imsilly Posted December 21, 2013 Share #1 Posted December 21, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've owned a couple of old M cameras in the past, but I'm not a real expert on the matter. I'm going to be traveling for a couple of years, doing photography and writing. I have to rationalise my photography gear for the trip. I've got to fit everything into a Billingham 550 and Hadley Pro. I have just enough space left for one M body and one lens. So far the gear I'm taking is a Nikon FM2n and D700 body, with AF-D 20mm, 50mm, 85mm and 105mm. I then have a Hasselblad 500 C/M with Zeiss 50mm and 80mm. Plus all the various accessories that go with it. Currently I'm looking for a rangefinder as camera to carry with me everywhere I go. That is where the M comes in. It will be a camera for spontaneous street/documentary photography. I'll use it in both day and night. My instincts tell me an M2 and 35mm Summicron, or M6 and 28mm Elmarit would be the most practical kits. I was looking for suggestions of M and lens combinations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 21, 2013 Posted December 21, 2013 Hi imsilly, Take a look here One M one Lens?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
biakalt Posted December 21, 2013 Share #2 Posted December 21, 2013 I would say M6+Cron 35mm. You cant go wrong with this combo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsilly Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted December 21, 2013 I would say M6+Cron 35mm. You cant go wrong with this combo. That sounds sensible. Though I do prefer the fit and finish of the M2, but a light meter can be handy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted December 21, 2013 Share #4 Posted December 21, 2013 M2 and 35 cron v4,,,,, unbeatable IMO Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted December 22, 2013 Share #5 Posted December 22, 2013 That is where the M comes in. It will be a camera for spontaneous street/documentary photography. I'll use it in both day and night. . I think you already have a confusing amount of kit to take with you. The idea of a film M sounds good on paper but I don't really see it doing anything that your FM2 couldn't do, especially if you got a small pancake lens for it. For spontaneity a meter in the camera is a good idea, but for using it 'day and night' the problem of film is going to rear its head. What type of film will work well both day and night, you aren't going to get to frame 36 when you could change to another type just at the same time as the sun goes down? I can't think of one, pushing one to 1600 ISO is going to compromise daylight use, 125 ISO is going to be unusable at night time. Take a small P&S instead, something similar to the Sony RX100. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted December 22, 2013 Share #6 Posted December 22, 2013 That is a lot of gear. Perhaps just add a small 35mm f2 Nikon lens that can be used on the FM2n as the carry everywhere camera. If it has to be a film rangefinder camera then an Olympus XA in the pocket is small and produces nice results without the shutter lag of a digicam. Otherwise, either of the M cameras with the 35mm lens would make a good one lens combination. The built in meter of the M6 is more convenient, but using the M2 with incident metering and a small meter like the Gossen Digisix would be another alternative yielding more consistent exposures on a roll of film. Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted December 22, 2013 Share #7 Posted December 22, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) That is a lot of gear. Perhaps just add a small 35mm F2 Nikon lens that can be used on the FM2n as the carry everywhere camera. If it has to be a film rangefinder camera then an Olympus XA in the pocket is small and produces nice results without the shutter lag of a digicam. Otherwise, either of the M cameras with the 35mm lens would make a good one lens combination. The built in meter of the M6 is more convenient, but using the M2 with incident metering and a small meter like the Gossen Digisix would be another alternative yielding more consistent exposures on a roll of film. Nick +1. Good advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsilly Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted December 22, 2013 I think you already have a confusing amount of kit to take with you. The idea of a film M sounds good on paper but I don't really see it doing anything that your FM2 couldn't do, especially if you got a small pancake lens for it. For spontaneity a meter in the camera is a good idea, but for using it 'day and night' the problem of film is going to rear its head. What type of film will work well both day and night, you aren't going to get to frame 36 when you could change to another type just at the same time as the sun goes down? I can't think of one, pushing one to 1600 ISO is going to compromise daylight use, 125 ISO is going to be unusable at night time. Take a small P&S instead, something similar to the Sony RX100. Steve I don't shoot digital unless I'm being paid. The D700 is there for any digital work, incase I have to instantly send something back to someone. If I needed a digital solution I would just grab a digital Ricoh GR, but that wasn't my aim in my shooting. My FM2n is a great workhorse camera, but it's not a range finder. I really do prefer using a rangefinder for faster shooting, I'm not nearly as fast focusing with a SLR, or as accurate. I know from experience that I shoot better with a rangefinder in those condition. I usually shoot enough film to be able to have different rolls for day and night. I tend to shoot Provia or Portra 400 in the day and Tri-X pushed to 3200 at night. So that isn't an issue, I'm experienced with that kind of shooting. That is a lot of gear. Perhaps just add a small 35mm f2 Nikon lens that can be used on the FM2n as the carry everywhere camera. If it has to be a film rangefinder camera then an Olympus XA in the pocket is small and produces nice results without the shutter lag of a digicam. Otherwise, either of the M cameras with the 35mm lens would make a good one lens combination. The built in meter of the M6 is more convenient, but using the M2 with incident metering and a small meter like the Gossen Digisix would be another alternative yielding more consistent exposures on a roll of film. Nick I didn't list everything, I'll also be taking weird cameras like a Widelux, Nimslo and Lomo L-CA wide, but that's another post. My gear will not all be taken out at once. I just want to be able to have everything I need with me just incase. I had a Nikkor 35mm F2, I liked it, but I sold it on because it wasn't getting much use. I still have a couple of Olympus XA camera on a shelf, but they are not a solution to my problem due to their fragility, poor viewfinder and not being able to be used fully manually. I agree I think that the M6 might be the most sensible choice. I usually shoot street with a Ricoh GR1v and Hasselblad 500CM. The 500CM is meterless and I usually carry a Sekonic L-358 to do incident readings for it. My hope was that because I'd already have a meter in use a M2 would surfice if I only wanted to go as wide as 35mm. I would keep using the Ricoh GR1v as it's an excellent camera, but I found that having a fixed hyper focal distance of 2m to infinity was not allowing me to get close enough to shoot a lot of subjects and it's autofocus loves to back focus, which is even worse. That is where the M camera comes in. I use zone focusing 90% of the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsilly Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted December 22, 2013 Far too much gear much of which you don't need. Either (1) Nikon film (2) Leica Film (3) Hasselbald or (4) Nikon digital Taking one of each won't work and will just weigh you down and create all sorts of portability and security issues. Take ONE system, make sure you can fit it all in one smallish bag that you can keep with you at all times. Doing it as you propose will end in tears. Trust me that is not an issue, I will be living for long periods in each place. I won't bring more then one kit a day. I just need to bring a few different kits for particular types of shooting. I'll be abroad in places where it won't be easy to pick up new gear, so I'm bringing all with me now. I will have a day bag, my Billing Hadley and if it can't be carried in that I won't bring it that day. The other option would be a Mamiya 6 or 7 instead of a Leica M, but I would pick one of those up in Asia as they are cheaper there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 22, 2013 Share #10 Posted December 22, 2013 If you prefer a rangefinder why aren't you using one now? Take gear you are familiar with. I prefer to travel light, others take numerous large cases full off stuff. If you really want one M & lens I'd go with the M6 & 35. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted December 22, 2013 Share #11 Posted December 22, 2013 Another vote for an M6 with a 35 Summicron. Compact, versatile and just about the perfect walking around combination. If you're determined to add a rangefinder, this is a good way to go. MAD Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsilly Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted December 22, 2013 If you prefer a rangefinder why aren't you using one now? Take gear you are familiar with. I prefer to travel light, others take numerous large cases full off stuff. If you really want one M & lens I'd go with the M6 & 35. I have had quite a lot in the past and I do have a few cheap rangefinders now. I just don't want to be running around with a Canonet or XA because they always seem to go wrong on me. I'd rather buy a quality body and lens that could take a bit of rough treatment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted December 22, 2013 Share #13 Posted December 22, 2013 Wow, you have a load of kit already packed! Since you are inclined to go for an older Leica film M and one lens, why not consider the excellent Leica CM which has a non-interchangeable 40mm Summarit. It would be an excellent go-anywhere companion if you are avoiding the digital alternative. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsilly Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted December 22, 2013 Wow, you have a load of kit already packed! Since you are inclined to go for an older Leica film M and one lens, why not consider the excellent Leica CM which has a non-interchangeable 40mm Summarit. It would be an excellent go-anywhere companion if you are avoiding the digital alternative. The Leica CM is not going to cut it, it's a horrible package overall. I have used most of the high end film compacts including the CM. The Contax T2 and Ricoh GR1v were outstanding, but the Leica CM is not in that league. I still have my Ricoh and use it most days, but the CM was a bit of a dog in terms of performance, it's really slow. The Ricoh is great with it's snap focus in terms of speed, but unlike a manual focus rangefinder it's difficult to change the hyper focal range. One reason I wanted a rangefinder is that I want to be able to zone focus from 2m to infinity and then from a few feet to 2m. Most of my shooting are close up head shots and standard full body shots. I usually zone focus to get one or the other. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincoln_m Posted December 22, 2013 Share #15 Posted December 22, 2013 Far too much kit and too many different formats. Ditch it all for M7 with 35f2asph and 50f1.4asph maybe add another colour M7 or MP. One for provia one for tmax400. Possibly add a Fuji x20 for digital snaps. I've used this type of setup but found it too much kit when you also need a day sack. Really you only need the 35mm and one M with only provia. I think better with only one camera and for cold places it has to be the Mp or M6Ttl but the meter gets through a battery every 3 films in sub 5C temps so the MP is better for that. Any way you can't get film in camera shops in many countries these days so you'll need to take it with you. I find the minilux 40mm lens is very high quality but agree on the usage issues and slowness although using the manual aperture and focus does help a bit. Good luck with your adventure. Lincoln Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted December 23, 2013 Share #16 Posted December 23, 2013 Going back to the question in the title, I'd pick an M6TTL and the 50 Summilux Asph, which is great for everything. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsilly Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted December 23, 2013 Far too much kit and too many different formats. Ditch it all for M7 with 35f2asph and 50f1.4asph maybe add another colour M7 or MP. One for provia one for tmax400. Possibly add a Fuji x20 for digital snaps. I've used this type of setup but found it too much kit when you also need a day sack. Really you only need the 35mm and one M with only provia. I think better with only one camera and for cold places it has to be the Mp or M6Ttl but the meter gets through a battery every 3 films in sub 5C temps so the MP is better for that. Any way you can't get film in camera shops in many countries these days so you'll need to take it with you. I find the minilux 40mm lens is very high quality but agree on the usage issues and slowness although using the manual aperture and focus does help a bit. Good luck with your adventure. Lincoln Luckily I'll be in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan, all places film is readily available. I will take as much Tri-X and Provia as I can carry, but I'm not too worried about picking up film. I know I'm taking a lot of kit, but on a daily basis it will just take one 35mm and my Hasselblad. I'll probably leave the Hasselblad at home, unless I'm doing more serious stuff. An M7 seems a good choice because of the aperture priority option. I do use a lot of aperture priority if it's available. Though a fully mechanical camera would be ideal. Speed is a real issue with me, that is why the only compact I'd consider bringing would the Ricoh GR1V, optically the minilux and CM are great, but I can't live with their lag. Going back to the question in the title, I'd pick an M6TTL and the 50 Summilux Asph, which is great for everything. I can't use a 50mm it's just not wide enough, the longest I'm willing to go on an M is 35mm. As far as the M6 TTL, flash TTL function goes, how effective is it? I use flash at night quite a bit, but I find that many TTL systems still over expose subjects if they are close up. Usually end up going manual anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJH Posted December 23, 2013 Share #18 Posted December 23, 2013 The other option would be a Mamiya 6 or 7 instead of a Leica M, but I would pick one of those up in Asia as they are cheaper there. Job done, you have you're digital solution (D700) and the 7 can cover you're film, MF and rangefinder requirement in one camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted December 23, 2013 Share #19 Posted December 23, 2013 Another option to consider - Voigtlander Bessa L, and a 25mm f4 Snapshot Skopar - perfect lens for quick zone focus street shooting, I use it a lot on my lllf (I say the Bessa as it has a built in meter and you can still find new/old stock bodies). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsilly Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share #20 Posted December 23, 2013 Job done, you have you're digital solution (D700) and the 7 can cover you're film, MF and rangefinder requirement in one camera. There is one for sale locally, I'll go handle it and see what I think. The only time I've ever used one before was in a studio. I didn't really pay much attention to it and never thought of it as a outside camera, but I have seen them used successfully for street photography a few times. Another option to consider - Voigtlander Bessa L, and a 25mm f4 Snapshot Skopar - perfect lens for quick zone focus street shooting, I use it a lot on my lllf (I say the Bessa as it has a built in meter and you can still find new/old stock bodies). I have never really looked much into Voigtlander bodies, I'll see if I can find one to look at. I know they have a reputation for good viewfinders. I think I'm leaning heavily towards a M6 TTTL and 28mm Elmarit, from reading the posts above. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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