My First Leica

[arminw]

I finally got it ... the M7 and I am so proud of it! It's my first Leica; and I hope I made the right choice? Can you guys help me on a few questions please?

I come from a digital background and don't know much (nothing) about the film process. I would like to scan my pictures into the computer; and would like to know what's the best way of doing it ? Do I have to have the film developed first or can I use the film role to scan ?
Sorry for all those silly questions, but I am sure somebody has an answer.

Armin

[marknorton]

Congrqatulations on your first Leica. You do of course have to have your films developed but you can then scan the negatives to process and print digitally. I think you need to buy a book though or attend a class...

[wparsonsgisnet]

Arminw,

I have been scanning my negs for a number of years, now. As a result, when I get film developed, I ask that it not be cut and I cut it myself to fit the film holder for my scanner. I recommend you get a scanner that offers ICE (a fourth, infrared channel that eliminates scratches and dust on color negs, but is no use for b/w).

I can't speak to current film cameras other than Leica, but I have always been impressed that Leice adjusts their film transports so that the internegative portion of the film ALWAYS falls between sprocket holes. When the film is cut, you never get a little sharp piece at the end of the film. This simple, attention to detail is the kind of process that makes Leica what it is -- the best.

I have used a Nikon scanner in the past and now use the Minolta Elite 5400 II (no longer in production). If you look, this may be available somewhere. It produces great scans (and v-e-r-y large files, of course). I don't keep the original scans since I have the negs. I only keep the stuff after I've cropped it.

Before buying a scanner, you should check out the posts in the old forum for recommendations. I think if I were buying one today it might be one of the higher-res Nikons. I haven't seen any posts on this topic in this new Forum.

I also recommend you look at VueScan Scanning Software for VueScan. I use this software, which receives universal acclaim. Ed Hamrick spends all his time making this stuff work right and it's teriffic. It's also inexpensive -- with continuous FREE upgrades. This guy is a model for the software industry: it works right, it's inexpensive, it's easy to use, and the upgrades are free. Imagine that!

Scanning negs gives you tremendous control over your process and allows you the freedom of digital printing. The immediacy of printing for oneself is liberating. Of course, if you've been doing digital, you'll still have to wait for the film to be processed. DO NOT use one of the shopping mall processors. When they train their staff, they instruct them in how to dance on the film strip right after development. Find yourself a good custom processor. If there isn't one in your town, go online. There are plenty of these guys that do it right.

Bill

[overgaardcom]

Welcom to the forum and congratulations on the M!

I would recommend you start witl slide (positive) films and get them developed at a lab.

This allows you to see what the picture looks like ideally and how the optimum scan could look.

As scannin can be time-consuming and it can be hard to judge from a negativ film what looks good - and which one on the film to scan (as it's rarely all of them you want to scan).

Using a scanner will take some training. When you have that down cold you might want to move into negative films.

[arminw]

Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it!

[stevem7]

I will chime in becuase I bought my 1st Leica over a month ago which was also an M7. I immediately purchased a Nikon coolscan V as well. Plugged it in my mac and my 1st scan was superb. No problems. Its pretty simple. I scan, bring the file in to photoshop and resize or crop for web posting, or printing.

It's time consuming for sure but I enjoy it anyway. The scanner was $500, but I have scanned a few hundred images already.

Congrats on the M7 and good luck!

[arminw]

Originally Posted by stevem7

I will chime in becuase I bought my 1st Leica over a month ago which was also an M7. I immediately purchased a Nikon coolscan V as well. Plugged it in my mac and my 1st scan was superb. No problems. Its pretty simple. I scan, bring the file in to photoshop and resize or crop for web posting, or printing.

It's time consuming for sure but I enjoy it anyway. The scanner was $500, but I have scanned a few hundred images already.

Congrats on the M7 and good luck!

Hey that's super and I am glad you are having fun with your M7. Do you just use normal film and scan the developed negatives then?

[stevem7]

Yea, so far Ive shot with Tri-X, Kodak Gold, Fuji Reala, Ilford HP5, XP2 and Kodak HD. I bought a couple rolls of slide film for a trip Im taking in 2 weeks so I'll see how that goes. My last roll I just had the negs processed for $2 and scanned the ones I wanted to print. The coolscan is pretty simple. Just put the negative torwards the feeder, it sucks it in and is ready to scan using the supplied software. If you choose to remove scratches and dust using ICE the scan time is increased, but it works great for color film or C41 B&W.

[joebt]

Steve, I think I'm going to pick up a scanner sometime next week. I have tons of images from both the leica M6 TTL and the OMs'.

Your images are phenomenal indeed. Keep doing exactly what you're doing man.

[linscot]

A few months ago I ventured into scanning, after many years in the darkroom. I bought a Nikon Super Coolscan 5000, and have been very pleased with it. Here are some of my first scans, both Kodachrome and XP-2 negs: Photography

I scan into Photoshop and print to an HP Photosmart 8750. The scanning learning curve is not too bad (I'm still on it!).

I've had many cameras since I started in 1956, and currently have an M3 and M5, as well as three Praktica BC-1's with quite a few Zeiss lenses.

Steve

[wilfredo]

Armin,

This is the first time I hear about someone coming from a digital background and moving to film. If you are not pulling our legs then perhaps film is not dead after all! As it has already been mentioned, you will need a film scanner. I bought my Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 about 4 years ago and I am very pleased with it. There is now a newer version. Starting with slides is a good idea. Coming from a traditional film background I had to teach myself how to use the scanner along with PS, it was not easy but it has paid off. Here's a picture of my M7 I just posted this morning: http://www.leica-camera-user.com/other/4090-lucia.html
Congratulations on your new M7.

Cheers,
Wilfredo+
Benitez-Rivera Photography

[stevem7]

I also switched from digital back to film about 1 1/2 months ago (sold my Nikon D200 and lenses) - I still have a digital E1 but really never use it since the M7. I have also seen a few others do the same in the past month on various forums. Who knows, maybe film will make a comeback! I just hope it sticks around for a long time to come.

Joe, thanks for the kind words! You must have a ton of negs. If you get a scanner, you will be busy! If you do, be sure and post some of those shots as your stuff is ALWAYS great.

Im considering picking up a used M6 as a backup, 2nd lens body to hold a 35 and color film while the M will have a 50 and B&W. My wife is ready to KILL me but she has been ready to kill me for years due to my insane camera purchases

Steve

[wilfredo]

Steve,

I've been half contempating getting a second M7 used. Over the last few weeks minty M7's have been going for under $1900.00 on E-bay. I paid full price for mine brand new. I've never seen them this low.

Wilfredo+

[Confusion Circle]

Congrats on your new toy! You're gonna love it!

[arminw]

Originally Posted by wilfredo

Armin,

This is the first time I hear about someone coming from a digital background and moving to film. If you are not pulling our legs then perhaps film is not dead after all! As it has already been mentioned, you will need a film scanner. I bought my Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 about 4 years ago and I am very pleased with it. There is now a newer version. Starting with slides is a good idea. Coming from a traditional film background I had to teach myself how to use the scanner along with PS, it was not easy but it has paid off. Here's a picture of my M7 I just posted this morning: http://www.leica-camera-user.com/other/4090-lucia.html
Congratulations on your new M7.

Cheers,
Wilfredo+
Benitez-Rivera Photography

I am not pulling anybodies legs here! I am a genuine digital to film mover, but that doesn't mean I am not using my digital cameras anymore. I just think it's important to be able to do both and after all we mustn't forget where it all comes from and value it.
Thanks for the kind advice and I am glad to be part of a happy M community

[frc]

Also try shooting slidefilm.
The Fujichromes give me excellent scanning results.

[ptomsu]

Greates decision of your photographic life !!!!

[Findus]

First Leica..... hmm you will be dissapointed in the beginning.... you have got to like the "zen" part of photography.... but no ! I read you have the M7 a fully automatic aperature controlled electronical leica.... for one I hope the electronics hold out, I have had 2 M7's both returned to the factory and finally exchanged for an MP.... but if you want partly automated photography and do not care for the "brand" get a Nikon F4... Leicas are great but they havent grassped the "automated" thingie yet, any Leica that depends on a battery is doomed to fail at some point. I have had sop much trouble with my M7's ... I don't use them anymore, when automation is required there are better choices

[abrewer]

This is a greatly informative thread. I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments and wish Armin, and Stephen, a hearty WELCOME! to the Leica Camera User Forum.

There's another option, if you wish to exercise it, Armin...and that is to have your negatives scanned to CD by the lab that does the developing for you. I've used that method and avoided the cost and learning curve of the scanner step for the last few years. You still have to know some Photoshop and you still can print on your printer. And it does save a lot of time if that's hard for you to find in your day!

But don't let me dissusade you from the recommendations of Bill's excellent post above. If I had such superb guidance when I started with my M two and a half years ago, I surely would have bought a scanner almost immediately and been far along the path of self-sufficiency by now.

Thans.

Allan

[Yuluminati]

Allan...I've looked at your photos....they are very inpressive....what Leica are you using?
Thanks
Yul