Where does your Leica M shine?

[PJRiley]

I'm still getting to know my M6; it's a wonderful photographic experience. In what situations do you find your Leica shines (i.e. time of day, subject matter)?
Mary

[Photon42]

not quite sure what you're really after. As opposed to larger system cameras, I love the rangefinders for their relative compactness. So if you like, my M shines just because she is with me more often.

[Michael Hiles]

Mary,

My M3 and M2 shine all the time. By that I mean that they never interfere between my mind and the world in front of me.

With a 50mm lens, it records what I see the way I see it, and the pictures look the way I expect.

There are a very few situations where they could be better, but it so happens that I do not do that type of photography. I don't need very long lenses - my 135 is fine. I can really easily do closeups with my Visoflex and bellows.

I cannot ask for more.

[abrewer]

My MP is at its best in capturing moments discreetly, before anyone knows there's a camera about



Thanks

Allan

[Artorius]

With almost every picture I take. Since leaving the DSLR cams behind, I have relearned the "think before you shoot" mentality. So far, so good, seems to be working for me.

[ron110n]

My M3, M6 and M7 shines when the requirements is shooting compact on a low lit situation utilizing available light. My M7 shines when it requires quick metering (AE) and shooting. Would've opted for an R, but with the absence of AF I settled for an F5 if I need to capture something faster than an M7.

-Ron

[NZDavid]

Superb for travel and available light.

[brianv]

They shine a bit on the top from LeicaMeter Scuffs!

But that does not effect their ability to take great pictures.

[dfbldwn]

In light so low that flash is mandatory, nothing will get the focus as sharp as a Leica M viewfinder. The M7 and MP are the most superior for this in my experience. Viewfinder contrast is amazing in low light.

When accurate exposure is critical, nothing beats my M7. Although the mechanical 1/60 and 1/125 are not at rated speed, they are intensely consistent, so it is easy to compensate. The other speeds have provided the accuracy needed for slide film.

Setting the aperture and shutter speed prior to taking a set of pictures allows me to capture fleeting facial expressions of my family that no other camera can do (at least, in my hands). Particularly if you preset focus and move the camera until subject is in focus, holding the shutter button down half-pressed. The Leica M shutter button is particularly good for holding half-pressed. Makes one's reaction time much faster, and the ability to "squeeze" the trigger reduces camera movement, makes shots that much sharper.