Paul J Posted December 18, 2013 Share #21 Posted December 18, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I too was concerned about the transition. However the saying "only thing to fear is fear its self" comes to mind as I not only found it quite easy to adjust, I now much prefer it and find it more accurate than autofocus. At first it's a new experience, and a bit awkward, but the more you do it the better you get. I advise having the camera with you at all times for a while and practice, practice, practice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 18, 2013 Posted December 18, 2013 Hi Paul J, Take a look here Question for experienced users. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
MirekE Posted December 18, 2013 Share #22 Posted December 18, 2013 ...One thing that really concerns me is the number of focus misses I get with the camera. I fully understand that the Leica glass is superior to Nikon, but unless I can get a better hit rate, it seems this would be a worthless investment. I'm really trying hard to get to grips with this, as I really am sold on a lighter/smaller system. Can anyone offer any advice from those of you who have over come from the DSLR side. I'm sure it must get better. The number of focus misses is a matter of training. It gets better. Easier with wider lenses, less easy with 90/2. I think my hit rate is not very different from my DSLR. It is a great camera if you can live with the limitations (small range of lenses, no AF, IS, zooming, not so many electronic functions, simple flash, ...). Not sure if it is superior to FF CaNikon, don't expect technically better images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lethbrp Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share #23 Posted December 18, 2013 Hi, I'm having trouble understanding how someone could spend two hours at the Mayfair store, shooting with the camera, and conclude that too many of the shots showed incorrect focus. Are you saying that you had a problem with lining up the double image in the viewfinder or that the apparent depth of field in the resulting image was not what you expected? Did you look at the images on a computer or just on the camera screen? Did you discuss the problem with the staff at the Mayfair store? I'm sure that they would have identified the problem and explained what needed to be done to correct it. In one of your posts, you seem to suggest that the problem, at least in part, is that your eyesight needs correction. If that's the issue, the solution is to make the correction Are you nearsighted, farsighted or ..? Cheers I was looking at the images on my macbook in the shop. I did try a couple of diopters which did improve the situation from the viewfinder perspective. But when looking at the image zoomed in, they weren't as sharp as (focus wise) as I'd get using a DSLR. Now I don't expect to get proficient in a couple of hours. Other post indicate this is longer process. This is why I ask you guys, when you go out, do you assume you are going to get a fair amount of images where you've missed the focus point, is this fact of life using a RF camera, or would you expect a similar hit rate to an auto focus camera? Please note this is not a criticism is any way of the Leica gear, I'm just trying to set expectations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lethbrp Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share #24 Posted December 18, 2013 They might be OOF but they're the sharpest OOF images you can find! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lethbrp Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share #25 Posted December 18, 2013 A good friend of mine has offered to lend me his M9 for a couple of weeks. So hopefully, I can get to grips with it and make a final decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted December 18, 2013 Share #26 Posted December 18, 2013 Good news. I suggest you get your eyes checked in advance. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted December 18, 2013 Share #27 Posted December 18, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica Mayfair is a terrible place to test a camera ..... dark and gloomy inside and just a narrow alley to take pictures in outside...... if they let you out with it. I had a better hit rate almost from the word go than autofocus with my nikon gear. I gave up precisely for the same reasons as you ..... fed up carrying piles of heavy kit about. ..... In the past I have missed not having a longish zoom .... but with the M you can virtually stick anything on it with the EVF and be really happy ...... if not mildy alarmed that you are taking a step backwards into life as an unpaid sherpa humping photo gear..... For holidays and just generally carrying about a camera the M system is unbeatable ..... unobtrusive and very quiet. I can get 2 bodies, 4 lenses, mini tripod and sundry bits in a leather Dothebag which is 35x20x20cm. Although I personally don't like it (mine is going to be sold on after Xmas) a Sony A7r is an alternative ....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lethbrp Posted December 20, 2013 Author Share #28 Posted December 20, 2013 Well I've made the jump. Got my eyes tested, and confirmed a +1 diopter should sort things out. Ordered the camera and lenses which all come on Monday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wogg Posted December 21, 2013 Share #29 Posted December 21, 2013 Good luck and enjoy. My notes, coming from a Canon DSLR setup (where I'd totally given up on manual focus except for the wides): 1) Took me about 1-2 weeks daily use to really adapt to the instinctive use of the patch (finding the right lines to get quickest matchup on in the right plane). But, like a bike, once acquired that skill is just there. 2) Diopter (which you have sorted out-- I actually use contacts more now because it's so much easier, and the frame view is larger) 3) Get the VF magnifier-- I use the 1.25x on 50mm+. It made my 50mm 1.4 shots as tight as my AF shots were on 5D3 + 50L, and it made the 90mm Summarit reliably useful to me whereas without it, the hit rate was too poor. I even use it sometimes on the wide side, then just frame in external VF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndReini Posted December 21, 2013 Share #30 Posted December 21, 2013 I'm not whether this is something M users accept as part of the package. Congratulations on your purchase, and rest assured, out of focus images are not something that M users accept. As a matter of fact, Leica lenses wide open will reveal the slightest bit of misfocus, and will drive you nuts if you don't master accurate focussing. My advice is tp practice as much as you can and turn the focus back to infinity after every shot, so you are not hunting back and forth on the next picture. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest redge Posted December 21, 2013 Share #31 Posted December 21, 2013 Well I've made the jump. Got my eyes tested, and confirmed a +1 diopter should sort things out. Ordered the camera and lenses which all come on Monday. If I can ask, what lenses did you purchase? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted December 21, 2013 Share #32 Posted December 21, 2013 Well I've made the jump. Got my eyes tested, and confirmed a +1 diopter should sort things out. Glad you followed up on the eye test. So now you know your eyes require some correction to achieve best results. However, unless you brought your camera to the optician, beware of directly translating test results to diopter strength required. Because of the slight negative diopter built into the VF, and because eyes can be funny instruments, it might be best to test slightly different strengths to be sure you have the best correction. Happy shooting. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lethbrp Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share #33 Posted December 21, 2013 If I can ask, what lenses did you purchase? I bought the 35 f1.4, 28 f2, 21 f3.4 and the 90 f2 I've put my name down for the 50 APO, but I think thats going to be a least 12 months away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lethbrp Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share #34 Posted December 21, 2013 Glad you followed up on the eye test. So now you know your eyes require some correction to achieve best results. However, unless you brought your camera to the optician, beware of directly translating test results to diopter strength required. Because of the slight negative diopter built into the VF, and because eyes can be funny instruments, it might be best to test slightly different strengths to be sure you have the best correction. Happy shooting. Jeff Hi Jeff, The optician stated that I needed +.75 to correct my long vision. As I understand it, the viewfinder is tuned to -.5, a the nearest diopter was the +1 to get a close as possible. I have tried it out, and the viewfinder is now much clearer on focusing. Regards Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erlingmm Posted December 21, 2013 Share #35 Posted December 21, 2013 I think the -0.5 in the viewfinder should not be corrected, only your own correction as if you needed glasses, but it requires some experimentation. Astigmatism has not been mentioned here, but for those who struggle with it, I will again recommend Walter's Eyepeices: Walter Leica Eyepiece Although expensive, it makes a totally different experience for those of us who struggle with it, I have 2, for my MM and M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted December 21, 2013 Share #36 Posted December 21, 2013 Astigmatism has not been mentioned here, but for those who struggle with it, I will again recommend Walter's Eyepeices: Walter Leica Eyepiece Covered in post #18. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted December 21, 2013 Share #37 Posted December 21, 2013 it might be best to test slightly different strengths to be sure you have the best correction. +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest redge Posted December 21, 2013 Share #38 Posted December 21, 2013 I think the -0.5 in the viewfinder should not be corrected, only your own correction as if you needed glasses, but it requires some experimentation. This is what Leica says: Leica Camera AG - Photography - LEICA CORRECTION LENSES M "Prior to ordering, it should be noted that the Leica M's viewfinder is preset by default to -0.5 diopters. So anyone wearing glasses of 1 diopter strength would require a +1.5 diopters M system correction lens." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted December 21, 2013 Share #39 Posted December 21, 2013 True. In addition, though, there's math and then there are eyes. Seeing is believing, and testing is still recommended IMO. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahl Posted December 22, 2013 Share #40 Posted December 22, 2013 Hi Leth congratulations on your purchase. I would like to make a few points. - It does take time to get used to RF focusing and the hit rate improves with experience but you have to shoot a lot for it to become automatic. - The autofocus SLRs focus quickly in good light but not always on the target you want - In poor light with little contrast, the RF proves superior. - It is not always poor focusing that gives poor results, we have become used to anti-shake control with SLRs and the Leicas show up camera shake especially with the longer lenses. - Do not get rid of all your other lenses, you might need them for long telephoto work keep one SLR body as backup until you get an M 240 with adapters and EVF. - Consider an Olympus OMD,Sony,or Fuji as a second body that has autofocus lenses and that can use your Leica glass with a reasonably cheap adapter. - While you are waiting for the new very expensive 50mm treat yourself to the 50 Summilux 1.4 the results are outstanding at a fraction of the price . Unless you also get the Monochrome the Apo 50 offers more resolution than the colour sensors can cope with. In many years of Leica photography I have never met anyone willing to trade in the 50 1.4. You have invested a lot of cash in your system you need to invest the time to get to use it comfortably but what a treat you have to look forward to. Good luck and let us see your results when you are happy with them. Alan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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