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Motivations After purely shooting on digital for 5 months, I shift a bit back to film because my dad has the passion to develop and scan film after his retirement (He now develops C41, ECN-2 and E-6!). Also I bought a CLA’d silver M4 recently and now I enjoy it more than my black M10-P. I mainly use the 35mm or 40mm focal lengths. I have a LLL 35/2 8E replica and the Minolta 40/2. Both of them are excellent on digital and film. As I mainly shoot with digital before, the F2 is enough to cover my needs in indoor and streets at night. Now with film, I’d like to push 5207 or 5219 to 800 to maintain my ability to do street photography in city night. I am confident to zone focus at F2.8 now but at night even at F2 I have to use slower shutter speeds than 1/125, which is hard to freeze the motions. I am considering to try a F1.4 lens. My thoughts about the F1.4 35mm lenses… Summilux-es are too much for my wallet to afford currently. I know the FLE and ASPH luxes are great lenses in IQ but they are also much bulkier than the F2-crons IMO. The compactness is an important consideration for me. The Nokton 35/1.4 is a famous lens—for its budget friendliness and the debate over its IQ and focus shift issues, I guess? And its focus shift make it a less proper lens on the digital sensor. But if I pair it with my M4 it would be fine right? The next doubt is the build quality of this lens. I’m afraid buying a brand new one and find it does not focus properly…and I am totally fine with a pre-owned one if it has been proven to have no issues about focusing.

I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on a light leak issue I have with my m4p. I use my camera for street photography, so I walk around with the lens cap off. I also have the camera in a leather half case, which covers the back door. I seem to get a light leak on random frames, from the bottom right hand corner. I figure it can't be the door as the rear of the camera is covered and the sills look in order. Has anyone experienced similar faults or have any remedy suggestions prior to sending it off for a repair?

So I just picked up an M240 and wanted to ask current users - how do people shoot these to get the best results ? Do you under or overexpose the files? I'm using uncompressed DNG is it noticeable over the compressed files? Thanks for any info. Dan

I am unable to turn off the video mode on my camera. I've thoroughly read the specs that came with the camera and tried everything, but no avail. The camera seems stuck in this mode which is very frustrating as I cannot use the camera for still photos. Any suggestions please? Thanks.

SOS HELP!!! I dropped my Leica M4 and according to the NYC Camera Doctor repair team, the prism that creates the ghost image in the rangefinder is dislocated and needs to be replaced. They suggested that I send it directly into Leica for repairs, becuase the rangefinder is a complicated mechanism they wern't equipt to fix. They also let me know that Leica, located in New Jersey, dosen't do specific repairs and will want to do a full tune-up. Money is a concern, and I'm not prepared to pay $1000-ish if I can at all avoid it. I just want my range-finder to be functional. Has anyone had rangefinder work done, espeically on an M4? Would you advise having this work done by Leica or an outside repair person, such as DAG? Any experience or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. E

Hey, I'm a Sony shooter (US) with a client who has a special request for medium format ("look">resolution). I'd like to try the Leica system as the S has always intrigued me. However, this being a paid shoot & not knowing the system, I'd like to know that I have someone on set who has my back. How does one find a digital tech? Specifically, one who knows this (mildly obscure) system?

Hi, this is my first post. I would appreciate some advice: I'm about to leave for almost a month, going to Bolivia for a leisure trip. I won't be alone, so it's not a trip focusing on photography, but I will definitely use my camera as much as possible. I have a passion for street and documentary style, a little portrait, environmental and not, but I definitely don't disdain landscape! I use a M240: first of all, I'm a 50mm man - that will be the main lens for me. I'm still trying to decide which between the Nokton 50mm 1.2 or the Planar ZM 50mm f2 - lightness or speed? I might go for speed, that Nokton is not that big at all! And a pleasure to use. The other lens I already decided about is the Biogon 21mm f2 ZM, great wide angle; that will definitely be in my bag. Two doubts: 90mm Tele-Elmarit thin or 135mm Tele-Elmar? if I go light, will I miss the reach? I really enjoy shooting both, and both don't see use too often. But I don't mind a little more weight if necessary. Second doubt: should I take my 35mm? I have a wonderful Biogon 35mm f2 ZM but I fear it would see almost no use...although I think i interiors it might be more useful than the 50mm when shooting people! What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance!!

Hey everyone, Looking for a bit of friendly advice and opinion. I currently have a Leica M-A and like to stick to the "One Camera, One Lens" method of keeping my work consistent and always improving. When people talk about this, one lens usually refers to focal length, not exactly one lens. After lots of trial and error I learned that I see in 50mm, so I prefer using that focal length for all of my shooting. However, I currently own a 50mm Summicron-M and a 50mm Elmar-M (both newest versions, both brass chrome). I can't decide if I should sell one, and if so which one, or keep both. The summicron is quite a bit heavier than the Elmar, although I wouldn't classify either as light since they are both the chrome versions. The Elmar obviously have a size advantage, but the annoyance of uneven aperture settings and the collapsible function can sometimes get annoying as it doesn't lock collapsed and can just slide out if positioned in such a way. I'm having a hard time deciding if it makes sense to keep both, and if not, which one to keep. I currently justify ownership of both by saying the Elmar, while limited, is more suitable for when I'm not out specifically to be shooting, but walking to work or just running errands. The smaller size is nice when I'm not focused specifically on shooting. I'll use the Summicron when I'm going out to shoot, as its usability is substantially better, at the cost of its size and weight, but when I'm shooting the camera is in my hand and not really packed away or even hanging from my neck. Let me know your thoughts everyone, interested to hear some opinions on the subject of owning multiple lenses of the same focal length. Thank you!

My Leica M8 has a loose shutter leaf. I noticed it when all of the sudden a bright white stroke of light appeared on my photos. I made the loose shutter leaf conclusion after removing the lens and looking at the shutter. A loose shutter leaf is clearly visible. I hope I can find a solution through this community. I bought it two months ago as my first Leica. I'm missing it already.

Hi guys, I have recently purchased a very good condition used Leica M8 and a Voigtlander 35 f1.4 lens (which was as far as my budget will stretch at the moment). Now admittedly this is the first time I have used Leica cameras but so far i'm disappointed with its overall IQ and performance. I realise that to get the full potential I probably need leica glass on the front of it but i'm seriously considering taking this camera back. If anyone has any advice,tips or techniques to get the most out of this camera or certain user profiles that would be much appreciated. I would love to keep it and get the most out of it but at the moment it doesnt seem much better then some compacts. Thanks!

Hi, I'm new here. Thanks in advance for your comments! I'm thinking about buying a Leica X2 a la carte (it might take around 1 or 2 months to receive it). Will Leica update this model soon or if they will release a new one (x3?)? Would you advise me to go for it or should wait for the next model? Thank you very much for your advices!

So as you could probably discern from the title, I don't own anything Leica; unfortunately. However, I am hoping to jump into this wonderful "little" company sometime soon; however, I have a question or two. I have researched quite intensely for the past few months about rangefinders, their advantages and disadvantages, and the M8 and M8.2. I can't decide though which model would be better suited for me. Myself being a self proclaimed Leica virgin, I don't know if I could justify the additional price premium of the M8.2 over the M8. Do you guys think that the advantages in the M8.2 would really justify the extra grand or two in the aftermarket considering that I am brand new to this whole Leica field?