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Help re choosing Leica


pd100

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I'd like a top-quality camera to take high-quality pictures of my art (paintings mainly). It would also be good if the camera could be used for other creative use. 

 

I'd like a digital camera. I was thinking between the S and the M.

 

I'm thinking of trading in my (LHSA black-paint) M6TTL and accessories.

 

I'd be grateful if some kindly, knolwedgeable soul could help.

 

Thank you.

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You don't think that an S or an M are massive overkill for the task at hand?

 

Without having it explained to me the necessity of a very expensive camera, and even as a long time Leica user, I would advise go and buy a Canon, or a Nikon, or a Sony........ Any of the top cameras from each line can reproduce pretty well all the detail you are likely to have in a painting, even a very big painting, they are also good for very small paintings where macro work may be needed. They can also be used creatively.

 

 

 

Steve

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Thanks Steve.

 

No, I very much want a Leica. I've always had Leicas. I would use the camera or more general and also creative use being an artist. If, for now, we can proceed from the assumption that I wish to have a Leica I'd be grateful. The S is quite big and heavy and less good for portable use, I appreciate. 

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It seems obvious that the main benefits of Leica do not involve static indoor tripod shots. 

 

I would have thought priorities would be:

 

1.  Autofocus

2.  A good 50mm prime lens

3.  A good tripod

4.  A lighting rig

5.  A decent body, preferably with WLAN/wifi control.

 

So that might cost you £1,500, then get yourself another Leica, go out and have some fun.

Edited by sls
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Thanks SLS

 

So, you're saying get something like the XVario and then invest separately in an MP or an S?

 

One camera can't me give me creative fun and take my art pics?

I would go for a lens like this:

 

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-50mm-f-1.4-DG-HSM-Art-Lens.aspx on a second hand 15mp-20mp Canon body.

 

It really depends what your priorities are in terms of getting the best images of your artwork and having another everyday camera.

 

If your priority is artwork, size and weight are irrelevant, but are perhaps the main reason why we spend so much on Leica. Sharpness, colour and image stability are priorities. 

 

I have a pal who just bought a kit for photographing silver artwork. There was consideration for using it elsewhere, as it really had to be prioritised for the task.

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. If, for now, we can proceed from the assumption that I wish to have a Leica I'd be grateful.

 

OK I guess you already have a lens on your M6, so for creative fun and doing some studio work it has to be an M240. It has Live View so you can attach any specialist lenses to it (tilt shift etc.), but all you may need is a standard lens, or a short telephoto (to avoid distortions, but it doesn't need to be a Leica lens), and from then on you have a vast choice of lenses for creativity and fun. A tripod, polarising filter, some good lights, would also be needed, plus perhaps some sort of colour checking and calibration system if outright accuracy is the game.

 

Steve

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+1 M240, based on current offerings.  

 

Rumors abound on possible new Leica camera(s) to come, if you're not in a hurry.

 

[You don't say if this will be your first digital camera (since you'll be trading a film M)....if so, you should try out options (rent, borrow)....and consider other tools/resources to take advantage of the digital workflow.]

 

Jeff

 

 

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One camera can't me give me creative fun and take my art pics?

 

Of course it can. I did a lot of art photography in the past (film). I used an M2 and M3, a Visoflex, and a 3-element 90mm elmar. The results were outstanding. In today's terms, get an M240, and a modern 50mm (they are all good) or 90mm. Ideally the 90mm Macro-elmar would do very well, unless you are copying very large pictures in confined spaces. Stop down to 5.6 or 8, and use the special focusing enhancer facility to place the plane of focus perfectly. An S is very expensive overkill.

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I'm wanting to take pictures of art on paper rather than canvas. Colour accuracy and clarity are important, very important.

 

I'm tending towards an MP (which is type 240 yes?) especially as there is a special offer here in the UK at present (GBP4790 for the body - sounds good?). 

 

The art I want to photograph goes from 100 x 200 mm to around 600 x 800 mm on the hole. I've been recommended a 50mm lens (Summicron F2). Does that sound right? 

 

The dealer has offered me GBP3k for my M6TTL LHSA Black paint with the two black paint lenses 35mm and 50mm - they are unblemished. Does that sound OK?

 

Another question: will this camera be outdated in a few years? How many? And will I get next to nothing for it if i trade in then?

 

Sorry for all the questions - and thanks so much to everyone for replying. I really appreciate it.

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I would look at the desired output first. If you need to make a one to one reproduction, you will need all the resolution for your copy. Usually, lighting and proper camera color calibration is more important than a brand or model of the camera. Both the M9 and M240 cameras can be successfully calibrated for color reproduction. You can stitch if your lens is too long for your shooting distance. It's easy for a flatwork on paper. Stitching works for very fine detail repro work.

 

I use my M9 with the 75/2 APO at f5.6 when we don't need the resolution or shoot the artwork for catalogs and web use.

 

We also have the S2 with some lenses and a digital back on a view camera.

Edited by ynp
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I'm wanting to take pictures of art on paper rather than canvas. Colour accuracy and clarity are important, very important.

 

I'm tending towards an MP (which is type 240 yes?) especially as there is a special offer here in the UK at present (GBP4790 for the body - sounds good?). 

 

The art I want to photograph goes from 100 x 200 mm to around 600 x 800 mm on the hole. I've been recommended a 50mm lens (Summicron F2). Does that sound right? 

 

The dealer has offered me GBP3k for my M6TTL LHSA Black paint with the two black paint lenses 35mm and 50mm - they are unblemished. Does that sound OK?

 

Another question: will this camera be outdated in a few years? How many? And will I get next to nothing for it if i trade in then?

 

Sorry for all the questions - and thanks so much to everyone for replying. I really appreciate it.

 

 

Hi,

 

your black paint M6 TTL LHSA with the black paint lenses Summicron-M 35mm ASPH and Summilux-M 50mm if in boxes and mint condittion are worth at least 2x the price the dealer

 

has offered you.

 

I recommend you to buy the the new Leica S (007)  with the Vario-Elmar-S Lens 30-90mm.

 

Best Regards

 

Moritz

Edited by Moritz
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I'm tending towards an MP (which is type 240 yes?) especially as there is a special offer here in the UK at present (GBP4790 for the body - sounds good?). 

 

 

Almost...Leica's naming is quirky.  The MP is a film M, while the M-P is the 'P' version of the M240 (cosmetic differences, frame preview lever, bigger buffer, sapphire screen, etc.)

 

Jeff

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Hi,

 

you can try ebay.com . Or you can sell it in a Leica Store in comission, where you get the money after the items are sold.

 

In Germany you can call Mr. Meister he has 4 Leica Stores in Germany: www.meister-camera.de 

 

I know him personally, I am sure he would buy your set because it is quite rare. 

 

Best Regards,

 

Moritz

Edited by Moritz
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Thanks Moritz

 

I do actually speak fluent German. Is he actually called Herr Meister - and you say he knows you? Which od the four stores should I call him at?

 

Thanks again

 

Hi,

 

he is called Mr.Martin Meister (Junior) and he lives in Hamburg. So I would try the Leica Store in Hamburg. The last time I met him was at the last photokina in Cologne.

 

Best Regards from Munich, Germany

 

Moritz Nienburg

Edited by Moritz
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