New to Leica

[inoz@me.com]

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I am brand new to Leica - I don't even have a Leica camera but I have 4 Leica lenses, and the new M is on order. Over the coming months I will probably be asking you for help and advice as I come to terms with my new camera.

 

I have dabbled in photography for many years with a range of cameras, including a Nikon with half a dozen prime and zoom lenses. I also have a Sony super zoom which I took on safari to Africa last year, and it was great, but has sat in the drawer since returning. The Nikon and the lenses were given to a friend, as they too were unused for the past few years. Quite frankly, the poorly structured menu system meant that I used them in automatic mode most of the time, and they are big. I had taken the decision that my new iPhone 5 was to be my only camera, and indeed it was during a recent 2 month trip to the UK and Crete, and, with some good software on the iPad, quite successfully.

 

Just before Christmas, I heard about the immanent release of the new Leica M, and started to read up about it, and range finders, and realised that I had used cheap range finders when I was a child. I hadn't realised that Leica was still making them, even though I was aware of Leica doing things differently. I started to read extensively after visiting Leica's website. Their vision matched exactly what I want from photography.

"Leica has always focused on the underlying concept of perception, developing a range of innovative tools that afford a unique seeing experience and enhance the capacity for consummate visual expression."

 

I realised that all my previous photographic purchases had been about features and benefits, pixel and resolution, and why this camera/lens is better than the rest, and so on. There was nothing about why these companies were in business - what motivated them, and how I could relate to their vision. To me, Leica is the only photographic company that answers these questions (as does Apple, incidentally). So I started reading and reading, and just knew that the Leica will suit me. I thought about an M2, M4 or an M6, but decided to go digital with the latest M, even though it was months away from release. The user interface looks to be intuitive and easy to use, unlike the rest of the camera world, and while I have a lot to learn, the interface should not get in the way.

 

Unfortunately, when decisions are made with the heart (the emotional centre of the brain actually), time is always the enemy. So, while waiting for my M, I have already bought 4 Leica lenses! Buying a system sight unseen might seem reckless, but I am happy with my decision, and have every confidence that it will ail all work out. My starting kit of lenses all have a 39mm filter size, and are the Summicron ASP 50mm and 35mm, the 90mm Elmar-Macro and the 28mm Elmarit ASP. These are all small lenses, and will be great for travel, and I can share my single ND and polarising filter among all the lenses.

 

I would like to get faster lenses in the future, but need to work out which focal lengths suit me. I am typically the type of person who tends to hold back, so will probably gravitate to the longer focal lengths. I have a feeling that the discontinued 75mm Summilux would work really well for me, but that still needs to be worked out. In the mean time, I need to sort out my software. There are some great products for the iPad, but they probably won't handle the huge Raw Leica files. I have Aperture on my Mac, but it doesn't seem to correct for lens distortions. Aperture would be my preference as I am comfortable with Apple systems, but would appreciate the views of like-minded people on other software like Lightroom (which will come with the Leica) and Capture One. I have Photoshop on my Mac (and Pixelmator), so will be able to work with the Adobe system, but I personally don't enjoy using it. Capture One seems to be from an innovative smaller company, but I have no idea how well their software is suited to Leica. Any advice in this area will be most welcome.

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[jaapv]

Welcome. For your questions on software, I fear the answer is the age-old one: Three photographers, four opinions. Lightroom will work fine if you can relate to the interface, Capture One is very good.

Personally I am using a Capture One- CS6 workflow for my M9 and mostly Lightroom for my Monochrom.

I am looking at a combination PhotoNinja-CS6 right now and it looks promising, especially when it will be available as a plugin in the future.

[Sailronin]

Hello,

As Jaap said, everyone here will have a different preference/opinion on software.

iPad will not handle the Leica DNG files, if you want to view on an iPad you are forced to shoot JPG or combination of DNG and JPG which will fill a memory card very quickly.

I use Aperture with the NIK plugins almost exclusively with Leica, it is a wonderful RAW processor for the M8 and M9. Virtually every image I've posted here and all of those accepted by LFI Master Shots are Aperture processed. If there is a particular shot that needs perspective correction I go to Capture One. Capture One is a wonderful program and the only one I use for my Phase One back but it is not as intuitive as Aperture.

 

Good luck,

Dave

[inoz@me.com]

Thank you both. The NIX plugins look great, and will get them as they can be used in Lightroom or Aperture. Following information from other threads, I will have to try and find out what Apple's plans are for Aperture in some indirect way. Now that is going to be a challenge!

 

I'll probably try a demo of Capture One to get a feel for it.

[inoz@me.com]

Oops - NIK filters. Nix is used for treating hair lice!

[wda]

Welcome to Leica ownership and the forum.

 

You seem to have given much thought to your proposed change of direction although I was mildly amused by your confession "I am typically the type of person who tends to hold back" having already bought four lenses before you have tried a modern Leica M body! But your thoughts seem to be clear on your needs in the optical department.

 

Just one more comment on processing. I have mastered Lightroom and find it ideal for my multifarious needs. The secret with any modern processing software is to spend time learning its potential and practising until you can get the very best from it. Although I said I have mastered Lightroom, that applies to all the basics. I continue to study and practise new techniques, even revisiting old files and giving them a new breath of life, an ideal way to spend long winter nights.

[inoz@me.com]

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Well, I've taken the plunge and downloaded a free trial of Adobe Lightroom, and will try and get a basic working proficiency in it while I wait for my Leica. The NIK plug ins I have bought are also for Lightroom. So plenty to keep me busy.

I was thinking of getting the 21mm Voightlander f4 which also takes the 39mm filter, but I read about problems with colour shits in the corners. Is this a real problem, and would a program like CornerFix work?

Early reports on the new Leica M seem to be positive.

[SJP]

"Leica has always focused on the underlying concept of perception, developing a range of innovative tools that afford a unique seeing experience and enhance the capacity for consummate visual expression."

For me (sorry) this is a pile of excrement, apparently even Leica has some people creating BS. But - that I will grant them - they make one of the most impressive photographic tools money can buy. Take some pictures with a 28/2 ASPH or 50/1.4 ASPH and all will be clear (in fact nearly any lens they have made is pretty amazing). They do not need more marketing that what these lenses produce. And no it it is not only about sharpness, contrast or whatever, it is a whole package including aesthetics, fluidity - like throwing a small stone in a still pond and being fascinated about the ripples.

 

EDIT: and welcome to the forum:D

[farnz]

Welcome to the forum! The best of luck with your decision to move to a Leica M blind and my piece of advice is to give it time. You have a clear image in your head of what you expect your camera and photographic experience with it to be like but it might not turn out to be quite what you expected. Some people take a little while to take to the rangefinder experience so I hope that you are able to persevere when, for example, you're not nailing focus perfectly or your framing is off.

 

Pete.

[inoz@me.com]

Thanks Pete

I've been thinking of a camera to use with my Leica lenses to gain experience until the M arrives. I don't want to spend more than say $1000, and the decision is a film based rangefinder (used Leica or Bessa), or something digital like a Fuji EX-1 plus M mount. Or just be patient!

I do like the NIK plugins.

 

Martin

[Grancy]

Your choice of lenses is a very good beginning, once you Will get your M you will be Ready to shoot with a wide choice and find which one suits you best.

I have this little gem of 90mm macro Elmar too, it is just incredible, the image quality Is fantastic and it is really small and convenient to carry with. Focusing the 90mm is not that hard as I have read elsewhere, I'm sure you will love it.

 

I imagine that you have been reading Ken Rockwell's reviews, he is so funny, I love his comments.

Maybe you can rent an M9 for a week end in the mean time, and practice the "art of Leica" you will enjoy the feeling of this instrument.

Welcome to this great club

Mp

[inoz@me.com]

Hello All - I appreciate your comments.

 

On the software side - I do like Aperture, especially with the plugins, and must confess to being a bit lazy with using Lightroom. My problem is that I have been an Apple man since the Macintosh in 1984, and while I have used PCs exclusively at work, I have only had Apple at home, and Apple's approach to software sort of matches my thinking process which is why I am so comfortable with it. So I am probably going to hang out for Aperture 4. What I have found intriguing, is that Aperture and iPhoto libraries now have a similar file structure, and can even be merged. I see this as a positive move by Apple, and I hope this means they remain committed to photography. On a related issue, I read that Apple have employed Kevin Lynch (Mr Flash), the Chief Technology Officer from Adobe. Clearly, Flash is dying, so that can't be the reason for his hire, and the experts suggest that cloud computing may be the real reason for his hire, and hopefully this spills over to photography and video, and Apple's software in this space.

 

Depressingly, the new M is likely to be months away, even with my pre-order. All I can do is look at my beautiful Leica lenses and think of the pictures I could be taking. You might think me nuts, but I have paced out 15m in my house, then 1, 2, 5, 10 and 15m, then worked out for each of the lenses and each of the apertures, the DoF at these distances (a bit more accurately than on the lenses). So now, I estimate the distance to an object, then work out the DoF for a particular aperture. A totally theoretical exercise I know, but it should help speed up my zone focussing skill when I get my camera, and generally help me think through my desired DoF for more structured shots, then relate it back to the scale on my lenses. Nuts maybe, but so what if it makes me feel as though I am doing something constructive. I have never really thought seriously about DoF before (even though I understand the physics of it), and now I am starting to (theoretically) chose apertures in my mind for a particular lens and photo composition. I expect that in real life it will be different, but at least I will be open to my rangefinder experience.

 

For you Leica Heads, you will no doubt have gathered that I am attracted to Apple's simplicity of design and user interface. To me, Leica seems to project the same feeling, hence my attraction to the company and its products, and my decision to take this photographic journey. I hope that one day I can be a real contributor to this site, and in the meantime, thanks for your support and encouragement.

 

Martin

[Marct40]

Hi

I have been a aperture user for many years and been very happy, however I have been converted to lightroom5 because of the following reasons.

 

1. The ability to keep files on external storage and edit them on the local machine to save space on the iMac and the ability to have multiple back ups

2.some nice image editing features

3. Lens corrections

 

Aperture 4 should be due soon which may address some of these issues

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[SouthWater]

I am new to the world of Leica also, but I went the other direction and went with a M6.

 

But like you, I jumped the gun a bit and picked out the lenses I would use prior to finding the right body.

 

Finding a user condition M for under a thousand is very easy to do, and you may well enjoy having a second body (film or digital) in your bag to compliment the M when it arrives. For my purposes, I am looking for a nice M2 to complete my bag and to have a roll of B&W pushed for when the light gets dim.

[jip]

If you know aperture just use aperture the Leica lenses have barely any distortion anyway, so you really don't need to correct this.

 

That's my opinion, I used to use aperture but now use Lightroom, but if you like aperture it's totally fine