Subject Focus Posted June 8, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 8, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello! I noticed I wasn't shooting whether it was in my backyard or traveling through Europe. I didn't like carrying around a D800 with a bunch of lenses. I had always wanted a Leica and decided it was time to switch so I sold all my gear and got ready to buy but then was surprised to find the M240 had been released. After a month of reading and doing blind tests of raw files I decided I liked the M9 look better and could pick out the M9 files from nearly every test. I found a refurbished M9 with only 93 actuations and a 10/10 body. The body is completely flawless and not even a camera strap had been attached to it. It came with the full two year Leica warranty, all the accessories unopened, and was basically brand new yet at a reduced price. I don't have a lens yet. I'm thinking about a 35cron first and something for macro down the line. I know the M240 is lightyears better at macro but I'll figure something out either with the Leica 90mm macro lenses and with a Visoflex III. I might look into renting or borrowing some lenses before deciding on what to get given the price of Leica lenses. Are the black plastic pieces on the sides of the M9 to protect the body from the camera strap and/or to take the camera apart? I also need to figure out whether the problem with macro work is just that you can't see whether the subject is in focus at close distances or whether the camera or lenses can't actually focus up close. I can't wait to get a lens this week and start shooting! Maybe it's the size or mystique of a Leica but I find myself wanting to go on trips now to explore and find new places to shoot. -George Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 8, 2014 Posted June 8, 2014 Hi Subject Focus, Take a look here Ahh finally a Leica!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Likaleica Posted June 8, 2014 Share #2 Posted June 8, 2014 I also need to figure out whether the problem with macro work is just that you can't see whether the subject is in focus at close distances or whether the camera or lenses can't actually focus up close. -George Wecome, George. Lot's of great information here, and lots of strong opinions. There are three things about M cameras (before the 240) that make macro difficult/impossible. The viewfinder far enough from the axis of the lens that you can't frame accurately. You also cannot focus precisely. And since it is not capable of good macro photography, Leica did not make many lenses with close focusing capability. Having said that, here is a full-frame photograph taken with the 75 apo-summicron, 1/6 sec f/11. The screen will allow for hit-and-miss composing for macro images. Also, the file sizes should be large enough with the M9 that you can crop for a macro effect. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/228511-ahh-finally-a-leica/?do=findComment&comment=2606243'>More sharing options...
swamiji Posted June 8, 2014 Share #3 Posted June 8, 2014 If you want to do macro with the M9, you need to look into a Visoflex III, bellows II, setup. Not super expensive, and many of the lenses can double as regular M lenses as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted June 8, 2014 Share #4 Posted June 8, 2014 The classic lenses for Leica are 35,50,90. add a 24 or 135 as you see fit. Problem being it can get as heavy as D800 set very quickly. I have both. If you want a travel set, the Summarit lenses are fine at f2.5. For low light, the NEW 1.4 Summilux is fantastic. The discontinued 50 2.8 is great for small size. Buy the new version. 28 2.8 ASPH is extremely small. The tabs are to protect the body from the strap. My set is 35 V4 from 1985, 50 2.8 and/or 50 1.4 , 90 4.0 or 75 APO. The whole key is to control yourself so you do not get 50 pounds of stuff and become a packhorse again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likaleica Posted June 8, 2014 Share #5 Posted June 8, 2014 The whole key is to control yourself so you do not get 50 pounds of stuff and become a packhorse again. Ditto. Leicas are made of much denser materials (glass, metals, etc) so it's possible to be smaller yet just as heavy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted June 8, 2014 Share #6 Posted June 8, 2014 Congratulations and welcome aboard! I'm certain that the M9 will serve you well in your photographic undertakings. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblutter Posted June 9, 2014 Share #7 Posted June 9, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica lenses used, Voigtlander, Zeiss Lots of affordable options Ver IV Summi 50mm 2.0 on M9 - for me, perfection. Mine was mfr'd 20 yrs ago, gorgeous files, plenty of creamy boka Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Focus Posted June 10, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks fellas. I hope to get the 35mm cron this week so I can finally start shooting. The SD issue has me a bit worried and I'm thinking of selling my Sandisk for a Panasonic Gold and it's going to be interesting since I got Lightroom with the M9 to compare that to Capture One. I know Leica and Phase One are competitors so I wonder if it's weird to mix and match cameras and programs haha. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Printmaker Posted June 10, 2014 Share #9 Posted June 10, 2014 I'd consider a 35 Summicron and a 75 Summarit as a light weight kit that won't break the bank or back. I tend to use a 90 Elmarit M when I do close up work but the 75 is smaller, lighter and lets you skip the 50. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 10, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 10, 2014 Welcome to the forum !!! And congratulaons for your choice ... a Summicronn 35 as first lens onto a M9 is NEVER a mistake. Regarding macro... for not too specialized usage the best and more comfortable solution is (probably, I haven't) the Macro Emar 90 M with its "goggled" accessory, but is really expensive... even if yu gain also an excellent 90 for general usage; otherway, follow Swamiij adavice and venture in the Visoflex World ... lot of possibilities, funny and useful combinatons... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted June 10, 2014 Share #11 Posted June 10, 2014 The M240 is not an instant solution for macro unless you have an R macro lens or some kind of extension tube or bellows to use with the standard M lenses, as those don't focus anywhere near macro. Even the so-called 90 Macro isn't really macro aka 1:1. OTOH a Visoflex acts as an extension tube, so an M9 thus equipped will get you some mighty maginifcation with a 50, 90 or even 135. Personally I find focusing the Visoflex III far more precise than using an EVF of the quality supplied for the M240, but YMMV. Agree about weight, but the compactness of the M system lets you use a much smaller bag than a DSLR outfit, thus even if the weight were the same, it's held in closer to your body and feels lighter. That said although I own some of the larger or heavier lenses like 21 Elmarit, 50 Summilux and 90 Summicron, my travel kit consists of the smallest, lightest lenses, such as 21 CV, 35 Cron IV, 50 Cron tabbed version, and 90 "Thin" T-E. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted June 10, 2014 Share #12 Posted June 10, 2014 George, a warm welcome to the forum! You made a plausible case for your choice of Leica camera and lens. Regarding macro, I have a similar dilemma and for my limited need I am employing my compact D-Lux 5 (now replaced by Leica D-Lux 6 though I have not upgraded) for this purpose. For occasional macro it is superb and costs far less than a 90mm macro. The little compact is also supreme in social situations where a system camera cannot be concealed so easily. Just a thought! A 35mm Summicron makes for a superb general camera/lens kit. Consider adding the 75 or 90 Summarit for portraiture or other narrower angles of view. The modern Summarits are superb lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DES Posted June 10, 2014 Share #13 Posted June 10, 2014 Welcome to the forum George. Don't let anyone tell you That macro is a waste of time with a Leica This I loved doing with my M8... It just took a bit Of patience. I look forward to seeing your work. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/228511-ahh-finally-a-leica/?do=findComment&comment=2608038'>More sharing options...
pragmatist Posted June 10, 2014 Share #14 Posted June 10, 2014 Thanks fellas. I hope to get the 35mm cron this week so I can finally start shooting. The SD issue has me a bit worried and I'm thinking of selling my Sandisk for a Panasonic Gold and it's going to be interesting since I got Lightroom with the M9 to compare that to Capture One. I know Leica and Phase One are competitors so I wonder if it's weird to mix and match cameras and programs haha. Yep I used Panasonic gold and have never had any problems at all. Good choice of card. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Focus Posted June 23, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted June 23, 2014 Getting tomorrow! - 35mm Summicron Chrome - ONA Bowery Dark Truffle Carrying Case - Panasonic Gold 16gb SD Cards x2 - BW Clear Filter I've been going through withdraw but can finally start shooting with this week which will coincide with my bday on the 26th. Future wish list. - 16mm or 18mm - 90mm with Macro Adapter or 135 - Hot Shoe Cover - Neck Strap Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 25, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 25, 2014 - ONA Bowery Dark Truffle Carrying Case http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/333358-careful-trusting-strap-your-ona-berlin.html Problems with three ONA models noted in discussion, including the Bowery (post #51). Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Focus Posted June 25, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted June 25, 2014 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/333358-careful-trusting-strap-your-ona-berlin.html Problems with three ONA models noted in discussion, including the Bowery (post #51). Jeff Now I'm worried. I just ordered the Bowery a day ago. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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