Anyone reached 'Leica equilibrium' and happy with exactly the gear they have?

[maurometallo]

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Well...

I have reached "Leica Equilibrium" a long time ago.

In 1981, I was given a M4-P/Summicron 50mm combo after graduating from High School. I was 18 years old, and since then, for a long time, I lusted after many kind of Leica lenses and bodies, but I was too young and too broke to be able to afford that stuff.

So I happily used what I had... My Leica followed me through everything that counted for me: University, the first years of employment as Journalist, the kids...

And when I finally was able to afford what I wanted, I realized that in the meantime I learnt to "see" in the same way my Cron does, that I can anticipate in my head my camera's framelines and see the shot even before it happens.

I did not buy any other gear.

Ever.

And that very camera is still with me as we speak.

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[Rick]

Mauro, you are sick, man. How can it be normal to not buy some other lens or upgrade to a newer M? You need help.

[wilfredo]

Well...

I have reached "Leica Equilibrium" a long time ago.

In 1981, I was given a M4-P/Summicron 50mm combo after graduating from High School. I was 18 years old, and since then, for a long time, I lusted after many kind of Leica lenses and bodies, but I was too young and too broke to be able to afford that stuff.

So I happily used what I had... My Leica followed me through everything that counted for me: University, the first years of employment as Journalist, the kids...

And when I finally was able to afford what I wanted, I realized that in the meantime I learnt to "see" in the same way my Cron does, that I can anticipate in my head my camera's framelines and see the shot even before it happens.

I did not buy any other gear.

Ever.

And that very camera is still with me as we speak.

 

That is a great story. I suppose there is something to be said about getting to know your equipment to the point where it becomes an extension of you. I've experienced some of that with my M8, and that is one of the reasons why replacing it with an M9 has not appealed to me. I sold my 90mm Elmarit M and most recently an 18mm M Zeiss. The only two lenses I've decided to keep are my 35mm Summicron ASPH, and my 50mm Hexanon which I plan to replace with a 50mm Summilux ASPH. That will complete my M kit. Sometimes I think I should dump everything else I shoot with but the truth is that there are times when a DSLR is the better choice for me, and recently I fell in love with the IQ of the D2, especially for people shots, so I am giving that camera plenty of use. I bought it used (minty) and it is the best value Leica purchase I've made to date ($600.00).

[wilfredo]

Could be that equilibrium has a lot to do with photographic 'stability'. Gaining gear for its own sake is potentially addictive. Equilibrium should be reached when sufficient, but no more, equipment is owned to produce the images suited to the style and techniques required by the photographer. The trouble is that, in my experience, few of us ever reach that state where we know the sort of images we want to take and will not deviate from this path, so photographic stability is not achieved and thus equilibrium is merely a temporary state:eek:.

 

That is soooo true. In my case I engage in a plethora of genres which makes equilibrium difficult, but as far as shooting with the M8 goes, as I mentioned above, Ive got that narrowed down to two lenses.

[Jeff S]

but as far as shooting with the M8 goes, as I mentioned above, Ive got that narrowed down to two lenses.

 

Oh, but that's because you have yet discovered the beauty of pairing your eventual 50 Summilux asph with a 28 Summicron asph as your second lens...and keeping the 35 Summicron as your one-lens outfit.

 

Just playing, of course. But, this trio serves me well on an M8.2 (with a 75 in the tool box that doesn't get much use).

 

Jeff

[plasticman]

I made a decision this morning: if I actually locate and manage to buy a new Coolscan 9000 then I'm going to put all other new camera equipment on hold for a year.

I have more lenses and cameras than I can realistically use - even if I actually had time to get outside and use them, which recently I don't.

So the Coolscan feels like the last thing I need to be able to get the most out of what I already have.

 

I'm really glad I started this thread now. One thing it's taught me is that it appears that those people who've limited their buying to the minimal functional level are often the most content and satisfied. Maybe some of us others seem to be using camera gear acquisition in a quest for (possibly) something else - some other consumption-driven absence in our lives. I'm sure many people reading this will feel that it doesn't apply to them - neither did I until quite recently. This thread has helped to clarify things.

[lct]

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Haha! to each its own of course but sounds like you've just bought another new thing to discover that it may be a pita to use it in a couple of months (days?). For me it was a couple of hours. BTW why bothering to digitalize film when you can do the same or better with a digital camera?

[plasticman]

Haha! to each its own of course but sounds like you've just bought another new thing to discover that it may be a pita to use it in a couple of months (days?). For me it was a couple of hours. BTW why bothering to digitalize film when you can do the same or better with a digital camera?

 

Well now I own 4 digital cameras, and got back into film fully understanding the consequences. It's really not about that, it's about swapping a Summicron for a Summilux and an M9 for an M8 or... Well, you get the picture.

[lct]

My digicams are 4 to 6 years old now and it's not tomorrow that i'll buy anything else if it's not up to my expectations. I must be an old Harpagon i guess.

[wilfredo]

Oh, but that's because you have yet discovered the beauty of pairing your eventual 50 Summilux asph with a 28 Summicron asph as your second lens...and keeping the 35 Summicron as your one-lens outfit.

 

Just playing, of course. But, this trio serves me well on an M8.2 (with a 75 in the tool box that doesn't get much use).

 

Jeff

 

I used to own a 28mm Summicron ASPH before the advent of the M8 and sold it, which I now regret. I paid about $2000.00 brand new, now it has become prohibitive. However, the 35mm ASPH that replaced it has served me extremely well on the M8, and it is almost as sharp as the 28. Maybe down the road I will recover that lens? Who knows, time will tell? For now I've got my eyes set on the 50mm Summilux ASPH. Two M lenses are enough for me. The bidding has started on my Hexanon and there seems to be a lot of interest from Asia in the Hexanon. KONICA 50MM F/2 M-HEXANON LENS (LEICA M MOUNT) - eBay (item 230463465796 end time Apr-24-10 19:00:22 PDT) The sale of that lens will be applied toward the Summilux purchase. I will have to sell more stuff but I don't mind getting rid of the stuff I really don't need and reducing some of the clutter.

[Jeff S]

I think it's wise to scale down, Wilfredo. And, you will no doubt love the 50 Summilux asph.

 

Jeff

[Austinite]

Well I just purchased a black M6 classic. $1200 in super condition. Best deal I could find in over a month of searching. I have a wonderful old M3ds but I had M6 on the brain. Now maybe a good 50 to put on it. Hmm. 50 always seem tight until you need tight. Maybe a 35?

[Guest]

I don't mind getting rid of the stuff I really don't need and reducing some of the clutter. (snipped)

 

Everything in boxes (for the time being) except for one of the two M8 bodies, the tri and 24&50Lux. Been out shooting allmost all Sunday, no family just the Leica and me.

 

Still lurking of cause and while looking at pics (much) better than mine (Doug, man! Incredible ) why not quote a man much brighter than most everybody:

 

"If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, then what is an empty desk a sign of?"

(Einstein)

 

Have a good week, guys!

Simon

[Guest]

When I'll be good, it's gonna be a 35mm only. (on a M8)

By then my footwork won't be, though.

[yanidel]

1) there is the act of buying and selling Leica gear

2) there is your photography skills

3) there is your photography style

 

As long as you don't constantly do 1) in order to improve 2), but rather to experiment with 3), then maybe no equilibrium is really needed. One reaches the equilibrium once you acknowledge that gear equilibrium is not a required state.

 

In less abstract words, I own about 7-8 Leica lenses and never carry more than 2 or 3 at a time. Instead of worrying about simplifying like I did in the past, I just pick a bunch depending on the mood of the day and shoot with them.

 

I must admit though that without my 35mm Lux Asph, I don't ever feel in state of equilibrium

[Guest]

May I ask out of curiosity:

who is using just one lens for over a year now and is happy? Happy with the tool, working on results.

LFI has scores of dedicated professionals who only use a 35mm, or only a 50mm, or only a 28mm. But I was thinking of forum members, of cause including pros, whose photos we all admire.

 

Cheers!

[Xmas]

Mauro, you are sick, man. How can it be normal to not buy some other lens or upgrade to a newer M? You need help.

Or even get a M2 as a back up body for when the !st M needs a service...

 

Hey of course I'm happy my kit is complete, but I did e-mail Ivor at Red Dot a shopping list, yesterday.

 

Noel

[richfx]

I'm new to Leica RFs, but my M9, 50mm Summilux ASPH, 28mm Elmarit M ASPH and 90mm Tele Elmarit-M have landed me in heaven. Totally rewarding choices, and every day of shooting is different and new.

Rich

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[holmes]

In a word, "Yes"!

[thrid]

Anyone who's reached Leica Nirvana, and happy with exactly what they already have?

 

I think I hit 'Leica equilibrium' in the lens and body department a few years ago, when I settled on two focal lengths for my work, 35mm and 50mm on a few film bodies.

 

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M6ttl / M7 - 35 Lux and Leicavit

M2 / M4 - 50 Lux and DR

 

Summilux-M ASPH 1.4/35 - The best lens I have ever used.

Summilux-M 1.4/50 (last pre-ASPH) - The ASPH may be better, but I don't care.

Summicron-DR 2/50 - Because it still is the best 50 ever made for b/w work...

 

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R8 - 50's

 

Summicron-R 2/50 (type 2)

Summilux-R 1.4/50 (type 1)

 

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Recently I bought a Voigtlander Ultron 2/28. This is the first focal length that I added to my bag in about 6-8 years. The main reason why I purchased the 28, is because I moved and where I am currently living the streets and interiors are a lot narrower and confined. I keep bumping in to walls when I try to back up with the 35. So, far it seems to be working... The Ultron is a huge bargain. Performance and build quality are first rate. Maybe some day down the road Leica will make a 28mm Summilux. That I would be interested in, but it will probably cost three arms and a leg.

 

I also have a few Nikon F/F2/F3 bodies, but also only shoot 50's on those.