ian748s Posted February 7, 2007 Share #1 Posted February 7, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have just purchased a Leica M6 and am keen to explore it's capabilities to the full. I've not used a rangefinder before either. Any suggested reading - I like books rather than just online. Has anyone read Leica M6/M7. by Richard Hünecke and what about Leica M6 to M1: Rangefinder Practice by Andrew Matheson and Dennis Laney or is there something else I should consider? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 7, 2007 Posted February 7, 2007 Hi ian748s, Take a look here Leica reading - please recommend a book or two. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted February 7, 2007 Share #2 Posted February 7, 2007 The Puts lens book is well worth buying if you want a history and discussion of the lenses. The very latest lenses are missing as they were released after the book was published - and a second edition is unlikely - but it covers all or most of the lenses up until the Tri-Elmar. In fact Erwin was unlucky in that a first generation Tri-Elmar features on the cover and the 2nd version was released just as the book was originally published :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Olof Posted February 7, 2007 Share #3 Posted February 7, 2007 If there are translations of Walter Benser "Mein Leben mit der Leica" you also can read this Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 7, 2007 Share #4 Posted February 7, 2007 I remember a good book from certain Osterloh (Osterlhoo? maybe Van Osterloh?): good for how to best use Leicas : I have it no more (lent to someone, never came back...) so I cannot be more precise (name? Gunther, seem to remember....) Of course, quite different if You like something on the glorious history of Leitz gear: Laney and Lager ar the natural choices. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimF Posted February 7, 2007 Share #5 Posted February 7, 2007 I have just purchased a Leica M6 and am keen to explore it's capabilities to the full. I've not used a rangefinder before either. Any suggested reading - I like books rather than just online. I like Jonathan Eastland's books on Leica matters. His "Leica M Compendium" (Hove Books) is a good read from all angles. Brian Bower's "Leica M Photography" is a goodie too, though I have a feeling its now out of print. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted February 7, 2007 Share #6 Posted February 7, 2007 I remember a good book from certain Osterloh (Osterlhoo? maybe Van Osterloh?): good for how to best use Leicas : I have it no more (lent to someone, never came back...) so I cannot be more precise (name? Gunther, seem to remember....)Of course, quite different if You like something on the glorious history of Leitz gear: Laney and Lager ar the natural choices. That would be the Leica M Advanced School of Photography by Gunther Osterloh. This is an excellent book that covers most things Leica and also has good user tips and techniques in it - i.e. it's not just a boring reference book. On the general subject of rangefinder photography you might want to take a look at Roger Hick's Rangefinder: Equipment, History, Techniques Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted February 8, 2007 Share #7 Posted February 8, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) "LEICA POCKET BOOK 7th EDITION" is an invaluable book ... has performance data for just about every Leitz/Leica lens ever made up until 2001 ish Dunk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian748s Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted February 8, 2007 Thanks one and all for your helpful replies. I'm currently on the hunt for a good s/h 50mm f1.4 and 75mm f1.4 lenses. Any idea what sort of price I should have to pay here in the UK? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted February 8, 2007 Share #9 Posted February 8, 2007 In case you look a bit like your above passportphotograph you will most likely get those lenses for free. Good luck ! Best Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted February 8, 2007 Share #10 Posted February 8, 2007 Ian, Ffordes - ffordes photographic : Main Index - have a well used 50mm Summilux in for £499. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimF Posted February 8, 2007 Share #11 Posted February 8, 2007 I saw a used 75mm 'lux on some website recently - price was a bit under 1K I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian748s Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share #12 Posted February 8, 2007 Ian, Ffordes - ffordes photographic : Main Index - have a well used 50mm Summilux in for £499. Steve Yeh, spoke with them and it's not in that great a condition. My M6 looks like it is new so I don't want to hang a battered piece of glass on it. Thanks anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted February 8, 2007 Share #13 Posted February 8, 2007 If there are translations of Walter Benser "Mein Leben mit der Leica" you also can read this Walter Benser's book was printed in translation - a friend of mine lent me his copy - I don't know if it's still in print though. A very interesting and enjoyable read. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimF Posted February 8, 2007 Share #14 Posted February 8, 2007 Those splendid chaps at Aperture have a 50m 'lux in (with hood), described as Exc++, for £650. I've never been disappointed with anything bought there yet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimF Posted February 8, 2007 Share #15 Posted February 8, 2007 Walter Benser's book was printed in translation.....I don't know if it's still in print though. Seems so. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian748s Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share #16 Posted February 8, 2007 Thanks for all your assistance so far. I have ordered: "My Life with the Leica" - Walther Benser "Leica M: Advanced Photo School" - Gunter Osterloh "Leica Lens Compendium" - Erwin Puts I'll advise when I find the right lens - I'm unsure which to go for first, the 50 or 75. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyrich Posted February 8, 2007 Share #17 Posted February 8, 2007 Leica M6 to M1: Rangefinder Practice by Andrew Matheson and Dennis Laney is nice but doesn't compare to the Osterloh book already recommended. Some of Osterloh's shots are actually worth looking at for their own sake which is a rarity in books of this type. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 8, 2007 Share #18 Posted February 8, 2007 Thanks for all your assistance so far. I have ordered: "My Life with the Leica" - Walther Benser "Leica M: Advanced Photo School" - Gunter Osterloh "Leica Lens Compendium" - Erwin Puts I'll advise when I find the right lens - I'm unsure which to go for first, the 50 or 75. I am happy that the nice book I only rememberer partly (Ostrloh) has been identified and You order it: this is exactly the reason of being of forums...helping each other... I seem to understand at the moment You have body and no lens at all ? If so I suggest you anyway a 50, unless You have some specific pictures goal tailored to 75; sure to need the 1,4s ? Do not forget You can find, say, 35 f2 + 75 f2 or 90 f2,8 for not much more money than for a single 1,4... Other maybe temporary budget-wise choice: a fine 50 (Slux 1,4) and a rather cheap "3rd party" 90 (Cos/Voigt...) or... (well, anyone likes too much to give advices...stop so) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtodrick Posted February 8, 2007 Share #19 Posted February 8, 2007 I'm going to go a different route in response to your question. All the book mentioned here are the type that will, in my opinion ;-) turn you into the typical 'Leica geek' that so many make fun of. Try reading/studying: The Americans by Robert Frank Heart of Spain by Robert Capa Anything by Cartier-Bresson Histoire de France by Ralph Gibson I could go on and on. Looking at books like this will give you a far better idea of what you can accomplish with a Leica (or any of a dozen other cameras), than reading tech books. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian748s Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share #20 Posted February 8, 2007 I am happy that the nice book I only rememberer partly (Ostrloh) has been identified and You order it: this is exactly the reason of being of forums...helping each other... I seem to understand at the moment You have body and no lens at all ? If so I suggest you anyway a 50, unless You have some specific pictures goal tailored to 75; sure to need the 1,4s ? Do not forget You can find, say, 35 f2 + 75 f2 or 90 f2,8 for not much more money than for a single 1,4... Other maybe temporary budget-wise choice: a fine 50 (Slux 1,4) and a rather cheap "3rd party" 90 (Cos/Voigt...) or... (well, anyone likes too much to give advices...stop so) Yes, just the M6 body. I am hoping to get an M8 ready for my planned trip to Peru in early 2008, I am so impressed with the quality of images it produces. As a long-time film user I was initially very disappointed when I moved to digital and although the D2x is a superb camera it takes some work to get top quality images - it's very unforgiving. I have contemplated selling my Nikon gear and jumping to Leica completely with an M8 but that would be a step too far right now. I do also shoot a lot of 80-200 focal length images. I am I think likely to go for the 1.4s straight off though one at a time. I don't mind waiting and am really gearing up for my 2008 trip when I know I will not want to lug all the heavy Nikon gear around. If I still have it by then Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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