robert blu Posted May 17, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 17, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Since a few years m7 has been my "first" camera. Lenses: 12mm (CV) + 35 cron asph + 50 cron + 75 cv F2,5) . When travelling I was used to have a Nikon FM2 (with 50mm F 1,4) as back up. Reason of this choice was that with the 50mm I can focus up to 30 cm for details. Most of time leaving one camera in hotel an going out with one lens on the camera + 1 lens in the pocket depending on the daily expectations about what to shoot. Sometimes iso 100 in one camera and 400 in the other. Mostly B&W. Last winter I bought my first digital camera and I went for the x1, because of the sensor, OVF and the 35 equivalent lens (35 is the lens I use 70% of times on the m7). Last week I went for a short holiday in south germany and after a long thinking I decided to take with me the m7 (35-50-75) and the x1. Idea was to have a relaxing holiday and taking some pictures, not to make a journey in order to take "the best photo of my life". The idea was to use the m7 with an iso 100 B&W film and the x1 for some family color snaps and for the need of higher iso. Positive points (IMHO) : I appreciated many times the possibility to set the x1 at 800/1.600 iso and shoot in low light situation, which I could not have done with the m7 (100 iso in it). In difficult light situations I could chimp. But what surprised me was the fact that I almost never used the m7 because "easier" just to set to 100 iso the x1 and take pictures. Even if I had the m7 with me all the time! It seems me that having a digital camera beside the film one causes a kind of "laziness" which forces me to work with it. I do not like to go in direction of a film versus digital old annoying story, but I'm just curious if the members here who own both a film M and a digital M are using them in the same occasion. I think in future when holiday is the main point to use just the x1, if I have a serious project in mind to use again the film combo M7+FM2. Any comment about ? thanks and sorry for long post, robert PS: I am not sure if this had to be posted in the x1 forum or in film forum, it seems me here could be of more interest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 17, 2011 Posted May 17, 2011 Hi robert blu, Take a look here My m7 + x1 experience (long thread). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
SteveYork Posted May 17, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 17, 2011 Sometime novelty plays an issue. The X1 is your "new" toy, and it's a change of pace from what you have been using. I have a bunch of different cameras, because I get bored using the same ones all the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiver Posted May 18, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 18, 2011 The X1 would certainly provide a way to quickly and easily produce photos, and of course, it's a new camera! Who wouldn't want to play with it? I used to carry a rangefinder and a compact digital camera, and took most of the photos with the compact. But when I wanted to shoot something differently, when I wanted extra shallow DoF, or when I wanted that film look, I used the rangefinder. At the moment I am toggling between the M9 and M7, with the Ricoh GXR almost as my main camera. I use the M9 much more than the M7, obviously, because it costs nothing to shoot and the results are immediate. But I love the feeling of the M7, and with good lenses it is still great. Last night I went out with the M9, M7 and GXR. I used the GXR for quick but high quality snapshots, the M9 for some low light colour work, and the M7 for a few portraits that I wanted to have on film. While the GXR is not M9 in quality, it is certainly as good as most aps-c DSLR's I have seen, and much smaller, so I can easily use it as a primary camera. With that, I can happily use the M7 for work that I feel requires film, or requires a lens of a particular character. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
underground Posted May 18, 2011 Share #4 Posted May 18, 2011 NO LAZY AT ALL!!! Grab what you want and use it man its all good. While your Issue may be ISO(ASA) Mine is different as far as shutter speed, M7 is 1/1000th of a sec. and my M8 is 1/8000th of a sec. I would like to some time shoot 400 ISO (ASA) with my M7 wide open @ F:2 in sun light @ 8000th, but can't!! I think you have to make a ceative choice and hit it hard man. I dont see any "lazy" just hit it hard and do what your do'in. It will work out. Cheers Dave Mac Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted May 18, 2011 Share #5 Posted May 18, 2011 I do not think it is being lazy to want to see or use a photo almost instantly. That is why I most often shoot digital (email, small prints, and macro). But, I use my M6 when I feel the need to spend some quality time doing something I enjoy, not just producing lots of digital files. So, the M6 is mostly used for B&W because I love the look of grain in the print and working with film. For color shots, digital mostly. Enjoy what you have, best of both worlds. Wayne Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted May 18, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 18, 2011 If you're going to be "on holiday", take the X1 as the primary and the M7 as the back up. If you're out to take photos, take the M7 as the primary and the X1 as the back up. The simplicity (in every sense of the word) of the X1 makes it an IDEAL camera for vacations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted May 18, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thank you all for taking time to comment. @ Steve: yes, it is a new excellent toy, I enjoy it very much. @ Archiver: you mentioned the m9 , hmm, I'm afraid that to use the x1 will push me in that direction... @ underground: due to my age i was used to ASA, but the young ones ask me what? ahh, ISO ! In the m7 the 1/1000 is sometimes a limitation, I often use an orange filter, do not own yet an ND, but still not enough. @ Wayne: I use the m7 for B&W most of time, but because I do not wet print and scan and print inkjet I'm not so sure you see the benefit of film against file with this hybrid workflow. @ Eddie: mt as back up ? Wow, really it is was happened during my vacation ! Ok, a "luxus back up" When I'll have developed and scanned the film from m7 and processed the files from x1 I'll make some print. Next step will be the evaluation ! grazie e ciao robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted May 19, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 19, 2011 Grab what you want and use it man its all good. While your Issue may be ISO(ASA) Mine is different as far as shutter speed, M7 is 1/1000th of a sec. and my M8 is 1/8000th of a sec. I would like to some time shoot 400 ISO (ASA) with my M7 wide open @ F:2 in sun light @ 8000th, but can't!! I think you have to make a ceative choice and hit it hard man. I dont see any "lazy" just hit it hard and do what your do'in. It will work out. Cheers Dave Mac Yes, this is a problem with my film Ms, here in Aus at least. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted May 20, 2011 Share #9 Posted May 20, 2011 While your Issue may be ISO(ASA) Mine is different as far as shutter speed, M7 is 1/1000th of a sec. and my M8 is 1/8000th of a sec. I would like to some time shoot 400 ISO (ASA) with my M7 wide open @ F:2 in sun light @ 8000th, but Dave - as someone already mentioned, just slap an ND filter on the lens. Although not available in all sizes, in theory they're available in everything from 1-stop to 13(!)-stops of reduction. I'm guessing that'd give a night-time effect wide open in the midday sun. ;-) Seriously though, I think it's an ND8 I have on the f1 when I want this effect in 'midday' images and this allows for shooting wide open - at least with 160 film. A lovely look on the beach (though the HCB purists disapprove, of course). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
underground Posted May 23, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 23, 2011 Dave - as someone already mentioned, just slap an ND filter on the lens. Although not available in all sizes, in theory they're available in everything from 1-stop to 13(!)-stops of reduction. I'm guessing that'd give a night-time effect wide open in the midday sun. ;-) Seriously though, I think it's an ND8 I have on the f1 when I want this effect in 'midday' images and this allows for shooting wide open - at least with 160 film. A lovely look on the beach (though the HCB purists disapprove, of course). That's a great idea that I have not done yet! Your absolutely right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiILX1 Posted May 25, 2011 Share #11 Posted May 25, 2011 Robert, Having just bought an M2 ad owning an X1 I've been thinking about this. Thanks for posting. I'm using my X1 as my 35mm lens. On the M2, I have a 50 summicron collapsible, and a 90mm collapsible. When I want the film affect, a 50mm, or 90mm (portraits), or want the shallower depth of field of the 50mm f/2 full frame, I've been taking the M2. I'm not gong to buy a 35mm lens for the M2 just to keep this decision simple. Another thing I considered, based on the other thread I started, was what I use the photos for. If I am going out for the day and would only take photos opportunistically, which will end up on Flickr, it's easier to take the X1 for the workflow, no developing, waiting, or scanning services. But soon my friend is coming into town and wants me to take some professional photos of him for his website. That's worth the extra time and lens options of the M2. Hope that helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincoln_m Posted May 25, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 25, 2011 Robert, OK here's a test. How about selling the M7 and lenses? If the 35mm asph is in black and good condition I'd probably buy it. I hope the M7 is in black I might fancy another. Now how do you feel with your M7 and crons gone forever? Arhh I thought so. Not so easy to part with are they? I went to Iceland in 2009 and took MP with Velvia ( old stock with colour cast unfortunately ) M7 with TMAX-400 and Canon G10 digital 14Mp RAW. I ended up taking everything 3x and because of these many cameras my attention to detail was not up to usual standards. I think another's post on using different cameras with different focal lengths is a good idea. I've started doing that. MP chrome with 35mm f2 asph chrome, M7 with 50mm crom both black. G10 in bag not used. Tweaking every RAW image for for adjustments seems harder than the work needed on the scanned TIFFs. Now I give the G10 to the wife for her to use and concentrate on film photography which is much more rewarding for me. I even like the wait for the slides to come back. My digital fad lasted 2 years. I often think having more than just the 35mm is excessive. HCB only had 50mm f2 and really made it part of him. I often go out with 1 lens and look out for those shots. 2 or 3 lenses or cameras feels too much sometimes. Enjoy the X1 and get to know the camera 35mm equivalent. By having just one camera and focal length with you will force discipline and your images will be the better for it. Taking the M7 out on a separate occasion will also work best with 1 lens. The worse thing would be to not have any cameras available. Regards, Lincoln Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted May 26, 2011 Share #13 Posted May 26, 2011 I think in future when holiday is the main point to use just the x1, if I have a serious project in mind to use again the film combo M7+FM2. Any comment about ? I think its a mistake to think of any one camera as being more 'serious' than another. It trivialises your approach to the subject if you have in the back of your mind 'I haven't got my serious camera with me'. It is the subject that is important and you should make the most of whatever camera you are using. So forget the idea that the X1 is a new toy and you are playing with it and use it for all the things it can do for your photography that the M7 can't. And if you find that means your M7 is gathering dust it doesn't matter, photography isn't a contest of equipment. When you hear that people don't like the look of digital I would say it basically comes down to their inability to do some post processing and get the look they want out of a file. Ironic really as they may spend a lot of time in the darkroom making film look the way they want in a print. So use LR3, discover how powerfully expressive a digital file can be if you give it a chance, and don't buy into the guilt trip caused by foresaking film, if you want to move on, move on. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted May 28, 2011 Thanks again for taking time to comment. Your points are all valid. First I would like to add that I'm very happy with both cameras (m7+x1). So Lincoln test already done: no idea to sell the m7 (even if one day I'll buy an m9!). As chilLX1 says a lot depends on the final use of the photo. I went yesterday to an event and the x1 choice was very appropriate, photo done at 1.600 iso, editing done and prints on the way for my friends. Simple, good and fast! I'll go back there tonight and I'll use the m7+50mm+neopan1.600. The photo will be for myself, no urgent need. I like the idea of one camera/one lens (sometimes a second in the pocket). At my age one of the benefit of RF is to move light. Keeping the weight at minimum! @250swb: you are correct, there is not a more serious camera, maybe there is a more "serious" way to use any camera ! English is not my first language and sometimes it is difficult to find the correct word. But your comment is really interesting: I could use the m7 in a "not serious" way, just snapping without any attention or on the other side I could use an Holga in a very "serious" way. I'll discuss this point with my friends photographers ! Cheers, robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted May 30, 2011 Share #15 Posted May 30, 2011 Robert, I've been (and still am) a happy M8 user for over two years now. I just succumbed to a combined GAS + nostalgia attack and treated me with an M3 in good shape. I'll care to report in some time my impressions from using either cameras. Cheers Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted June 24, 2011 Last week I had a long weekend in south italy, which is an area where I had never been before. This time I had with me the m7 with 35-50-75 mm lens and the x1. I decided to use as "main"camera the m7 with a 100 iso color film in it (Ektar) and to use the x1 only where due the light situation there was need for higher iso (400 or more). I forced myself to follow the discipline and it worked well. 7 rolls of film with the m7 (actually to be developed) most of which shot with the 35 cron, and more or less 250 dng files (+jpgs) of low light situation. I'm satisfied of this combination and hope within a few weeks ( after a short lake holiday and my visit to Arles) to be able to have some pictures from both cameras printed. Below a couple of examples, no PP yet. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! iso 400 - f 2,8 - 1/25 sec iso 800 - f 2,8 - 1/30 sec Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! iso 400 - f 2,8 - 1/25 sec iso 800 - f 2,8 - 1/30 sec ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/151963-my-m7-x1-experience-long-thread/?do=findComment&comment=1713505'>More sharing options...
Archiver Posted June 26, 2011 Share #17 Posted June 26, 2011 Nice work. The X1 does take some lovely photos. I went out yesterday with the M7 + 50/1.5 Sonnar, Ricoh GXR + 28mm, and the GRD III + 21mm. As most of the photos I was taking were from the hip and of the environment, I used the GXR for almost everything. I used the M7 twice to take quick portraits. If I can help it, I try to have only one focal length per camera to keep the weight down and avoid redundancy of gear. If I was spending the day taking photos of people, I'd most likely use the M7 or M9 and leave the GXR for environmental duties. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nggalai Posted June 26, 2011 Share #18 Posted June 26, 2011 Hi there, I use one roll of film for one topic exclusively, the rest is covered with a digital camera. E.g. I might have a roll of TMax in my M3 which I use for pictures of “trash disposal” only. The PRIVATE roll (weird and ironic PRIVATE signs all around Switzerland) took three weeks to be filled in an Olympus XA, but the result is a fun, consistent series. This also has advantages the way I file negative strips. One sheet, one topic. I found this makes me enjoy my film cameras even more than before. I shoot with more dedication, less snapshot-ish or haphazardly, more in control and selectively. Also, I don’t worry about how many frames are still available or whether I exposed that action shot or something “right”. Roll is full? Series is complete. Perhaps this might be a viable approach when carrying both film and digital cameras at the same time? It’s great fun, at least to me. Cheers, -Sascha Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruhayat Posted June 26, 2011 Share #19 Posted June 26, 2011 For me it's the other way around: on travels I use film (M6TTL with 35mm and 90mm lenses and Olympus Trip 35 with 40mm lens) and at home I tend to use digital. Reason being that travelling to new places opens up the senses and you tend to see things in a new light, not having been there before. And so the experience demands being captured on film as it is a more considered medium that forces you to take in what's in front of you as if heaving in a deep breath. With digital I have a tendency to snap-snap-snap and consider the experience afterwards, which is the complete opposite. Of course, using film adds that exhiliration of not knowing what exactly you've managed to capture on film, but to me that adds to the newness of the journey you've just completed. Sure, sometimes you find frames ruined every now and then, but that is just a bittersweet reminder of the moment. And at least you have a better memory of a place where you'd stood to consider before committing it to film for longer than you would have on digital. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Markey Posted June 26, 2011 Share #20 Posted June 26, 2011 But what surprised me was the fact that I almost never used the m7 because "easier" just to set to 100 iso the x1 and take pictures. It seems me that having a digital camera beside the film one causes a kind of "laziness" which forces me to work with it. I do not like to go in direction of a film versus digital old annoying story, but I'm just curious if the members here who own both a film M and a digital M are using them in the same occasion. I understand the dilemma all too well Robert. I`ve started using a GRD alongside my film M`s. With its 28 lens on snap focus its more capable (to me) of getting the sort of shots I want. Then there is the workflow issues and associated costs. Thing is I like my film M`s ,lenses and I like film so its an argument between the head and the heart . To accomodate both I seem to be using my M`s in a slightly different way and no longer have the expectations of them that I once did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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