xddsixers Posted September 21, 2012 Share #1 Posted September 21, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone! I just bought a very clean M6 TTL and LEICA SUMMICRON 50mm f/2 (cost me 1600 and 600 respectively from B&H, which the lens sounds ridiculously cheap, i look around and it cost from 800 to 1800 on ebay and so) Pictures of the camera My first Rangefinder! | Eric Lau Design Blog I haven't ever shoot film and hauling around my nikon d700 and 3 lens (20mm 2.8, 50 1.4, 80-200 2.8) is pretty tiring during my 2 weeks trip. So I decided to try out RF and see if I like it. I have shot 3 frames so far and it looks like the focus is a bit slow (I guess I got spoiled by the DSLR AF....) but other than that I am loving the design, how it feels in your hand and I can't wait to get all those smaller lens to travel light Please feel free to take a look at my shots at 20120409_Morocco - a set on Flickr made by DSLR do you think my type of photography suits a RF? in terms of film I have bought some tri-X 400 and Portra 400 Thanks for all of the input! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Hi xddsixers, Take a look here just bought a M6. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Fgcm Posted September 21, 2012 Share #2 Posted September 21, 2012 Hi Eric, welcome to the forum. At the beginning, film can be tricky and requires some learning. The same for the exposure meter. It's very different from Nikon's I would start with Ilford XP2 or Kodak CN400 Both are BW film to be processed in C41 chemistry like color film. This gives you very consistent results (no manual developing errors) Both films have a wide exposure latitude. This helps to practice. Manual processing is easy, but adds a new variable to the equation At the beginning, when you see a flat picture, you never know if you have to blame the exposure or the developing. Color: Portra is great for skin tones, portraiting and neutral colors. To get the same colorful shoots you posted, Velvia 50 is better. As soon as you can, buy a 28 or a 35 Enjoy your camera Franco 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MarcRF Posted September 21, 2012 Share #3 Posted September 21, 2012 I can recommend the Ilford B&W films... I use 50, 125 & 400 ASA and compare it at the moment to TMax, TriX and several other B&W films for colour I'd try out several... velvia for colours and ektar/portra for normal use is okay I'd also join in on the get-another-wider-lens train. I got a 28 and 50 and seems about perfect for me because i dont need an external finder for that Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted September 21, 2012 Share #4 Posted September 21, 2012 ... .. but other than that I am loving the design, how it feels in your hand and I can't wait to get all those smaller lens to travel light do you think my type of photography suits a RF? .. Hi Eric and welcome to the Forum. Well, if you already think that the M6 feels good in your hands, then, you've no problem. Looking at your photos, IMO, a rangefinder suits you well. Nice work. Enjoy your camera and participate here on the Forum where you can find loads of help and info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted September 21, 2012 Share #5 Posted September 21, 2012 Have fun with the M6, an excellent choice. Carl Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Messsucherkamera Posted September 21, 2012 Share #6 Posted September 21, 2012 Hi Eric, welcome to the forum. At the beginning, film can be tricky and requires some learning. The same for the exposure meter. It's very different from Nikon's I would start with Ilford XP2 or Kodak CN400 Both are BW film to be processed in C41 chemistry like color film. This gives you very consistent results (no manual developing errors) Both films have a wide exposure latitude. This helps to practice. Manual processing is easy, but adds a new variable to the equation At the beginning, when you see a flat picture, you never know if you have to blame the exposure or the developing. Color: Portra is great for skin tones, portraiting and neutral colors. To get the same colorful shoots you posted, Velvia 50 is better. As soon as you can, buy a 28 or a 35 Enjoy your camera Franco That's good advice - a wide angle lens like the 28 or 35 along with a 50 will cover probably 90% or more of the photographic situations you will encounter. If you will be looking for a lens on the used market, the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit would be well worth taking a look at. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted September 21, 2012 Share #7 Posted September 21, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Welcome Eric, I too would like to welcome you, and to tell you how much I enjoyed your photos. Good work. Wayne Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xddsixers Posted September 21, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted September 21, 2012 Thanks for all of the response, I am still trying to get use to film. I have Tri-X400 as my first roll and when I tried to shoot in daylight I am forced down to F8 (originally I was wishing to do F2.8 to get a shadow DOF) I was planning to get a 90 but looks like everyone's opinion is on another side, I used my 80-200 on my DSLR a lot more than my 20mm in comparison ( I has a set of 20, 50, 80-200 nikon SLR lens) I guess I will try a few more rolls before getting any additional items I already loving the fact that the M6 is so much smaller, I carried 3SLR lens with 1 body (d700) in a 3 weeks backpacking trip and it was killing me, I think I would have enjoy the trip more if I am with an RF For now I am still a bit slow on focusing, I guess I will get better as time goes by Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzo Posted September 22, 2012 Share #9 Posted September 22, 2012 ... .. I am still trying to get use to film. I have Tri-X400 as my first roll and when I tried to shoot in daylight I am forced down to F8 (originally I was wishing to do F2.8 to get a shadow DOF) ND filters would help stop down further or slower film or both. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramosa Posted September 22, 2012 Share #10 Posted September 22, 2012 very cool, eric. i just bought an M6 about a month ago. i hadn't shot a film camera in more than 10 years. it is quite a return, quite an experience. while i also have an M8, i have been using my M6 much, much more ... with tri-x 400 and portra 400. i had one roll of portra developed and was quite pleased. right now, i have a roll of portra and several rolls of tri-x getting developed and scanned. i'm really looking forward to seeing the results ... i find that using a film M slows the process of shooting and seeing even more than a digital M. i like that. it reminds me of how much i lived using a digital M after having used DSLRs for a few years. things slowed down, i became more thoughtful, more at peace when shooting ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted September 22, 2012 Share #11 Posted September 22, 2012 Stick with one camera, one lens and one film for at least a year. The smaller the number of variables, the easier the learning curve. When I taught Photography , I insisted on using color reversal film to eliminate the variables of processing and analog printing at that time. with Color Reversal(Slide), WYSIWYG. The M6 is probably the best value in an analog M and the 50 Summicron, a great lens. Get to know how to use them before making any decisions or acquisitions, otherwise you are just a collector and not photogrpaher.-Dick 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted September 22, 2012 Share #12 Posted September 22, 2012 You made a very good buy. The M6 is a classic. IMHO your photography is very well suited to the rangefinder camera. Good for you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted September 22, 2012 Share #13 Posted September 22, 2012 I was planning to get a 90 but looks like everyone's opinion is on another side I'm of a different opinion. I have an Elmarit-M together with the 35 and 50 mm focal lengths to my M6TTL. True, I don't use the 90 as much as the other focal lengths but I am very happy to have it when I need longer reach. Today at Photokina it was brilliant to single out faces in the crowd, for instance. Since I began using an M I have virtually never missed the longer focal lengths I used with my EOS (up to 400mm). In fact the 90 was the second lens I bought after the 50. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted September 23, 2012 Share #14 Posted September 23, 2012 Hello Eric, Welcome to the Forum. Did you know that the lens you bought is a Second Version Dual Range Summicron? This lens focuses closer than most others of this focal length. For the close part of the focusing you need auxilliary "goggles". Did your lens come w/ a set of strange looking eye pieces? These "goggles" change your lens from 1 which focuses to 1 meter = 1 : 17 (smallest object field = 41cm X 62cm) to a lens that focuses to 0.5 meters = 1 : 7 (smallest object field = 17cm X 26cm). To focus closer you need to use the goggles which, like the lens itself, come in 2 versions. Yours is version 2. If you don't have the instructions someone here can help you since the goggles must be put on & taken off in a certain sequence. Enjoy your camera & lens. Best Regards, Michael Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted September 23, 2012 Share #15 Posted September 23, 2012 Eric, welcome to the forum. I tend to differ with many opinions here, in that I would not advise any particular lens as your next acquisition. That is your decision to make. Consider looking at it this way. Do you want to be 'gear' driven, or 'subject' driven? If gear driven, I can't help you. If subject driven, then you most likely have the answer in you head! Look at you work, assess how you engage your subjects generally and what lens(es) do you frequently use, regardless of camera or brand? If you are comfortable using tele-lenses rather than W/A lenses, than go ahead and get a 90 Cron or similar. And vice versa. Be aware that using a Leica R/F camera will/may change your shooting style over time and this will influence the lens your subject deserves. I have never had a lens focal length that I regret choosing, but does not mean you may the same. Basically, where do you stand in relation to most of your subjects? Close up, or further back? That will simply decide your preferred focal length, along with the perspective you prefer, which is a function of 'distance', not 'focal length'. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xddsixers Posted September 27, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted September 27, 2012 Great advice erl! I am think 50 is always my go, but I sometimes like to put on my 80-200 (when i was on my DSLR) for a day and half day just so I can get some distance and crop in tight without walking aggressively close, sometimes there are things that you can't capture walking too close up Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted September 28, 2012 Share #17 Posted September 28, 2012 Eric, I too (many moons ago) went through that scenario with my Nokon + 80-200 zoom. O beautiful combo to work with. But, the Leica 'mystique' WILL gradually change that for you, by offering alternative and better(?) options. It just creeps up on you. When you truly need the 200mm 'pull', you are best to go back to your DSLR for those occasions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xddsixers Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted October 3, 2012 Hi Guys, Finally I get my film processed and I am absolutely happy with the result. Turn out all of my worry about rangefinder & film (can't change iso, no more AF, no preview, inaccurate framing etc etc) is gone once I see the picture. It is just great. And 36 frames in a roll turns out to be a lot. I am going back to film, and my camera is with me every single mins =) 20121001_First Roll in Bushwick - a set on Flickr Please feel free to give any comments! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted October 3, 2012 Share #19 Posted October 3, 2012 Excellent results Eric, well exposed shots and nice subjects all around. Well done! Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted October 3, 2012 Share #20 Posted October 3, 2012 Great shots. Looks like the M6 is made for you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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