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M benefits for architectural shoot


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Today, I shot some interior rooms with the M (240). What wonderful tricks this camera does.

 

I was using the 15mm CV lens. Altho I am an unashamed user of Leica glass, I do this every 5-10 years, so can't justify the dough for a wide like this. This is my only non-Leica glass. Would like the WATE, of course. Anyway, the CV managed to get me thru.

 

The M provided fabulous assistance:

1. Live View

2. Preview (to see the exposure necessary)

3. Red Line focus in the Live View -- really cool.

 

I also used the Leica carbon fiber tripod that I bought about a year ago. It's a treat.

 

I wandered around, composed using Live View, checking the exposure with Preview, and using the 2-sec timer so that the 1/8 to 2 second exposures would be steady.

 

What great tools these guys make.

 

Anyone wanna sell a WATE?

 

Regards to all, Bill

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Today, I shot some interior rooms with the M (240). What wonderful tricks this camera does.

 

I was using the 15mm CV lens. Altho I am an unashamed user of Leica glass, I do this every 5-10 years, so can't justify the dough for a wide like this. This is my only non-Leica glass. Would like the WATE, of course. Anyway, the CV managed to get me thru.

 

The M provided fabulous assistance:

1. Live View

2. Preview (to see the exposure necessary)

3. Red Line focus in the Live View -- really cool.

 

I also used the Leica carbon fiber tripod that I bought about a year ago. It's a treat.

 

I wandered around, composed using Live View, checking the exposure with Preview, and using the 2-sec timer so that the 1/8 to 2 second exposures would be steady.

 

What great tools these guys make.

 

Anyone wanna sell a WATE?

 

Regards to all, Bill

 

You'd love the WATE. Not selling mine.

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Would like the WATE, of course.

 

And as you likely know, the WATE (unlike the MATE) can be used as a true zoom, not just 3 focal lengths, which would further benefit from the M's capabilities. I wouldn't be surprised to see other such Leica lenses down the road, in longer focal lengths, which would be of more interest to me.

 

Jeff

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You'd love the WATE. Not selling mine.

 

:( I'm currently saving up for a WATE. I shoot architecture often. The WATE has edge to edge sharpness and minimal distortion, ideal features for a wide angle.

It's too bad nobody makes an M mount 17mm Ts-E. Canon's is the best architecture lens bar none. And it can be used on a M240 with an adaptor though you'll need to put it back on a Canon body to change the aperture. ;)

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Karl-Heinz, Nice to hear from you, too.

 

An additional benefit of the M (240) is that the Live View means I wouldn't have to buy a Frankenfinder.

 

Looking for a lens ... how come this never stops?!

 

Best, Bill

 

 

Thanks Bill. True. The extra additional benefit of the A7R is, that it not only has Live View builtin, but that I also can move the focus point to where I need it without having to recompose and slightly miss focus. The Frankenfinder I only need to use on the M9. There it works beautifully for me. ;)

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Bill,

 

You might consider the 19/2.8 Elmarit-R v2 - the one with the built-in filter turrent, which is an excellent lens (and has a reputation for being substantially better than the v1).

 

Pete.

 

Pete, I'm looking at that lens but the WATE goes for about the same price. I was thinking the newer lens would be preferable. Any opinion?

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Pete, I'm looking at that lens but the WATE goes for about the same price. I was thinking the newer lens would be preferable. Any opinion?

Bill,

 

I have yet to have the pleasure of using the WATE so I regret I'm not well-placed to provide an informed comparison. Looking at it pragmatically, the WATE is newer and younger and is likely to offer more acutance and resolving power and offer 16, 18, and 21 mm focal lengths. The Elmarit is one of Walter Mandler's masterpieces so offers increased micro-contrast, lower overall contrast and is likely to cope with high contrast scenes more gracefully. The Elmarit also has the built-in filter turret with ND, Orange, Yellow-Green, and Blue (KB12) filters that can be useful for black and white photography.

 

HTH,

Pete.

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the WATE is newer and younger and is likely to offer more acutance and resolving power and offer 16, 18, and 21 mm focal lengths.

 

As I've already noted, the WATE offers every focal length from 16 to 21mm, as it functions as a true zoom.

 

Jeff

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Big deal. 5mm. Not much of a zoom.

 

I couldn't care less for my own needs, but try telling that to people who love super wides and buy separate lenses (Leica brand and others) including 15 ,18 and/or 21.

 

Or, for that matter, people who own 28 and 35mm lenses, or 35 and 40mm lenses.

 

Besides, the flexibility and convenience of operation and framing with a zoom is beneficial for many, regardless the mm differences. Especially with M240 EVF/LV.

 

Jeff

Edited by Jeff S
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Today, I shot some interior rooms with the M (240). What wonderful tricks this camera does.

 

I was using the 15mm CV lens. Altho I am an unashamed user of Leica glass, I do this every 5-10 years, so can't justify the dough for a wide like this. This is my only non-Leica glass. Would like the WATE, of course. Anyway, the CV managed to get me thru.

 

The M provided fabulous assistance:

1. Live View

2. Preview (to see the exposure necessary)

3. Red Line focus in the Live View -- really cool.

 

I also used the Leica carbon fiber tripod that I bought about a year ago. It's a treat.

 

I wandered around, composed using Live View, checking the exposure with Preview, and using the 2-sec timer so that the 1/8 to 2 second exposures would be steady.

 

What great tools these guys make.

 

Anyone wanna sell a WATE?

 

Regards to all, Bill

 

All of what you ever to here is absolutely very helpful, and while my Leica's are the ultimate tool to inspire my photographic joy, I do not find them particularly the right choice for architectural shoots.

 

While you may have technically been shooting something that could be defined as architecture, a real architectural shoot is much different. You would not use a 15mm lens for it. You would also be shooting on a tilt shift more likely. But as you mention you do not do this very often, I can see why investing in specific type of gear like that would be fairly wasteful.

 

The really nice thing about that CV 15mm lens you have there is that it is really great at keeping lines straight for such a wide lens. I shoot all Leica lenses on my M's at the moment, but I really like a lot of CV lenses and that 15mm is a gem. I would own it if I ever shot that wide.

 

Anyhow, don't let my technical mumbo jumbo sound negative. I am an architectural photographer by trade and can be pretty nerdy on the subject. Would love to see some of the photos though. All the best.

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