Stepping into the Leica world

[sergiofigliolia]

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Hi all,

I'm brand new to the leica world and don't know so much about it.

I just stepped into Leica these days and thought I'd like to own one.

I think it could be much better than my Nikon D700+big lenses for candid street photography shots.

But now the question is what body+lens to buy?

 

I have narrowed it down to M4P, M6 or M8 + Elmarit 28mm f2.8.

I'm fascinated by film although probably buying a digital would be more practical (though EUR1000 more expensive).

Maybe being a Leica beginner I could have a quicker learning curve with digital. Also while familiarising and playing with it I'll throw away more shots(which in film costs more).

Also the reason why you see only one lens there is because I want to start with only one to test the system and get familiar with it. Also because of cost issues obviously.

I'd like if possible to keep the number of items low(I just have too much nikon equipment, will sell something...:-)).

Maybe if I like it I'll keep 2 lenses(28 and 90) after a while.

 

Does this make sense?

Any advices from who did this before me?

 

Thanks

[pico]

I do not mean to insult the M8 users, but I consider it a prototype to the M9. It has certain drawbacks such as a smaller sensor, and the requirement of IR cut filters. Regardless, you will find marvelous work on this site done by the M8.

 

If you possibly could, I would recommend the M9. It can use virtually all Leica lenses w/o filtration.

 

The stretch between 28mm and 90mm is rather great, IMO.

 

I will beg out at this point and let the M8 veterans speak up.

[bill]

I would also steer you away from the M8, for similar reasons.

 

The M9 OTOH is an expensive entry point. Of your body choices I would go for an M6; it has a built-in meter which the M4-P lacks but doesn't have the IR-Cut filter requirement and general early-adopter flakiness of the M8. There is a thread knocking around here somewhere giving advice on what to look for when buying a secondhand M6 - worth a read. Remember also that the M8 has a crop factor; from the way you wrote your post I am not sure if that is clear to you; 28 on an M8 is nearer to 35 on a full-frame (every other) M.

 

No, the more I think about it, go for an M6 from a dealer with a warranty. You will struggle to lose money on the deal since there is a bouyant market in secondhand M bodies, and lenses too come to that.

 

Don't do anything hasty - I am sure you will have a number of viewpoints contributed to this thread; weigh them up then make your own decision.

 

Oh, and welcome!

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[sergiofigliolia]

Hey Bill,

thanks for your welcome.

I do know the M8 is a crop factor camera bringing the 28 to effective 35mm in full frame format.

I didn't know the M4P had no exposure meter though so I'll rule it out!

 

M8 needs a IR cut filter well ok but it costs less than 100EUR(I know I'd need one for each lens but I'm not planning to buy a lot of lenses). Are there any other disadvantages?

The M9 is out of the game as it's too expensive.

With the M6 I'd need to add the cost of a scanner and the cost of films(buying+developing).

I feel a digital would give me more freedom to shoot without thinking too much about the costs.

Is there anything I don't see here?

How are M6 & M8 in terms of rangefinder? Any other thing I need to know about both?

[sergiofigliolia]

I bought my Leica M8 chrome and 28mm Elmarit!

Thank you all for your precious advices.

I'll browse through the forum and eventually open new threads for my upcoming doubts.

 

The seller adviced me to buy a couple of lenses with the same focal length(the one I prefer) of different series.

 

Like for instance a 28mm Elmarit AND a 28mm Summicron.

 

Is anyone of the same idea?

[uroman]

Great choice with the M8 instead of the film I think! Congrats! Welcome!

I would consider a lens from zeiss as well, much cheaper and great performance.

I think you should try different focal lengths to see what you use the most.

[delander †]

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The seller adviced me to buy a couple of lenses with the same focal length(the one I prefer) of different series.

 

Like for instance a 28mm Elmarit AND a 28mm Summicron.

 

Is anyone of the same idea?

 

Strange advice in my view. Maybe something you would want to do if you grow to love Leica M, but at the beginnning I would think add a 50mm to your 28.

 

Jeff

[lct]

I would steer you away from the M9 which can make superb images but is still inferior to film bodies for an excessive price IMHO.

If you want to go digital and accept some limitations _mainly crop factor and IR-cut filters_ second hand M8 or M8.2 will do as good or better pictures for a fraction of the price.

[Telyt2003]

I bought my Leica M8 chrome and 28mm Elmarit!

Thank you all for your precious advices.

I'll browse through the forum and eventually open new threads for my upcoming doubts.

 

The seller adviced me to buy a couple of lenses with the same focal length(the one I prefer) of different series.

 

Like for instance a 28mm Elmarit AND a 28mm Summicron.

 

Is anyone of the same idea?

 

Sergio,

very good decision! (to buy an used M8 and a moderate wide angle for the beginning).

 

'Buying' several different lenses of the same focal length in the beginning, in my eyes, only makes sense, if you were allowed to give back all of them except the one which you would like to keep after testing out what lens is most convenient for you in that focal length.

 

Something else, important, not mentioned here so far:

As with every M camera body, watch out for focus deviations, and a proper adjustment (of camera AND lenses), if necessary.

This appears to be necessary with especially the earlier batches of the M8 to my experience.

With your current lens (28 mm Elmarit) focusing should be uncritical.

But when you approach to longer (90 mm) and/or 'faster' lenses, then 'hand-picking' the lenses for YOUR body becomes probably a requirement!

Already a 90 mm Elmarit (or even a 90 mm Elmar at f/4) can be a critical lens with the M(8).

 

I would strongly recommand to test any such lens at different distances and apertures very carefully with YOUR M8 body before buying.

 

Best regards, and have fun,

Telyt2003

[sergiofigliolia]

Thanks Telyt: a very good advice!