Making The Jump To Film...

[GTM]

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Good evening all, long time viewer of the site, newly activated poster.

 

I've been viewing the site for the last 3/4 months whilst I've become very active in trying to find a new camera for predominantly street photography and portraits.

 

And I stumbled upon the Leica - partially through browsing and also on a course I was on where I was drawn more towards the images produced on film and was recommended it by the tutor.

 

I currently own a Canon 5D with a 24-105mm lens. Which is a pretty decent SLR combo..............................if you ever use it!

 

I feel crippled (stupidly) when taking it out due to it's size and for the most part it's sat collecting dust, occasionally being used once or twice.

 

In short it's a waste and I'm looking to transfer over to film.

 

Why?

 

It seems to suit what I desire the most, the thought process in taking a shot, the cost of the film and in part reducing the scattering approach of taking 50 shots in quick succession and "hoping" one comes out.

 

Jesus I'm rambling.

 

My question is how easy is it to make the jump?

 

I'm fairly comfortable with the SLR but am in no ways a pro.

 

I've never used film before nor the type of camera I have my sights on - The Leica M6 with a 50mm Summicron lens.

 

Am I making a silly mistake in considering trading in with virtually no experience of the differences in shooting between film and digital.

 

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated...

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[Jeff S]

Welcome to the forum. A few thoughts...

 

You could do both film and digital. But, if you don't use the Canon primarily due to size issues, then you could instead get a used M8 and try using a smaller digital camera first.

 

You may or may not like the film process (with darkroom, scanning, or lab?). But, you might also not like the rangefinder experience...some do, some don't. So, you'd be introducing two significant new variables at once...switch to film, and switch to rangefinder. The Leica is also not geared to rapid fire, so you can shoot more deliberatively if that's your desire. Many use a Leica M and a (d)slr together, since they serve different purposes...the former not strongly geared to macro, sports or tele work.

 

Maybe you could introduce just one variable for now, and play with an M8 for a while. I think you'll find the image quality, with Leica glass, is superb. If you like the Leica experience, but still think you're missing out by not going to film, then you could switch to the M6 or M7.

 

Jeff

[Xmas]

the scattering approach of taking 50 shots in quick succession and "hoping" one comes out

 

With film you take 36 shots, rewind and reload, then 36 shots. There is not a big difference, to digital, 50v36, the cloth shutter of a film M is quiet and does not sound like a DSLR so frequently will go unnoticed, even close in.

 

No chimpng with film, is the only big difference, a mini lab will dev and scan (e.g. XP2) at low resolution to CD RoM, same day if you ask, so you need not alter your dig work flow much unless you want to.

 

Beaten up M2 will be under 400 GBP, CV f/2.5 35mm or f/3.5 28mm250 GBP and allow you to get real close in 5-7 foot for perspective impact, /125 @ f/6.3 works most times.

 

If you like it you can get an M9 with an Asph, rather more expensive though, the M2 ia a sweet machine.

 

Noel

[smgorsch]

Greetings,

 

I'm a few months ahead of you having gone from M8 digital Leica exclusively, to MP + M8. I agree that you'll have the dual problem of film and rangefinder but I cannot say enough in favor of Leica film. So small & easy. Focus, aperture, shutter speed, shoot. Joyous!

 

stefan

[tobey bilek]

If you have to machine gun to get one good pic, you need to learn to compose and expose. Film makes this more difficult, not less.

 

I will also tell you if you can`t handle a digi SLR, a film camera and scanner will drive you crazy.

 

Today I came back from a quick outing, got the digi stuff in the computer, unloaded the 111C and went to the darkroom. My spouse asked how it went and my answer was digi is like falling off a log compared to loading film in the cassette, developing, and either printing or scanning.

 

Competent scanning is is a pretty hard skill set to master so you can do it well. Furthermore there are no medium class scanners made to sell, only cheapos and super expensive ( cost like a small car).

[jpattison]

The best thing in buying a secondhand Leica and lens is that after trying it for a few months, you can usually get all your money back, by selling it on. Somehow, I think you might just keep them, though!

 

John

[GTM]

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Thanks for the replies guys, I obviously looked at the M8 and the M9 but they are WAY out of my price range.

 

The M6 deal I can get just suits the trade-in price of the 5D.

 

I'm toying with selling the lens and keeping the body just in case...

 

I think I must just take the plunge and see how I get on, like you say the sell-on value seems very fair in most cases.

 

Thanks again!

[Guest joewehry]

Another low cost trial is to buy both a black and white and a color disposable film camera from your local store, some even throw in developing if you drop it off at the same place.

 

Although you are not shooting with Leica glass or getting the same rangefinder / focus experience, the simplicity of compose and click mimics (to some extent) using an M in "zone" mode.

 

See if you like the results / images from film in BW and Color, as well as the work flow of capturing to film, scanning and processing / archiving digitally. (If that is what you want, or go film, scan, print from a lab.)

 

The experience may help inform your decision to go M film , M digital..... or once you've caught the bug, both.

[redbaron]

Do it! At the very least it will add something to you photography, even if you do sell the M. My only suggestion would be start with a 35 lens. Ms really encourage you to get in close.

[andrew748]

Hi GTM

 

my 2 pence

as other have it's a huge culture shock for us digikids.

how about a Leicaflex as a halfway house? they are cheaper than the M's.

and you can use the lenses on your 5D with a cheap af confirm adapter

[Imaji]

You should go for it. I was in similar situation. Having been shooting Nikon digital for a while, I got interested in a rangefinders a few months back and got myself an M8. I love the experience so much that I got curious about film M. Not sure that I would actually like it, I recently bought a cheap beat-up M4-2 to just to try it out. So far I'm loving the experience.

The only thing is, as someone had mentioned, finding a medium level scanner is impossible.

[hamey]

Welcome to Forum GTM.

 

It's always pleases me when I hear people want to try or use that wonderful medium called FILM.

 

To really appreciate Leica lenses, IMHO you MUST shoot a slide film ( transparancies).

If you do it right, the quality will blow you away.

Do indentical exposures on your Canon 5D and a Leica Camera loaded with a TOP QUALITY SLIDE FILM You will soon see what I am talking about.

As for the M8/9 your Canon 5D is just as good especially if you get some Leica R glass for it, as well as being a much cheaper alternative.

 

Remember, if you want convenience SHOOT DIGITAL.

If you want QUALITY.. shoot Film.

 

Good luck on your choice.

 

Ken.

[GTM]

Once again many thanks for taking the time to reply...

 

Am hoping to get a day off work this week and take the plunge into film - money permitting!

[Nikkor AIS]

I sold my Canon 5D2 and immediately bought a minty Lecia M7 and 28 1.9 Voitglander 28 1.9 ASPH and yes some film. No regrets.

 

 

 

Taken with Leica M7 and 28 Voitglander 1.8 ASPH on XP2 film

[earleygallery]

Yet another option, buy a Zorki and a few rolls of film to see how you like rangefinder/film photography. I bought a perfect Zorki with 50mm lens for less than the price of a Leica lens cap.

 

Some immediate points that you will notice, you don't see depth of field or lens perspective through an optical viewfinder, framing is obviously not as accurate, using a polariser filter is a bit tricky, you will need to learn about metering light - the Leica M6 has a pretty basic built in meter, like a large spot meter.

 

What it will do is slow you down, make you visualise more, make you more selective, and make you appreciate light more. Whether it's right for you is entirely down to your own preferences.

[mob81]

You should go for it. I was in similar situation. Having been shooting Nikon digital for a while, I got interested in a rangefinders a few months back and got myself an M8. I love the experience so much that I got curious about film M. Not sure that I would actually like it, I recently bought a cheap beat-up M4-2 to just to try it out. So far I'm loving the experience.

The only thing is, as someone had mentioned, finding a medium level scanner is impossible.

 

The same here...I used to shoot Nikon D300, then D700 and then sold most of my nikon gear "bodies and most lenses" left the Zeiss 100mm Makro to use it with Panasonic GF1.

I bought a used "Mint" Leica M8 and just when I held it I knew I'll love it. The experience is great the quality of the Photo is amazing.

 

I bought the M8 to get the experience of the Rangefinders "my main interest was Rangefinder and films" and now I'll buy a film body to enjoy it as well "I don't take a lot of photo so the process is not big deal for me"

 

Go for it and enjoy it "it made me appreciate photography more "

[ger1g0]

Just one other option. Buy a film SLR and try using that set up first. Film SLRs are so cheap these days that you get get one for pennies compared to a used film Leica

 

I went from the D3 to the F5. That was the transition for me that convinced me that film was the right medium. I used it for about a year before jumping to using film rangefinders. By then, the learning curve was less around film and more about getting used to the rangefinder system.

[biglouis]

Just one other option. Buy a film SLR and try using that set up first. Film SLRs are so cheap these days that you get get one for pennies compared to a used film Leica

 

I went from the D3 to the F5. That was the transition for me that convinced me that film was the right medium. I used it for about a year before jumping to using film rangefinders. By then, the learning curve was less around film and more about getting used to the rangefinder system.

 

Made me laugh - but nicely. However I do agree with this idea. Last September I bought myself a Nikon FE, a 28/Ai and 135/Ai. I think the whole lost cost me about £200. I spent about 2 months getting used to using film. A very useful and low cost experience.

 

Then (unfortunately) I began to ask the question: why do I own a Nikon film camera when I have a lot of nice Leica glass laying about only used on my M8? Sold the Nikon and in short order purchased a M7 and MP!

 

Beware: it is a slippery slope. You might want to go straight for a M7 or M6!!!

 

Good luck with your choice

 

LouisB

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[Nikkor AIS]

I like the progression approach. It took me over twenty years of shooting everything from Nikon Film/Digital, Canon, Pentax 6X7 to 4X5 before I got a leica M. I started with a M3. I really think the rangefinder experience is another thing all together from shooting 35 mm SLR. From loading the film to focusing just basic handling the Leica M are world unto there own. While agree that getting a Nikon SLR will give you excellent image it's a different experience from the leica M system. Just handling these finely crafted camera makes me smile.

 

 

Taken with Lecia M7 and 15 Voitlander on Ektar 100

[jacksparrow]

what about a used Digilux 2? handling is very similar to an M, and they're not that expensive. I had that camera before and helped me a lot because of the instant feedback of digital.

Might be a good (and relatively cheap) option if you can get your hands on a used camera with the sensor replaced (these cameras had some manufacture issue that caused the sensors to fail).