Berth Posted April 1, 2014 Share #81 Posted April 1, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Plus a donkey to carry it all? And that is not the only, but one very big reason for why I'm moving from my excellent Canon kit, at a so-to-be 73 I'm not a donkey anymore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 1, 2014 Posted April 1, 2014 Hi Berth, Take a look here I want to hear from those who made the move from DSLR to the M.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mah Posted April 20, 2014 Share #82 Posted April 20, 2014 Photos talk! MAH https://www.flickr.com/photos/haykal/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnfell Posted April 22, 2014 Share #83 Posted April 22, 2014 I havent really "made the move", but I have used Leica Ms and SLRs side-by-side for the last 10 years (professionally). There are many upsides with a leica M. The smallness of the gear and the image quality, but also the build quality of the whole gear matters when you use it a lot. But the biggest difference can be a huge pro or a huge con, depending on your disposition: Manual everything. If you are the kind of guy who looks out the window and thinks 2000th & f8 and already know your ISO value, or if you are so used to turning three stops on an aperture wheel the second you set foot in a shaded area, or intend to shooting against the sun, then the M is definitely for you. If any of that didn't make sense, or if you can't approximately guess the distance in meters or feet to your subject, then you are in for a very steep learning curve. Alternatively; the Leica M is not for you. This sounds harsh, but the in order to enjoy an M properly it needs to be in manual. The auto functions are nowhere near what even cheaps DSLRs did many years ago. Cliché as it may sound, the M is about what it does NOT have, not what it does have. Ever tried manual focus on the fuji? Or setting the correct exposure (or even approximate focus) without looking at the camera? I love the Ms to death but there are certain things they just cannot do. (So I am forced to own DSLRs as well). Think of it like a sports car versus a pickup truck. The truck is vastly cheaper, can do vastly more stuff, (probably more reliable too!), but has none of the thrill. If you are willing to forgo autos, zooms, long lenses and a bit of money, you will be rewarded with a wonderful shooting experience. And THAT influences your pictures. Someone said Images Talk, so go ahead and visit my blog of Leica-only images: http://boredinthefjord.com/ Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tookaphotoof Posted April 22, 2014 Share #84 Posted April 22, 2014 If you are the kind of guy who looks out the window and thinks 2000th & f8 and already know your ISO value, or if you are so used to turning three stops on an aperture wheel the second you set foot in a shaded area, or intend to shooting against the sun, then the M is definitely for you. If any of that didn't make sense, or if you can't approximately guess the distance in meters or feet to your subject, then you are in for a very steep learning curve. Alternatively; the Leica M is not for you. As with everything, practise is the key to succes. Force yourself full manual with any camera for a while and you slowly get the hang of it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnfell Posted April 22, 2014 Share #85 Posted April 22, 2014 As with everything, practise is the key to succes. Force yourself full manual with any camera for a while and you slowly get the hang of it. True that, but rolling wheels and looking at LCD displays is not the same as a direct wheel with printed letters. If my canons had a direct aperture ring, a classic shutter wheel and a spilt image focus screen, then matters would be different. As of now, most DSLRS are designed to be "Auto with manual option" not the other way around. The only other camera that does this would be the new Nikon Df. Either way: my point was that anyone who has a hard time with manual controls are not going to get the most happiness out of an M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vip Posted April 22, 2014 Share #86 Posted April 22, 2014 In the past I had a lot of reflex type from Minolta 101 and 303, to Contax RTS 1,3, and for my wife a 139 but always looking for something more in term of color and predictability of results. Than I bought a Leica R3 and was a very happy time I had also an R4 and 5 then R8 with lens fron 15mm to 280 Apo. Was a very happy period with astonishing results. Then ( stupid decision) I sold every thing ( never sell Leica stuff) for moving to digital. That was an horrible time even using apparently good stuff; I had never got the same Leica image taste. Now I bought an M 240 with 16-21, 35 1,4, 90 apo and 90 macro. I have immediately seen the beautiful taste I was looking for since year. An interesting report: my 3 son reviewing old slide and print told me once. in the past you was a better photographer compèaring Leica Stuff to Nikon and Canon image. Now they have seen the M images and they told me : you have recovered the style. So even not expert feel something different Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winedemonium Posted April 29, 2014 Share #87 Posted April 29, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) For me the switch happened in two steps. I had a Nikon D800 and some nice lenses. I loved what I was able to get from this kit, though at times I felt like the paparazzi had invited themselves into White House state visit banquet uninvited (more my own self-consciousness than any complaint per se). At the beginning of 2013 I took a photography course to learn B&W film processing and wet print making. I did this to cope through a difficult time, and to do something 'analogue'. I bought an M3 and an M6 and a couple of M and M mount lenses. I found through 2013 that although I knew at times I would get better, and less fiddly, results from my D800, anytime I felt I could get away with not taking the D800, I took the Ms. I bought more M lenses. By the end of 2013 I bought my first digital M - the M-240. Then the D800 got zero use, and I have abandoned the system. There are only a few occasions when I really miss the through-the-lens experience. - 1. when my little kid is screaming around the place and I want to capture the action (I have so many misses on the Ms) 2. when I want to focus on things less than 70cm away - a plate of food, or the printing on a wine cork. For those two situations above I bought a Sony RX100 (and for when I'm feeling really lazy, or just don't want to focus at all on photos but want a step up from an iPhone). I think I will replace with the RX100 with a Leica T, as it will fill those two functions at higher IQ, and allow me to play with the M lenses in a different way also. I have felt, much, much less self-conscious using the M system in public, and in social situations, and this is where the system shines. It is also really easy to focus in low light situations compared to anything else. I will now not only happily carry the camera around, I also often have another lens to hand. I don't miss the D800 - though I respect its IQ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kape06111 Posted April 29, 2014 Share #88 Posted April 29, 2014 I have a Nikon DF and thinking into buy one M. I´m just an hobbiest and always wanted to shoot leica (i did it before, but already too many years ago and i already forgot the user experience). But i don´t if it is a good idea to spend that money. Fine to hear other SLR users. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe exon Posted April 29, 2014 Share #89 Posted April 29, 2014 i know exactly the place your in, i was in d700 land with a bag full of lenses and was going to but the d800 but ended up with the M. its take a few months to get used to it, and the lack of auto iso is a pain but i have fallen in love with it , i went for a sum micron 35mm f2 and life is now simple Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted April 30, 2014 Share #90 Posted April 30, 2014 Try shooting the DF in manual only and set a low max ISO. Doing this will at least tell you if you can/want to work the limitations of the M (as compared to the DF). Once you decide you can work with manual focus only and limited ISO range (again compared to the DF), then rent the M and a lens for a week. I switched from dSLR to M9 several years ago, but I didn't much use AF with the dSLR anyway. I have a Nikon DF and thinking into buy one M. I´m just an hobbiest and always wanted to shoot leica (i did it before, but already too many years ago and i already forgot the user experience). But i don´t if it is a good idea to spend that money. Fine to hear other SLR users. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kape06111 Posted April 30, 2014 Share #91 Posted April 30, 2014 Hi, thanks for the advise. I only shoot in manual mode, I don't like the camera to decide for me, although I use 50% the time autofocus. I'll try to rent one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted April 30, 2014 Share #92 Posted April 30, 2014 Hi, thanks for the advise. I only shoot in manual mode, I don't like the camera to decide for me, although I use 50% the time autofocus. I'll try to rent one. Oh man, you're in for a treat- manual focusing on the RF is pleasurable unlike on a dSLR where it's a chore (crappy focusing screens, lens not designed for manual focus). That being said, the M series has no option for AF (as you know). If you use AF to photography younglings running (playing) around the house, manual focusing may not work. Lensrentals rents Leica gear. If you can't find a local vendor, they're worth considering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kape06111 Posted April 30, 2014 Share #93 Posted April 30, 2014 Thank you Capt. I would not sell my DF, because I love this camera, the set up I have and because in some situations I need the Af. I have also a RX1, which I would sell if I decide for the m240. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tookaphotoof Posted April 30, 2014 Share #94 Posted April 30, 2014 CaptZoom, I've used the 5D2 with eg-s and Zeiss lenses. Focussing is super easy and you always know exactly what's in focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted April 30, 2014 Share #95 Posted April 30, 2014 CaptZoom, I've used the 5D2 with eg-s and Zeiss lenses. Focussing is super easy and you always know exactly what's in focus. I too had that screen on the 5D2, and it was better than the default one but still not up to par with the screens on SLRs (split prism, etc). Admittedly, I never gelled with the 5D2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted April 30, 2014 Share #96 Posted April 30, 2014 Thank you Capt. I would not sell my DF, because I love this camera, the set up I have and because in some situations I need the Af. I have also a RX1, which I would sell if I decide for the m240. Sorry, my error in thinking the RF would replace the dSLR. Looks like renting the M is the next step. I've not used the RX1. I did try one of the NEX models and the menus drove me nuts and out me off of trying Sony cameras (though I'm told Sony's improved the menus quite a bit). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantice Posted May 1, 2014 Share #97 Posted May 1, 2014 2012/11 - I need to upgrade 7D to 5D3 for IQ need. 2012/12 - Don't want to wait + fed up with all the DSLR controls + I miss the feel of of MF of R6.2 + R lenses - maybe I should replace 5D3 + kit with M? Life is short and I have been saving cash... 2013/02 - Pre-order M, give myself M6 and 35mm to see if I like it. Planning on ordering more lenses. 2013/summer - Slowly getting poisoned, yet sick of waiting for digital body. 2013/10 - Got M240 before my birthday. 2014 - Hooked, goddamn it! Also keep getting sick of waiting 50AA (pre-order while I got M6) M system is suck for what I like to do, and because it "sucks", it turns out to be a great advantage! I like wildlife, landscape and travel, and only do few people/street photography. Many will think I'm crazy for completely replacing DSLR and not compliment it, but here are my personal reasons that you can take it with grand of salt: M is... It suck at action - force me to improve my skill as well as learn to "give up" the shoot and enjoy what's in front of me. It suck at automation - doesn't bother me since I'm from R6.2 era but it does slow me down to take serious thoughts on compositions/lights/exposures, etc. Plus I get fewer and better images. It suck at JPEG - unlike Canon DSLR where I'll shoot a bunch and take a few, I now try to get it few and get it "right". Its slow - so slow that I learn to appreciate if a sense is worth my effort or not, before I take all my effort to make the best few shoots out of it. No zoom - I need to use my brain to think what the two best lenses I might use for the day, since changing lens sucks! All the above plus smaller dimension, low profile, RF style composition, LV capability and great IQ fully transform me as an amateur (not professional) from SLR world to M. I still rent Canon body for my R telephotos when I need fps but that isn't too hard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tookaphotoof Posted May 1, 2014 Share #98 Posted May 1, 2014 Stop it! Otherwise I might even considering selling off all my dslr lenses as I've already got rid of the 5D2 to eventually replace it with the 5D3 or 1DX. I could move Macro photography to my M, but I haven't come around how I would be able to shoot motorsport and wildlife with the M240, yet... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantice Posted May 1, 2014 Share #99 Posted May 1, 2014 Stop it! Otherwise I might even considering selling off all my dslr lenses as I've already got rid of the 5D2 to eventually replace it with the 5D3 or 1DX. I could move Macro photography to my M, but I haven't come around how I would be able to shoot motorsport and wildlife with the M240, yet... Can't help, this sounds so much similar to my situation except replacing BIF with motorsport. Well be honest it is pretty inconvenient in that regards with M240 so you might consider investing both Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_m Posted May 1, 2014 Share #100 Posted May 1, 2014 I've shot SLR and M at the same time for a lot of years. Different hammers for different jobs. For just walking around I really favor the M. DSLRs are just to heavy for exploring with a camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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