Poison Ivy Posted February 16, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 16, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have been using Pentax for a while now and it is with a Pentax that I entered the field of professional photography, I currently own the Pentax K-7. However I am not just a professional, I am an artist. I don't exactly have 'money to burn' but I think that a Leica might be a good choice, after all are these cameras not built to last a lifetime? Isn't a Leica the ultimate Artist's instrument? At least this is what I have heard. I'd love to find out a bit more about the brand and perhaps hear some recommendations towards what might just be an heirloom. Thanks for your time! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 Hi Poison Ivy, Take a look here Pentax Professional Photographer interested in getting a Leica. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stuny Posted February 16, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 16, 2011 If you want to continue with DLSRs with interchangeable lenses your choices in Leica right now are rather limited -- Leica presently does not have a DLSR. Film or digial, if you want interchangeable lenses you'll need to get used gear, which we can talk about more, once we know what you expect to shoot, in what situaitons, etc. If you want rangefinder cameras, Leica is virtually the only game in town, digital or film. There are some other alternatives, produced with Leica's partner, Panasonic, but before going further, let's hear some more from you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 16, 2011 Share #3 Posted February 16, 2011 To add to what Stuart has said. Why do you want a Leica? What kind of camera are you expecting it to be? What do you want to do with it? Buy a new Leica MP (film rangefinder camera) and it will certainly last you a lifetime and more. I don't think that any digital camera, be it your Pentax or the Leica M9 could be considered as a 'lifetime' camera! Browse the Leica website, details and specifications of all the current gear is available there. Then you can perhaps ask some more informed questions which we can help you with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poison Ivy Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted February 16, 2011 If you want to continue with DLSRs with interchangeable lenses your choices in Leica right now are rather limited -- Leica presently does not have a DLSR. Film or digial, if you want interchangeable lenses you'll need to get used gear, which we can talk about more, once we know what you expect to shoot, in what situaitons, etc. If you want rangefinder cameras, Leica is virtually the only game in town, digital or film. There are some other alternatives, produced with Leica's partner, Panasonic, but before going further, let's hear some more from you. Thanks Stuny, sorry I forgot to mention that I was indeed looking for a rangefinder. For SLRs I think that Pentax is King and I don't need another SLR. I am a portrait photographer and artist but I don't just shoot models. My favourite work is commissioned by important people such as politicians, aristocrats etc... but I don't get much work in that field so I also do some minor fashion photography without too much success. I also take pictures of interesting characters for myself wherever I go. I have never had contact with film before so I am not sure whether it would be wise to consider Film. I am looking for a camera that will hopefully last a lifetime and will come everywhere with me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poison Ivy Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted February 16, 2011 To add to what Stuart has said. Why do you want a Leica? What kind of camera are you expecting it to be? What do you want to do with it? Buy a new Leica MP (film rangefinder camera) and it will certainly last you a lifetime and more. I don't think that any digital camera, be it your Pentax or the Leica M9 could be considered as a 'lifetime' camera! Browse the Leica website, details and specifications of all the current gear is available there. Then you can perhaps ask some more informed questions which we can help you with. My main reason for looking at Leica is indeed German Craftmanship and the promise that products will last a lifetime. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
timd. Posted February 16, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 16, 2011 rangefinder and digital? well, in that case you are quite right getting information about leica. it's the only one which is currently in production. your work sounds really interesting - do you have a website or anything? i'd like to see something of it! -tim- besides, i'm with james: if you're looking for something that lasts a lifetime - don't go digital. anyway, even if the rangefinder-body doesn't keep on that long, leica lenses do. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poison Ivy Posted February 16, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted February 16, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am really tempted by the Leica MP even with the high price tag and the fact that I have never worked with film before though... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexmann Posted February 17, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 17, 2011 Whether you buy a digital M8 or M9 or opt to buy a film M, the whole point about Leica is, and always has been, about the glass. You will find that you will be able to show more expression, more emotion, with Leica lenses than you can with any other make. That is what attracted me to Leica. The rangefinder bodies are also very simple and intuitive to use. Regards Alex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poison Ivy Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted February 17, 2011 Whether you buy a digital M8 or M9 or opt to buy a film M, the whole point about Leica is, and always has been, about the glass. You will find that you will be able to show more expression, more emotion, with Leica lenses than you can with any other make. That is what attracted me to Leica. The rangefinder bodies are also very simple and intuitive to use. Regards Alex A friend of mine found a way to mount a few Leica lenses on his Pentax, the lenses really are a delight, I agree. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted February 17, 2011 Share #10 Posted February 17, 2011 A friend of mine found a way to mount a few Leica lenses on his Pentax, the lenses really are a delight, I agree. Are these Leica-R lenses, modified with the Leitax conversion kit? I'd suggest a good used M6 and one lens to see if film and/or the rangefinder concept is right for you, before spending the big money on a new MP. If the M6 doesn't work out for you it can be re-sold at very little loss. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiver Posted February 17, 2011 Share #11 Posted February 17, 2011 The fortunate thing about Leica is that if you buy a secondhand camera in good condition, you will be able to sell it for about as much as you paid for it if a rangefinder is not the thing for you. A film Leica will quite conceivably last for a lifetime, and perhaps even longer than you wish to shoot film. As you have never shot with film before, let alone a Leica, you need to understand how the M meters and the characteristics of the film you choose to use. The M cameras use a kind of 'wide centre spot' metering which is confusing to people who are used to the matrix metering of a DSLR. The M meters in the middle of what you are pointing at, not the overall light in the frame. If you want to buy a Leica with the potential to stay with it, get a secondhand MP or even a M6 TTL in good condition. It will cost you a lot less and will last just as long. Shoot some film, find yourself a good lab, and if you shoot black and white you can even learn to develop your own film. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
euston Posted February 17, 2011 Share #12 Posted February 17, 2011 Those who say that the digital M9 will not last a lifetime have no evidence for that assertion. It seems to me to be as solidly built as you would expect of a Leica camera. It’s the common wisdom on this forum that its electronic components are not durable in the long term but I’m not convinced. So long as you stay off the upgrade treadmill and don’t feel compelled to trade it in for the latest version every few years, I see no reason why you shouldn’t expect to be using an M9 for more than long enough to get ample value from the purchase price. The MP is also a great camera and may well last your lifetime and more. The long term future of readily available supplies of film, however, is less certain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 17, 2011 Share #13 Posted February 17, 2011 Those who say that the digital M9 will not last a lifetime have no evidence for that assertion. It seems to me to be as solidly built as you would expect of a Leica camera. It’s the common wisdom on this forum that its electronic components are not durable in the long term but I’m not convinced. So long as you stay off the upgrade treadmill and don’t feel compelled to trade it in for the latest version every few years, I see no reason why you shouldn’t expect to be using an M9 for more than long enough to get ample value from the purchase price. The MP is also a great camera and may well last your lifetime and more. The long term future of readily available supplies of film, however, is less certain. Electronics have a habit of failing over longer periods of time. At some point it will become impossible to repair an M9, that is a fact. If the cog inside an MP or M2 etc fails, one can be fabricated if necessary. Not saying that the M9 won't last a long time, but I doubt people will be using them in 50yrs time unlike my M2. Film isn't an issue, I'm convinced of that, there's still millions of users out there. Batteries for your digicams are another matter! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 17, 2011 Share #14 Posted February 17, 2011 The OP might forgive if I'm wrong, but this thread has all the hallmarks of an LUF wind-up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 17, 2011 Share #15 Posted February 17, 2011 Leica has a little known loaner program with major retailers such as with Calumet in Chicago. If you are the type of artist who manipulates the photos heavily doing composting work like Julienne Kost at adobe. any camera will do. AdobeTV | The Complete Picture with Julieanne Kost If you want clear sharp pic right from the camera. Leica is better on film, and slightly better on digital. Film is going away so I would not get into it now. Unless you buy used and cheap. Getting film into a computer is another problem. There are no really good film scanners at affordable prices. Further ultimate image quality is done with large formats, digital or otherwise. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 17, 2011 Share #16 Posted February 17, 2011 Those who say that the digital M9 will not last a lifetime have no evidence for that assertion. It seems to me to be as solidly built as you would expect of a Leica camera. It’s the common wisdom on this forum that its electronic components are not durable in the long term but I’m not convinced. So long as you stay off the upgrade treadmill and don’t feel compelled to trade it in for the latest version every few years, I see no reason why you shouldn’t expect to be using an M9 for more than long enough to get ample value from the purchase price. The MP is also a great camera and may well last your lifetime and more. The long term future of readily available supplies of film, however, is less certain. It is a difficult question. There are plenty of audio devices of many decades old around that still function flawlessly. I think the relatively craftlike setup of Leica, partly using off-the shelf electronic parts will make the digital side more future-proof than more integrated designs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 17, 2011 Share #17 Posted February 17, 2011 Film is going away so I would not get into it now. Poison Ivy, welcome, and feel free to ignore our resident Digivangelist. If you want to get into film, go for it - many others are doing just that. it's not "going away" any time soon much as he would evidently like it to. You have also received good advice about buying a film M - it is hard to lose money on such a purchase in today's market unless you buy new and sell quickly. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frozenace Posted February 17, 2011 Share #18 Posted February 17, 2011 At the moment I'm pretty happy with my film setup. I'm using a Nikon V ED scanner and just get the film processed. Economically, I'd say, if I wanted to move to an M9, I could get about 2k pounds for the MP + scanner (I can keep the lenses), then I'd still have to fork out 2.9k extra. 2.9k should last me a lot of time in terms of processing and film costs. At < 25 rolls per year (4 pounds processing + 5 pounds film), this equates to 322 rolls. It's likely at some point I will get tempted into an M9, but not until I get an MBA and find a job (or business) with a decent income. I'm 26 and only taking pictures for fun, so I have plenty of time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildlightphoto Posted February 17, 2011 Share #19 Posted February 17, 2011 ... feel free to ignore our resident Digivangelist... Please stop labeling people. Or would you like a label too? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 17, 2011 Share #20 Posted February 17, 2011 I have many labels already, Doug, we all do. They don't bother me one jot or iota. Frankly, I'd rather have a label than see a new member wilfully misled, wouldn't you? Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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