alan c. davis Posted August 4, 2013 Share #41 Posted August 4, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well I picked up a brand new M-E on Friday so have had the weekend to have my first play around with it. It's been a bit of a journey to get here. I've been a hobbiest for nearly 40 years, early on with Nikon F's. Of course I'd always known about those famous German cameras, a family friend used Leica SLR,s but on a trip to Singapore in the late '80's I saw a new black M6 in a shop window and thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I didn't even know they made cameras like that anymore. It took me a few years to get there but one day a new M6 came my way. It was everything and more I hoped it would be and I could understand how people became Leica tragics. The feel of quality in your hand, the little quiet click of the shutter, the simplicity of the manual metering. Never felt the desire to use or want anything else. But about 4 years ago tragedy happenned, I drowned the M6 crossing a flooded river in New Zealand (and nearly myself, I'm an avid hiker). It sort of broke my heart and with a sigh decided it might be time to move onto digital. Bought a Micro 4/3 body and several prime lenses and latterly a Fuji X10 and I can see the attraction of these cameras, it's almost impossible to take bad photos. But maybe once a Leica tragic, always a Leica tragic so the longing came for the M9 to replace my beloved M6. Got close a couple of years ago but when the tsunami hit Japan, I had to help my daughter and her Japanese (photographer) husband relocate back to Oz. They lived in a little village on the coast north of Tokyo, she was 7 months pregnant with our second grandson and the reactor meltdown meant they had to flee their home. But time moves on and my time finally came on Friday. The M-E is still truly a Leica, digital yes but you still have to focus, to slow down and think a little, in fact all that used to make photography so much fun. Even though I'm basically a luddite, the camera isn't really much different in use than a M6. But another journey now begins as I realise it's time to develop some PP skills of which I have virtually none...... Sorry about raving on guys, the result of a late night, a glass or two of good South Australian red and having my new M-E sitting on the table close by. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 4, 2013 Posted August 4, 2013 Hi alan c. davis, Take a look here Leica M-E. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jlindstrom Posted August 4, 2013 Share #42 Posted August 4, 2013 That's quite a story Alan. You've truly deserved your M-E. All the best to you and your family. Hope you can catch soem happy times with your new Leica. //Juha Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
benedict297 Posted August 4, 2013 Author Share #43 Posted August 4, 2013 Wonderful story Allen.. I've just had the chance to play with mine as well this weekend. I must say, at first I didn't like the grey colour but its really growing on me! Ok maybe I'm shallow.. I hope to get a new laptop soon so I can start to process some images and hopefully share them with you guys.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teeraash Posted August 5, 2013 Share #44 Posted August 5, 2013 I bought a lightly used M-E that hadn't been registered and like it so much. It is still my no. 1 camera even now that I got the new M. I feel that there are quite a few people that regret their selling the M9 -P -E after got their new M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchfriis Posted August 5, 2013 Share #45 Posted August 5, 2013 Wonderful story Allen.. I've just had the chance to play with mine as well this weekend. I must say, at first I didn't like the grey colour but its really growing on me! Ok maybe I'm shallow.. I hope to get a new laptop soon so I can start to process some images and hopefully share them with you guys.. When you buy that computer, be sure to get a good screen. It can get quite frustrating to edit on a small laptop. I'm a little bit of a computer geek myself (got 5 in the house), but the one I use for PP, and the reason I bought it, is a 27 inch IMac. The screen is amazing, it has been calibrated from the factory and I finally manage to print what it looks like on the screen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
benedict297 Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share #46 Posted August 5, 2013 When you buy that computer, be sure to get a good screen. It can get quite frustrating to edit on a small laptop. I'm a little bit of a computer geek myself (got 5 in the house), but the one I use for PP, and the reason I bought it, is a 27 inch IMac. The screen is amazing, it has been calibrated from the factory and I finally manage to print what it looks like on the screen. Unfortunately, my better half did not approve of an IMac as she said I wouldn't stay in the room without a TV.. =)) So only a 15 inch mac book which should be good enough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leopold Green Posted August 5, 2013 Share #47 Posted August 5, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) As others have said what a moving story... you do indeed deserve your M-E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David K Posted August 6, 2013 Share #48 Posted August 6, 2013 I specifically chose the M-E because of its simplicity. It takes me back to when photography was a passion back in the 1960s, rather than an occupation with clients and deadlines (as a desktop publisher). I prefer Photoshop CS6 over Lightroom for PP, but I have used PS for years so there is the familiarity factor. I edit on a 17" MacBook Pro and print on an Epson R3000 photo printer. I use a 35mm Lux and 75mm Cron and love the way they are subtly different in "look" as well as in focal length. Leica has made photography FUN again and I expect many years of enjoyment from the M-E. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonogilmour Posted August 8, 2013 Share #49 Posted August 8, 2013 I specifically chose the M-E because of its simplicity. It takes me back to when photography was a passion back in the 1960s, rather than an occupation with clients and deadlines (as a desktop publisher). I prefer Photoshop CS6 over Lightroom for PP, but I have used PS for years so there is the familiarity factor. I edit on a 17" MacBook Pro and print on an Epson R3000 photo printer. I use a 35mm Lux and 75mm Cron and love the way they are subtly different in "look" as well as in focal length. Leica has made photography FUN again and I expect many years of enjoyment from the M-E. Completely agree. I have a suitcase full of expensive Canon gear, but after using the Leica I find it's more fun to use than any camera/lens combo on the Canon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plewislambert Posted August 9, 2013 Share #50 Posted August 9, 2013 After 40 years with slrs I bought an M9 last year and never had a card freeze or any problems with the camera once I learned to use it. I format cards in the camera. My initial Leica experience was with film cameras and I enjoyed their relative simplicity and total lack of menus. Moving to the M9 seemed a quite natural extravagance and I am glad I did. The M9 is closely similar to the ME of course. For landscapes and architecture I leave the aperture at f8 and the focus on infinity. Sometimes I open the lens wide and then have to focus carefully. It's not an issue. Yesterday we were visiting old country houses in the Thames valley and for several pictures I used a Tokina f3.5 17mm on an adapter to good effect: it's not as sharp as a Leica lens but the extremely wide angle is very useful. I also use a Nikon 28mm f2.8 shift lens, which is sharper and reduces the chance of sloping verticals. If I could get a 24mm shift lens I would do so. I change lenses several times in a day and the result is that a little dust gets into the camera. It is easy to remove by puffing air with a rubber bulb into the open front of the camera for several seconds and then firing the shutter on 8 seconds, still puffing air. So far it worked perfectly. If I have problems they are of my own making, like forgetting to remove the lens cap! Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
orla Posted August 10, 2013 Share #51 Posted August 10, 2013 I got my brand new M9 in February - made quite a good affair buying the last ex from my dealer. After much consideration and inquiries on this forum and other places I decided for a Summicron 50/2, which I don´t regret. This is my standard lens now, but a week ago I got the opportunity to acquire a new Summarit 90/2.5 with a good discount; this also seems to be a good choice. A chance not to be missed of course - as someone said “it´s a slippery slope” when once got the taste for Leica-glas… Next will be a 28 mm something… Experience so far is flawless. It´s like coming back to photography, instead of taking pictures! No memory problem and the battery life I find extremely good! I shoot a lot every day and still it can go days before I need to recharge. No sensor problem, not even a piece of dust after seven months use. I shoot ISO 160 and full open 98 % of the cases and the focusing has never been a problem. And I feel safe that the M9 is the right choice for me. A basic piece of photographic tool that lasts and delivers extremely high quality - fact is that I use it as a film camera, never use the display e.g. - except for maintenance like formatting the memory card, which I do daily. Photo has been my hobby and job for some periods, for 50 years - using every camera you could think of. With the M9 I finally feel like home again! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
orla Posted August 10, 2013 Share #52 Posted August 10, 2013 ...oops Swenglish above! --- "made a good DEAL it should be"... (affär is deal in Swedish) /orla Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlindstrom Posted August 10, 2013 Share #53 Posted August 10, 2013 ...oops Swenglish above! --- "made a good DEAL it should be"... (affär is deal in Swedish) /orla LOL! As a fellow Nordic, you just made my day! //Juha Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest malland Posted August 11, 2013 Share #54 Posted August 11, 2013 ...oops Swenglish above! --- "made a good DEAL it should be"... (affär is deal in Swedish)Nej, det är franska! (Une bonne affaire.) —Mitch/Bangkok Surabaya-Johnny Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
orla Posted August 11, 2013 Share #55 Posted August 11, 2013 ..just to avoid misunderstandings (as I explained to my wife) - my affair is n o t with the Leica dealer - but with the M9! best/orla Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plewislambert Posted August 14, 2013 Share #56 Posted August 14, 2013 "What were your first lenses? Also - do you guys use half cases? or how do you travel with your cameras? " My first lenses were Leica 50mm and 90mm from the 1950s which I soon updated to 1980s ones. I sold the 50mm Summicron because I preferred the 40mm Summicron (mount modified to bring up the 35mm outlines.) I would buy an aspheric 35mm if I found one at a sensible price (unlikely). I used Voigtlander 35mm, 28mm, 25mm, 21mm and 15mm but sold them. Probably sharp enough, surface finish easily worn. I bought a 28mm 2.8 Elmarit and 90mm T Elmarit, both very sharp. I use a shift Nikkor 28mm PC for architecture and a 17mm Tokina also. These need slr to M adapters.The Nikon lens is sharp, the Tokina less so, but at £100 including adapter it's a cheap experiment. It is possible to work with the camera handheld but a tripod improves things, including sharpness. I bought a plain black half case without fancy stitching on eBay; it was a tight fit initially but now pulls off without a struggle. I never use the camera without it except on a tripod. and I taped over the Leica red ikon on the M9. Even so, total strangers have recognised the camera and spoken to me but that happened with my M4-P. I travel with canvas holdalls, bigger annually. For holiday travel overseas I use a cheap M4/3 outfit. It isn't as good as an M9! Philip Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenezus Posted March 22, 2014 Share #57 Posted March 22, 2014 How are you guys Getting on with your Leica ME? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
benedict297 Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share #58 Posted March 23, 2014 How are you guys Getting on with your Leica ME? Love it. I've taken it on a few trips abroad and love how it weighs so much less than my nikon kit. It's a great camera and I have no regrets.. That greenish colour they called "grey" is even growing on me. I've even got the opportunity to exhibit some of the pics I've taken with the M-E at a local gallery coming up. It's a great experience. If you have any doubt, go down to a local store and try it out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan c. davis Posted March 23, 2014 Share #59 Posted March 23, 2014 Love mine also. Only problem I've had has been deciding what lens to put on it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yes modo Posted March 24, 2014 Share #60 Posted March 24, 2014 Ditto....old technology, but mature enough where I (and the wife) expect many years of usage before I even think of getting a new camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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