adan Posted December 15, 2009 Share #1 Â Posted December 15, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Note that Michael Reichmann plans a followup article in a month or so with a deeper review of actual results... Â The Luminous Landscape Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 15, 2009 Posted December 15, 2009 Hi adan, Take a look here LL on the M9 as landscape camera. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pgk Posted December 15, 2009 Share #2 Â Posted December 15, 2009 Its an interesting view, except that, IMHO the author goes down the path of dismissing the 'traditional' landscape photographer's tool, the tripod, and opts for a monopod instead - a halfway house I'd say. One of the greatest delights of the Leica M, IMHO, is the liberation of not having to always needing to use a tripod, monopod, whatever. Of course these are sometimes essential but for a surprising amount of landscapes no steadying device is needed just carefully considered focus and composition. Many of my most 'successful' landscapes have been taken hand-held. I'll be interested to read his follow up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted December 15, 2009 Share #3 Â Posted December 15, 2009 Andy - I'd just noticed Michael's piece too - and it hits the precise spot so far as I'm concerned. The M9 gives me the resolution, the image quality, the flexibility and the portability that I need for the kind of photography I like to do. The M8 nearly did it, but for landscape, was never completely convinced. Prints from the M9 (at A3+ and A2) convince me that it's not only a great documentary tool - it's also a completely valid landscape camera (with or without a support). Â Hooray! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyt Posted December 15, 2009 Share #4  Posted December 15, 2009 I do loads of hiking and really want to take a good camera with me, but the M8 resolution didnt sound good enough compared to a 5D. The M9 seemed to fit the bill quite well though, so I got one  I'm off to Patagonia for most of Feb and plan to just take the M9 and leave my 5D2 and lens bag behind, I just need to find (and pay for ) the right lens to go with my 50, either a WATE, a 24 or a 28...  decisions, decisions :) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted December 15, 2009 Share #5 Â Posted December 15, 2009 I was very interested in Michael's article because it is the very thing that made me buy an M9, at last there was a Leica camera that could do both the things I wanted to do, documentary and landscape in one package. Â Again, I wouldn't say a monopod as opposed to a tripod was the way to go for some landscape photography, but I understand exactly the liberation he feels in just having a landscape camera that is only a thought away from being a 'street' camera, and visa versa. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddale Posted December 15, 2009 Share #6 Â Posted December 15, 2009 Im going to yellowstone in January and will have an M only kit - MP for wild and wolly and the M9 for everything else. (and with a bit of luck the x1 as a point and shoot) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbraid Posted December 15, 2009 Share #7 Â Posted December 15, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have found the M8 to be a great travel/landscape camera--no doubt the extra resolution for the M9 would be even better. As for hand held vs monopod vs tripod, I carry a Gitzo traveller tripod for those times--the 24 second night exposures of the night cityscape in Istanbul, for example--where extra stability is essential. The small package of the M camera makes such a small and light tripod "enough" and a small addition to a lightweight and portable set up. It is there when I need it. Â Donald Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted December 15, 2009 Share #8 Â Posted December 15, 2009 He's certainly preaching to the converted here. Digital and the ability to chimp has turned the M9 into a fine landscape camera. Â As for the tripod - I prefer to hand hold, there's almost always a post or a tree, or even the ground to steady the camera on for slow shutter speeds. I find it incredibly liberating and 'decisive moment' instinctive / reactive landscapes are a whole new wonder for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusperkins Posted December 15, 2009 Share #9 Â Posted December 15, 2009 I must admit, despite my reservations regarding the digital M for other types of work, I can really appreciate the value of the M9 as a fantastic lightweight landscape camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manicouagan1 Posted December 16, 2009 Share #10 Â Posted December 16, 2009 I've used my M8 quite a bit for landscape work mostly with a 24/f2.8 or the 50/f1.4 ASPH. I have been pleased with the results. Most of my landscapes are taken while day hiking miles from a car. I view the results either as small prints or on my computer display which is 1920 pixels wide. I'll probably step up to the M9, mostly to reduce the chance of flare the IR filters cause with shots inside buildings of people, not for landscapes. Â One of the biggest advantages of the Leica M8/M9 with fixed focal length lenses over a DSLR with a zoom lens for landscape work is the depth a field scales on the lenses. To compensate for the crop effect with the M8 I use the depth of field markings for one stop wider than the shooting aperture. Even quite extreme near-far compositions are a snap. Â The biggest drawback of the rangefinder is the gyrations I have to go though to use a polarizing filter. It can be done but it is a hassle. As for use of a tripod or monopod for landscapes, I use neither except at night or in a cave. Even when deep in the woods, I brace myself and the camera on whatever rock or tree is available. Without any mirror slapping up and down that seems to work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMacD Posted December 16, 2009 Share #11 Â Posted December 16, 2009 Glad someone else started this thread. Glad Micheal published this. Micheal really should just do this all hand held, but can't free himself fully. Hey I'm glad he is liking the M9 for landscapes. 2 years ago the M8 was just a street camera for him. I bought the M9 for landscape as a primary use. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/109534-setting-sun-trhough-trees-winter.html#post1156737 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_R Posted December 16, 2009 Share #12 Â Posted December 16, 2009 Thanks for the link ! I use the M9 mainly for landscape. The red corners issue with wide angle is a downer, but no show-stopper for me. For the nice bokeh, I rediscovered landscape wide open. A monopod is kind of a bad deal, I prefer a light tripod (but 95% of my shots are handheld) Â Leica M9 - a set on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alnitak Posted December 16, 2009 Share #13 Â Posted December 16, 2009 He hit the nail on the head for how I feel. I've just finished selling off all of my DSLR gear, as the M9 + a few Leica lenses covered everything I do in a small package. Â I loved this quote: "But putting an M Leica on a tripod is a bit like bringing a hooker to a church social. You can do it, but your peers will frown upon it." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted December 16, 2009 Share #14 Â Posted December 16, 2009 Patagonia? Great! I have done a bit of backpacking in mountainous terrain (not that spectacular -- just Lapland). I found that with all cameras, MF and 35mm, the standard lens was the most useful. It was in fact all I really needed. Â Up in Lapland, German hikers can be spotted miles away from their tripods. I have never used one. I had better uses for the weight I had to carry for miles and days far from any roads. Â It does seem however that with a M9, you will have to carry lots of batteries. Or is anybody selling a light-weight hand cranked battery charger? Â The old man from the Long Trails Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhabedi Posted December 16, 2009 Share #15  Posted December 16, 2009 Or is anybody selling a light-weight hand cranked battery charger?  Energy Energy - a hand-powered generator for cellphones and mobile devices  Not sure if they'll have adapters for Leica batteries, though...  [PS: Nothing against prejudices, but I'm German and I've never carried a tripod in my life.] Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Fines Posted December 16, 2009 Share #16 Â Posted December 16, 2009 I'll be interested in hearing what he has to say. Â I purchased the M9 and wate combo essentially as a landscape camera, replacing the D3x and 14-24 which I got tired of lugging around. Â So far I'm very happy I made the switch. Â However, at sunrise, sunset, in canyons, for HDR exposures, etc. my exposures are often 1s - 30s. I drink too much coffee to do that with a monopod. Â That being said I need a significantly smaller tripod / ballhead for the M9, so the tripod seems small to me. Â One from Antelope canyon last week - ss was about 30 sec here. Â http://www.efines.net/images/fm/Fines_20091208_0221_2_3_4_tonemapped_adj_web_800.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklotz Posted December 16, 2009 Share #17  Posted December 16, 2009 I'd have to say, for me, a mono pod is about 1/3 as good as a tripod  I bought a little Benro travel tripod that folds down to almost nothing. It's carbon fiber, fits in a carry on and works just fine for an M8. I'm assuming the M9 will be the same (if it ever gets here...) It even comes with a little carrying bag. I've hiked with it with no problems whatsoever.  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/584206-REG/Benro_455_069_C_069M8_Travel_Angel_Carbon.html Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alnitak Posted December 16, 2009 Share #18 Â Posted December 16, 2009 When I absolutely have to have a tripod I use a little Gitzo Traveler that includes a ballhead and folds down to just about 14". Works like a charm with the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alnitak Posted December 16, 2009 Share #19  Posted December 16, 2009  One from Antelope canyon last week - ss was about 30 sec here.  http://www.efines.net/images/fm/Fines_20091208_0221_2_3_4_tonemapped_adj_web_800.jpg  That's such a sweet shot, Steve.  Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwalker649 Posted December 16, 2009 Share #20 Â Posted December 16, 2009 That mono pod works good for me. I use a small RRS 25 ball head and only mount the camera when needed. When not in use, I use it as a walking stick. For most deep forest shots a mono pod is enough, tripod not necessary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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