Ex-SLR Users New To Leica

[d2mini]

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I was strictly a dslr user until the purchase of my M9, but I'll never be an ex-dslr user. The dslr still has it's place in my bag because it is the better tool for certain jobs.

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[flyalf]

Hi,

 

First; I am new to this forum. Looking forward to gain knowledge.

 

I started using RF just one year ago, Before that I have used SLR and DSLRs for quite some time. When the Epson RD-arrived I wanted one, but at that time considered the price to be far out. One year ago I purchased a nice second hand RD-1. After using that for some months I stopped using my D700, and sold this to afford a M9.

 

The M9 is a nice camera, but from my point of view not in the same league as the RD-1 when it comes to usability (smaller viewer, more "digital" handling, etc) .Plaese dont feel offended - just my preferences.

 

I have no problems with focusing (only uses 50mm and shorter) nor metering, but still miss the accuracy of framing of DSLR. I compensate in Lightroom through cropping. Otherwise I must say that FR is a revelation in use compared to the incredible complicated DSLR. Now I can just go on photographing instead of playing with menues.

 

Wishlist for M9 improvement: Dust-removal, dedicated exposure-compensated button (as with RD-1), 1:1 viewer and higher capacity battery. Otherwise its all good

[andreaffm]

Now I can just go on photographing instead of playing with menues.

 

And it changes the way you think. You don't think in terms of buttons and menues any more, you think aperture and exposure. Which I believe is closer to what photography should be about. Back to basics.

 

At least that was the case with me. I used DSLR for quite some time as a semi-professional (and 20 years ago occasionally my dad's Kodak Retinette RF, so much for my very limited experience), but when I saw the M9 I instantly knew I wanted one. Love at first sight. That was not a rational decision, but reason is boring anyway. I wanted adventure, and this is what I got. And a somewhat imbalanced bank account.

 

So I am perfectly happy with my M9 after 3 impatient nerve-wrecking months on the waiting list. I have it since february now, with a wonderful, very old 50 summilux, and I never thought I'd have so much fun with good old 50mm. I haven't touched my DSLR since. I feel a bit sorry for the old workhorse, but it just gives me these red streaks on my shoulder when we travel. When I leave for Italy tomorrow, I'm afraid it will have to stay home again. But although many people have asked me if I would sell it, I just couldn't. I keep the DSLR, just in case, as a backup. (I have to admit I never sold a camera. Ever.)

 

So if it's ok for you when a camera is a bit demanding and changes your ways, go for it. If you don't want to change your routine, don't change your gear and stick to what you are used to.

 

Greetings

Andrea

[Jeff S]

I may have used an M for a long time, but I started where you are at one point also. One possible distinction is that I used relatively simple manual focus SLRs before using the M, but I think these are general tips for anyone making the transition today.

 

First, stick with one lens for quite a while, until it becomes second nature, and you can predict what will be in the frame at varying distances. Keep variables to a minimum. The camera has a frame preview lever so that you can experiment with alternate field of views to help determine what you're missing, and to guide future purchases.

 

Make sure your vision is properly adjusted to the VF, using glasses or a diopter if necessary. Focusing is easy, but only if you can see well. Magnifiers will magnify vision problems.

 

Learn the basic ways to focus...there are several that have been discussed on the forum, i.e., matching lines within the focus patch, aligning coinciding images, and refining based on contrast changes. You will get the hang of it quickly once you understand the options.

 

Keep the focus tab set on infinity between shots, so you'll always know which way to turn the tab when the subject appears.

 

Read the manual. Metering, for instance, is a lot easier if you know what the camera is doing. Seems obvious, but many novices here have apparently not done so.

 

Be patient and practice a lot. You will either like it or not. Some do, some don't. I fell for it quickly.

 

If you can afford it, keep your DSLR. You may need it whether or not you stick with the M.

 

Jeff

[cheewai_m6]

i was an slr user, although i'm not a professional. i used mechanical slrs, nikon FM2 and FM3a. so the shutter and aperture operation isn't really different. focussing however, i found was quicker and more positive. meaning on an slr, i would try my best to make sure it was focussed as sharp as possible. so you'd focus and keep going till you past the sharpest point, then focus back. know what i mean? with the rangefinder, it's SO much easier, once the image in the focus patch is overlayed, you know you're good. a bit of practice, and you get quite fast.

 

i did have problems with composition, just getting used to using framelines instead of seeing through the lens. my composition wasn't very good, and i was disappointed, but as time went on, i got better. it's all a matter of using it more.

 

it's not the same as slr and it's not for everybody. these were my experiences.

[Shade]

My question is really not for the experienced Leica/Rangefinder shooters.

 

if you are in this category, did you find it difficult to adjust using a rangefinder?...ie, did you find it difficult to get used to manual focus and did you find it difficult composing your images without looking through the lens? Do you regret making the switch?

 

" Well, that is not an option for me here in Indonesia...

 

Hi Scotty!

 

I'm actually in Indonesia as well - and yes - I understand your situation where we cannot rent one - or try one out. We'd just have to buy one first and then find out for ourselves.

 

What I did was - I managed to find a reasonably priced second hand M8. I used it to experience the rangefinder camera fully, from focusing, shooting, handling, composing, you name it. I find the M8 is not very different than the M9, but it does have more drawbacks. But afterall, it was intentionally set up as my stepping stone. If I didn't like it, I didn't have to lose too much anyway.

 

BUT - I ended up loving it and bought myself an M9..

 

Let me share my little experience with you...

 

First of all - No, I didn't regret my switch at all. However, it was not a switch, I still keep my Sony dSLR. So it won't be fair to say that my Leica is my only system. But it is now the system I use 90% of the time..

 

Focusing was quite tedious at first, I couldn't get crisp sharp shots. But after about 24 hours, It was a breeze. The focusing was fast and easy, and I can even adjust myself for front or back focusing (if there's any). I can now also shoot moving objects, like walking people, or gestures, with a shallow DOF.

 

Composing was at first also difficult. As what I saw through the finder, was not the same composition that I got... but I adjust to that as well - I find there are time to time, where I shoot and say "Oh, didn't turn out as I wanted - guess I'll have to take a little to the left". However, I believe with practice, and knowing your glass, you're bound to be very fluent with it.

 

Did I regret buying a Leica system? Hell no! I have it with me ALL the time now. Whether I go to work, I go for coffee, holiday travel, anytime.

 

I save my dSLR for kids, sports, and on-the-day weddings usually. But I'm practicing my Leica for wedding shoots as well, so in time my dSLR will be only for kids and jittery objects.

 

Have a look at my blog if you'd like - Purple Photography

 

I hope it helps.

 

PS: Feel free to contact me via PM if you'd like to discuss more - as we are in the same country, who knows we may be able to meet up or something sometime and you can try mine. (Can't guarantee I'm always in town though)

[tmldds]

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I was in your shoes a few months ago and was getting bored and tired with all the large gears, Canon 1DsMkII, Canon 5D II, and a bunch of lenses, mostly, L series, that just sat in a drawer. I still use my 1DsMkIi and 100 macro for dental shots. For everything else, I started out with a second-hand M8.2 and a 35 summilux pre-asph. It was love at first click. Needless to say, I have sold that camera to help finance the M9, and also bought a 50 Summilux pre-asp and a 90 Summicron pre-asph. One day, I will buy a Noctilux! With the M cameras, I have renew my enjoyment for photography. You will find out that your files will hardly need any sharpening! Tri:).

[scottygraham]

wow, thanks VERY much for all the great advice and comments....much appreciated!!

 

Just so you know, I am a professional....but teach photography for my living instead of selling my photographs (although I do some of that too)....since I don't have to rely on my photographs for a living (thank God), I have the flexibility to use whatever system I prefer when I shoot. Most of my shoots are for my own enjoyment and most are travel. The weight factor is HUGE for me....the idea of walking around with just one or two choice lenses and the M9 is very attractive to me and would suit my style.

 

I have never shot a RF before, but I have been a photographer for a long time, and know what I am doing, so from what I have read from you all, it should not be a huge learning curve for me to change to/use the RF system...in fact, I get the feeling from you that the change would be a nice one, and would bring back some of the pleasure of photography that has been missing (for me) when shooting my Nikon. I am eager for the change.

 

Now, if I can only figure out a way to get the 15 grand I need for the M9 and two lenses...and to convince my wife that it is needed....ha!

 

Shade....I will contact you via PM....how lucky is that? Living here too?

[cheewai_m6]

The weight factor is HUGE for me....the idea of walking around with just one or two choice lenses and the M9 is very attractive to me and would suit my style.

 

i have 3 lenses, 35mm, 50mm and 90mm. i've never used the 90, don't know why i bought it. i use the 35mm 95% of the time. i have brought the 50mm with me thinking if i need, i'll just change lenses. thing i found with leica m is that, you use what you got. i never change lenses even if i bring one. i'm a wide angle sort of guy though. i'm adding a 28mm soon (for travelling), but i know i'll only ever 'need' to bring the lens that's already on the camera.

 

i am not a professional though.

[Shade]

Scott: I replied your PM..

 

And yes, if WEIGHT is a HUGE factor to you, you'd love the M system even more.

 

I usually carry with me my M9, an 18mm Super Elmar, 50mm Summilux ASPH, and 90mm Summicron ASPH...

 

And it is still lighter than my DSLR + 1 lens attached...

[V_kids]

Hi Scotty

 

I'm from Indonesia too. it's nice to know, someone is using leica M9 or Planning to use M9 as well, because it's very hard to find a Leica User in Indonesia

 

I was on the same position as you 3 weeks ago. I'm a Nikon user with Nikon D3X + D700 + a lot of Nikon pro Lens.

I'm very satisfied with Nikon system, there is nothing wrong with it.

However, I always have a problem with the weight of it...

So, I decided to get Leica M9 + 24 Lux + 50 Lux.

I never used Rangefinder camera at all before.

I did struggle for the first 3 days, the grip, the viewfinder etc...

After 3 days, everything feel so normal, I even bought Zeiss 35/2 Biagon + Thump up for M9.

I sold my D3X and never regretted.

I only keep Nikon D700 for low light shooting + Fast moving action.

other than that? I never touch my DSLR anymore.

Within 2 weeks, I put 4500 shutter counts on my M9

 

just a quick snap shot from Lux 24

 

[scottygraham]

Two back-to-back posts from Indonesia! I would have never believed it...

 

WHEN I get my M9, we will have to start a Leica club here in Indonesia...

 

Thanks all for the fantastic comments.....I certainly came to the right place to ask this question. I am more convinced than ever....actually, I think I already had decided to buy the M9, but needed to hear from others to support my decision...and I got it here albeit a biased group...ha ha....

[jaapv]

Within 2 weeks, I put 4500 shutter counts on my M9

 

WoW! That is more than one shot every five minutes - assuming your shoot day and night without sleeping!

[Jeff S]

Now, if I can only figure out a way to get the 15 grand I need for the M9 and two lenses...

 

Pro or not, I still see major benefits to sticking with one lens initially (say 35). You'll learn the system better, spread your costs, and make a wiser decision on your second lens purchase (use that preview lever).

 

Jeff

[diogenis]

Scotty, others have said it already, but practice resting the focusing lever to infinity before you start the shooting process. The more the shots the faster you will become with the RF. It is a dexterity matter and comes with motor memory as well (muscle motor memory I mean).

Once you get the hung of it, you will love the benefits of the undisturbed view the bright VF gives you, as opposed to tunnel vision and blackouts of a dSLR.

[shootinglulu]

Everyone here will say they like the Leica M9 because it does suit their style of photography in some way. The Leica M9 is a hugely desirable camera because of the brand and image quality but it is SO different in usability to a dslr. I may be totally wrong but it seems to me that your shooting style is not very Leica like. If the main problem for you is weight then there are lighter dslr's coming onto the market in the near future apparently:)

[Jamie Roberts]

{snipped}If the main problem for you is weight then there are lighter dslr's coming onto the market in the near future apparently:)

 

Lighter dSLRs won't do anything about the heavier, faster lenses you'll need to use to get anything like the M9's quality (and a lighter SLR with those heavy lenses are pretty unbalanced).

 

OTH, if Olympus could make a digital OM, that would be fabulous But even their fastest glass is their heaviest... and nowhere near the quality of a 50 1.4 ASPH M.

[chrism]

I'll be the third one to say try a cheap film rangefinder first. If you buy an M9 and don't like it, you will sell it easily, but will take a loss that will cost more than a Bessa film rangefinder. If you enjoy the Bessa, it will be a companion to the M9.

I learnt my cameras at an odd time, when SLRs were the thing to get and rangefinders were going out of style. All were manual focus then, and my first real camera, an Olympus Trip 35, still works fine. My first SLR, a Praktica, had no meter, my next did closed-aperture metering, and then the Pentax K1000 was open-aperture metering, and the ME Super was finally auto exposure. Couldn't imagine why anyone would want automatic exposure at all until I tried it! I even had an Olympus PenFT half frame SLR and a Rollei 35 in my effort to have a small light camera that would be more likely to be with me rather than left at home. I did have a couple of Pentax early autofocus film SLRs but they were large heavy and slow. Well times change, and after a few digital cameras, the best being the Digilux 2, and including a couple of DSLRs, I bought an M7 and I still use it, despite having had an M8, 8.2 and now an M9. There's no problem with the focussing, as long as the lens and the body agree. Having had a selection of M lenses now, I know that many lenses and bodies need adjustment, and the best possible way is to send them all, along with the bodies, to be matched up. An example: I just bought my third Summilux 75 last year, and sent it off to Leica for coding and to correct its front focussing. It still front focusses, so I suspect the M9 is a bit off. Now the M9 works perfectly with my Lux 50 and Lux 35, and if I send it away, they won't focus correctly any more. Send them all at once must be the solution! The M7 is much more tolerant of these oddities, as, I hope, will be the MP arriving later this week. Should I ever be brave enough to send them all off at once I'll have to survive with the medium format film rangefinders I also seem to have acquired.

Anyway, film rangefinders make the cheapest and simplest way of finding out if you will like the RF way. It isn't for everyone, nor for every job, but if you like it then it will make some kinds of photography more fun than a birthday party in a brewery!

 

Chris

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[scottygraham]

. I may be totally wrong but it seems to me that your shooting style is not very Leica like. If the main problem for you is weight then there are lighter dslr's coming onto the market in the near future apparently:)

 

Just curious why you say my shooting style is not very Leica like....I am not being defensive, and actually I am glad you brought it up as it IS a question I have been asking myself since I first considered the Leica. What actually IS the Leica style of shooting?

 

Agree with Jamie...using a lighter SLR camera will defeat the purpose of owning the Leica....the size factor for me is huge, but I also want the quality glass and the image quality that the M9 can deliver as well...no matter what DSLR camera I use, to match the quality of the Leica, I would need to keep my HEAVY pro glass...it really is the Nikon Pro glass that makes up the bulk of the weight...the D700 body is really not that big and heavy...my 14-24mm lens alone feels like it weighs twice what the camera body weighs...

[diogenis]

Leica style of shooting -if I may say- is the one that makes you think before you shoot, thus taking actual part in the whole process. There are no programs built in here as opposed to an dSLR, and this means quite a lot less complexity, but it also means that your brain should think what to do next and with this you are getting more involved.

Obviously there are benefits to a dSLR and vice versa.