Nikkor AIS Posted June 2, 2010 Share #21 Posted June 2, 2010 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Smiles per miles, get into the M system. It's just so much fun. If you're debating what to do, start off easy and get an M3 user and a 50 mm Leica lens. It won't cost you an arm and a leg and you can always turn it around for what you paid for it if you change your mind. I'm guessing you won't be selling it after you go out and shoot with it for even a day. If your heart is set on using wider lenses then perhaps an M6/M7 will be more to your liking. Check out the RangeFinderForum for samples with the 21 Super-Angulon and many others. Best of luck with your decision. Gregory Edited June 2, 2010 by Nikkor AIS Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 2, 2010 Posted June 2, 2010 Hi Nikkor AIS, Take a look here M6 or R9. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
roguewave Posted June 4, 2010 Share #22 Posted June 4, 2010 Shooting film is a very important part of being a good photographer. It keeps you close to the fundamentals. I use both systems M &R. There are some fundamental differences. The R8/R9 is simply the finest 35 mm film SLR I have ever used. The bright viewfinder, amazing lenses and the ability to view the actual image you will capture is a strong feature. I own 3 R8's & can't image ever selling any of them. The R8 is larger than the M8/M9/M3/M2, but not in a significant way. I also use one of my R8's with my DMR. What the entire R system offers is the ability to focus much closer in all wide angle lens than ANY of the M lenses. For me that is very important. My prime lenses are the R19, R24, R35 Summilux & R80 Summilux. That said, I also use a M2 & M3 for film use as well. I also have an M8 which I also enjoy. It also has many limitations, but the images I harvest with this tool are to my satisfaction. The M lenses are much different and create great images, but you CAN"T GET REAL CLOSE. That's just a fact. The M lenses are computed differently. In both cases, the cameras & lenses are superlative instruments. In fact, I doubt anyone has mastered either system or it's components. Even in a lifetime, I doubt someone will find the limits of either system or it's individual elements. The best truth of all is that you can't loose, regardless of your choice. Either road leads to pleasure and a deepening appreciation of the art & science of image making. Enjoy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruhayat Posted June 14, 2010 Share #23 Posted June 14, 2010 rmphotography: I made a similar decision to go film with Leica M about 4 weeks ago but my journey has been incremental. I first bought Leica-R 28/2.8 and 50/2.0 lenses which I used with an Olympus E1 DSLR. Then I changed the body to a Canon 5D, which I still use today for work stuff. For personal shooting I too felt I needed something more fun that would also force me to be a bit more contemplative... with digital it's just too easy to press the trigger. Had a choice between brand new Leica M6TTL and R6.2, both selling at the same price. I ended up choosing the M6TTL for the following reasons: 1. Shutter noise: the R6 clacks wayyyy louder than the 5D. The M6TTL is almost whisper quiet. 2. Build quality: this is based purely on my subjective evaluation; they are both well-built, but the M6TTL just feels that much more solid. 3. Lens quality: I thought if I were going for a Leica I might as well go for THE Leica, and that would be an M. On hindsight, though, I think the R6.2 would have suited me better. No doubt the M6TTL is a fine machine, but 4 weeks on I'm still struggling with the rangefinder methodology and point of view. I have shot about 6 rolls so far, and probably have only 2 frames I am happy with. The difference in composition and focusing sounds trivial, but is something that will take some time to get used to. I think if I'd gotten the M7 with its Aperture Priority option the learning curve wouldn't be so steep. Not to mention the quirky M film loading mechanism. Sigh. I lost 2 rolls on separate occasions when changing films on the move as the spool didn't take and I didn't notice the film rewind tingy wasn't turning. Most of all, though, is the state of mind difference between using an SLR versus a rangefinder. I have read that the rangefinder experience takes a bit of getting used to when one is used to an SLR, but boy I never imagined just how different it can be in actual use. I'm slowly getting used to seeing in rangefinder terms, but there's no denying that when I bring an SLR viewfinder to my eyes it still feels like coming home -- everything is just so familiar and getting the shot becomes almost automatic, even with manual focusing and exposure. I still think that the M system is what I would end up with eventually. But now I think going for a cheap R system first would probably have been a better idea as an interim step, as you get used to using film and manual operation. As it is, I now have a camera that I'm still not worthy of. But the joy in using it each time still beats going out with my Canon 5D and R lenses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicamr Posted June 14, 2010 Share #24 Posted June 14, 2010 (edited) RMphotography, Many thoughts in this thread. So here are a few more. I use M7, M8, R8 & R9's. I mainly use the R system with the DMR. I have owned the R8's for many years. In the last year I purchased secondhand two mint condition R9's. I wanted the last R body (currently) and to ensure that I have a working R system until I am old and grey and unable to carry the kit. I am not sure how long excellent / mint condition R8's / R9's will be available, so get one while you can. M bodies are plentiful in all model number versions. (M7 / 8 quickest of the lot to use) regards Mark Edited June 14, 2010 by leicamr Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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