Marty Posted July 23, 2011 Share #21 Posted July 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Also plenty of examples in the Landscape & Travel section, e.g. [thread=189970]M9 for landscape[/thread]. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 23, 2011 Posted July 23, 2011 Hi Marty, Take a look here Is the M9 a serious Landscape Camera?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted July 23, 2011 Share #22 Posted July 23, 2011 250swb Mainly I couldnt find serious landscape professional photos online taken by the Leica. All the top landscape photographers have their top notch DSLR. And I all I heard is that the leica its good for the streets mainly....... .... or all you listened to? The Leica-M is more typically associated with reportage photography but is more than capable of yielding superb landscapes providing the subject and lighting are carefully chosen. But that applies to any camera used for landscapes; even a Box Brownie! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 23, 2011 Share #23 Posted July 23, 2011 That's when you change to Canon with Telephone lens - to be used as walking aid. Karina, are you standing in for Nicoleica? (Who I hope is fit and well and just too busy to post lately) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted July 23, 2011 Share #24 Posted July 23, 2011 It depends on what your definition of a 'serious landscape camera' is. None of the images posted here demonstrate anything more than that a photographer of any ability can point any camera at the landscape and record an image. There is much more to serious landscape photography and one vital requirement is the ability to get out of bed early enough to be in place at the optimum time. Another is the knowledge and skill to be able to balance and control exposures correctly with graduated nd and nd filters (I deliberately leave the issues of HDR out of this post). A Leica M9 would not be my choice for 'serious' landscape photography. It is severely lacking in a number of important areas for this kind of work such as poor battery life, limited iso range and even more limited long exposure capability, not to mention the inconvenience of using graduated filters with a rangefinder camera. As a lighter weight and less bulky alternative to cameras that are arguably (and in my opinion) better suited to landscape work, such as the Fuji GSW690111, a Leica M9 might be a reasonable choice for some. An M9 is nothing more, or less, than a camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jto555 Posted July 23, 2011 Share #25 Posted July 23, 2011 * Hi Salim, I had a look at you site and you have some great shots there. Unfortunately I cannot view the two that you are using for comparison. However as you have both cameras and judging from your post I am guessing that you don't believe the Leica is a whole lot better than the Canon and I suspect that you are right. While the Canon is certainly more versatile than the Leica (as has been said before) the Leica is a whole lot lighter especially if you stay with the slower lenses which can make a big difference if you are lugging the gear around. To keep the weight down with the Canon you could use zoom lenses but the IQ will be a lot lower than the M9 with the wonderful Leica lenses. As for the Leica been a “serious landscape camera” well I believe that depends on your end use. If the pictures are for a blog or a web page then even an iPhone would do, but if you are trying to sell the photographs on a stock website then if finances allow have a look at medium format digital such as the Leica S2. The only reason for this is that Art Directors would prefer to use a larger format when possible because the larger format should lead to a higher IQ. But if you thought that the DSLR outfit was bulky... What I am trying to say here is that the M9 is a great camera and can be used very successfully as a landscape camera with its main advantages been its size and weight and the superb lenses. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted July 23, 2011 Share #26 Posted July 23, 2011 Salim, the answer is "yes" for the M9 and M8http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landschaft-reise/179889-vietnam-land-smile.html Best Henry further proof : http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/136290-arroyos.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/176215-langco-hua-bay.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/126903-mont-blanc.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/127511-paraglider-3000m.html http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/127768-haute-savoie-dreams.html Best Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydeca Posted July 23, 2011 Share #27 Posted July 23, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Its clear from the colour [Picture 2] was taken with the M9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted July 23, 2011 Share #28 Posted July 23, 2011 Another is the knowledge and skill to be able to balance and control exposures correctly with graduated nd and nd filters (I deliberately leave the issues of HDR out of this post). An M9 is nothing more, or less, than a camera. I fully agree that an M9 is just a camera, but marking it down because its very difficult using graduated ND filters isn't very imaginative is it? It goes for any digital camera that simply bracketing a few shots will give enough exposure information that you can create the scene at least as well, or better, than using a graduated tobacco or ND filter on one single exposure. It is more accurate doing it in post processing than ever it was using clunky filters, AND you are not limited to a line that roughly matches the horizon. And the supposed low battery life can be overcome with a spare battery. The long exposure issue can be relegated to it being only a temporary glitch in aesthetic tastes for long exposure dreamy seascapes, or in other words a problem with photographers jumping on a bandwagon rather than the camera itself. If you don't need long exposures you don't need a camera that can make them, much as if you didn't get the fad for overly saturated warm landscapes shot on Velvia, then you didn't need to use Velvia. The M9 is a fine landscape camera, just as it is a fine camera in many other genre of photography. As they say, its what you do with it that counts. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted July 23, 2011 Share #29 Posted July 23, 2011 For landscapes , it is certain that the M9 is not like my SLR also with Leica lens as the 35mm that can take landscapes pictures . But during my recent trip to Vietnam , I left all my SLR at home and I just took my M 9 and 8 (as backup) + 2 lens : 50mm and 35 mm Summilux asph , because it is more convenient and lightweight to me ! I also took the Macroelmar 90mm for his light side instead of my 90 Summicron asph I left home. Finally, the Leica lens are unbeatable and it contributes greatly to the beauty of the image An old man Leicaiste since 40 years Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DES Posted July 23, 2011 Share #30 Posted July 23, 2011 I think that the M9 is a superb tool for landscape, for many of the reasons given in this thread. Not to mention the superb quality of lenses that go with this beauty. But if I were to play devils advocate I would say that:- The only major tool it does not have that a so called "Serious Landscape Camera" would have in my view, is the Tilt and Shift facility. that can be a real advantage. But I think we can forget about that one don't you.? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted July 23, 2011 Share #31 Posted July 23, 2011 It goes for any digital camera that simply bracketing a few shots will give enough exposure information that you can create the scene at least as well, or better, than using a graduated tobacco or ND filter on one single exposure. It is more accurate doing it in post processing than ever it was using clunky filters, AND you are not limited to a line that roughly matches the horizon. And the supposed low battery life can be overcome with a spare battery. I seem to have tweaked a raw nerve with you. I assume from your response that you have an M9 and I am sure you can re-create your tobacco graduated filter adequately in post production, as you say. However, my point is that any camera can be used as a landscape camera and of course, even those such as yourself who may have predilection for tobacco grads can be satisfied with the results they will achieve with their M9 and some post production knowledge. My main point is that the M9 has other serious shortcomings which I would find far too limiting for my landscape work (read my previous post again less selectively for the clues). Of course a spare battery can replace a drained one, but even you would have to agree that it would only be useful for roughly the same amount of use as the previous battery. A camera is a camera. Aesthetics (such as your tobacco grads) are as personal a preference as the ergonomics and suitability to the task of the M9. My preference would be for neither. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
devils-advocate Posted July 23, 2011 Share #32 Posted July 23, 2011 Your work is stunning, and shows us jaded North Americans that there is much beauty left to extract from these classic parks. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing. The M9 is as serious a landscape camera as its operator. Guess-framing and the lousy screen are the serious irritations. It would also be better if there was a much lower ISO available, as for running water I find 160 too fast often. Beyond these minor limitations, however, which all can be worked-around, the quality of file and lightness of the camera make it more than adequate to the task. Remember, it's not long ago that all 'serious' landscape work was done with 4x5 with a 90mm a 150mm and a 300mm. Not that different from a Leica with a 28mm, 50mm and 90mm. File quality on am M9 is not 4x5 quality, and there is no tilt. But the basic creative process isn't that different. That said, it's really no better than a D3x or a 5DII. Most of today's best shooters use these system simply for the convenience. Chaque a son gout. - Nick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
denoir Posted July 23, 2011 Share #33 Posted July 23, 2011 Your work is stunning, and shows us jaded North Americans that there is much beauty left to extract from these classic parks. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing. Thanks Nick. It was really a treat to visit all those national parks. I'll have to go back to some of them another time and really take the time needed both for exploring them and for photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted July 23, 2011 Share #34 Posted July 23, 2011 A camera is a camera. Aesthetics (such as your tobacco grads) are as personal a preference as the ergonomics and suitability to the task of the M9.. I was just suggesting a way for you to avoid using your graduated filters if you ever got an M9 as it seemed to be a deal killer for you. Your post just seemed to have graduated tobacco writen all over it, so thought I ought to mention something you would understand, my mistake. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted July 23, 2011 Share #35 Posted July 23, 2011 I like giordano's ‘’landscape camera’’ idea best of all. Obscura as it is I betcha it would work…. even without a lens! ( nuck, nuck,- hey Moe, lets go take some pictures) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrubs Posted July 23, 2011 Share #36 Posted July 23, 2011 I'll play.. I prefer the first image over the second two and at a guess will say that one belongs to 5D2. I will add though - it would be easier to compare if both shots were taken of exact same location - sharing same exposure etc.. because I like the way the first shot is rendering the sky and am unsure whether that is because the second shots are slightly more over exposed or not resolving as well. Either way, if this is out of the camera - one shot RAW one DNG, I am preferring the colours of the first shot and the increased contrast. Second shot seems a little too much magenta for me, which kind of made me guess it might be the M9. First shot also appears much sharper throughout the focal range to me - especially the detail closest, but it also appears to have more perspective distorsion than the second shot, but difficult to know whether this is lens is a problem since they are not the same shots. It would be interesting to see both of the same shot matched in post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 23, 2011 Share #37 Posted July 23, 2011 The bottom one from the original post is from the Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted July 23, 2011 Share #38 Posted July 23, 2011 #2, no checking of file stuff necessary, less distortion, more "pop", more microcontrast, feels more natural. EDIT: also the difference between the first picture (#0 if you like) and the third is (#2 in the "competition") is remarkable. #0 has this weird stretching distortion of the shrubs, colors are not really convincing, these are at least roughly at the same location. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrubs Posted July 23, 2011 Share #39 Posted July 23, 2011 The bottom one is from the Leica. Actually that's a good call.. first two being canon and last one being leica. Like I said, the file numbers are a dead give away. Not looked at file numbers it does not display them on that site. I suppose to cheat I could just read the EXIF data. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted July 23, 2011 Share #40 Posted July 23, 2011 What's a serious landscape? The bottom example is the Leica one. Gradation and color rendering is nicer, microcontrast is nicer, ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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