bpalme Posted February 18, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 18, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) to Rangefinder? I've been using a EP2 and want to move up to a Leica M8 and later M9. I usually shoot A mode. I've been practicing full manual mode lately with manual focus lenses. But with the EP2 we still get exposure preview... so what about on the Ms I understand there is no preview like that so you either have to have the experience and know how to get that right the first time or do it more than once... is that right? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 18, 2011 Posted February 18, 2011 Hi bpalme, Take a look here What's the hardest thing going from Auto cameras ... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Want-a-leica Posted February 18, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 18, 2011 I just started using an M8 a week or two ago, and to be honest it feels pretty natural after a very short time. I haven't tried shooting sports or really fast moving objects with it (and I don't think I will unless I start feeling really lucky), so the absence of AF isn't an issue. As for previewing (you mean like with a DOF preview button or something?) then no, I just trust the metering on the M8. It's right more often than not, and while the review screen isn't the greatest in the world, it's enough to let you see at a glance if you've really over (or under) exposed the shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesL Posted February 18, 2011 Share #3 Posted February 18, 2011 If you want to catch fast-changing scenes (street photography, for example), your practice on the E-P2 taking shots without auto focus will pay off. The most important new skill in these situations is quickly setting the focus. For landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and other leisurely situations, nothing is hard. The details are different, but the pleasure is discovering how much you can do to make a good photo. As for exposure, I suppose with experience one gets a feel for it. I'm still at the stage where I depend on reviewing the histogram after the shot. On the M8 I want it near the right but not all the way. The raw files have latitude to bring up the shadows, while certain situations like overcast seem to fool the camera and you find you have blown highlights even though the histogram looked good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 18, 2011 Share #4 Posted February 18, 2011 2 major things: As Charles explains - most difficult is focussing quickly. You have to learn, to not get stuck, trying to focus to perfection, loosing your subject, but focus quick, efficient and precise enough for your chosen aperture. The other thing, to benefit from learning is, to use manual exposure and get accustomed to changes in light and their impact on your meter reading and consequent exposure settings. "When I shoot not into the open lit street, but into the shadow of that truck - how much do I have to change my shutter/ aperture, to still be right on with exposure?" You should shoot as much in manual exposure and get connected to the shutter speed values/ aperture (and ISO). Using automatic cameras (Auto ISO, AE program or even full auto + auto focus) really eases the strain on your brain and makes you lazy. Train these things - you will enjoy photography more, as soon, as these things happen intuitively - Leica or not ;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted February 18, 2011 I just started using an M8 a week or two ago, and to be honest it feels pretty natural after a very short time. I haven't tried shooting sports or really fast moving objects with it (and I don't think I will unless I start feeling really lucky), so the absence of AF isn't an issue. As for previewing (you mean like with a DOF preview button or something?) then no, I just trust the metering on the M8. It's right more often than not, and while the review screen isn't the greatest in the world, it's enough to let you see at a glance if you've really over (or under) exposed the shot. Not so much DOF I'm concerned about(but that is a nice part of the preview).. With my EP2 in full manual as I change shutter speed I see a direct preview of the exposure. I can see if it's too dark or blown highlights and adjust the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture according to what I see on the screen/EVF. So my question was... there is no way to see this until after you take a picture? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpitt Posted February 18, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 18, 2011 I am still learning every day. The trick is to find out what portion of the image to point your camera at to read the correct exposure speed. So I start by setting the M8 to Auto and point it around. Take a few test shots at different exposure settings, then review and switch to manual mode with the best setting. All you have to do after that is keep an eye on the changes of light and adjust your shutter accordingly. Do not forget to adjust exposure one stop down for every stop you close the apeture. At least that is a lot easier than using the D2 to measure exposure and then copy that over to the M2 like I used to do before the M8 came along. And shoot DNG, that will give you 1-2 stops error margin in PP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Ash Posted February 18, 2011 Share #7 Posted February 18, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) The hardest thing is to realise how much time and effort you have waisted with gimmick-driven gear. Regards Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 18, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 18, 2011 Not so much DOF I'm concerned about(but that is a nice part of the preview).. With my EP2 in full manual as I change shutter speed I see a direct preview of the exposure. I can see if it's too dark or blown highlights and adjust the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture according to what I see on the screen/EVF. So my question was... there is no way to see this until after you take a picture?Yes -with your inner eye Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted February 18, 2011 Thanks for the input.. I've never even seen a Leica camera so just trying to get input on some things. It's not that I don't want to learn ... I actually want to learn it. I'm willing to put up with some inconvenience for best image quality, size & build quality. BTW .. does the quick reply work for you folks? I can't type in that box for some reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted February 18, 2011 Share #10 Posted February 18, 2011 Yes. quick reply works. You have to click the 'quick reply' icon first though. (It's the one on the far right that shows a quill pen and a sheet of paper with writing upon it.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted February 18, 2011 Ok ... got it thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Murray-White Posted February 18, 2011 Share #12 Posted February 18, 2011 Eventhough I was sure this would never happen to me! when I moved from DSLR to M8 it still catches me out once in a while - forgetting to take the lens cap off!! The other regular "difficulty" is remembering which frame lines I'm supposed to be looking at for each of my lenses 35,50,90 - a slight extension of this is that the frame lines seem to be a general guide rather than something you can totally rely on. You only really notice this when you are taking a very tightly composed shot in which points of interest are located at the very edges of the picture. IR/UV filters are essential. Have fun, they are great cameras. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted February 18, 2011 Share #13 Posted February 18, 2011 The hardest thing is to realise how much time and effort you have waisted with gimmick-driven gear. Regards Steve I've gotta agree. A rangefinder camera is actually easier than one laden with features and modes and menus. You don't need a fraction of that stuff. Just an understanding of aperture and shutter speeds and exposure confirmation, a clear viewfinder, and a means of focusing the lens. Rotating the shutter speed dial and aperture ring is faster and simpler than squinting at a menu, pressing one button then turning another dial to lock in the setting. By seeing the numbers next to each other, you also have a clearer understanding of how they relate to each other. Figuring out the f/16 (or more often f/11) rule really helps understand exposure. The Leica M viewfinder is clear and uncluttered, so you can concentrate on the subject. Rangefinder focusing does take practice -- just look for edges and line them up -- but is much more precise: You know exactly which part of the image is in focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
camnoj Posted February 19, 2011 Share #14 Posted February 19, 2011 The hardest thing is to realise how much time and effort you have waisted with gimmick-driven gear. Regards Steve I bought my M8 a year ago, after years of automatic cameras with very confusing menus, gimmicks, whiring and buzzing sounds to distract (or attract) everyone and thing - I find the RF is more natural, discrete and so easy to use in comparison. The advantages IMHO are; it's quiet and lenses are as sharp as you could ever want, you're continually learning, there this forum where genuine people will help you out and you get a chance to use an instrument that has played such a leading part in recording history. I could never go back I'm sorry but you'll have to prise it from my dead hands if you want me to put it down;-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted February 19, 2011 Share #15 Posted February 19, 2011 ,,,, and lenses are as sharp as you could ever want,,,, Quite a statement:rolleyes: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted February 19, 2011 Yes. quick reply works. You have to click the 'quick reply' icon first though. (It's the one on the far right that shows a quill pen and a sheet of paper with writing upon it.) Great signature Nicole. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyne Posted February 23, 2011 Share #17 Posted February 23, 2011 I just switched to an M8 in January and have really enjoyed the experience and actually find it easier to use than the more automated cameras once I got used to it. You can read about my newbie experiences here in my blog: LeicaKeyne. On the blog I talk about my transition from more automated cameras and will be posting about my struggles to learn the Leica, gear I use, and show some photos that show me improving (hopefully!) over time using the camera. It is a new thing for me to create a blog but honestly... the experience using the camera has been so much fun that it inspired me to write about it (mostly for myself but if others take something from it that fun too). I haven't posted my most recent blog post from this past weekend, but finally this past weekend I realized that things are flowing much easier for me now and it sounds cliche but the camera is starting to feel like an extension of me. This has never happened for me before with ANY camera. I still have a ton to learn (for me thats part of the fun) with the Leica but I found this weekend that things just clicked... I was pre-focusing judging the distance with my brain... I had the aperture and ISO all set way in advance of the shot. I am still using Aperture priority (A mode) mode but will most likely move to full manual soon. Overall for me the camera is a revelation. Yes its insanely expensive compared to other systems but I just love using it and can't imagine ever going back to a more automated setup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikael Siirilä Posted February 23, 2011 Share #18 Posted February 23, 2011 Exposure feels easy. I usually take a base reading from a incident lightmeter I carry in my pocket. Then I add or subtract a few stops in case of backlight/shadow etc. Does not really change if I am using a M6 or M8. Focusing gave me a sweat at first until I realized I really don't need to hold my breath to focus on a hair every time. Only when using f1.4+. Already at f4 you can be very relaxed about focusing. Just learn what direction to turn the focusing ring for close/far and it will take a mere second to focus. Best thing about manual focus is the way it sticks. Once you focus and don't move you can just forget about focusing. Same thing with exposure. Unless the light changes radically just set it once and adjust only when you need to. Then just focus on composing your shots. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trs Posted February 24, 2011 Share #19 Posted February 24, 2011 Hardest thing? To remember to take the lens cap off before pressing the shutter. To date, I still forget once in a a while when I am in rush and I have been using M8 since it first came out, my first RF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted February 25, 2011 I just started using an M8 a week or two ago, and to be honest it feels pretty natural after a very short time. I haven't tried shooting sports or really fast moving objects with it (and I don't think I will unless I start feeling really lucky), so the absence of AF isn't an issue. As for previewing (you mean like with a DOF preview button or something?) then no, I just trust the metering on the M8. It's right more often than not, and while the review screen isn't the greatest in the world, it's enough to let you see at a glance if you've really over (or under) exposed the shot. How are things going now with you're new Leica? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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