you can download a pdf file here Have fun with it. Gaëtan Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dav Posted February 4, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted February 4, 2007 try the f/2.4 lens indoors with no flash taking family shots. My home has a lot of indirect light during the day, and incandescents during the evening. How do you recommend I approach this day, and night? I'm thinking about using print film. Which film and speed do you recommend? I've read recommendations for Fuji Superia X-TRA 400, Kodak Ultra Color 400UC, and Kodak High Definition 400HD. Do you recommend shooting auto everything, or tweaking? Great help thus far, please keep it coming. d. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Half-Handed Posted February 4, 2007 Share #7 Posted February 4, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I love my CM - if only I had a scanner so I could upload some pictures from it. We should have a CM pictures thread (for those of us who are too poor for an M8...). Does anyone know which serial numbers were affected by the fault on the CM where the battery meter showed as empty? I know Leica was fixing them under warranty... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjans Posted February 4, 2007 Share #8 Posted February 4, 2007 It were the first cameras released with the battery error but I don't know the serial numbers affected. When I have my print and slide films developped I mostly order a CD-Rom. The file sizes are perfect for internet use. Best Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted February 4, 2007 Share #9 Posted February 4, 2007 I don't have a CM but here's a tip based on the result of some friends who has a CM. On your first prints, you will be amazed to findout that you are such a good photographer. On your second set of prints, you will be wondering how you can do better with an M. On your third set of prints, you will be saving for an M. All roads lead to Rome. Congrats to the arrival of your new toy, and welcome to the Leica addiction. -Ron The beautiful eyes of Leica. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Half-Handed Posted February 4, 2007 Share #10 Posted February 4, 2007 There's no danger of me being able to afford an M8 (digital or otherwise) for the foreseeable future... not sure what the next step is after a CM anyway - the Digilux 2 perhaps? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaetan Posted February 4, 2007 Share #11 Posted February 4, 2007 I don't have a CM but here's a tip based on the result of some friends who has a CM.On your first prints, you will be amazed to findout that you are such a good photographer. On your second set of prints, you will be wondering how you can do better with an M. On your third set of prints, you will be saving for an M. All roads lead to Rome. Congrats to the arrival of your new toy, and welcome to the Leica addiction. -Ron The beautiful eyes of Leica. Ron is absolutely right; I bought a M6 - Summicron 50/2 followed by a Summicron 35/2 and an Elmarit 90/2.8 after two months with my CM. (BTW I still use the CM a lot) Most of the time I load the CM with Kodak 400UC. -G Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canfred Posted February 4, 2007 Share #12 Posted February 4, 2007 Hi Dennis , this statement from Ron is quite funny. I would say you already know the difference between the CM and M. We have shot a number of rolls with our CM and found we like to use 200 film this is if you shoot indoors you can set the camera to f5.6 the flash is powerful enough. If you do not set the aperture the camera will choose f2.4 at times. One more thing we found indoors at low light the camera uses a light beam to assist focus, this results in a shutter delay. Its best to pre focus and hold focus if possible , mooving subjects can be a problem. Exposure measurement is accurate enugh to use chrome film if this is your choice. Our CM is very quiet making unoptrusive photography possible. When I say our CM I mean this camera was a present to my wife but she graciously allows my using it. All in all its a delight to use The many different flash modes take a bit of sorting out if you whish to use a second flash unit. At times we have shot on Fuji 400 making it possible to eliminate some flash situations the film is sharp and quite grainfree. Perhaps worth noting here we also own the Minlux but it failed with the common E02 error while this can be repaired it became too expensive for us here in Australia. As well as that repair does not eliminate reccurance. We therefore decidet to replace it with the CM. The Minilux sits on the shelf. The main consideration for purchasing this CM is the lens it is a gem you will like it . Enjoy your camera and gongratulation. Manfred The beautiful eyes of Leica. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted February 5, 2007 Share #13 Posted February 5, 2007 I agree about the gem of a lens - I have the Minilux, whose lens is the same though with a slightly less good coating. It's the optical quality that is addictive - in my case, when wanting to diversify into an SLR system, it forced me to the Leica R system - just no choice really despite the expense. Resistance is futile. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dav Posted February 6, 2007 Author Share #14 Posted February 6, 2007 What's the best approach to learning how to shoot the CM? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dav Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share #15 Posted February 7, 2007 I'm going to begin with prints, and then perhaps move to slides. Here's what I'm thinkning about using for film. What do you think? Color Print: 1) Fuji NPH Pro 400 2) Kodak 400 UC Color Slide: 1) Fuji Provia 100 or 400 (leaning towards 100 in order to reproduce prints) B&W Print Portrait: 1) Ilford Delta 400 2) Ilford HP5 3) Kodak T-max 400 Note: Ilford XP2 was also recommended for its C41 attributes, but I don't know enough about the benefits of C41 B&W Print Outdoor: 1) Fuji Neopan 400 2) Fuji Acros 100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatboy Posted February 7, 2007 Share #16 Posted February 7, 2007 Denis, Both the colour print films you mention I tried in my CM and the results were excellent. The kodak a bit warmer perhaps. Sharpness was excellent from the CM lens. I could not however scan either with my Konica 5400MkII to a point that I was happy with the scan. Too much noise and it looked like a colour cast was being introduced. I had calibrated my monitor with a Spyder Pro but they never looked right - I must revisit this when time allows. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted February 8, 2007 Share #17 Posted February 8, 2007 Do try Fuji Reala for print film if ISO 100 suffices. In my opinion a very natural colour balance (some find it a bit wishy-washy, but I tend to steer away from the over-saturated look). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKSC Posted February 8, 2007 Share #18 Posted February 8, 2007 Dennis, my staple for the Leica CM: Outdoor: Fuji Reala (+1/3EV) Indoor: Fuji Pro400H (+1/3 EV), Pro800Z (+2/3EV) Ron and Gaetan are correct. The CM will whet your appetitite for an M. Even after I got an M7, I still have use for the CM. 120 rolls through it, and its still going strong. Its a pity Leica have discontinued it. It will likely be a big cult item in years to come. As the "originator" of the SK Grimes lens hood, together with Justin Scott, I would highly recommend it. It does make a difference. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Half-Handed Posted February 8, 2007 Share #19 Posted February 8, 2007 So far I've only shot with HP5 but I'll definitely pick up some colour film based on these recommendations... thanks! I have a batch of prints due to come back early next week - looking forward to them. It really is a cracking camera. Does it have a digital equivalent? What's the closest digital cousin to it - the D-Lux 3 or the C-Lux? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan s. Posted February 9, 2007 Share #20 Posted February 9, 2007 Just a short note: I think the ilford pan 50 is a nice film to use, even with the cm. As I have the minilux, the camera takes beatiful images at wide apertures. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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